Hawaii - Flight to Hawaii question?

Thanks to you folks on this forum hubby and I both got the Citi card and a round trip first class ticket to Hawaii. We are so looking forward to our trip. I had such a time trying to book the one stop on AA but did get it.

Question is now daughter has decided she would like to go. How can we get her on the same flight first class cost effectively as possible. We have tried Travelocity, bookingbuddy ect. It is going to cost her a bundle, I didn't know we got that good of a deal. Help please. I am so new to all this.

When are the flights? Does she have to fly first class?

She would prefer to fly first class with us. As for when they are the last of Sept. I was hoping we would have some time to help her out.

When are the flights? Does she have to fly first class?

Most people don't realize the cost of a 1st class ticket. You could buy a upgradeable ticket and up grade with miles. The most cost effective way would be to fly coach. Sorry no inexpensive way to fly 1st class unless you have status with the airline. You could try a consolidator who buys blocks of tickets. Anyone have a suggestion of who would be the best consolidator?

She would prefer to fly first class with us. As for when they are the last of Sept. I was hoping we would have some time to help her out.

I would like to fly F with you too! :) Have her get the CITI cards too & then she might be able to join you.

I would like to fly F with you too! :) Have her get the CITI cards too & then she might be able to join you.

Seems like the simpliest and logical way to accomplish her goal.

I thought about the coach ticket and then try to upgrade with miles. How many miles would it take to do an upgrade? Also, the best and only deal I see with the Citi card is the 30,000 mile offer. Is there a better one?
I will second the statement most people don't realize how much it costs to fly first class. I sure didn't, but I thought we would be more comfortable on such a long flight, and we could, :) thanks to FT.
Thanks so much for your replies and if you think of anything else please let me know.

Or award ticket 70k miles for return?

Even if you've got the miles.. if booking was a challenge, there may not be a seat for her..

IMO.. its just a flight.. getting her on the same plane is a feat in itself.. I would suggest that she ride coach and enjoy the vacation.

Of course, everyone including me wants First, but it'll cost an arm and a leg.. and it was difficult enough to book in the first place..

If you happen to come accross the miles to do this.. the easiest way for all of you to book and sit together is calling up AA again and looking up available flights that have 3 F seats together, paying the two ticket change fees and adding a third seat to the itinerary..

The chances of getting F seats on your current 4 different segments will be challenging. The AA agent will be able to help you to identify any available 3 F seat itineraries if available..

Ancien Maestro you do have a good point, just because you have the miles doesn't mean you are going to go. The reason it was difficult is because we don't have all the stops. Seems like the fewer stops are harder to get.

I was just thinking maybe she should just book the coach seat on two segments going and two segments on the return. She could upgrade the longest two segments to first. That way she could be more comfortable. Surely that would work.

Thanks so much for the replies.

I thought about the coach ticket and then try to upgrade with miles. How many miles would it take to do an upgrade? Also, the best and only deal I see with the Citi card is the 30,000 mile offer. Is there a better one?
I will second the statement most people don't realize how much it costs to fly first class. I sure didn't, but I thought we would be more comfortable on such a long flight, and we could, :) thanks to FT.
Thanks so much for your replies and if you think of anything else please let me know.

FYI, an upgrade is going to cost 30,000 miles and a $150 co-pay on a discounted coach ticket EACH WAY.

http://www.aa.com/i18n/AAdvantage/programDetails/awards/awardCopay.jsp

Ancien Maestro you do have a good point, just because you have the miles doesn't mean you are going to go. The reason it was difficult is because we don't have all the stops. Seems like the fewer stops are harder to get.

I was just thinking maybe she should just book the coach seat on two segments going and two segments on the return. She could upgrade the longest two segments to first. That way she could be more comfortable. Surely that would work.

Thanks so much for the replies.

We booked grandma one year to the islands, and picked her up at the airport.. I guess that's another option..

Booking on points is not going to be flexible.. we have been succesful booking on points over the years, because we have been flexible.. and I've been booking a few direct flights to the islands successfully because of our flexibility.. so a 7 hour flight out, 6 hour flight in from Calgary, Alberta..

Really at this point in the game, its important not to get frustrated.. keep flexible.. look at the destination and being together and enjoying each other's company to be the main goal.. Flying on the same airplane may not work out without extra fees, and possibly some headache.. can be done, just call up AA and have them spell out the options if you have enough miles.. If not check the prices on the flight segments you booked.. too expensive.. To make the trip happen, book the lowest priced option out to the islands if you have to (last resort that is ;))

ILuvParis good information, thank you! She might be able to get it to work.

Ancien Maestro I am flexable, no problem there. Just wish she would have decided before I booked ours. She could certainly go coach, if it was up to me that would be fine. She wants to go first though and I am doing what mom's do trying to help. Thank you so much for your help. You have given me some good info.

Ancien Maestro I am flexable, no problem there. Just wish she would have decided before I booked ours. She could certainly go coach, if it was up to me that would be fine. She wants to go first though and I am doing what mom's do trying to help. Thank you so much for your help. You have given me some good info.

Excellent.. Good Luck!^

Definitely possible to get First.. roll with the strategies and let us know how it goes.:)

FYI, the copay is now $175 each way. Another option for cost effectiveness is to try Alaska Airlines. Their RT first class fares are pretty good in my opinion. I don't know how old your daughter is or where you are flying from but unless she is young, she should be able to fly by herself. More than likely she would arrive in Hawaii before her parents.

Thanks to you folks on this forum hubby and I both got the Citi card and a round trip first class ticket to Hawaii. We are so looking forward to our trip. I had such a time trying to book the one stop on AA but did get it.

Question is now daughter has decided she would like to go. How can we get her on the same flight first class cost effectively as possible.

FC on the 763 non-stops to HNL or OGG from DFW or ORD are always full with elites,upgrades, awards and then folks who poney up the $$$ because they want to be in FC -- the route from both those hubs are now the only 763 widebody service AA offers to the islands with the 59" pitch and lie flat seat, etc. As recommended -- I would just call the AA awards line and let an agent try and get you the best option. If you can't use award points and have to pay $$$ -- then just book it on line. Aloha! Have fun. :cool:

I thought about the coach ticket and then try to upgrade with miles. How many miles would it take to do an upgrade? Also, the best and only deal I see with the Citi card is the 30,000 mile offer. Is there a better one?
I will second the statement most people don't realize how much it costs to fly first class. I sure didn't, but I thought we would be more comfortable on such a long flight, and we could, :) thanks to FT.
Thanks so much for your replies and if you think of anything else please let me know.

The 75,000 AA miles with $1,500 spending is still available. My wife and I just got them last week. Here is the link. It's under Post 2. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/milesbuzz/1110784-american-airlines-card-75-000-sign-up-bonus.html

Davesam12 we are on the DFW to HNL. AA might help. It is worth a try. Elkhornne will send her the link. Thanks, she needs to sign up for it pronto! You guys are great!! Will keep you posted.

FYI, the copay is now $175 each way. Another option for cost effectiveness is to try Alaska Airlines. Their RT first class fares are pretty good in my opinion. I don't know how old your daughter is or where you are flying from but unless she is young, she should be able to fly by herself. More than likely she would arrive in Hawaii before her parents.

Indeed, I have paid full fare for F hardly ever, but most of time when I have done this (e.g., OAK-OGG), it has been with Alaska. If you fly them in high peak times/routes, the F fare might be only slightly higher than the best-available full Y fare. Alaska stands out as one of few carriers interested in pricing its F cabin for purchase by leisure travellers.

Indeed, I have paid full fare for F hardly ever, but most of time when I have done this (e.g., OAK-OGG), it has been with Alaska. If you fly them in high peak times/routes, the F fare might be only slightly higher than the best-available full Y fare. Alaska stands out as one of few carriers interested in pricing its F cabin for purchase by leisure travellers.

This is definitely an option for F travel..

Still costs an arm and a leg though..:eek: