DONE4 ticketing through AA

[simongr]

Just a quick question. I am planning to book a September DONE4 and of course will book through AA in Dallas. I have two questions

1 - If I book now does it have to be ticketed within one month of booking or ticketed within one month of departure?

2 - If ticketed and paid for and a cancellation is required is there any penalty?

My concern is that I might consider a change in jobs which would in all likelihood mean the Sep trip is canned but I dont want to stick my current company with a bill for a cancelled flight - but I want to book ahead as much as I can to guarantee my seats.

My routing my be a little tricky as I want to do my normal drop in to LCA as well as hitting AKL (3-4 days) and HKG (potentially) and get enough SCs to retain QF SG - I need 160. I would love to get the 160 in the most efficient way possible.

The other complication will be ensuring I get the 35,100 qpoints at the same time as getting the SCs for QF SG - looks like I might be playing the FF number roulette game again

 

[serfty]

For a DONE4 ex Oz:

1. While the rules have no ticketing restrictions, AA will only hold it for up to 6 weeks. Also, other airlines may cancel their specific flight after about 4 weeks.

When commenced booking a couple of LONE4's in lat February, the original booking was "held" until 7th April. I did receive a call (from Ireland) a day later that I needed to be aware that "other" airlines may cancel certain sectors if not ticketed within 4 weeks (end of March).

2. If cancelled before departure, the is no penalty whether ticketed or not and full refund would be available (local service fees may apply).

16. VOLUNTARY CHANGES/REROUTING/PENALTIES

    (a) Rebooking/Rerouting

...

    (b) Cancellations and Refunds

        (1) Prior to departure

            (a) Origin TC1

                (1) Before ticket issuance - full refund
                (2) After ticket issuance - 10 percent of ticketed amount

            (b) Origin TC2/3

                No penalty

            (c) In case of refusal of official documents/entry permit/visa a full 
                refund will apply provided official documentation from the approved 
                authority is produced and attached to the refund request.

         -------------
         Local service fees may apply

 

[simongr]

Thanks - I got caught out with a circle asia fare recently so just being mindful of that.

Looks like I need to call my boss to confirm dates

 

[simongr]

OK - just a couple of questions.

What is the best OW J product AKL-SYD. I know/think the only options are:

QF 763 - I assumed Dreamtime seats on all 763?
QF 343 - Guessing Skybed
LA 343 - Is this a decent product?

The only downside to the QF/LA 343 is that they leave AKL at stupid o'clock so may need another night in AKL...

I realised the second question was irrelevant.

 

[Keith009]

I think the QF 343 is actually a codeshare operated by LA.

 

[serfty]

OK - just a couple of questions.

What is the best OW J product AKL-SYD. I know/think the only options are:

QF 763 - I assumed Dreamtime seats on all 763?
QF 343 - Guessing Skybed
LA 343 - Is this a decent product?

The only downside to the QF/LA 343 is that they leave AKL at stupid o'clock so may need another night in AKL...

I realised the second question was irrelevant.

SYD-MEL-AKL on QF25 is the only current way to get skybeds.

While Dreamtime seats are perfectly adequate for a 4 hours flight, the TransTasman Qantas 763's these days generally use Millenium.

You can use E/F to check - look at the J cabin for 1x2x2 configurations; these are Dreamtime, 2x2x2 represent Millenium.

 

[simongr]

Thanks for that - I wondered by both the QF and LA flights departed around the same time

Looks like it is the hunt for the dreamtime seat then...

I think the route is now fairly fixed between these options:

syd-mel-lax-jfk-dfw-sat-dfw-nyc-lhr-lca-lhr-hkg-akl-syd - 34,674 BIS, 160SCs, 53,736 qpoints, 82,555 AA miles, 3,000 QFF points

syd-nrt-jfk-dfw-sat-dfw-nyc-lhr-lca-lhr-hkg-akl-syd - 35,436 BIS, 200 SCs, 54,322 qpoints, 82,014 AA miles, 4,320 QFF points

bne-mel-lax-jfk-dfw-sat-dfw-nyc-lhr-lca-lhr-hkg-akl-syd-adl-syd -36,542 BIS, 200 SC's, 55,181 qpoints, 84,721 AA miles, -11,680 QFF points (given the cost of the QF SYD-BNE J award)

Hmm - I guess I wish I knew whether I would be able to swing the A380 - but given that is not necessarily an option I might need to think about this...

 

[Danger]

I assume that booking a LONE4 through AA in Dallas would achieve the same level of cost savings as a DONE4, than booking through QF in Australia. Is this correct? I spoke with QF today over a 20 segment LONE4. The base fare of just under $3300 Aus came out at $4500 thanks to taxes. The routing is as follows:

PER-SYD (QF) - MNL (QF) - NRT (JL) - SGN (JO) - HKG (CX) - SIN (CX) - LHR (QF) - IST (BA) - BUD (MA) - HEL (AY) - CDG (AY) - JFK (AA) - YVR (CX) - DFW (AA) - ATL (AA) // ORD-SFO (AA) - LAX (AA) - SYD (QF) - PER (QF).

(Note, transits only at LHR and DFW.)

The plan is to maximum SCs (moreso than points) and travel through the OW ports with the best (I understand this is open to much debate) premium lounges.

 

[Keith009]

That sounds excessive. Yes you'd achieve the same savings with LONE4. FWIW my recently ticketed 20 segment DONE4 out of MNL came up to under A$800 in +++s. And I had 1 LHR stopover.

 

[serfty]

I assume that booking a LONE4 through AA in Dallas would achieve the same level of cost savings as a DONE4 ...

Big Time!

See my blog/thread here:

• Detail on using the AA RTW Desk

Try $384 for the LONE4 mentioned in that thread. Note reference in post #25 of that thread of Qantas charging $975 for an award booking similar but not as extensive as my route.

 

[Danger]

When the AAgent asks me where I want to purchase the ticket, do I say America or Australia? I assume this makes a difference to the final price.

 

[v8Statesman]

I assume that booking a LONE4.....

The plan is to maximum SCs (moreso than points) and travel through the OW ports with the best (I understand this is open to much debate) premium lounges.

L class is one hard way to earn SC on QFF. I have known people do this from NB to PS and almost comeback dead.

It is a hard way to earn 350SC. Have worked out how many you will get from your trip?

 

[v8Statesman]

When the AAgent asks me where I want to purchase the ticket, do I say America or Australia? I assume this makes a difference to the final price.

For the purpose of a LONE4 starting ex AUS. It will make no difference. I would say Australia, then ring AAIndia to pay.

 

[Dave Noble]

When the AAgent asks me where I want to purchase the ticket, do I say America or Australia? I assume this makes a difference to the final price.

Indeed it will make a difference. You need to tell them that you will be having the ticket issued in Australia in order that they quote you the ex-Australia fare

Dave

 

[Danger]

L class is one hard way to earn SC on QFF. I have known people do this from NB to PS and almost comeback dead.

It is a hard way to earn 350SC. Have worked out how many you will get from your trip?

400, Depending on where I depart from in Australia. Not great but, combined with other travel, nothing to sneeze at.

 

[Danger]

Okay, so I've told the AAgent that I'd like to purchase the ticket in Australia and it has now been sent to Dublin for pricing. However, before that, I was asked if I wanted to pay with an American credit card or an Australian card. Which is best?

 

[Dave Noble]

Okay, so I've told the AAgent that I'd like to purchase the ticket in Australia and it has now been sent to Dublin for pricing. However, before that, I was asked if I wanted to pay with an American credit card or an Australian card. Which is best?

An Australian one is best if you are paying in Australian Dollars so that you do not get hit for any currency exchange fees; other than that there is no difference

Hopefully in a day or so, the pricing will all be done and you can see what the price saving is

Dave

 

[serfty]

I Agree with Dave, LONEx's ex OZ for Oz residents with OZ CC's are best paid for in AUD.

The 2.5% commission on forex charged by many card providers is a $100 whack on a $4k fare.

 

[Danger]

I phoned AA again this morning and now have an all-inclusive quote of $4,025 Australian, a saving of just under $500 on what Qantas quoted me for the same itinerary.

 

[Dave Noble]

I phoned AA again this morning and now have an all-inclusive quote of $4,025 Australian, a saving of just under $500 on what Qantas quoted me for the same itinerary.

Not a bad saving for just booking elsewhere is it

Dave