Getting to San Francisco in January 2019

[turtlemichael]

Having the need to pre-plan (otherwise known as a touch of OCD!) I am looking at the options of getting to San Francisco from Melbourne (one way) by January 4 (or Jan 5 at a pinch) 2019 in J. I'd not want to leave before December 30. My preference will be to use QF (or AA ff points) but clearly that is difficult at that time of year. My ff options could include a flight via HKG with a day or two stopover there. The unpreferred option of paying, at least cost to me, for a flat bed J seat would include QF or any other of the options via Sydney or LA or again via HKG with a stopover and even one of the two flights using points.

I know it is a very open question but are there any paid options that I should look at? As well, from past years what do we see as the chances of picking up J award seats at that time? We do rule out JQ. Many thanks.

 

[UP4014]

That's a very peak period trans pacific, what ever you do I'd book it Jan 18 straight away. I'd just book to SFO via Sydney or even Brisbane LAX and be done with it.

Matt

 

[SYD]

In my experience, SYD-SFO generally has pretty good J award availability - albeit with QF's $400+ 'free flight' fuel tax...

So MEL-SFO via SYD should be showing up as options for you.

FJ is another option.

 

[Daver6]

What about using one of the ME3 airlines? I think QR have announced an intention to fly to SFO (which means possible points redemption). This is obviously the long way and really would only consider this if it is cheaper and saving it is more important than time.

 

[amaroo]

If you book early you shouldn't have any problems securing QF award seats. I got 4 return seats for this Xmas without any hassle - I booked a mixture of F and J into DFW and out of JFK.