Originally Posted by
Rollerboard
Mr. Rollerboard and I will be flying to Queenstown (ZQN) from the US as the first stop of our honeymoon. We will only have a little over 2 hours for a layover in SYD because we're landing at 7:10 AM. Should we pick the Qantas JetConnect flight that leaves at 9:30 AM? Or the JetStar flight that leaves at 9:40 AM?
A few details/questions:
- Is a 2 hour layover too short? We would hate to start our honeymoon off by missing a connection. How easy / difficult is it to transfer from an International AA flight to an International Qantas JetConnect or JetStar flight?
- I am ExecPlat on AA, and we are flying AA from the US to SYD. Can our bags be checked all the way through to QZN on Qantas JetConnect even if this last segment is on a separate ticket? How about JetStar?
- If we opt for the Qantas JetConnect flight, would Qantas be more forgiving (vs. JetStar) if our AA flight comes in late?
- The JetStar flight is about $100 USD cheaper per person, even including the "plus bundle". Is there any way to earn AA miles if we chose JetStar? The "plus bundle" gives QF miles. Does Qantas JetConnect earn us AA miles?
So the LAX-SYD and SYD-ZQN are not 1 ticket/PNR. Can you get 1 ticket/PNR for the complete trip?
Do not even consider JQ (no matter what the cost difference is)
Does Air NZ have a later flight?
AA should be able to interline any checked baggage direct to QF. 2:20 hours is not a lot, but with QF you should be able to do an airside transfer (no immigration/customs and little security).
With JQ you probably will need to go landside (immigration/customs/quarantine) and check in with JQ (they have no mercy if you are late)
Qantas
JetConnect is New Zealand based and 100% owned by Qantas. Is just a brand name in NZ.
You get AA miles with QF. You do not get AA miles with JQ (even with a bundle)