Elite Status Match for Exec Plat Traveling to New Zealand
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
Elite Status Match for Exec Plat Traveling to New Zealand
Hi folks,
I'm currently Executive Platinum with American Airlines, and I just found out I have to take a business trip to New Zealand (from Chicago). The problem is, the only partners traveling out there are Quantas Airlines and as I understand it, that airline doesn't except the system wide upgrades to go from Business to First.
Are there any airline partners out there that might match my tier status, where I could purchase a business class ticket but use an upgrade to get me to first class? $24,000 for a first class flight is not something my company is going to pay for I'm sure, but at the same time, I need my rest and a bed on a 29 hr flight.... Any ideas?
I'm currently Executive Platinum with American Airlines, and I just found out I have to take a business trip to New Zealand (from Chicago). The problem is, the only partners traveling out there are Quantas Airlines and as I understand it, that airline doesn't except the system wide upgrades to go from Business to First.
Are there any airline partners out there that might match my tier status, where I could purchase a business class ticket but use an upgrade to get me to first class? $24,000 for a first class flight is not something my company is going to pay for I'm sure, but at the same time, I need my rest and a bed on a 29 hr flight.... Any ideas?
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,810
Hi folks,
I'm currently Executive Platinum with American Airlines, and I just found out I have to take a business trip to New Zealand (from Chicago). The problem is, the only partners traveling out there are Quantas Airlines and as I understand it, that airline doesn't except the system wide upgrades to go from Business to First.
Are there any airline partners out there that might match my tier status, where I could purchase a business class ticket but use an upgrade to get me to first class? $24,000 for a first class flight is not something my company is going to pay for I'm sure, but at the same time, I need my rest and a bed on a 29 hr flight.... Any ideas?
I'm currently Executive Platinum with American Airlines, and I just found out I have to take a business trip to New Zealand (from Chicago). The problem is, the only partners traveling out there are Quantas Airlines and as I understand it, that airline doesn't except the system wide upgrades to go from Business to First.
Are there any airline partners out there that might match my tier status, where I could purchase a business class ticket but use an upgrade to get me to first class? $24,000 for a first class flight is not something my company is going to pay for I'm sure, but at the same time, I need my rest and a bed on a 29 hr flight.... Any ideas?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/miles...er-thread.html
Even if you get the status match on another carrier you will still need to come up with the miles, cash, upgrade instruments, if any, that are acceptable to the other carrier to upgrade.
#3
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
Hi folks,
I'm currently Executive Platinum with American Airlines, and I just found out I have to take a business trip to New Zealand (from Chicago). The problem is, the only partners traveling out there are Quantas Airlines and as I understand it, that airline doesn't except the system wide upgrades to go from Business to First.
Are there any airline partners out there that might match my tier status, where I could purchase a business class ticket but use an upgrade to get me to first class? $24,000 for a first class flight is not something my company is going to pay for I'm sure, but at the same time, I need my rest and a bed on a 29 hr flight.... Any ideas?
I'm currently Executive Platinum with American Airlines, and I just found out I have to take a business trip to New Zealand (from Chicago). The problem is, the only partners traveling out there are Quantas Airlines and as I understand it, that airline doesn't except the system wide upgrades to go from Business to First.
Are there any airline partners out there that might match my tier status, where I could purchase a business class ticket but use an upgrade to get me to first class? $24,000 for a first class flight is not something my company is going to pay for I'm sure, but at the same time, I need my rest and a bed on a 29 hr flight.... Any ideas?
#4
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Wellington
Programs: QFWP (LTSG), NZ (Jade), TG ROP (Forgotten), OZ (Silver), AA (Cardboard), EK (Lowest of the Low)
Posts: 4,669
Use NZ Business Premier for full flat beds.
Seasonally CX flies a 747 with first into AKL.
EK also has First into NZ (AKL and CHC).
SQ has First into AKL on a daily.
TN to AKL via PPT has First, their Business is angled.
Otherwise AC, UA, DL, VA, QF fly into SYD with flat beds in Business. To cross the Tasman to New Zealand you would need to make sure the aircraft has a Business Class cabin as not all flights do.
I do doubt you will get a oneworld airline willing to status match you and with some status match airlines you may not get the upgrade instruments as part of the match.
Seasonally CX flies a 747 with first into AKL.
EK also has First into NZ (AKL and CHC).
SQ has First into AKL on a daily.
TN to AKL via PPT has First, their Business is angled.
Otherwise AC, UA, DL, VA, QF fly into SYD with flat beds in Business. To cross the Tasman to New Zealand you would need to make sure the aircraft has a Business Class cabin as not all flights do.
I do doubt you will get a oneworld airline willing to status match you and with some status match airlines you may not get the upgrade instruments as part of the match.
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
usafltg Welcome to FT ^
The only way you will get to NZ in Bus / First is with real $$. A round the world ticket may be cheaper than a return
What date are you looking to travel ?
Award - upgrades are hard to get even for the highest level of freq flyers into NZ/Australia on locally based airlines. Generally you can only get upgrades on the airline you are flying with their freq flyer miles (there are exceptions). Your (sudden?) realization of how AA SWU work is unusual
Have you traveled out of the USA on international airlines in business class before ?
International airlines operate very different to USA airlines [and do not go bankrupt yet still keep flying ]
The only way you will get to NZ in Bus / First is with real $$. A round the world ticket may be cheaper than a return
What date are you looking to travel ?
Award - upgrades are hard to get even for the highest level of freq flyers into NZ/Australia on locally based airlines. Generally you can only get upgrades on the airline you are flying with their freq flyer miles (there are exceptions). Your (sudden?) realization of how AA SWU work is unusual
Have you traveled out of the USA on international airlines in business class before ?
International airlines operate very different to USA airlines [and do not go bankrupt yet still keep flying ]
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Nov 30, 2011 at 6:26 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
The only way you will get to NZ in Bus / First is with real $$. A round the world ticket may be cheaper than a return
What date are you looking to travel ?
What date are you looking to travel ?
Award - upgrades are hard to get even for the highest level of freq flyers into NZ/Australia on locally based airlines. Generally you can only get upgrades on the airline you are flying with their freq flyer miles (there are exceptions). Your (sudden?) realization of how AA SWU work is unusual
Have you traveled out of the USA on international airlines in business class before ?
International airlines operate very different to USA airlines [and do not go bankrupt yet still keep flying ]
International airlines operate very different to USA airlines [and do not go bankrupt yet still keep flying ]
I looked up the ORD-LAX-SYD-AKL-SYD-LAX-ORD option, which in that case the leg from LAX-SYD and SYD-LAX both operate the bigger boy which does has 1st class, but it sounds like there's no way for me buy upgrades or use upgrades to get to 1st class without a buying a straight up 1st class ticket, and the dollar amount on those is something fierce. It also sounds like the oneworld emerald status really doesn't mean 2 cents on Qantas. I'll be honest, I thought making exec plat status on american would be great for when I wanted to take some vacations to the UK, but it kind of sounds like I'm treated as a nobody on the oneworld partners. I mean, other than having "lounge access" at the airport, what else is different?
Last edited by usafltg; Nov 30, 2011 at 8:05 pm
#7
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,800
Well right now, all i know is "soon" (I'm suppossed to know more tomorrow) and that usually means less than a week notice. So if I was going to go, it would probably be departing 12/3 or 12/4 and returning 12/22. Also what do you mean by a "round the world ticket?" I'm not sure I follow what you're saying.
...I've gone to like, St. Thomas and some other small islands for vacation before in business class, but I've never really done what I would consider "international airlines" before. I just know the idea of a bed would be really nice, but my company will most likely pay business class fares (just not a full 1st class fare). I just wasn't quite sure what my options were.
If your firm will pop for the extra (don't know how much) required to send you to Auckland via Sidney (or if you're going someplace else in NZ where a connection in SYD is desirable or feasible) then you could ride on Qantas' A380, in which the business class seats are indeed flat beds.
Either way I think you're in for a surprise - Qantas business class is generally a very pleasant and comfortable experience.
It also sounds like the oneworld emerald status really doesn't mean 2 cents on Qantas. I'll be honest, I thought making exec plat status on american would be great for when I wanted to take some vacations to the UK, but it kind of sounds like I'm treated as a nobody on the oneworld partners. I mean, other than having "lounge access" at the airport, what else is different?
Emerald/EXP status really counts most (in my experience) when things go sideways. The lounges are nice, but it's the people product that matters - the EXP desk, for example, is a thing of great beauty when you need them.
Last edited by Gardyloo; Nov 30, 2011 at 9:01 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
Wow thanks for all the information Gardyloo. Yea I think the option to go via the Sydney route is proably the best path if they have the lie flat seats. I know I've heard accolades on the semi lay flat ones, but I'm a picky sleeper and I get restless leg syndrom very easily, even when it's just a 3 - 4 hour leg from ORD to LAX. I think I could much rather bare the long haul in the lie flat.
Just out of curiosity and for the future, do you happen to know if the system wide upgrade ONLY apply to AA tagged flights? Or are there oneworld partners you can use the system wide upgrades on like JAL or something? Or is it really that strict to the main program you're with (in my case American).
Just out of curiosity and for the future, do you happen to know if the system wide upgrade ONLY apply to AA tagged flights? Or are there oneworld partners you can use the system wide upgrades on like JAL or something? Or is it really that strict to the main program you're with (in my case American).
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Juneau, Alaska.
Programs: AS 75K;BA Silver;AA G;HH Dia;HY Glob
Posts: 15,810
Wow thanks for all the information Gardyloo. Yea I think the option to go via the Sydney route is proably the best path if they have the lie flat seats. I know I've heard accolades on the semi lay flat ones, but I'm a picky sleeper and I get restless leg syndrom very easily, even when it's just a 3 - 4 hour leg from ORD to LAX. I think I could much rather bare the long haul in the lie flat.
Just out of curiosity and for the future, do you happen to know if the system wide upgrade ONLY apply to AA tagged flights? Or are there oneworld partners you can use the system wide upgrades on like JAL or something? Or is it really that strict to the main program you're with (in my case American).
Just out of curiosity and for the future, do you happen to know if the system wide upgrade ONLY apply to AA tagged flights? Or are there oneworld partners you can use the system wide upgrades on like JAL or something? Or is it really that strict to the main program you're with (in my case American).
If you really have to fly first class you could route on AA thru NRT (and use a VIP/SWU) upgrade to upgrade that segment then fly JL, QF, or CX from there. I wouldn't do it myself.
If you had at least 7 days before you leave you could reserve and purchase a circle pacific ticket and travel in first as touched on by Gardyloo. See:
http://www.oneworld.com/flights/mult...ircle-pacific/
http://www.oneworld.com/tasks/downlo...?objectID=1168
Last edited by jerry a. laska; Nov 30, 2011 at 9:30 pm
#10
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
LAX-AKL-LAX on QF is usually the A330 with the same type of business seat as the B747 iirc. That route has less traffic for QF than SYD or MEL, especially in the pointy end. Also look at LAX-MEL-AKL. Aust to AKL (3:15hrs) on QF can be in B737 with Aust domestic type business seating. Personally I would go for LAX-AKL to avoid the SYD/MEL transfer.
If your firm will pop for the extra (don't know how much) required to send you to Auckland via Sidney (or if you're going someplace else in NZ where a connection in SYD is desirable or feasible) then you could ride on Qantas' A380, in which the business class seats are indeed flat beds...
SYD is Sydney At least our friendly MOD can spell Qantas.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,009
Just out of curiosity and for the future, do you happen to know if the system wide upgrade ONLY apply to AA tagged flights? Or are there oneworld partners you can use the system wide upgrades on like JAL or something? Or is it really that strict to the main program you're with (in my case American).
#12
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 11,800
#13
Join Date: May 2008
Location: SIN / SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG
Posts: 499
It also sounds like the oneworld emerald status really doesn't mean 2 cents on Qantas.
OWE gets you lounge access, priority checkin, priority boarding, seat selection. And (usually) better handling when IROPS occur. You can see what you're entitled to here:
http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/my-oneworld-tier-status/
Ultimately, AA Exec Plat means you're pretty loyal to AA. It doesn't mean you've thrown much money at CX, or BA or JAL or QF. Don't expect them to start showering you with benefits.
#14
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: MEL
Posts: 2,441
OWE gets you lounge access, priority checkin, priority boarding, seat selection. And (usually) better handling when IROPS occur. You can see what you're entitled to here:
http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/my-oneworld-tier-status/
http://www.oneworld.com/ffp/my-oneworld-tier-status/
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
AA ExpPlat ( ie OW E ) will also get a smile from the occasional LA ground agent ( eg in AQP). This is far more than a non status passenger gets with LA ground staff - almost anywhere.