Mel to LAX or SFO in February next year

[Digger11]

Any advice on the best value airline/ airfare to get to the USA in February next year ???

I'm not rich but willing to pay a bit more for some extra legroom as I'm 6ft 4.
Any smart ideas out there ?
i have 240,000 qantas ff points if that would help.

I don't travel very often.

thanks
Digger

 

[Hvr]

Welcome to AFF Digger11. The first question is do you have any status with an airline? I guess not when you note you don't fly very often.

So I suggest you start looking for fares/awards now and have flexible dates. I think you might still be in the busy period for USA travel.

Maybe priority economy (PE) would be the seat you're looking for?

If you're going to fly Qantas then you'll need to go to LAX and then take an AA flight to SFO.

Happy travelling.

 

[MikeP]

I've never done it myself, but if you want to get to SFO (personally would choose it over LA any day), I'd have a serious look at Air NZ. You can fly straight into SFO via Auckland, meaning you avoid a stop at the dreaded LAX and transfer from international to domestic (incl collecting bags and clearing immigration in LAX). With the NZ option you have your stop at Auckland, which seems good to break up a long journey and I suspect is much easier to transfer etc - only question is whether you can get a decent schedule which avoids a huge stop in Auckland

 

[defurax]

Usually the cheapest option to reach the US from Oz is United. That being said, United is an awful international carrier (they are good US domestic though). I am also 6'4" and United offers economy seats with extra leg room at the front of the economy cabin. They call it Premium economy but it has nothing to do with QF PE, just extra leg room.
If you don't fly too often then I presume you are not after attaining/retaining status so Any Seats Award are not really important in your case. So you should be able to find classic award flights on QF or CX and pay extra for an exit row seat.

Sent from my HTC Desire using AustFreqFly

 

[nickykim]

Try Air New Zealand via Auckland. I only fly Y and am not over 6 ft but for my flight in march to SFO they had the best prices. I did book through Zuji to save some extra $ but you might be better dealing with the airline if there is any possibility of wanting to alter dates.

Nicky Kim

 

[nickykim]

Also Auckland is an easy airport to transit through.

 

[11sjw]

The QF points aren't much good to you travelling Air NZ. 144k points will get you PE MEL-LAX. Very nice way to travel.

Not much in the way of availability though. You've left it very late for Classic award seat bookings.

Any seat award I could get it MEL-LAX and LAX-SYD in PE plus SYD-MEL in Y departing 13th Feb and returning 28th Feb for 240k points plus $829.

 

[Digger11]

Thanks for the advice all.

Will probably book return PE Air New Zealand for $2910 if I choose the right dates.
Y across the ditch to Auckland (but not too long a flight) and then PE direct to San Fran.

thanks again.
Digger11

 

[Kolo]

I'm a great advocate for ANZ. I'm about to do a second J trip to the US with them. The flight times are excellent, you sleep at the right times, and if you are connecting to a us Dom flight chances are you'll arrive at your destination at the right time to end the day. Their J is terrific IMHO. Highly recommended, especially as you can avoid LAX.