United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - About to spend over $10K for next summer travel to Australia: do you see any risks?

Hi everyone,

I am within days of investing about $12K plus 160K miles for four r-t tickets in BF to SYD. Travel would take place in June-July 2013.

Given recent developments with UAL, I need to make sure that I understand the risks. I came up with an incomplete list of things that could go wrong, and I would appreciate your thoughts: in your opinion, how likely are each of the following?

1. A pilot strike or other labor conflict in effect at that time?
2. A substitution of the 747 with a 787 resulting in involuntary downgrades from BF to coach?
3. Continuing MX and reliability issues resulting in frequent flight cancellations?
4. UAL under chapter 7?
5. Anything else I could have forgotten?

I normally don't buy tickets that long in advance, but in this case I have to do it because of limited upgrade availability. The tradeoff is that a lot can happen with UAL between now and next summer. Normally I would not have thought twice about it, but these are not normal times at UAL.

Thank you all for your help on this.

route cancellations

i have taken the liberty of plugging your questions into http://decidefor.us/

Here are the answers limited to yes and no:

1. A pilot strike or other labor conflict in effect at that time? Unlikely
2. A substitution of the 747 with a 787 resulting in involuntary downgrades from BF to coach? No
3. Continuing MX and reliability issues resulting in frequent flight cancellations? The future is hazy. Ask again.
4. UAL under chapter 7? Maybe
5. Anything else I could have forgotten? No

you are welcome

While I truly appreciate your thinking-of-all-angles approach to this, I could name a lot more than that, not with just with UAL, but all airlines alike.

That's what trip insurance is for, I think, to help you out in case of any unforeseen circumstances. It's a lot easier said then done, but don't let this worry you so far out. And if it makes you feel any better, your flights will change probably at least a dozen times before that trip actually happens (or a few dozen if you booked this on DL). Check once every two months until about March and then keep checking monthly to see of any changes.

route cancellations

Flight cancellations on the route have been high. My SYD-LAX cancelled August 3, space for rebooking was VERY limited and I just needed one seat in business. Whole story here (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/frequentlyflying/2012/08/10/a-tale-of-obsessive-flight-tracking-leading-to-proactive-rebooking/).

Hi everyone,

I am within days of investing about $12K plus 160K miles for four r-t tickets in BF to SYD. Travel would take place in June-July 2013.

Given recent developments with UAL, I need to make sure that I understand the risks. I came up with an incomplete list of things that could go wrong, and I would appreciate your thoughts: in your opinion, how likely are each of the following?

1. A pilot strike or other labor conflict in effect at that time?
2. A substitution of the 747 with a 787 resulting in involuntary downgrades from BF to coach?
3. Continuing MX and reliability issues resulting in frequent flight cancellations?
4. UAL under chapter 7?
5. Anything else I could have forgotten?

I normally don't buy tickets that long in advance, but in this case I have to do it because of limited upgrade availability. The tradeoff is that a lot can happen with UAL between now and next summer. Normally I would not have thought twice about it, but these are not normal times at UAL.

Thank you all for your help on this.

Trip insurance is best advice you were given. Also, why not buy the tickets on a more stable airline?

Flight cancellations on the route have been high. My SYD-LAX cancelled August 3, space for rebooking was VERY limited and I just needed one seat in business. Whole story here (http://boardingarea.com/blogs/frequentlyflying/2012/08/10/a-tale-of-obsessive-flight-tracking-leading-to-proactive-rebooking/).

I'm not talking about the flights -- i'm talking about ending the entire route.

They're not going to downguage to 787, those birds are spoken for on other routes (we only know about DEN-NRT, but I'm sure UA has their plans for the other birds).

They're not going to cancel down under routes. Just not going to happen.

MX, well that's another story.

But do agree about choosing another airline if you'r reallly concerned, unless you are sticking with UA and gaining PQMs. Of course if you're blending purchase and reward or using miles to u/g, that's another story.

And unless you're getting a good deal right now, prices may well drop in the future @:-)

EmailKid

Hi everyone,

I am within days of investing about $12K plus 160K miles for four r-t tickets in BF to SYD. Travel would take place in June-July 2013.

Given recent developments with UAL, I need to make sure that I understand the risks. I came up with an incomplete list of things that could go wrong, and I would appreciate your thoughts: in your opinion, how likely are each of the following?

1. A pilot strike or other labor conflict in effect at that time?
2. A substitution of the 747 with a 787 resulting in involuntary downgrades from BF to coach?
3. Continuing MX and reliability issues resulting in frequent flight cancellations?
4. UAL under chapter 7?
5. Anything else I could have forgotten?

I normally don't buy tickets that long in advance, but in this case I have to do it because of limited upgrade availability. The tradeoff is that a lot can happen with UAL between now and next summer. Normally I would not have thought twice about it, but these are not normal times at UAL.

Thank you all for your help on this.

Could you redeem your miles with Air Canada? If so book with them via YVR if your worried about loosing your seats due to involuntary downgrade. The only planes in AC's fleet capable of the SYD route are the 777's, specifically they fly the 77L down there.

I'm not talking about the flights -- i'm talking about ending the entire route.

Then you'd get your money back, even on a non-refundable fare.

OK, first things first: when talking about inter-hemisphere travel it's best to avoid pointless ambiguities like "next summer".

route cancellations

Incredibly unlikely, the SYD route is a huge cash cow for United.

Downgauge? Nah, not enough 787s to go around, and no trouble filling the 744s. You *might* see a 787 popping up on a direct MEL or BNE route eventually, but SFO-SYD and LAX-SYD are staying 744 'til the A350s arrive... which at present rates will be circa 2034.

Worst case scenario though, barring a complete collapse of the airline (unlikely at present) is that you get rebooked on another airline. Big whoop.

I'm also confused about your pricing. $12000 should get you two biz-class return tickets. 160,000 miles will get you one return first-class or two return economy-class, while return biz-classes will cost you 135,00 miles each. It doesn't seem to add up.

5. Anything else I could have forgotten?

Mayan prophecy. :)

I'm also confused about your pricing. $12000 should get you two biz-class return tickets. 160,000 miles will get you one return first-class or two return economy-class, while return biz-classes will cost you 135,00 miles each. It doesn't seem to add up.

Mom and dad up front, offspring in the back?

Could you redeem your miles with Air Canada? If so book with them via YVR if your worried about loosing your seats due to involuntary downgrade. The only planes in AC's fleet capable of the SYD route are the 777's, specifically they fly the 77L down there.

You'll be very hard pressed to get more than 1 or 2 seats in business / eco this late on AC. And if buying AC fares are much higher (generally, though if originating in the US this is not always true).

You'll be very hard pressed to get more than 1 or 2 seats in business / eco this late on AC. And if buying AC fares are much higher (generally, though if originating in the US this is not always true).

What do you mean by "this late", it's 11 months away, I don't think he'll be hard pressed to get the seats he wants.
Even if only a few are open now a more will open up.

+1 about the fare being higher but as you said, if he's starting his journey in the States then it may not be the case.

Hi everyone,

I am within days of investing about $12K plus 160K miles for four r-t tickets in BF to SYD. Travel would take place in June-July 2013.

Given recent developments with UAL, I need to make sure that I understand the risks. I came up with an incomplete list of things that could go wrong, and I would appreciate your thoughts: in your opinion, how likely are each of the following?

1. A pilot strike or other labor conflict in effect at that time?
2. A substitution of the 747 with a 787 resulting in involuntary downgrades from BF to coach?
3. Continuing MX and reliability issues resulting in frequent flight cancellations?
4. UAL under chapter 7?
5. Anything else I could have forgotten?

I normally don't buy tickets that long in advance, but in this case I have to do it because of limited upgrade availability. The tradeoff is that a lot can happen with UAL between now and next summer. Normally I would not have thought twice about it, but these are not normal times at UAL.

Thank you all for your help on this.

For me, if you have these questions about UA why would you even consider flying them? I would book Qantas directly at least they have A380s and I expect a bit more creature comforts.

For me, if you have these questions about UA why would you even consider flying them? I would book Qantas directly at least they have A380s and I expect a bit more creature comforts.

It would be a bit of a challenge using UA miles to book on Qantas.

Let me reply to several questions raised. There were two categories: Did I get my pricing right, and could I fly another airline?

First, did I get my pricing right? Yes. Each ticket costs $1,800 round-trip in coach. The copay is $600 each way. And the upgrade is 20,000 each way. Thus, each ticket is $3,000 plus 40,000 miles round trip. Multiply by 4 and you get the total.

Second, could I fly someone else? I could, but UA has the best deal. The lowest RT fare from IAH to SYD on QF and others is $6,000 for that period, and I cannot use miles for upgrade on QF. Delta is another possibility but their upgrades only work with the highest fare classes. I looked at all possibilities and UAL is by far the cheapest way to travel to Australia in business class.

I appreciate everyone's replies. As of now, I am leaning strongly in favor of UAL, and I will buy some insurance to cover all bases.

If it were I, and I saw that availability, I'd grab it. United will still be here.

If it were I, and I saw that availability, I'd grab it. United will still be here.

+ 1

747 on Upper Deck is a nice experience ^

EmailKid

Thanks for the clarifications, txp.

I think the issues you raised are manageable and/or unlikely to occur. If you're willing to spend the money for the Australian fares, and the upgrades are available, I think you should go with UA. Fares *might* go down, but by the time they do, the upgrades will be either gone, or will go to higher-status passengers.

Glad to hear you're considering travel insurance. I now get policies for all personal international travel. It's a great way to relieve anxiety about trip interruption, and it comes with some good emergency medical benefits. Travelex offers lots of options (including adventure travel riders) for about half the price of the Allianz Global Assurance insurance offered on the United site.

Thanks for the clarifications, txp.

Glad to hear you're considering travel insurance. I now get policies for all personal international travel. It's a great way to relieve anxiety about trip interruption, and it comes with some good emergency medical benefits. Travelex offers lots of options (including adventure travel riders) for about half the price of the Allianz Global Assurance insurance offered on the United site.

Thank you. I was thinking Travelsafe, since they have a "cancel for any reason" provision. Anyone tried it?

What do you mean by "this late", it's 11 months away, I don't think he'll be hard pressed to get the seats he wants.
Even if only a few are open now a more will open up.

+1 about the fare being higher but as you said, if he's starting his journey in the States then it may not be the case.

I've never been able to get seats in C on AC to Australia at anything other than 365 days out, or within a few weeks (ie close in). It sounds as if you've had better luck.

I have managed to find Y from time to time.

Frankly, I think you're being rather paranoid. Yes, anything can happen on any airline at any time. You can't predict things that far in advance. Get travel insurance if it makes you feel better, but read the terms carefully to see exactly what it covers, as it probably won't be as much as you think. Buy the ticket, and then just relax, and deal with any problems if and when they arise.

Frankly, I think you're being rather paranoid. Yes, anything can happen on any airline at any time. You can't predict things that far in advance. Get travel insurance if it makes you feel better, but read the terms carefully to see exactly what it covers, as it probably won't be as much as you think. Buy the ticket, and then just relax, and deal with any problems if and when they arise.

Yes, read the restrictions very carefully. For example, the travel insurance that UA sells, Allianz (in IN), excludes the following:

5. Travel arrangements cancelled by the airline, cruise line or tour operator.

Which makes it pretty useless for insurance against UA flight cancellations.

I assume this is a pleasure trip because you mentioned kids coming along - which makes me wonder why you are visiting australia in the dead of winter. It's cold and the days are short and nothing is going on.

Let me reply to several questions raised. There were two categories: Did I get my pricing right, and could I fly another airline?

First, did I get my pricing right? Yes. Each ticket costs $1,800 round-trip in coach. The copay is $600 each way. And the upgrade is 20,000 each way. Thus, each ticket is $3,000 plus 40,000 miles round trip. Multiply by 4 and you get the total.

Second, could I fly someone else? I could, but UA has the best deal. The lowest RT fare from IAH to SYD on QF and others is $6,000 for that period, and I cannot use miles for upgrade on QF. Delta is another possibility but their upgrades only work with the highest fare classes. I looked at all possibilities and UAL is by far the cheapest way to travel to Australia in business class.

I appreciate everyone's replies. As of now, I am leaning strongly in favor of UAL, and I will buy some insurance to cover all bases.


Why don't you go on coupon connection and trade for the upgrades.

Paying $600 per person one way with 20,000 is a rip-off....

PM me and I can give you further details on how to trade.

Regards,

I assume this is a pleasure trip because you mentioned kids coming along - which makes me wonder why you are visiting australia in the dead of winter. It's cold and the days are short and nothing is going on.



You asked and answered your own question. With kids coming, June/July is when they have off, which is the only time you can spend a long vacation somewhere.

Frankly, I think you're being rather paranoid. Yes, anything can happen on any airline at any time. You can't predict things that far in advance. Get travel insurance if it makes you feel better, but read the terms carefully to see exactly what it covers, as it probably won't be as much as you think. Buy the ticket, and then just relax, and deal with any problems if and when they arise.

But paranoia is perfectly rational with UA these days.

txp, I infer that you don't have enough AA miles to get two QF C award tix (and simply buy the other two) and/or that the QF award tix aren't available. But if by some chance QF is an option, I'd definitely go for it over UA. It seems that UA is pretty unreliable on this route, in terms of cancellations. Now, that's a problem in itself, but the bigger problem is that if anything goes wrong UA is handling IRROPS horribly these days and you're very likely to lose your upgrades in being rebooked to another day or routing.

So I think that if QF could work for you, it would be a safer option. Same thing for AC if by chance you have enough UA miles (including AC C seat availability) and $$ to do some combination of award and revenue tix.

In addition, QF and AC are simply better airlines than UA.

Having said all that, I realize UA sounds like your only affordable option for getting four people to Australia in C. If so, the odds are it will all work out, but keep monitoring your reservations to make sure the UA IT system doesn't change them or your seats. And come the day of your flight, have in mind what steps to take to get rebooked (hopefully with your upgrades intact) in the event of IRROPs.

+ 1

747 on Upper Deck is a nice experience ^

EmailKid

+1 Assuming you do fly UA, definitely do the upper deck. Much nicer than down below.

I assume this is a pleasure trip because you mentioned kids coming along - which makes me wonder why you are visiting australia in the dead of winter. It's cold and the days are short and nothing is going on.

Oh, I don't know. You also can get lovely weather, as I did last month in Sydney and Canberra.

Yes, read the restrictions very carefully. For example, the travel insurance that UA sells, Allianz (in IN), excludes the following:

5. Travel arrangements cancelled by the airline, cruise line or tour operator.

Which makes it pretty useless for insurance against UA flight cancellations.

:rolleyes:

The insurer excludes it, because the airline itself is legally obligated to make good if they cancel flights!!!

Let me reply to several questions raised. There were two categories: Did I get my pricing right, and could I fly another airline?

First, did I get my pricing right? Yes. Each ticket costs $1,800 round-trip in coach. The copay is $600 each way. And the upgrade is 20,000 each way. Thus, each ticket is $3,000 plus 40,000 miles round trip. Multiply by 4 and you get the total.

Second, could I fly someone else? I could, but UA has the best deal. The lowest RT fare from IAH to SYD on QF and others is $6,000 for that period, and I cannot use miles for upgrade on QF. Delta is another possibility but their upgrades only work with the highest fare classes. I looked at all possibilities and UAL is by far the cheapest way to travel to Australia in business class.

I appreciate everyone's replies. As of now, I am leaning strongly in favor of UAL, and I will buy some insurance to cover all bases.

Mileage upgrade US to Australia is 30000 miles in the cheaper classes one way. Only a full Y class ticket is 20000 miles
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/mileageplus/awards/travel/awardTravel.aspx

:rolleyes:

The insurer excludes it, because the airline itself is legally obligated to make good if they cancel flights!!!

I'm not concerned (well, perhaps a little with the new United) that the OP (or a person in a similar situation) won't get his miles/$'s back from United. I am concerned that he would lose hotel deposits, etc. if the flights were canceled before his trip has started.

Mileage upgrade US to Australia is 30000 miles in the cheaper classes one way. Only a full Y class ticket is 20000 miles
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/mileageplus/awards/travel/awardTravel.aspx

This is correct. Looks like OP is going to spend $12K + 240,000 miles for 4 tickets. It is almost as expensive as 2 paid business class tickets + 2 free tickets (if OP can find availability).

If OP can consider some interesting out of the box options, there is currenly sale on VA business class from HNL to SYD for $2600 (VA coded flight operated by Hawaiin). Add to it IAH-HNL in Economy and you get about $13K + zero miles, a free stopover in HNL in both directions and a chance of CPU on United flights.

I'm not concerned (well, perhaps a little with the new United) that the OP (or a person in a similar situation) won't get his miles/$'s back from United. I am concerned that he would lose hotel deposits, etc. if the flights were canceled before his trip has started.

Well, don't make uncancellable hotel deposits this far in advance!

There's something to be said for not booking your first night's accommodation until you actually have boots on the ground in your destination. Your risk tolerance profile may vary.

This is correct. Looks like OP is going to spend $12K + 240,000 miles for 4 tickets. It is almost as expensive as 2 paid business class tickets + 2 free tickets (if OP can find availability).

If OP can consider some interesting out of the box options, there is currenly sale on VA business class from HNL to SYD for $2600 (VA coded flight operated by Hawaiin). Add to it IAH-HNL in Economy and you get about $13K + zero miles, a free stopover in HNL in both directions and a chance of CPU on United flights.

Or do the IAH-HNL in first class for... however many miles that is.

Another calculation: you could do the whole thing on award tickets for 67500*4 = 540,000 miles, if you had 'em. So by forking over $12,000 in cash you're saving 300,000 miles; you're effectively buying miles at a crummy price of four cents each.

Y'see, this is why I fly economy. It makes life easier. :D No futzing about with scarce availability or planning a year in advance or booking two separate PNRs. Is the comfort worth the money *and* the stress?

another calculation: You could do the whole thing on award tickets for 67500*4 = 540,000 miles, if you had 'em. So by forking over $12,000 in cash you're saving 300,000 miles; you're effectively buying miles at a crummy price of four cents each.

67500 * 4 = 270,000

Get travel insurance if it makes you feel better, but read the terms carefully to see exactly what it covers, as it probably won't be as much as you think.

Does travel insurance cover the cost of buying a replacement business class seat when you purchased an economy seat and applied an upgrade instrument to it (miles, systemwides)?

Oh, I don't know. You also can get lovely weather, as I did last month in Sydney and Canberra.
Yes, the Australian "cold" is relative. Their winter chill is on par with southern California's. Two summers ago, I was in Sydney and London the same week in June. Sydney was warmer than London -- mid-70s and sunny. And if you go in winter, you'll get to enjoy the spectacle of people wearing Ugg boots and hoodies with their shorts & t-shirts. ^

I assume this is a pleasure trip because you mentioned kids coming along - which makes me wonder why you are visiting australia in the dead of winter. It's cold and the days are short and nothing is going on.

Nothing going on? If you've been to Australia, there is a lot to do. Sydney and Melbourne are incredible and if you go further north (to the start of the Great Barrier Reef) you will get warm swimmable temperatures.

If you don't like Australia, don't go there, but don't discourage others from doing so.

A very snarky and unhelpful reply.

67500 * 4 = 270,000

Good point. I meant 67500*4*2.

67500 each way, 4 people, two ways.

If OP can consider some interesting out of the box options, there is currenly sale on VA business class from HNL to SYD for $2600 (VA coded flight operated by Hawaiin). Add to it IAH-HNL in Economy and you get about $13K + zero miles, a free stopover in HNL in both directions and a chance of CPU on United flights.

Remember, HA does not have lie flat seats in their F cabin. We fly Hawaii to SFO to SYD to get upgraded to lie flat on a UA 747:)

QUOTE
If OP can consider some interesting out of the box options, there is currenly sale on VA business class from HNL to SYD for $2600 (VA coded flight operated by Hawaiin). Add to it IAH-HNL in Economy and you get about $13K + zero miles, a free stopover in HNL in both directions and a chance of CPU on United flights.
/QUOTE

Remember, HA does not have lie flat seats in their F cabin. We fly Hawaii to SFO to SYD to get upgraded to lie flat on a UA 747:)

Yes, HA does not have lie flats, but HNL-SYD is only a 10 hour flight and it is a day time outbound. I would never fly from HNL to SFO to take a flat bad SFO-SYD red eye and double the total travel time.

This is correct. Looks like OP is going to spend $12K + 240,000 miles for 4 tickets. It is almost as expensive as 2 paid business class tickets + 2 free tickets (if OP can find availability).

If OP can consider some interesting out of the box options, there is currenly sale on VA business class from HNL to SYD for $2600 (VA coded flight operated by Hawaiin). Add to it IAH-HNL in Economy and you get about $13K + zero miles, a free stopover in HNL in both directions and a chance of CPU on United flights.

txp, per my previous post, if your only option is using UA points for whatever reasons, this 2 revenue plus 2 award tix route seems better than the four upgrades in terms decreasing the chances of your losing the C seats in the event of IRROPS or other UA screw-ups.

Could be that the 2 + 2 route also opens up possibilities for flying on *A partners.

Of course, the challenge could be finding the 2 award tix in C.

Mileage upgrade US to Australia is 30000 miles in the cheaper classes one way. Only a full Y class ticket is 20000 miles
http://www.united.com/web/en-US/apps/mileageplus/awards/travel/awardTravel.aspx

You are correct. It is 30K miles one way per ticket, so that means 240K miles total. No problem. Thanks for pointing out the error!

I assume this is a pleasure trip because you mentioned kids coming along - which makes me wonder why you are visiting australia in the dead of winter. It's cold and the days are short and nothing is going on.

Because we want to spend time in Queensland, around Kakadu, and in the Kimberley region, all of which are winter destinations. Not to mention KI, which is best visited in the winter when all the animals come out. Also Ayers' Rock is best visited in the winter. I don't mind seeing Sydney in the winter either.

But paranoia is perfectly rational with UA these days.

txp, I infer that you don't have enough AA miles to get two QF C award tix (and simply buy the other two) and/or that the QF award tix aren't available. But if by some chance QF is an option, I'd definitely go for it over UA. It seems that UA is pretty unreliable on this route, in terms of cancellations. Now, that's a problem in itself, but the bigger problem is that if anything goes wrong UA is handling IRROPS horribly these days and you're very likely to lose your upgrades in being rebooked to another day or routing.

So I think that if QF could work for you, it would be a safer option. Same thing for AC if by chance you have enough UA miles (including AC C seat availability) and $$ to do some combination of award and revenue tix.

In addition, QF and AC are simply better airlines than UA.

Having said all that, I realize UA sounds like your only affordable option for getting four people to Australia in C. If so, the odds are it will all work out, but keep monitoring your reservations to make sure the UA IT system doesn't change them or your seats. And come the day of your flight, have in mind what steps to take to get rebooked (hopefully with your upgrades intact) in the event of IRROPs.



+1 Assuming you do fly UA, definitely do the upper deck. Much nicer than down below.



Oh, I don't know. You also can get lovely weather, as I did last month in Sydney and Canberra.

I do have miles on AA but there are no seats in business class on Quantas for the TPAC. I do have another use for these miles, however: domestic travel within Australia on QF at 17,500 per trip in business. This is by far the best use of my AA miles.

This is correct. Looks like OP is going to spend $12K + 240,000 miles for 4 tickets. It is almost as expensive as 2 paid business class tickets + 2 free tickets (if OP can find availability).

If OP can consider some interesting out of the box options, there is currenly sale on VA business class from HNL to SYD for $2600 (VA coded flight operated by Hawaiin). Add to it IAH-HNL in Economy and you get about $13K + zero miles, a free stopover in HNL in both directions and a chance of CPU on United flights.


Thank you. The first option is not going to work because there are no free tickets available. There is plenty of availability in R class, however. And yes, you are correct as to the cost. It will be $12K plus 240K miles.

The second option is interesting, but I would rather avoid IAH-HNL in Y if I can. I have researched this market carefully for the past few months and I think UA is by far the best deal. Under normal circumstances, I would not have thought twice about going with UA. Now, I see all sorts of risks lurking... This said, UA is still my better option and I think I will pull the trigger this week-end.

Good point. I meant 67500*4*2.

67500 each way, 4 people, two ways.

Thanks, but the saver award is not available. Only the standard award is available for 300K miles each round-trip. That changes the calculus. Mileage upgrade still best...

Actually, AC has availability from YVR to SYD for the saver award of 130,000 miles RT. Now, that's something to think about, quite seriously. Thanks guys for suggesting this. I am still leaning toward UA, but I am less convinced...

Actually, AC has availability from YVR to SYD for the saver award of 130,000 miles RT. Now, that's something to think about, quite seriously. Thanks guys for suggesting this. I am still leaning toward UA, but I am less convinced...

AC is really pretty good compared to UA, but not as good as QF in my opinion. THe 777 they fly has pods so the business class is excellent, IME food the same as UA, and the service crew dependent just like all NA airlines. Plane is a bit less tired feeling than the UA 747 (it's newer). I've taken UA and AC business class to Sydney and my experience was equivalent; the UA seat seemed wider to me but the AC pods are quite private. I slept equally as well and enjoyed the food the same on both.

Do think about that seriously. Availability on AC is tough but they've just added a few more flights a week which might help that and if you can find it good for you.

Chapter 7 will never happen.

Actually, AC has availability from YVR to SYD for the saver award of 130,000 miles RT. Now, that's something to think about, quite seriously. Thanks guys for suggesting this. I am still leaning toward UA, but I am less convinced...

AC is far superior to UA for a solo traveler in C. For people traveling together, the downside is that the AC pods mean you can't share conversation, a meal, a drink together really. Not sure how important that is to you.

I do return to my previous point that there is more of a chance of things screwing up on UA than on AC (or QF). And if you do run into problems and need to be rebooked, there is a far greater chance that UA will dump you down in Y (since your tix will be upgraded) as opposed to AC doing so (since you will have actually C tix).

If you've never been to Vancouver, you might want to schedule your trip so that you arrive early/mid afternoon, drop off your luggage at the airport and take the train into town (both of which being very easy), and spend some times strolling around that city's beautiful waterfront, which rings large area constituting the center of town. Your flight out to SYD likely won't be until almost midnight, so you have a very pleasant afternoon and early evening in town that way.

I have traveled to Australia well over 200 times on United and could count on 1 hand the times I had a cancellation or significant problem. You'll be fine and will likely fly with some of United's finest. Enjoy your trip down under and say hi to Annie for me in the Sydney lounge.

I have traveled to Australia well over 200 times on United and could count on 1 hand the times I had a cancellation or significant problem. You'll be fine and will likely fly with some of United's finest. Enjoy your trip down under and say hi to Annie for me in the Sydney lounge.

But Tom, how many of those 200 have come since March 3rd? It's a whole new world of operational issues now ;)

I have traveled to Australia well over 200 times on United and could count on 1 hand the times I had a cancellation or significant problem. You'll be fine and will likely fly with some of United's finest. Enjoy your trip down under and say hi to Annie for me in the Sydney lounge.

but isn't that because if there was say a MX problem, they'd just cancel another flight so they could give you a plane to get there? :)

I have traveled to Australia well over 200 times on United and could count on 1 hand the times I had a cancellation or significant problem. You'll be fine and will likely fly with some of United's finest. Enjoy your trip down under and say hi to Annie for me in the Sydney lounge.

Unfortunately, not everybody here has a plane named after them :(

But Tom, how many of those 200 have come since March 3rd? It's a whole new world of operational issues now ;)

Writing you from Sydney at the moment.Have come down under 6 times since the merger,and yes I experienced a cancellation and had to fly out the next night.The rest of my flights have been seamless and without incident...all with great crews.

Well, we did pull the trigger. We are flying IAH-LAX-SYD round-trip next summer. All four of us upgraded with miles. The availability was quite good for upgrade. We booked four seats together on the upper deck of the 747. Never been on the upper deck before, so I am quite excited!

BTW, domestic flights within Australia are quite cheap if booked through AAdvantage miles -- 10,000 miles one way in Y, 17,500 one-way in J.

Thank you all for sharing your views here and help us better organize our trip!

Well, we did pull the trigger. We are flying IAH-LAX-SYD round-trip next summer. All four of us upgraded with miles. The availability was quite good for upgrade. We booked four seats together on the upper deck of the 747. Never been on the upper deck before, so I am quite excited!

BTW, domestic flights within Australia are quite cheap if booked through AAdvantage miles -- 10,000 miles one way in Y, 17,500 one-way in J.

Thank you all for sharing your views here and help us better organize our trip!

I'm glad all your upgrades cleared!!! I just booked for February 2013: R availability seems to come and go, but with diligence we are now in C over and back.;)
You will love Kangaroo Island! we were there in July one year and the weather was beautiful.

Though some may have said this before (I did not review every reply to this thread), it should be clear that if you are spending 10K on tickets, insurance is a no-brainer. That will cover just about every concern you may have with respect to delays, cancellations, unexpected layovers and bankruptcies.

Just buy it! :)

Just so you know - June/July is the dead of winter down under - it's cold and dark!

BTW, domestic flights within Australia are quite cheap if booked through AAdvantage miles -- 10,000 miles one way in Y, 17,500 one-way in J.

You can also get between Australia and New Zealand for the same price.

Though some may have said this before (I did not review every reply to this thread), it should be clear that if you are spending 10K on tickets, insurance is a no-brainer. That will cover just about every concern you may have with respect to delays, cancellations, unexpected layovers and bankruptcies.

Just buy it! :)

Yes, I bought four "cancel for any reason" policies. This was suggested here and it was great advice. Thanks.

Just so you know - June/July is the dead of winter down under - it's cold and dark!

I know, but we will be mostly in the warmer (northern) climates (Red Centre, Brisbane, Great Barrier Reef), plus Kangaroo Island, which apparently has the best fauna in winter despite the cooler weather.

I hope to return some other time in the summer (their summer) to see Melbourne, Tasmania and New Zealand!

I'm glad all your upgrades cleared!!! I just booked for February 2013: R availability seems to come and go, but with diligence we are now in C over and back.;)
You will love Kangaroo Island! we were there in July one year and the weather was beautiful.

Enjoy your trip, and thanks for sharing your impressions of KI! We are looking forward!