SYD - LAX - LHR mini status run, but who to choose from LAX to LHR : BA or AA?

[ozavanti]

I'm toying with the idea of a mini status run by taking the long way round to the UK in November. At this stage I'm looking to route from SYD to LAX on QF, then skip across the pond to LHR with either AA or BA (all in whY or equivalent).

Forgive my ignorance in all this, but i am trying to get my head around the logistics and realities of it all. Would love some answers to the following questions:

1. Am i reading the rules correctly that a Discounted whY would earn 120SC return SYD v LHR, where as SYD-LAX-LHR could potentially earn 160-170SC for an additional 2-3 hours flying?

2. Ignoring point earnings between AA and BA (I'm interested in chasing a few more SC's to retain SG) - who out of AA or BA has the best whY offering as far as passenger experience?

3. Who has the best lounge offering for someone with SG in both LAX and LHR?

4. Taking into consideration security issues in the US and a potential 10 hour stop-over in LAX if i choose BA, is it worth clearing security and heading into town for a few hours?

5. If it is worth heading in to LA, do you need a visa for such a short period of time (I'm guessing yes)?

6. Can you check baggage right through from SYD to LHR (and return) even though i'd be changing to either AA or BA in LAX?

7. Am i missing something that other people see?

Sorry to ask such basic questions, but I've no doubt your up for the task.

Ozz

 

[simongr]

1. Am i reading the rules correctly that a Discounted whY would earn 120SC return SYD v LHR, where as SYD-LAX-LHR could potentially earn 160-170SC for an additional 2-3 hours flying? That is the case. However why not consider a RTW product and fly syd-lax-lhr-hkg-syd and a few stops in between?

2. Ignoring point earnings between AA and BA (I'm interested in chasing a few more SC's to retain SG) - who out of AA or BA has the best whY offering as far as passenger experience? Thankfully something I dont know anything about

3. Who has the best lounge offering for someone with SG in both LAX and LHR? If flying out of TBIT then you can access the decentish OW lounge - if flying out of T4 you will be in the Admirals club where you used to have to pay for drinks.

4. Taking into consideration security issues in the US and a potential 10 hour stop-over in LAX if i choose BA, is it worth clearing security and heading into town for a few hours? You will have to clear immigration and security in LAX anyway so whatever happens it wont make a difference - I would avoid 10 hour layovers tho...

5. If it is worth heading in to LA, do you need a visa for such a short period of time (I'm guessing yes)?

6. Can you check baggage right through from SYD to LHR (and return) even though i'd be changing to either AA or BA in LAX? Yes but you need to collect bags at LAX and then put them on another belt - no big deal just a hassle

7. Am i missing something that other people see? Yes you are possibly choosing to fly on a US carrier - never a lot of fun unless in F

 

[serfty]

...
3. Who has the best lounge offering for someone with SG in both LAX and LHR? If flying out of TBIT then you can access the decentish OW lounge - if flying out of T4 you will be in the Admirals club where you used to have to pay for drinks....

I believe SG have not had to pay for drinks for many years - they get drink vouchers (... reports indicate they still do - for "premium" beverages).

 

[docjames]

Replies below

1. Am i reading the rules correctly that a Discounted whY would earn 120SC return SYD v LHR, where as SYD-LAX-LHR could potentially earn 160-170SC for an additional 2-3 hours flying? Yes, although an around the world could give you 16 segments and you could earn perhaps more again by multiple segments within each continent - this is worth it if time for maxing out the segments , but not if the aim is really to fly to London and back (as it will cost more than a return flight).

2. Ignoring point earnings between AA and BA (I'm interested in chasing a few more SC's to retain SG) - who out of AA or BA has the best whY offering as far as passenger experience? I would choose BA due to better IFE and seats (which is what we did last year on an RTW segment JFK-LHR). AA is improving in Y, but probably not there yet.

3. Who has the best lounge offering for someone with SG in both LAX and LHR?
LHR - T5 BA Galleries lounge is great, the T3 lounge not as great but still ok. There are a few other lounges at LHR T3 but i'm not familiar with them. LAX - the OW lounges are shared (Admiral's club operated by AA) but your choice is restricted a bit based on terminal of departure so you dont really have a huge choice. You'll get drink vouchers (and some drinks are now free anyway).

4. Taking into consideration security issues in the US and a potential 10 hour stop-over in LAX if i choose BA, is it worth clearing security and heading into town for a few hours? I woulndt go to the club at LAX for 10 hours (it's not that good!) - definately get away from the airport - do a search as there's heaps of threads but maybe head to Long beach or Malibu if the weather is decent.

5. If it is worth heading in to LA, do you need a visa for such a short period of time (I'm guessing yes)? yes

6. Can you check baggage right through from SYD to LHR (and return) even though i'd be changing to either AA or BA in LAX? Yes, no problem, but you have to recollect the back and drop off again (easily done and well directed off the QF flights)

7. Am i missing something that other people see? It depends on budget a bit. Also QF dont really sell a LHR return ex-Aus if you want to go via LAX - you may need to use a TA or other online booking tool.

Sorry to ask such basic questions, but I've no doubt your up for the task.
Basic questions are always the ones that get the best answers.

Enjoy the trip!
Ozz

 

[Fantic125]

4. Taking into consideration security issues in the US and a potential 10 hour stop-over in LAX if i choose BA, is it worth clearing security and heading into town for a few hours?

5. If it is worth heading in to LA, do you need a visa for such a short period of time (I'm guessing yes)?
Ozz

Because you're travelling to the US you will need to fill out the online ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which has replaced the Visa waiver documentation you needed to fill out previously. You don't need to print out the information but make a note of the application number just in case you're asked.

 

[straitman]

Because you're travelling to the US you will need to fill out the online ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) which has replaced the Visa waiver documentation you needed to fill out previously. You don't need to print out the information but make a note of the application number just in case you're asked.

Personally I woulds always take a copy of the documentation. (only one page) as this is the LOTFAP we are talking about.

 

[serfty]

I'd take AA if I could:

1. book well in advance (>330 Days)
2. Have 25,000 AA Miles and USD375
3. Upgrade to Business class using said miles and Greenbacks when C class becomes (briefly) available at 316 days; do this on the overnight/red-eye/easterly LAX-LHR flight.

Book the Westerly LHR-LAX flight as a day flight (depart UK in Morning).

 

[ozavanti]

I have to say that AFF members rock.

Looks like I'm retaining SG and get to swing past the US on the way to see my lady in the UK :mrgreen:.

Thanks so much for your help and ideas.

 

[HardieBoys]

Would recommend BA over AA: better IFE and overall experience. Unless, of course, you want the overall experience to be a trip down memory lane to what flying was like in the 1980s. I'd state that the crews in BA are a bit better than those on AA.

In terms of utilising some of the time in LA, it depends on what you're interested in, but you'll definitely need to use cabs. You could spend four hours visiting the recently renovated Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) which is very good, and the La Brea Tar Pits is about 3 minutes' walk from there, and is fascinating. About 10 minutes' walk away is the Original Farmers Market, which is great, and next door to that is the Grove shopping centre (it's an outdoor one), where you can take advantage of the high $AUD.