I need some serious help...... in planning USA trip :p

[Pushka]

I've tried dummy bookings, and just cannot see how I can best utilise how to fly in the USA.

I am looking at a White Christmas in 2016 (I know, flights not open yet) but can't seem to do anything right. I'm only using Q website. I dont think that's right.

Possible itinerary - Adelaide - Honolulu, New York then back to Adelaide. That's it. So, how do I get really clever at this maximising/using credits, points yada yada.

I look at what Blackcat and Jess Tam did in awe. They are my role models.

Do I buy some points from AA in advance? Would love to fly Y+ or J.

Don't have a huge number of points, but will be WP when booked.

Help?

 

[JessicaTam]

If you are at drinks tonight, we can have "a little chat"

 

[Pushka]

Drinks. Golly gosh. What time and where?

 

[JessicaTam]

Drinks. Golly gosh. What time and where?

That sounds familiar: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/meetings-and-social-events/adl-drinks-tues-16-dec-64849.html#post1163328

The Loft, Gouger St, after 6ish.

 

[Limewood]

You should consider AS (Alaska Airlines) miles and go via HKG on CX from ADL to USA, in J, around $3,200 per pax return at todays bank exchange rate.

CX go to many USA destinations and you have a much better chance out of HKG than direct from OZ.

I've used them before, found various sectors on the likes of BA, JL etc then called up their toll free No. and spoon fed them.

Current AS offer USD$1100 + 7.5% tax for 54K AS miles - AS Award Chart

There is good info on AS miles HERE.

Mind you AA and USDM miles are excellent too.

 

[Pushka]

That sounds familiar: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/meetings-and-social-events/adl-drinks-tues-16-dec-64849.html#post1163328

The Loft, Gouger St, after 6ish.

You gotta admit - I'm consistent.

I can be there at 6 - have a plane to meet around 7.45 so you'll need to talk fast. C U then.

 

[maomaocat]

You should consider AS (Alaska Airlines) miles and go via HKG on CX from ADL to USA, in J, around $3,200 per pax return at todays bank exchange rate.

CX go to many USA destinations and you have a much better chance out of HKG than direct from OZ.

I've used them before, found various sectors on the likes of BA, JL etc then called up their toll free No. and spoon fed them.

Current AS offer USD$1100 + 7.5% tax for 54K AS miles - AS Award Chart

There is good info on AS miles HERE.

Mind you AA and USDM miles are excellent too.

Is using AS constrained to what AS can find as available award reservations? or is there some other trick?

 

[Limewood]

Is using AS constrained to what AS can find as available award reservations? or is there some other trick?

No more than other miles plans.

I usually try and find alternatives before calling, found them very helpful.

Like HKG via CX can go in/out of NYC, ORD, SFO, LAX, BOS etc. so lots of destinations to try.

One thing about AS can go one way and its the simply half price of return.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm with Limewood.
You could go first class CX/JL for around the same price as a paid QF Y+.

 

[Pushka]

I'm with Limewood.
You could go first class CX/JL for around the same price as a paid QF Y+.

I'm good with that! . I will need detailed instructions in a couple of weeks when flights open up.

 

[Mr_Orange]

You should consider AS (Alaska Airlines) miles and go via HKG on CX from ADL to USA, in J, around $3,200 per pax return at todays bank exchange rate.

CX go to many USA destinations and you have a much better chance out of HKG than direct from OZ.

I've used them before, found various sectors on the likes of BA, JL etc then called up their toll free No. and spoon fed them.

Current AS offer USD$1100 + 7.5% tax for 54K AS miles - AS Award Chart

There is good info on AS miles HERE.

Mind you AA and USDM miles are excellent too.

Can you use AS miles to get to Europe without going via the US?

 

[drron]

I'm good with that! . I will need detailed instructions in a couple of weeks when flights open up.

So you are going in 2015 not 2016 as per the first post.
J or F sAAver awards have disappeared on AA metal from Asia to the USA.
However still available on JL and CX but you must ring for these.I expect as people become more aware these awards will disappear fast.Currently on AA you can book out to Nov 11th.The cost one way for F is 62500 + ~$US50 taxes but you will have to pay a phone booking fee.
At present you can buy 80000 miles with 45000 bonus for ~$A3000.-ie enough for round trip F Asia to the US.

So if you haven't got an AA account open one today and you have until January 2nd to get this offer so time to think what's best.

There is good J sAAver award availability ADL-HKG on QF,CX doesn't show up on AA but you can check it out on QFF.Cost 35000 miles + $US5.60.

 

[Mr_Orange]

So if you haven't got an AA account open one today and you have until January 2nd to get this offer so time to think what's best.

Don't you need to already have an account before the offer starts to be able to take advantage? IOW, opening an account today would not mean you could get the bonus points when purchasing.

 

[Pushka]

Yep. 2015 it is. . That's almost close.

 

[Mumfreqflyer]

You should consider AS (Alaska Airlines) miles and go via HKG on CX from ADL to USA, in J, around $3,200 per pax return at todays bank exchange rate.

CX go to many USA destinations and you have a much better chance out of HKG than direct from OZ.

I've used them before, found various sectors on the likes of BA, JL etc then called up their toll free No. and spoon fed them.

Current AS offer USD$1100 + 7.5% tax for 54K AS miles - AS Award Chart

There is good info on AS miles HERE.

Mind you AA and USDM miles are excellent too.

Second this!

Very good availability in J - we got 5 x J seats and F was showing 2 available when I booked but I wanted us all to stay together (should have ditched though as F looks very very nice!!

Average was $3100 aus each during the 40% bonus including taxes for PER - HKG - LAX return.

For the extra $500 I should have bought more points to go F but that's another trip!

Alaska are also really great to deal with and can make changes for free up until 60 days prior travel.

Can also do mixed class bookings if J not available on all legs then keep stalking the JAL site to see if J or F seats become available.

 

[Limewood]

Mr_Orange,
No you don't need to be a member before the offer, but from memory need to be one for 10 days. Its free to join anyway.

They sure are good to deal with.

I like how one ways are half or return and so much choice in/our of HKG.

 

[Pushka]

OK, I have opened an AA account. I can buy 54,000 miles for $1100 USD; so it is "safe" to go ahead and buy these miles, top them up again with more purchases of similar ilk, and be confident of getting seats on Cathay to HKG and from there to USA? Seems to good, what am I missing here?

 

[Mr_Orange]

OK, I have opened an AA account. I can buy 54,000 miles for $1100 USD; so it is "safe" to go ahead and buy these miles, top them up again with more purchases of similar ilk, and be confident of getting seats on Cathay to HKG and from there to USA? Seems to good, what am I missing here?

With AA you are limited to 80,000 miles per calendar year, so you can top up again on 1st January just before the promotion ends, but then that is all you could buy in 2015.

 

[drron]

The current promo lets me buy 80000 miles with 45000 bonus.Was around $US2300 from memory.
Suggest you get the award Asia to the US first especially if you are going for F as they disappear quickly.I did though this time get 2 F awards on JL NRT-ORD about a week after they became available.Seems to be enough J on QF for AA sAAver awards SYD-HKG.As well any CX availability should show up on the QF website.But if you cant get a HKG-USA award then try NRT.QF will show their awards plus CX via HKG.For JAL availability I opened a JAL mileage bank account-it is free.

PS.Checked out to 13/11/15 on aa.com and 2 J seat awards to HKG on 4/5/6th of November.On QF CX 2 J seats available most days on CX ADL-HKG.
To NRT 2 all days 1/11-13/11 except 1,2 and 7th.But looking at QF those days have 2 CX awards.
Comparison cost. AA ADL-NRT-45000 miles and <$10 taxes if on QF as you can book online.CX you would have to ring but still charges <$100.
On QFF-72000 miles + $584.12 "taxes".

 

[Hvr]

OK, I have opened an AA account. I can buy 54,000 miles for $1100 USD; so it is "safe" to go ahead and buy these miles, top them up again with more purchases of similar ilk, and be confident of getting seats on Cathay to HKG and from there to USA? Seems to good, what am I missing here?

I think the bonus is better buying the whole 80k miles plus 45k bonus in one transaction.


My miles posted very quickly and I was able to get some nice flights with some searching at the end of the release dates.

With CX flights the problem is that you have to pay the A$80 phone booking fee. The good thing was that there was lots of availability for the dates I was looking at.