US Domestic Flight Advice

[doczim]

We (MrsZim, KidZim and me)are traveling to the US in December 2015 thanks to some point upgrades in J on VA. Most things are booked but I am now trying to get my internal flights sorted. Will eventually need LAX | MCO ; MCO | DCA and maybe DCA | JFK

This post is focused on the LAX Orlando leg of which I have been looking at flight options with American Airlines, Delta, Virgin America

am currently VA WP may drop to Gold before US travel may retain WP. QF Gold now but nil travel on QF and reassement in June will likely drop that.

AA – First – no lounge access, includes Priority security & Boarding & 3 bags ; "wasted" SC's
Delta – First +$94 to AA,. Inc Lounge (provided they relax the +1 guess to inc a 12yo child and MrsZim as guest) Priority Sec & board and 3 bags, VA SC's
Virgin America – Main Cabin Select (essentially PE) +$207. Includes Lounge, Priority Sec & board, VA SC's but no bags

(prices diff above at in USD and for 1 seat)

I was a bit dumbfounded at VX prices. In 2013 I got 3 Main Cabin Select fares for < $900. Now they are $700 each when I go to buy 3 seats. Though I if go to buy one seat they are $340. Would love to fly VX again but not at this crazy price. In looking at my receipt from 2013 looks like I got instant upgrade to MCS so maybe this is reason for big difference in price.

From what I have read Delta is average at best and have read many reports of worse that avg. Also considering Economy Comfort. Will have to pay for upgrade & baggage it was going be approx. $250 less that First (which then ends being x 3) so is real money saving.

AA we flew last time in first and perfectly fine and happy with it just have to live with no lounge – oh the horror!!

What would you more seasoned US travellers do?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

So the international ticket you're flying on is VA Aust to LAX staying for a few days then JFK/LAX/Aust so you'll get VA's WP allowance with DL should they recognise it - I'm sure others who have flown in the US domestically on DL & VX as a VA Plat will be able to comment in more detail.

Then the domestic flight you still need to purchase are LAX/MCO/DCA/JFK so 3 sectors.

I'd probably just go with AA however I wouldn't bother paying full F as I'm sure it would be considerably more expensive than whY then with the AU dollar having taken a dive to the US that will really take a sizeable chunk out of your travel budget.

If you do book with AA ensure you book on their US site American Airlines - Airline tickets and cheap flights at AA.com but be aware that your device may default to the AU site in which case the fares will be a lot more so look for US flag in the top right hand corner.

Just entering some random dates in December AA the total price for all 3 sectors LAX/MCO/DCA/JFK at USD421.55 total pp based on MCO/DCA being a non-stop flight however it was approx USD407.15 if MCO/DCA was via CLT or PHL on US Air. AA may well offer a cheap price to upgrade to First at the time you web checkin the day prior which would be a fraction of the cost of paying it at the time of booking.

If you do the AA booking while you're still QF SG (ie prior to 30 June) AA may still recognise your OWS status in which case you would receive 2 pieces per person irrespective of the tier status of Mrs Zim & KidZim if they're booked in the same pnr as you.

There is no Admirals Club in MCO - only a DL Crown Room or UA Lounge in terminal B, the latter being in the Priority Pass Program. You could always purchase a 30 day Admirals Club membership for USD99.00 for LAX & DCA which affords you the same guesting privileges as a regular membership so you wouldn't need to purchase a separate membership for your wife or child.


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[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: moduleHeader3, align: right"]Average Price per Person - 421.55 USD
Price and Tax Information[/TD]
[TD="class: moduleHeader3, align: right"][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: alertRow, bgcolor: #FFFFCC, colspan: 12"]Fare Alert: Nonrefundable fare. Change fee associated with fare.[/TD]
[/TR]
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[TD="class: alertRow, bgcolor: #FFFFCC, colspan: 12"]Flight Alert: Return airport different than originating airport.[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, align: center"]Carrier[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, align: center"]Flight
#[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, colspan: 2"]Departing[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, colspan: 2"]Arriving[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, align: center"]Aircraft
Type[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, colspan: 2, align: center"]Cabin[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, align: center"]

Flight
Miles[/TD]
[TD="class: headingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, align: center"]Meals[/TD]
[TD="class: finalHeadingCell, bgcolor: #AFC8E7, align: center"]Travel
Time[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: subHeadingCell, bgcolor: #D6E2F0"]City[/TD]
[TD="class: subHeadingCell, bgcolor: #D6E2F0"]Date & Time[/TD]
[TD="class: subHeadingCell, bgcolor: #D6E2F0"]City[/TD]
[TD="class: subHeadingCell, bgcolor: #D6E2F0"]Date & Time[/TD]
[/TR]
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[TD="class: topFirstResultCell, align: center"]

AMERICAN AIRLINES[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]2381[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: left"]LAX
Los Angeles[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell"]Dec 09, 2015
08:00 AM[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: left"]MCO
Orlando[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell"]Dec 09, 2015
04:01 PM[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]757[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, colspan: 2, align: center"]Economy
View Seats[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]2217[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]Food For Purchase[/TD]
[TD="class: topFinalResultCell, align: center"]5 hr
1 min[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 12"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: topFirstResultCell, align: center"]

AMERICAN AIRLINES OPERATED BY US AIRWAYS[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]667[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: left"]MCO
Orlando[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell"]Dec 11, 2015
08:45 AM[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: left"]DCA
Washington[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell"]Dec 11, 2015
10:53 AM[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]320[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, colspan: 2, align: center"]Economy[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"][/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]N/A[/TD]
[TD="class: topFinalResultCell, align: center"]2 hr
8 min[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="colspan: 12"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: topFirstResultCell, align: center"]

AMERICAN AIRLINES OPERATED BY REPUBLIC AIRLINES AS AMERICAN EAGLE[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]4309[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: left"]DCA
Washington[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell"]Dec 13, 2015
06:00 AM[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: left"]JFK
New York[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell"]Dec 13, 2015
07:16 AM[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]E75[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, colspan: 2, align: center"]Economy
View Seats[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]213[/TD]
[TD="class: topResultCell, align: center"]Food For Purchase[/TD]
[TD="class: topFinalResultCell, align: center"]1 hr
16 min[/TD]
[/TR]
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[/TD]
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American Airlines Checked Baggage Charge Exceptions | AA.com

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[TD]The following passengers will be allowed a 1st and 2nd checked bag at no additional charge (for tickets purchased on or after April 8, 2014) provided it falls within the size and weight limitations. These free checked bag allowances apply on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines, or on flights marketed by American Airlines and American Eagle[SUP]®[/SUP] service. American Eagle service is operated by Envoy Airlines Inc., Compass Airlines, LLC, Envoy Air Inc., ExpressJet Airlines, Inc., Mesa Airlines, Inc., Republic Airline Inc., SkyWest Airlines, Inc., or Trans States Airlines, LLC. On flights operated by other carriers, different baggage charges may apply. Be sure to check your itinerary and receipt to see which airlines’ charges apply.

• For customers traveling to or from destinations in South America, Panama, El Salvador, China, Japan and South Korea
• Customers who purchase Business or First Class tickets (3 checked bag allowance)
• Active U.S. military personnel traveling on orders (5 checked bag allowance) or personal travel (3 checked bag allowance)
• Active U.S. military dependents traveling on orders
• American Airlines AAdvantage® Executive Platinum* or AAdvantage Platinum
• Alaska Airlines MVP Gold 75K and MVP Gold
• oneworld alliance Emerald* and Sapphire
• Customers flying on the same reservation as an American Airlines AAdvantage Executive Platinum* or Platinum member or oneworld alliance Emerald* or Sapphire member regardless of frequent flyer status or fare type (not applicable to group bookings)
• First and Business Class MileSAAver® Awards
• First and Business Class AAnytime® Awards
• First and Business Class upgrades confirmed prior to check-in

*AAdvantage Executive Platinum and oneworld Emerald members are eligible for up to three free checked bags.[/TD]
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[serfty]

Get onto flights.google.com, set your origin and destination, select Delta, one-way and business class.

Have a look at the cost of flights on the day you want to travel, now compare those with the prices on the same day of the week in about 5 months time.

Finally have a look at the prices (same day) in about 6 weeks.

You may be surprised for one or more of the routes. Each segment earns 40, 60 or 80 SC's with Velocity. (Don't forget family pooling )

 

[doczim]

So the international ticket you're flying on is VA Aust to LAX staying for a few days then JFK/LAX/Aust so you'll get VA's WP allowance with DL should they recognise it - I'm sure others who have flown in the US domestically on DL & VX as a VA Plat will be able to comment in more detail.

Then the domestic flight you still need to purchase are LAX/MCO/DCA/JFK so 3 sectors.

I'd probably just go with AA however I wouldn't bother paying full F as I'm sure it would be considerably more expensive than whY then with the AU dollar having taken a dive to the US that will really take a sizeable chunk out of your travel budget.

If you do book with AA ensure you book on their US site American Airlines - Airline tickets and cheap flights at AA.com but be aware that your device may default to the AU site in which case the fares will be a lot more so look for US flag in the top right hand corner.

Just entering some random dates in December AA the total price for all 3 sectors LAX/MCO/DCA/JFK at USD421.55 total pp based on MCO/DCA being a non-stop flight however it was approx USD407.15 if MCO/DCA was via CLT or PHL on US Air. AA may well offer a cheap price to upgrade to First at the time you web checkin the day prior which would be a fraction of the cost of paying it at the time of booking.

If you do the AA booking while you're still QF SG (ie prior to 30 June) AA may still recognise your OWS status in which case you would receive 2 pieces per person irrespective of the tier status of Mrs Zim & KidZim if they're booked in the same pnr as you.

There is no Admirals Club in MCO - only a DL Crown Room or UA Lounge in terminal B, the latter being in the Priority Pass Program. You could always purchase a 30 day Admirals Club membership for USD99.00 for LAX & DCA which affords you the same guesting privileges as a regular membership so you wouldn't need to purchase a separate membership for your wife or child.


American Airlines Checked Baggage Charge Exceptions | AA.com

wow what a reply, thanks ozbeachbabe!

I did do a multi city itinerary on Delta but the LAX | MCO leg jumped in price drastically so I didn't bother doing it for any other carrier, but I will no as you suggested. While a lowish price is important , it's not the only think I am considering, I am happy to pay more for comfort and convenience , but of course there is a balance and a limit.

The AC 30day membership gives 2 guest access? thats great and could be an options for us. I will let you know what my searches return.

 

[doczim]

Get onto flights.google.com, set your origin and destination, select Delta, one-way and business class.

Have a look at the cost of flights on the day you want to travel, now compare those with the prices on the same day of the week in about 5 months time.

Finally have a look at the prices (same day) in about 6 weeks.


You may be surprised for one or more of the routes. Each segment earns 40, 60 or 80 SC's with Velocity. (Don't forget family pooling )

My "noobness" means I'm not sure I fully got what you were meaning Serfty. I set origin to LAX and MCO to dest. I saw that the price certainly went up significantly for this route from about $500 to over $1000 at 6 weeks out. Is that what you were referring to? ie book now?

I tried setting LAX as origin and JFK as destination and I saw a LAX | MCO | JFK routing, so are you referring that I might be able to do something with a stop over? though I need to get to DCA before that.

 

[serfty]

Book as oneways. Prices tend to drop when booked within 60 days of the travel - that would mean booking in October.

Use NYC for all ports there rather than JFK, often the prices for EWR or LGA can vary significantly.

In the same vein use WAS for all Washington ports.

Also different days of the week can be cheaper - steer clear of Fridays and Sundays of you can.

As for LAX-ORL, within 60 days prices drop to from US$350 on some days.

 

[doczim]

Book as oneways. Prices tend to drop when booked within 60 days of the travel - that would mean booking in October.

Use NYC for all ports there rather than JFK, often the prices for EWR or LGA can vary significantly.

In the same vein use WAS for all Washington ports.

Also different days of the week can be cheaper - steer clear of Fridays and Sundays of you can.

As for LAX-ORL, within 60 days prices drop to from US$350 on some days.

ok thanks for the extra info for the noob, now I get it. Unfortunately my travel dates are now set so have to work with the days I have and that happens to includes a Sunday. I thought that booking far in advance would be better like it *normally* is here. I'll redo your original suggestion and let you know how I go. thanks

 

[doczim]

Looks like I will wait till closer to our dates to book these internal flights. I would have booked them if I could get what I thought was good pricing on the Airlines I wanted for the three of us, but at the moment I can't. It would have been nice to lock in the AUD as it is now, but I will just wait. I have noticed that since I have been looking at the flights, 1 more Main Cabin Select seat has been released for our dates at the cheaper price, now 2 available, just need 1 more. I invested in Expert Flyer , though I'm still working out how to read and use it!

 

[serfty]

Note that last ear Delta sued Expert Flyer forcing them to remove their information from display.

So it's no longer any good for Delta flights.

 

[doczim]

thanks serfty, I did see some posts about no longer having Delta info. I think I have found the classes that I need to watch for VX and have set up some alerts