G'day from Washington, D.C.!

[ZenFlyer]

I've wandered over from FlyerTalk while in the throes of planning my first trip to Australia and you folks seem like a friendly bunch -- hope you don't mind if I sit down and hang out here for a while. I've already learned a lot by skimming the posts here, but definitely have some questions about both the Sydney airport and flying domestically on Qantas that I'll be asking for some help with. And happy to contribute anything I know about United, American, or US airport and travel logistics for those headed to the States.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Welcome to AFF @ZenFlyer . I visited Washington for the first time just recently in October..Unfortunately didn't have much time to see the sights, but did ride an electric bike up and down the Mall one morning.

Please ask away!

 

[Dr Ralph]

Welcome to AFF

Washington state or DC?

 

[SeatBackForward]

Welcome to AFF

Washington state or DC?

I just realised that after my post. Well the same trip took me to Washington State (Seattle) also so I'm covered

 

[ZenFlyer]

Thanks for the welcome! It's Washington, D.C. in fact -- have now edited the title to reflect that. (Sorry, thought that would show up in my profile).

But Washington State is certainly lovely as well . . .

 

[drron]

Welcome to AFF. basically we are a friendly lot and I do happen to like Americans.
You don't have to limit yourself to Qantas flying domestically altghough they are the largest airline and most destinations.
Don't forget to look at Virgin Australia. They can be cheaper especially if you want to travel business class. If you have United Status you will get extra benefits on VA.
And enjoy Australia.

 

[ZenFlyer]

Welcome to AFF. basically we are a friendly lot and I do happen to like Americans.
You don't have to limit yourself to Qantas flying domestically altghough they are the largest airline and most destinations.
Don't forget to look at Virgin Australia. They can be cheaper especially if you want to travel business class. If you have United Status you will get extra benefits on VA.
And enjoy Australia.

Thanks for the flying tips! As it happens, I've so far wound up on Qantas because I was able to book award flights using AA miles I had on hand, and at a very good rate. But we're continuing to fiddle with the overall itinerary, so I will definitely keep VA in mind as well -- good to know they may be cheaper. We do have one flight on Jetstar, and yes, I was rather shocked at the price difference vis-a-vis Qantas!

 

[drron]

You do get great deals with AA miles domestically especially in J.

 

[RooFlyer]

but definitely have some questions about both the Sydney airport and flying domestically on Qantas that I'll be asking for some help with

Welcome to AFF @ZenFlyer . I note your use of AA miles to use Qantas, which can be good value, but I suggest not limiting yourself to Qantas, for the many reasons you'll read in the the Qantas forum. For-warned is fore-armed.

As a 15 year Platinum QFF member, I've just switched to Virgin domestically and SQ and QR internationally.

We do have one flight on Jetstar, and yes, I was rather shocked at the price difference vis-a-vis Qantas!

Like any LCC, Jetstar can be very good value, but like other LCCs, when things go pear-shaped, they tend to go splat!!

 

[ZenFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @ZenFlyer . I note your use of AA miles to use Qantas, which can be good value, but I suggest not limiting yourself to Qantas, for the many reasons you'll read in the the Qantas forum. For-warned is fore-armed.

As a 15 year Platinum QFF member, I've just switched to Virgin domestically and SQ and QR internationally.

Thank you -- and that's very interesting to hear. Many long-time frequent fliers are also unhappy with their respective programs at the moment -- I will definitely be curious to learn more in the QF forum and compare complaints!

 

[Steady]

Another “Welcome aboard” from me ZenFlyer

 

[ellen10]

Welcome to AFF!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Welcome to AFF. basically we are a friendly lot and I do happen to like Americans.
You don't have to limit yourself to Qantas flying domestically altghough they are the largest airline and most destinations.
Don't forget to look at Virgin Australia. They can be cheaper especially if you want to travel business class. If you have United Status you will get extra benefits on VA.
And enjoy Australia.

I agree with the good doctor; I would also add if your self-funding and work to (some sort of) a budget, I would plan well in advance and grab some decent deals. In addition to Qantas and Virgin, we also have Rex and Bonza (whose first plane is Shazza). I don't know of anyone who has verbally planned on travelling with Bonza........maybe you could be the trailblazer we need!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thank you -- and that's very interesting to hear. Many long-time frequent fliers are also unhappy with their respective programs at the moment -- I will definitely be curious to learn more in the QF forum and compare complaints!

The last American I spoke to was singing the praises of the Alaskan scheme, and they seemed to have things down to a fine art.

Feel free to share your itinerary, and we may organise a catch-up somewhere. We are a geographically diverse bunch.

 

[ZenFlyer]

The last American I spoke to was singing the praises of the Alaskan scheme, and they seemed to have things down to a fine art.

Alaska does seem to have a lot of happy frequent flyers -- their thresholds for status are relatively low, and their award redemptions relatively easy. However, their geographic reach is limited, so unless you are living in the Western half of the US, you have to work a little bit at figuring out partner flights that best suit your itinerary. They recently (re)strengthened their partnership with American which helps, and are of course also *O.

Feel free to share your itinerary, and we may organise a catch-up somewhere. We are a geographically diverse bunch.

What a lovely thought! I will be traveling with a 17-year old and our schedule is so far pretty packed (Uluru and Lady Elliot Island, with the briefest of stopovers in Brisbane and Sydney, then on to the Blue Mountains). However if by chance anyone else is planning to be in Katoomba for the Blue Mountains Music Festival (March 17 and 18), that might present an opportunity, as we'll be more at our leisure then, and would certainly enjoy meeting some Aussies. I'll plan to update again once we've finished tweaking the itinerary.

 

[MARTINE]

Thanks for the welcome! It's Washington, D.C. in fact -- have now edited the title to reflect that. (Sorry, thought that would show up in my profile).

But Washington State is certainly lovely as well . . .

Welcome aboard!

 

[Sprucegoose]

Alaska does seem to have a lot of happy frequent flyers -- their thresholds for status are relatively low, and their award redemptions relatively easy. However, their geographic reach is limited, so unless you are living in the Western half of the US, you have to work a little bit at figuring out partner flights that best suit your itinerary. They recently (re)strengthened their partnership with American which helps, and are of course also *O.



What a lovely thought! I will be traveling with a 17-year old and our schedule is so far pretty packed (Uluru and Lady Elliot Island, with the briefest of stopovers in Brisbane and Sydney, then on to the Blue Mountains). However if by chance anyone else is planning to be in Katoomba for the Blue Mountains Music Festival (March 17 and 18), that might present an opportunity, as we'll be more at our leisure then, and would certainly enjoy meeting some Aussies. I'll plan to update again once we've finished tweaking the itinerary.

Thanks, Mr ZenFlyer.

The Flyer Talk Memorial Weekend catch-up will be in HBA this year. I always enjoy meeting these guys as their knowledge is impressive, as is their commitment to travel far on a four-day weekend.

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I will be over your way in a few weeks and catching up with some good FT folk in your 42nd State. They are big Alaskan flyers.

If you are staying near Uluru, I would suggest you do the 'Sounds of Silence' Dinner. As for Lady Elliott, I have heard it's very pretty and big for the Mantas. Are you diving?

Cheers

SG.

 

[ZenFlyer]

Thanks, Mr ZenFlyer.

The Flyer Talk Memorial Weekend catch-up will be in HBA this year. I always enjoy meeting these guys as their knowledge is impressive, as is their commitment to travel far on a four-day weekend.

Oz Fest 19 Hobart, TAS, Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend May 26 to May 28, 2023 - FlyerTalk Forums

CommunityBuzz - Oz Fest 19 Hobart, TAS, Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend May 26 to May 28, 2023 - Oz Fest 19 Hobart TAS Australia. USA Memorial Day Weekend Friday May 26, Saturday May 27, Sunday May 28, 2023 Image courtesy of http://www.gcmap.com After discussions Hobart, Tasmania has been...

www.flyertalk.com

I will be over your way in a few weeks and catching up with some good FT folk in your 42nd State. They are big Alaskan flyers.

If you are staying near Uluru, I would suggest you do the 'Sounds of Silence' Dinner. As for Lady Elliott, I have heard it's very pretty and big for the Mantas. Are you diving?

Cheers

SG.

Ah, the other Washington -- I hope you enjoy yourself! If I lived there Alaska would be my airline of choice as well. (As it is, I'm already trying to figure out if it is worth my while to try to shift my status from AA to AS next year, though I would still be doing most of my flying on AA metal).

Yes, I am continuing to obsessively plan for our upcoming March trip. Sadly, the Sounds of Silence dinner at Uluru does not get the uniformly positive reviews that it once did -- from what I gather, the experience has been impacted both by COVID-related staffing issues as well as becoming more of a large-scale event. (In TripAdvisor reviews over the summer numerous people complained of there not being enough food on the buffet, which is quite something at the price they charge). So I'm still considering whether we will do that or one of the other outdoor dinner experiences near Uluru, but we'll do one of them for sure during our stay.

As for Lady Elliot, we will be snorkeling rather than diving --- there are several off-the-beach snorkeling areas in addition to boat trips. March is unfortunately not the peak season for Mantas but we hope to see at least some nonetheless. On the other hand, it is the season for turtle hatching, which we hope to be able to witness.

Safe travels, and happy new year to everyone at AFF. May 2023 be a better year for travel than we've had in a while!

 

[dalotissac]

Welcome to AFF!

I've wandered over from FlyerTalk while in the throes of planning my first trip to Australia and you folks seem

Nox Vidmate VLC​

like a friendly bunch -- hope you don't mind if I sit down and hang out here for a while. I've already learned a lot by skimming the posts here, but definitely have some questions about both the Sydney airport and flying domestically on Qantas that I'll be asking for some help with. And happy to contribute anything I know about United, American, or US airport and travel logistics for those headed to the States.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF!

And indeed to yourself