*lite itinerary (UA MP)

[aspro2]

After a bazillion changes, lots of ums and ahs, and heaps of dithering, I would like to ask for some comments about this itinerary. Starlite, H-class. My holiday involves the cities SAN, LAX, YUL and CDG. The initial itinerary was:

MEL-(SYD)-LAX // SAN-(LAX)-YUL // YUL-CDG // CDG-(SIN)-MEL

It'll be a fairly busy time and so I wanted (shame!) to avoid detours for the sake of miles. On the other hand, I *do* want to get 25k, so that I at least move back from peasant to Premier on UA.

The above routing gives approx 24355 miles, but with min 500 on short sectors (SAN-LAX is a deliberate addition for the sake of quick miles), it ends up being approx 24807. Too meagre. To add miles, I toyed with lots of alternatives and these were the final candidates:

SAN-YVR-YUL (takes ages),
SAN-IAD-YUL (very tight connection, not far enough to reach 25k),
SAN-PHL-YUL (also not enough miles),
YUL-ZRH-CDG on LX (not bad, arr08:45, 24945 miles + 400-600 for min-earn on short sectors),
YUL-YYZ-CDG (ok, 1h40m connection, arr10:00, 24975 miles, + 400-600 for min-earn on short sectors)

Seems like the last option is the most sensible solution. Dissenting voices? Overlooked alternative solutions? Your wisdom always appreciated.

EDIT: Given the tips about the issuing airline for OW tickets, should I choose a specific issuer for this *A ticket to reduce surcharges?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Note on *A RTWs surface segments count towards mileage, so I make your itin 24,465 flown miles currently (using GCM).

Because of the way transfers and immigration works at Toronto vs Zurich, I'd have a preference for transferring at Zurich.

Other possibilities for easy additional mileage without adding too much time are to fly to LAX via SFO - 2 extra segments and still within 26,000 mile limit.

Fuel surcharges are based on airlines flown rather than who tickets. That said, there are (minor) advantages and disadvantages to ticketing with certain airlines.

 

[aspro2]

Note on *A RTWs surface segments count towards mileage, so I make your itin 24,465 flown miles currently (using GCM).

Thanks Kiwi Flyer. I'm aware that surface sectors count to the 26k RTW limit (but i'm so safely within the limit that I haven't needed to worry about it), but of course they don't count to the Premier-qualifying 25k :cry: so I haven't counted the surface sector as part of my miles calculations.

Because of the way transfers and immigration works at Toronto vs Zurich, I'd have a preference for transferring at Zurich.

I'm curious why immigration in Toronto is an issue for YUL-YYZ-CDG? Is passport control exiting Canada at Toronto a pain, or is it the terminal transfers which are the main issue for connections?

Fuel surcharges are based on airlines flown rather than who tickets.

That's what I thought originally, so perhaps I misread what was intended by the other thread mentioned, where there seemed to be a massive difference between tickets issued by QF and AA for the same itinerary.(?)

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Yes at YYZ you'd be changing terminals domestic flight to international, plus the usual security and immigration hassles.

Whereas ZRH you'd be doing an international transfer - so security (which fairly painless) but no immigration.

As for fuel surcharges - it does work a little differently to OW.

 

[aspro2]

As for fuel surcharges - it does work a little differently to OW.

I knew I liked *A for some reason...

 

[clifford]

Hi aspro,

Here's a thought.

If you want to get a few extra cheap miles while in the US, why not look at a BUR-JFK-BUR round trip (it books via SFO) on UAL.com? You could do this while in LA.

Just booked this myself for later this month and the whole thing works out to less than AUD 350 for approx 6200 EQM. That'll surely get you past the Premier threshold.

And in my case, I have upgraded the whole shooting match, including PS to NYC and back. Not bad for the price.

 

[aspro2]

If you want to get a few extra cheap miles while in the US, why not look at a BUR-JFK-BUR round trip (it books via SFO) on UAL.com? You could do this while in LA.

Excellent suggestion thanks. Will have to see if I can squeeze it in