MEL-LAX on QFF points - first timer after some tips/suggestions

[TahoeSkier]

Just to update - I am now home from this trip and the flights worked out perfectly!

Early morning the day prior to departure, the magic sms from Qantas arrived and we were bumped from Z to U - awesome!

U return, with a cash outlay roughly equivalent to purchasing return economy. Not bad at all.

 

[snabbu]

Just to update - I am now home from this trip and the flights worked out perfectly!

Early morning the day prior to departure, the magic sms from Qantas arrived and we were bumped from Z to U - awesome!

U return, with a cash outlay roughly equivalent to purchasing return economy. Not bad at all.

Ahh the magical sms... even better than the magical gate beep, congrats.

 

[TahoeSkier]

Well - I am quite surprised and excited to have had even more luck with QF Reward seats to the USA.

Planning our next ski trip for Jan/Feb period, and a few weeks ago, 2x QF93 U popped up for late Jan so we jumped on them.

Fast forward to this week, and some fantastic options in F/J started showing for the return trip across the month of Feb, particularly for single seats. Was just about to book 2x QF12 U/domestic leg seats to get home to MEL, and up pops 2x QF94 U, on a very suitable day.

Not bad!

 

[Quickstatus]

You're an expert now

Just to dampen your excitement - QF 2 PNR rule means that you have to collect and recheck your bags at checkin counters at LAX for your connecting flight. QF won't check through even if they say it does not apply to award flights. Its apparently an enhancement!

 

[TahoeSkier]

You're an expert now

Just to dampen your excitement - QF 2 PNR rule means that you have to collect and recheck your bags at checkin counters at LAX for your connecting flight. QF won't check through even if they say it does not apply to award flights. Its apparently an enhancement!

No connecting flight - I live in Melb so QF93-94 is my preferred direct option :mrgreen:

Unless I have misunderstood your post.

 

[Quickstatus]

No skiing in LAX

MEL-LAX ...LAX-DEN for example
Collect and recheck bags QF will only tag bags to LAX. They will no longer tag to a further destination

 

[TahoeSkier]

MEL-LAX ...LAX-DEN for example
Collect and recheck bags QF will only tag bags to LAX. They will no longer tag to a further destination

Oh ok I'm not fussed about that. After flying in, we will chew up some credit I have with Southwest to get to RNO/Tahoe.

 

[RichardMEL]

It's really not much different at LAX anyway since you have to clear customs etc as it is.. so the only real difference is the connecting belt vs walking over to T4 (for AA) or wherever the next flight is which is not far.

IMO the bigger issue potentially with such 2 PNR connections is more one of protection in case of delays etc specially if the connections are tight.

Anyway in this case great to see avail pop up for you. I suspect this is a result of the general slump in demand to the US making soft forward bookings so more chance of some seats opening up. good result!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If you can, try and get the forward and return QF award flights on a single ticket to save on QF fuel surcharges, taxes and other carrier imposed fees.

I was looking at SFO/SYD on a Classic award and even in whY the taxes were a ridiculous USD385.00 one way which was more than a return SYD/SFO/SYD!

It may be necessary to have your outbound ticket re-issued from a one way MEL/LAX to a return MEL/LAX/MEL once the award seats are released for the latter.

 

[Quickstatus]

It may be necessary to have your outbound ticket re-issued from a one way MEL/LAX to a return MEL/LAX/MEL once the award seats are released for the latter.

reissuing (at least via 131313) causes the ticketed award to return to the bucket and a risk that the seat may not be re released or grabbed by someone else

 

[Flying mermaid]

reissuing (at least via 131313) causes the ticketed award to return to the bucket and a risk that the seat may not be re released or grabbed by someone else

yes I had so much trouble just adding on a Mel-cbr sector to an award Lax-Mel for Ms FM and husband, and getting it reticketed (took 7 months and 4 phone calls for reticketing), so I wasn't game to try and get the Mel-lax leg combined and the charges recalculated!

 

[TahoeSkier]

No doubt there are better ways to 'optimise' a Reward itinerary than just making 2x separate bookings, but I certainly wouldn't want to push my luck and risk losing seats!

U return, for the cash outlay of a cheap Y sale fare plus some Monopoly Money...we're happy.