MEL-YVR in June 2013

[Isochronous]

Looking at 9/6 departure and 23/6 return.

Have looked so far at QF website which books MEL-LAX on A380 and 737 on QF/AS codeshare to YVR which comes in on Y+ at $4231. CX is quoting $4185 for MEL-HKG-YVR in Y+.

Is being on A380 with QF and 3 hrs on standard economy on an AS 737 worth it, or is a CX A330 to HKG and then a 77W or 747 to YVR better? Flyer is QFF Gold. Also are there any other options? Is it worth trying the expedia.ie trick or even just booking MEL-LAX return and then LAX-YVR on an AA P Class fare? What about Circle Pacific fares?

Also what's the best way to book JAL fares (e.g. SYD-NRT-YVR) - their website is a joke.

 

[Sprucegoose]

What is important to you?

 

[Isochronous]

Flying in Y+ or even J at the best price, whilst earning OW status. That being said there will be some domestic AA flying once over there so most of the earn to retain QFF Gold for my friend can be garnered through P Class fares there.

On that note, ports involved will be Anchorage, Huntsville, Niagra Falls as mandatory, the rest is negotiable. Not sure how good those are for AA earning though - always happy to organise stops elsewhere on the way through if need be.

 

[Danger]

If you can make your way to RGN, you may find a rather cheap fare in J. Search "Yangon" and go to the last page of that thread.

 

[mushypeas]

ive never had a warm and fuzzy feeling about alaskan airlines so i would avoid the QF codeshare for this alone.

personally i'd opt for QF MEL>LAX and get on a Westjet flight LAX>YVR - i know the segment isn't OW but they're a comfortable, relaxed and safe airline.

 

[Isochronous]

ive never had a warm and fuzzy feeling about alaskan airlines so i would avoid the QF codeshare for this alone.

personally i'd opt for QF MEL>LAX and get on a Westjet flight LAX>YVR - i know the segment isn't OW but they're a comfortable, relaxed and safe airline.

Care to expand on your opinion of AS?

 

[mushypeas]

i'm sure it's nothing really, ive just read a few stories regarding their potential lack of safety/maintenance plus i used to live in vancouver and not many people had good things to say about them (may have been because they are US based whereas Westjet/Air Canada are obviously their main airlines etc).

this was from last week - Alaska Airlines plane wing note 'not appropriate' | News.com.au

admittedly i am a nervous flyer so its one less thing to work myself up about lol

 

[Sprucegoose]

Alaskian Airlines

The Alaska Airlines crash: signs point to a wider crisis in air safety

I believe this was a systemic issue affecting the iarline that was addressed.

 

[irv]

ive never had a warm and fuzzy feeling about alaskan airlines so i would avoid the QF codeshare for this alone.

personally i'd opt for QF MEL>LAX and get on a Westjet flight LAX>YVR - i know the segment isn't OW but they're a comfortable, relaxed and safe airline.

Flew with Alaskan LAX to YVR and back, can't say I could fault them as no dramas, did a number of internal flights in Canada with Westjet, would highly recommend them, great attitude similar to being in AUS

 

[serfty]

I have had many flights on Alaska Airlines and never had a problem. Mind you, it has been all in the 'pointy end'.

 

[smit0847]

I have had many flights on Alaska Airlines and never had a problem. Mind you, it has been all in the 'pointy end'.

If there is one term I could ban from this site it would be 'pointy end'

 

[serfty]

If there is one term I could ban from this site it would be 'pointy end'

Why?

In any case I found the AS service to be friendly and fine, even if the First class catering can be somewhat sparse.

 

[Isochronous]

I noted on the FJ website that FJ runs must sell codeshares to YVR on the end of its NAN-LAX service. I might check that out.

 

[Isochronous]

Update - YVR codeshare is on Alaska. With a FJ flight number would that earn QFF?

Business is pricing at FJ$9,000 NAN-LAX-YVR return, Economy at FJ$2,500 or so.

 

[serfty]

No Point or SC earn on FJ flight number not operated by Qantas. (If no point earn then it's not 'eligible', so no SC's)

---

Air Pacific (FJ)	BGHKLMNOQSTVWY (international)	Economy	1	-
	LHQY (specified domestic routes only)[SUP]#[/SUP]	Economy	1	-
	CDIJZ	Business	1	25%
	Status Credits are earned on all eligible booking classes. Excluded: Points are not earned on Codeshare Flights operated by an airline other than Qantas. # Points are only earned on Air Pacific domestic flights between Nadi and Suva or Labasa and Suva and Labasa.

---

 

[funnymummy]

My preference is to have more flight time and less ground time. I was happy with my June flight LAX to YVR - return however i am of the opinion that transiting in Asia then direct into YVR is preferred as you avoid USA customs, immigration, putting duty free into stowed luggage(and hoping it doesnt break) etc if you don't want to stopover. at LAX you need to change terminals for Alaskan Air also. i have looked into OW carriers for my next trip and CX & JAL both fly into YVR. - it is easy to get lots of flights on AA for QFF points once you are in Nth America.

 

[Cocitus23]

I have travelled MEL - YVR many times, originally via HNL with QF, when they did it; often via LAX with QF/AS; occasionally via HKG with CX and once via NRT with JL. My comments:
1. The best route was the old one via HNL, which sadly has been unavailable for about 12 years.
2. I have never had any cause to be worried about AS.
3. The route via LAX is a few hours faster, but I too hate transiting via there and I prefer the Asian routes.

 

[funnymummy]

I have travelled MEL - YVR many times, originally via HNL with QF, when they did it; often via LAX with QF/AS; occasionally via HKG with CX and once via NRT with JL. My comments:
1. The best route was the old one via HNL, which sadly has been unavailable for about 12 years.
2. I have never had any cause to be worried about AS.
3. The route via LAX is a few hours faster, but I too hate transiting via there and I prefer the Asian routes.

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identify business class MEL-YVR as around $9500 - and 22hrs air time - 1hr transit in HKG as compared to QF $9900 20hrs & 21hrs inc transit of 2.5hrs
also to clarify earlier QF# on alaska gave me QFF and status points

 

[support]

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