Maximising SC earn AU->USA West Coast

[swylie]

Hi everyone,

I'm travelling to the USA for the first time in April, and I'm hoping to get some tips on maximising SC earn. By April, I will be about 200 SC's short of QFF Gold, so I'm hoping to make up as much of that gap from the trip as possible.

I intend to fly premium economy, but I'm not fussed as to which OW airline I travel with if it will mean better value SC/$.

I will originate from either Melbourne or Sydney, and I need to end up in Las Vegas, then return. Happy to stopover if it's not going to cost too much more.

At this stage, I would estimate spending around the $6k mark on flights.

Any advice would be much appreciated.

-Steve

 

[Mal]

Flying PE from SYD-LAX, then AA (in Econ) to LAS in April is currently $3651 on the Qantas website as a Premium Economy Sale. ($3633 ex-MEL). For a sale fare, it has pretty good refund-ability/change-ability surprisingly.

Although that's pretty plain and vanilla, both options will give you your 200 sc's for the return journey.

Wanting to be in PE, and ending up in LAS does limit being able to improve your routing choices. For example, if you were in Economy - then you could do something like MEL-AKL-LAX-LAS and vv for a few extra SC's and pretty much the same price. Or perhaps even MEL-SYD-AKL-LAX-LAS -- although I haven't tried pricing this one out.

Another potential option is Jetstar Starclass to HNL (~$2700 for 280 sc's), and then American Airlines from HNL-LAS in Economy (earning at least another 80sc's if booked into the correct fare classes). This will bring the price close to the same as the Qantas option. Also keep in mind a potential layover in HNL, and the issues with having 2 connecting tickets.

A top secret (well not secret really ) option is to fly SYD/MEL-AKL, then pick up a Premium Economy fare to LAX (only $A2900), and then an AA flight to LAS. It's only 160sc's [more with certain routings] for the PE fare, but you should make up the rest with the other flights.

Again you have to be aware of the potential of missed connections etc.

As a final "out there" option, routing through Asia could give more SC's in a mixed Economy/Business fare with Cathay, although you would need to find a cheap ex-Asia fare with Cathay.

 

[Mal]

Thought of yet another option involving NZ:

SYD/MEL-AKL. vv
AKL- SYD (J) - LAX (PE) vv
LAX - LAS (Y) vv

If you book a PE ticket ex-AKL, then you have the option for a couple of $$$ to trek back to Syd before heading to LAX. These sectors AKL-SYD-AKL are booked into J, so will earn 340 sc's total for the AKL-SYD-LAX-SYD-AKL sectors.

 

[david870mdg]

Look out for AA instant upgrade fares ex LAX
Eg LAX-SFO or vv.
Booked in P class earns QF SCs at the FIRST rate, 60 SCs one way for ~$160.
Im sure Serfty could fill you in on some good routings.

 

[swylie]

Thanks for the replies! So far very helpful, and lots to think about. Lucky I've got a bit of time to decide!

 

[Gold Member]

Depending on how much money you want to spend and how many more SCs you might want to accrue, another option would be to fly Economy return to Nadi Fiji (remember to make two separate bookings to take advantage of the one way fare discount originating in Fiji on the way back) and then from Fiji setup a return flight from NAN-LAX return using a QF codeshare on Air Pacific. You can do this by going to the Qantas website and selecting your region as Fiji. Return business flights from NAN-LAX are $2,250.00 throughout the year! You would get 280 SCs for that return leg alone and I can guarantee that while they might not be Qantas skybeds on air Pacific, they'll be a hell of a lot better value and comfort than Jetstar Premium Economy (cough *starclass*).

 

[dajop]

and then from Fiji setup a return flight from NAN-LAX return using a QF codeshare on Air Pacific. You can do this by going to the Qantas website and selecting your region as Fiji. Return business flights from NAN-LAX are $2,250.00 throughout the year

Or purchase from Air Pacific website using Air Pacific code for about $1970AUD. Still earns status credits, downside is no status bonus, so for a PS that would be a loss of ~2750pts, but saving of $280. Worth taking the saving!

 

[Gold Member]

Or purchase from Air Pacific website using Air Pacific code for about $1970AUD. Still earns status credits, downside is no status bonus, so for a PS that would be a loss of ~2750pts, but saving of $280. Worth taking the saving!

Very good point Dajop.

The lower the status the less impact on points. I'd take $280 over 2750 points anyday!

 

[Mal]

Depending on how much money you want to spend and how many more SCs you might want to accrue, another option would be to fly Economy return to Nadi Fiji (remember to make two separate bookings to take advantage of the one way fare discount originating in Fiji on the way back) and then from Fiji setup a return flight from NAN-LAX return using a QF codeshare on Air Pacific.

Or purchase from Air Pacific website using Air Pacific code for about $1970AUD. Still earns status credits, downside is no status bonus, so for a PS that would be a loss of ~2750pts, but saving of $280. Worth taking the saving!

Aaah, yeah. The Air Pacific ex-NAN. Not sure why I didn't recall that one - it's been floating around my head for a while as a potential cheap J to LAX. Good find !

Also agree that the Air Pacific vs Qantas codeshare isn't that important - particularly for the NAN-LAX and NAN-SYD/MEL side of things. Of course if in Economy and departing SYD/MEL or departing NAN as a QP rather than Gold/Plat etc, there is the well documented lounge access issue... but again only something minor in the scheme of things.

 

[docjames]

LAN J to AKL vv
QF Y+ AKL-LAX-LAS vv

Would require significant connections in AKL however.