Mileage runs from HNL

[mr_matt_t]

Will be in Hawaii in a couple of months for a well deserved holiday. I was thinking of doing a mileage run also (what else would you do on holidays?)

Anyone got any good suggestions?

Currently looking at YUPP fares to BOS. The best combinations I can come up with are
HNL-LAX-DFW-BOS-LAX-HNL netting 690SC's or
HNL-LAX-ORD-BOS-ORD-LAX-HNL for 720 SC's (i think??)

Both fares $1420 USD +

Any preferences on AA aircraft 763, 757, M80, M83? From memory the 763 is preferred. [Hope this is ok in Qantas FF section]

Cheers

 

[d15.in.oz]

My suggestion, when using AA.com, go to multi-city booking (if you are not already using that approach)... Then use all 4 flight options, using "in between" cities like - STL, ATL, BNA, BWI... to elongate your trip.

e.g. flight 1: HNL-xx_, flight 2: xx_-BOS (make sure the date/departure time for the second flight is after the likely arrival of your first leg, but not more than 24 hours later. This way the system will not consider that xx_ was a stop over, and still price out the whole itinerary, if any, only slightly more than your original quote). Personally, I would be looking for this method to produce 4 segments each way between HNL-BOS Same approach for the return.


777, 767, 737, 757, MD80 - my preference order. Also, you probably already know, but avoid SFO, use the "departure time feature" to force flight options returned other than HNL-SFO.

 

[mr_matt_t]

My suggestion, when using AA.com, go to multi-city booking (if you are not already using that approach)... Then use all 4 flight options, using "in between" cities like - STL, ATL, BNA, BWI... to elongate your trip

Thanks - I was only using the Round Trip option . This opens up a lot more possibilities.

 

[d15.in.oz]

Thanks - I was only using the Round Trip option...

Sorry, my fault, from your post I thought you sounded like a "instant upgrade" pro... therefore 2 more tips on multi-city searching -

1/ The booking form will default to "2. How Do You Want to Search?" as "Schedule", change this to "Price"

2./ The default form fields at "4. What Is Your Cabin Service Preference?" should be changed from "Economy: With Restrictions" to "First/Premium: With Restrictions"

AND don't feel afraid to keep playing with the various "Departure Time" options, just changing this by a few hours will often produce completely new connections!

 

[serfty]

Also try the one-way options. I travelled HNL-LAX-DFW-BOS and return via the same ports in June for ow USD710. This is the same total cost as a for the return fate. BTW, that USD1420 does not include the USD60 or so in +++. This routing scored 780 SC's.

I just booked a BOS-DFW-SFO-LAX-HNL for ~USD740 (USD710+++) which earns 450 SC's (AUD875).

Conceivably you could book over the 'phone and specifiy a routing like HNL-LAX-SFO-DFW-STL-ORD-BOS, but it's really tough trying to do this when speaking with IndiAA - maybe in HNL you will have more luck.

BTW, 763 is generally the better option. 777's are nice, but hard to get these fare eligible for transcons where 777's are mainly used. With the 763, you have a good chance of getting the NGBC seating.

 

[d15.in.oz]

As always, I bow to the YUPP master… but 777s also reposition into/out of ORD/DFW/MIA, and this is what I look for!

And - you should not choose to fly anything less than a 767 out of HNL!

Plus, don’t forget your humanity… You will find routings that can get you to WP in one foul swoop, but will you enjoy it?! Flying should be fun, and for me, that much flying isn’t, regardless of how special AA domestic First can be.

Also with connections, don’t be afraid to overnight at an “in between”* city (DFW can be a bit too pricey)… That way you can savour your flights! (And less chance of missed connection, and a “go back to GO, don’t collect $200” Y seat.)

* I think what I call “in between”, is officially called a “focus city” by AA.