Using QFF points for internal US flights?

[sausagefingers]

So I currently have around 250k in QFF points and I was hoping to use these for some redemption flights in the US in August?
We are family of four traveling LAX-MCO-JFK-LAX.
Not really worried about specific order to be honest. either MCO or JFK first it doesn't matter.

What options do I have here? or is it not worth even bothering about? we're happy to fly Y.

Kind regards,

 

[zainman]

So I currently have around 250k in QFF points and I was hoping to use these for some redemption flights in the US in August?
We are family of four traveling LAX-MCO-JFK-LAX.
Not really worried about specific order to be honest. either MCO or JFK first it doesn't matter.

What options do I have here? or is it not worth even bothering about? we're happy to fly Y.

Kind regards,

I used QF points in 2014 to fly AA domestic in Y. Flew ORD to MCO to JFK to BOS. I thought it was a good use of points considering the prices as we didn't have plans locked in. I also got exit row seats for free as a QF WP plus used the Flagship lounge at JFK.

 

[Boca68]

So I currently have around 250k in QFF points and I was hoping to use these for some redemption flights in the US in August?
We are family of four traveling LAX-MCO-JFK-LAX.
Not really worried about specific order to be honest. either MCO or JFK first it doesn't matter.

What options do I have here? or is it not worth even bothering about? we're happy to fly Y.

Kind regards,

To use your QFF points on an AA domestic flight, you will need to either book online via the QF website or via QF call centre.

Try the website first, I'd say. Just remember to tick the 'Search Classic Rewards' box to get your start city. (in this case LAX). Try a few searches and see what appears.

Also you could use the QF call centre, but beware of the 'service charge' (think its 3000 points?) It can be wavered if unable to book online.

Other helpful things are Expert Flyer or KVS tool, to search award flights. But, first, just play around with the QF site. If something interesting turns up, then go for it. I'm fairly sure that something will. Good luck!

P.S.- I am by no means an expert on these things,

 

[sausagefingers]

Okay, I've had a look and I can only see F seats showing up for all of the routes? is this common 6 months from the actual flight date?

I will keep trying, and maybe consider flying to another close airport?

 

[bismarck]

Transcontinental can be tough to get 4 seats on the same flight - is it possible to travel in two groups of two? Might make it easier to find seats.

I'm also only seeing flights in F throughout August with the exception of 30th Aug. Maybe try stitching it together as a multi-city itinerary. Try going through Charlotte.

 

[deejo77]

Summer holidays in the USA.....I would say they were booked as soon as the window opened....as suggested split or bounce as required and take what you can

 

[sausagefingers]

Transcontinental can be tough to get 4 seats on the same flight - is it possible to travel in two groups of two? Might make it easier to find seats.

I'm also only seeing flights in F throughout August with the exception of 30th Aug. Maybe try stitching it together as a multi-city itinerary. Try going through Charlotte.

they don't all have to be reward seats, I am happy to pay for some, I am just trying to reduce the cost where possible, and yes we're open to flying in groups of two if required.

F does sound wonderful, however my 250k in points will not stretch that far in that case, however its an option for all of us to go F from one city to another if required.

 

[sausagefingers]

Summer holidays in the USA.....I would say they were booked as soon as the window opened....as suggested split or bounce as required and take what you can

Okay that makes sense.
a case of beggars can't be choosers I guess. I will check some other close airports and see if its worth doing a few hour drive in a hire car or something.

Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[Boca68]

As others have said, high season. Honestly did not look at that myself to begin with.

So, look at options via AA hubs. Instead of MCO, try MIA. Instead of JFK, try LGA .

Then link them through DFW or ORD or even PHL? CLT is usually quite easy, but generally means convaluted flights.

I'd try LAX-DFW-MIA, then MIA/MCO-LGA-ORD-LAX. Just play around with the search facility. Something might appear. But its summer. I'm sure a sector or 2 will be available at least.

 

[Scr77]

Another option is to search for 2 seats. You may be able to get 2Y and 2J, keeping everyone on the same flight and stretching your points balance.

 

[sausagefingers]

Another option is to search for 2 seats. You may be able to get 2Y and 2J, keeping everyone on the same flight and stretching your points balance.

I am trying this as well.
looks like I might be out of luck unless something changes, I was really hopeful of using some of these points.
Just a pity I burned all my VA FF points on my sisters honeymoon (such a good brother)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

You may need to try an alternative airport eg LAX/MIA which has a lot more flights than MCO. There are about 14 days in August that have at least 4 seats available in whY which is 18,000 points plus USD5.60 pp taxes. I imagine you'd be hiring a car anyway in MCO so you could pick the car up in MIA then drive to MCO which is apparently a 5 hour drive.

Looking at several of those days it does appear that it's either the red eye or a pm flights arriving in MIA after 2300 so you'd need to overnight at MIA then head off the next day.

Do you have any status with QF? If SG (OWS) or above you won't be charged for checked luggage however even if no status if you are connecting same day to or from your QF transPac flight QF will through check to AA and you'll receive the 2pc pp allowance. Ditto ie AA will through check to QF and honour the QF allowance.

JFK/LAX I can't see any whY awards however there are J award seats for 50K points plus USD5.60 taxes pp predominantly on Sundays and Mondays only. You could then just purchase one ways ticket MCO/NYC.

Edited to say QF SG is OWS not OWR

 

[Hvr]

<snip>

Do you have any status with QF? If SG (OWR) or above you won't be charged for checked luggage however even if no status if you are connecting same day to or from your QF transPac flight QF will through check to AA and you'll receive the 2pc pp allowance. Ditto ie AA will through check to QF and honour the QF allowance.

<snip>

Actually QF SG is OWS, PS is OWR so the level required isn't too high.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Actually QF SG is OWS, PS is OWR so the level required isn't too high.

Thks have now edited my OP.

 

[ausfox]

The AA F class is like QF J so don't aspire needlessly and waste your points. The Admirals club if you have SG is a very ordinary product also.

 

[galah]

Also look at flying to TPA, relatively close-by to MCO and offers fairly cheap flights.

Given the lack of Y award availability, I would pay cash for the cheapest segments (you can get NYC-MCO/TPA for US$100 or less) and look at F/J award for the remaining segments.

LAX-NYC o/w in cash is cheaper than v.v, so maybe fork out for that also, and look for 4x F award seats MCO/TPA/MIA-LAX.

 

[sausagefingers]

Thank you everyone for your help and suggestions.
I am flying over on VA and have no status with either :-(
However (and this likely isn't the correct sub forum) I may just pay for delta flights on all legs (will I receive SC for this?) and pool all together and try and turn it into a SC run at the same time?

Thanks again for everyone's help and ideas.