Old's heading to the US

[timmitch]

Hi All

My mum and dad are heading to the US next year and i was hoping for some help with their flights. They have a fly out date but could be either side of it for a better deal. Hoping to try get them a business or at least premium economy seat on the way home to the Australia if possible.


Melb to JFK on around the 16th of June
six nights in New York
JFK to LAX on
Six nights LA
LAX to LAS on June
Six Nights Vegas
LAS to HLN
And Six Nights Hawaii

 

[Matt_01]

Are you looking for revenue or reward flights, do they have a preferred carrier or alliance?

 

[BAM1748]

Preferred airline/s ?

 

[timmitch]

They have about 80k Qantas FF points total between them. But they are open to travel on who ever. As long as not jet-star. Bad experience with them. So revenue flights and maybe points for upgrades.

They are happy to travel in economy but i would like to try for a nice flight home

 

[Matt_01]

@timmitch I would suggest you start looking having a look at the QF website if they are looking to upgrade using points. I may be wrong but I believe QF are now using the a330 on the HNL-SYD flights and these aircraft do not have PE. Without trying to sound dismissive 80K points is not that many and maybe if you can find some internal US with AA to use their points on may be another option to cut down on overall cost, if this a consideration.

They would have enough points to upgrade flex Y to J if flying HNL-SYD however doing a quick calculation based on the proposed departure date and the time spent in each location the return flight is going to be in the mid year school holidays.

 

[timmitch]

Thanks matt_01. I know that pts are not a lot. I didn't think about using pts for internal flights in the US.

 

[kookaburra75]

Thanks matt_01. I know that pts are not a lot. I didn't think about using pts for internal flights in the US.

Using points within the US is sometimes quite a good deal, with virtually no additional $'s. We flew SFO-LGA for 25000 points for both of us, and $10 fees. You might be able to get something on the planned New York to LAX leg. Or maybe, why not do New York to Las Vegas, then onto LAX?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Budget will be another consideration. You could probably look at Hawaiian airlines... MEL-JFK, LAS-MEL. With a stopover in HNL on the return.

Hawaiian has full flat beds in business class, but if that is out of budget, they also have an ‘economy plus’ seating section... IIRC it’s the same service as economy, but a a few inches extra legroom (four inches or so). Dun sound like much, but makes all the difference.

 

[aggie57]

I agree about using the points for internal US legs. US 1st class is really premium economy in international terms anyway, plus they get priority boarding which is a small but nice thing to have in busy US airports.

 

[cove]

Our work has used Air New Zealand Premium economy for staff to go to the US and they liked the product and we liked the price. Stopping in Auckland does split up the flying time for the olds so they may appreciate the opportunity of getting off to stretch their old bones.
We always stop in Los Angeles first and I would suggest you go there first and stop to get over the jet lag.
We would stay on the west side of Los Angeles near the beaches and we stay at the Marriott Marquis in New York Times Square for its proximity to the shows they can then get to with a short walk.It isn’t the best hotel in New York but is a great location. My sister in law stayed ar another Marriott property about 500 meters down the street to save a $100 USD note a night and was happy to walk a bit further.

 

[cove]

How old is old? There is quite a difference between 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100+.
Mrscove’s mum doesn’t want to travel at 93 so I guess she thinks she is too old.

 

[mrsterryn]

Have to say it is nice to begin a holiday with a premium cabin if possible.
Coming home you are coming home to your own bed and relaxation

 

[timmitch]

How old is old? There is quite a difference between 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100+.
Mrscove’s mum doesn’t want to travel at 93 so I guess she thinks she is too old.

67 and 69 they will be on the trip. still mobile but some extra room would be nice if possible

 

[mrsterryn]

67 and 69 they will be on the trip. still mobile but some extra room would be nice if possible

*Hides the "old " post from husband "

 

[timmitch]

That was my advice also mrsterryn. Nice seat on way over. I will discuss these options/ideas with them this weekend and report back

 

[cove]

We are the same ages and yes we like a bit of comfort and breaking up the journey may not be necessary but it helps.

 

[DC3]

How old is old? There is quite a difference between 60, 70, 80, 90 and 100+ ...

Old. Yes, good question. And as for ‘olds’ as per thread title .......?

Edit: Anyway, starting the trip on a high would be great. Better seats and looking forward to the holiday I find. Coming back, any seat will do.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Edit: Anyway, starting the trip on a high would be great. Better seats and looking forward to the holiday I find. Coming back, any seat will do.

Complete opposite for me! Why spend the last few days of a fantastic holiday worrying about sitting together, how heavy your cabin bag is, whether you are over weight with your checked bags, being cramped and squashed...

 

[straitman]

timmitch,

Cove and a few others here could get very offended at your olds concept. (maybe myself included)

 

[cove]

Nah I don’t get offended at all. 69 is a great age where you can start to worry your adult children......
With Hawaii we loved both Maui and the Big Island compared with Oahu which is too commercial.
We will be in Vegas and Los Angeles in a few weeks time. Mrscove is going on Qantas on a sale fare and I am going via Singapore on Kris Miles seeing we are starting out of Perth.
With Vegas I tend to stay at Caesars because it has the shops and restaurants in the complex that suit us. It certainly isn’t the best hotel by a big margin. It is just convenient for what we want.
Madrooster on AFF might be able to help with a suitable sale fare to the US.