Options flying FJ J to US

[Isochronous]

I have two options for a FJ run in January:

1. NAN-LAX return for my dates is A$1,993.90, leaving NAN on a Tuesday and returning to NAN on a Monday at 0515.

2. NAN-HNL return for A$1,697.16, leaving NAN same time but returning to NAN 2 days later than from LAX at 1930

3. NAN-LAX, HNL-NAN for A$1,844, but returning on the same day as if I take the LAX return flight.

Is HNL any better for status runs than LAX? My main priority is to visit NYC, DC, Chicago, I was going to position in LAS on the first night for a run (probably SJU). Before this flight I will be sitting on 450SC, so LAX-NAN return offers 280SC, HNL-NAN 200SC, or NAN-LAX-xHNL-NAN offers 240SC. I'm leaning towards the LAX flights to get the 744 instead of a 737. I assume there's a big difference in cabin amenity? The price difference seems modest too. I've never been to HNL though so wouldn't mind a night or two there, but not sure I want to spend that long on a 737 and lose 40-80SC!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

HNL-SJU was coming up for USD607 for a YUPP which was excellent value (applies both ways - available for the couple of dates I selected in January. So might be a good way for coming home if you are looking of flying out of HNL for example. You can choose your routing SJU-HNL depending on how many SCs you want... you can fly non-stop DFW-HNL (763 with angled lie flats) or add the extra sector DFW-LAX-HNL (lots more SCs but on 757 slaveships).

As for the 747 vs 737 - I think the 737 is a 50' pitch. The 747 is a more generous recliner. But the food / beverages / entertainment is mediocre at best from what I've read - so probably not much difference. (Friendly crew supposedly.) Given the 210SCs extra each way you can earn with a YUPP it seems HNL at least one way is a good option.

 

[Isochronous]

I might fly to HNL one way and from LAX the other so I only do the 737 long-haul once. Originally I was planning a LAS-ORD-MIA-SJU run for about $650 or so, yielding 300SC, but it seems for $604 I can do HNL-LAX-DFW-SJU for 350SC. But doing Business only (not first) on DFW-SJU on a 757, what's that like and the flying time? Also if I do SJU first, then I have to go to NYC after, and I'm guessing status run may not be as good, which would suggest I should save SJU for the end. That being said, the loss of 50SC on the SJU run is offset by the loss of 40SC comparing NAN-HNL to NAN-LAX.

I am also assuming that staying overnight in LAS will be cheaper than HNL, so I might still take the LAX flights to get the 747.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I might fly to HNL one way and from LAX the other so I only do the 737 long-haul once. Originally I was planning a LAS-ORD-MIA-SJU run for about $650 or so, yielding 300SC, but it seems for $604 I can do HNL-LAX-DFW-SJU for 350SC. But doing Business only (not first) on DFW-SJU on a 757, what's that like and the flying time? Also if I do SJU first, then I have to go to NYC after, and I'm guessing status run may not be as good, which would suggest I should save SJU for the end. That being said, the loss of 50SC on the SJU run is offset by the loss of 40SC comparing NAN-HNL to NAN-LAX.

I am also assuming that staying overnight in LAS will be cheaper than HNL, so I might still take the LAX flights to get the 747.

'International' flights on AA in 2 cabin aircraft are generally only offered in business class - so the MIA-SJU is business as you say - nets 60 SCs. Service will be pretty much the same as domestic First - nothing special but ok for what you need (which is the credits).

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I have two options for a FJ run in January:

1. NAN-LAX return for my dates is A$1,993.90, leaving NAN on a Tuesday and returning to NAN on a Monday at 0515.

2. NAN-HNL return for A$1,697.16, leaving NAN same time but returning to NAN 2 days later than from LAX at 1930

3. NAN-LAX, HNL-NAN for A$1,844, but returning on the same day as if I take the LAX return flight.

Is HNL any better for status runs than LAX? My main priority is to visit NYC, DC, Chicago, I was going to position in LAS on the first night for a run (probably SJU). Before this flight I will be sitting on 450SC, so LAX-NAN return offers 280SC, HNL-NAN 200SC, or NAN-LAX-xHNL-NAN offers 240SC. I'm leaning towards the LAX flights to get the 744 instead of a 737. I assume there's a big difference in cabin amenity? The price difference seems modest too. I've never been to HNL though so wouldn't mind a night or two there, but not sure I want to spend that long on a 737 and lose 40-80SC!

Seeing as the FJ flights ex NAN to HNL or LAX are overnighters, I would go for the 747 to LAX & go for the continuity rather than breaking the journey in the middle of the night for a transit stop. From there either taking a LAX/SJU flight or buying two separate tickets LAX/LAS then LAS/SJU works out about the same but good if you want a night or two in LAS.

SJU/BOS have good fares but haven't priced ex SJU to NYC or ORD but you could always do those short hops on Jet Blue or another carrier.

SJU/LAX is only about 80 bucks less than SJU/HNL so I'd probably go to HNL on the way back as IIRC it's a day flight ex HNL on the 738 to NAN which is either via CXI or APW.

When it comes to the difference in status credits I thinks it's a case of swings & roundabouts as you'd pickup more F SC on AA going to/from HNL to make up for the 'shortfall' in J on FJ. It really depends on whether the FJ schedule for you on the day you want to fly is better ex LAX or HNL.

There was a trip report by someone who did a status run ex Aust to NAN plus ex NAN to HNL as I remember reading it - just can't remember the author & can't find it in by searching either. TR had photos also.

 

[Isochronous]

Alright, NAN-LAX on the 744 has been booked!

I have been allocated 1J on the outbound and 2J on the inbound coming back. What are the best seats on this plane in people's opinion?

 

[Isochronous]

I just found something interesting about these flights which the AFF community might like to know.

I was looking on flightstats and noticed the FJ NAN-LAX flights actually have a QF code attached (QF3838/3839). I looked for the same dates and the difference in pricing comes out to A$100 - but I think for AFF people, that might be worth it for the points differential. On a FJ code there is only a 25% cabin bonus that pays a total of 13,802 points. Yet QF booking page shows if on a QF code, as a PS I would earn 22,086 points on the booking - status bonus and 50% instead of 25% cabin bonus kick in. I would have considered paying the extra $100 if I knew! This is on the $1,900 Z Class fare FJ sell.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just found something interesting about these flights which the AFF community might like to know.

I was looking on flightstats and noticed the FJ NAN-LAX flights actually have a QF code attached (QF3838/3839). I looked for the same dates and the difference in pricing comes out to A$100 - but I think for AFF people, that might be worth it for the points differential. On a FJ code there is only a 25% cabin bonus that pays a total of 13,802 points. Yet QF booking page shows if on a QF code, as a PS I would earn 22,086 points on the booking - status bonus and 50% instead of 25% cabin bonus kick in. I would have considered paying the extra $100 if I knew! This is on the $1,900 Z Class fare FJ sell.

Interesting. I'm wondering though - if you purchase this as three separate tickets (AU-NAN, NAN-USA-NAN and NAN-AU) - would it actually be possible to buy the QF code share only for the NAN-USA and vv? (without originating in AU for example). In other words... does QF have full traffic rights NAN-USA?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Interesting. I'm wondering though - if you purchase this as three separate tickets (AU-NAN, NAN-USA-NAN and NAN-AU) - would it actually be possible to buy the QF code share only for the NAN-USA and vv? (without originating in AU for example). In other words... does QF have full traffic rights NAN-USA?

You can only book the Biz Saver fares on the NAN to LAX or HNL on the FJ website as an FJ flight number - there is no QF codeshare flight that can be booked.

Even if you could book a QF codeshare flight on the QF website you would be paying a much more expensive airfare as QF would not be offering a Biz Saver fare.

This means that you will still get the cabin bonus points for J but not the status bonus points.

 

[markis10]

Even if you could book a QF codeshare flight on the QF website you would be paying a much more expensive airfare as QF would not be offering a Biz Saver fare.

I reckon $3800 FJD return ($2000 AUS) for J with a QF flight number is not a bad deal:




Vs

 

[Isochronous]

This is exactly what I'm talking about, markis10. If you have QFF status then the status bonus makes it worthwhile - even at PS you're paying $100 for an extra ~6,000 points or so.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I just found something interesting about these flights which the AFF community might like to know.

I was looking on flightstats and noticed the FJ NAN-LAX flights actually have a QF code attached (QF3838/3839). I looked for the same dates and the difference in pricing comes out to A$100 - but I think for AFF people, that might be worth it for the points differential. On a FJ code there is only a 25% cabin bonus that pays a total of 13,802 points. Yet QF booking page shows if on a QF code, as a PS I would earn 22,086 points on the booking - status bonus and 50% instead of 25% cabin bonus kick in. I would have considered paying the extra $100 if I knew! This is on the $1,900 Z Class fare FJ sell.

Just be careful when booking some QF destinations as IIRC Princess Fiona reported recently that travelling to SEL was considerably more on the QF website for their codeshare flights (operated via OZ) than it was to book direct with OZ.

Also others have reported booking flights to the UK were cheaper booked on BA website as codeshare flights operated by QF than the exact same flights booked through QF on QF flight numbers.