Any ideas on how to get an FF trip from WAS to SYD?
Jul 13, 2008, 3:16 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: AA
Posts: 3
Any ideas on how to get an FF trip from WAS to SYD?
I'm just through talking to AA rewards operator and there are supposedly no FF seats available to get from Washington to Sydney. Tried everything the operator and I could think of (via LAX, NRT, HKG, FRA, LHR, etc), but September, October and November are empty. Of course, Dec & Jan are blacklisted. Is there any word when the two of us might be able to get an FF flight? Preferably I'd like to go F on the long haul.
TIA
TIA
Jul 13, 2008, 3:33 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
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Using search on Australia yields 20 pages of threads. Air Tahiti Nui and Air Pacific have been popular back-door ways to Australia.
The remark about Dec/Jan makes no sense. I can't find a reference to Qantas blackout dates on aa.com
Try a oneworld award into SYD/MEL/CNS/BNE from HKG, BKK, SIN, NRT or even SCL. First rather than business, if that's what you need all the way, vastly limits routing options.
The remark about Dec/Jan makes no sense. I can't find a reference to Qantas blackout dates on aa.com
Try a oneworld award into SYD/MEL/CNS/BNE from HKG, BKK, SIN, NRT or even SCL. First rather than business, if that's what you need all the way, vastly limits routing options.
Jul 13, 2008, 3:57 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2006
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Jul 13, 2008, 4:11 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Portage County, Ohio
Programs: AA EXP, MM; UA 2P
Posts: 585
As for J seats in September / October, friends booked LAX-MEL and back in J yesterday. So it may be too late today, but it wasn't yesterday.
Jul 13, 2008, 4:17 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2006
Programs: AA PLAT; Hilton Gold; Hertz #1 Gold
Posts: 252
I have been burning my miles on Australia flights and I have yet to see an F award (even one way) available. I don't see any transpac award seats in J for August, September, October, November, and December. First I see is Jan 11.
Jul 13, 2008, 5:26 pm
#6
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Location: NorCal - SMF area
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It's not a policy, just increased demand and decreased supply, it would appear - but QF releases seats to QF FF flyers before the 330 day threshold, so everyone else gets "leftovers." Occasional seats may be released as RM software acts, but it gets harder and harder, then suddenly easier just before flight dates (no guarantees, however.)
Two together or F instead of C takes it to a new levels of difficulty, as well - be glad you are not taking two kids as well.
As others have stated, looking for alternatives to CX and QF, or looking at connections via YVR, SFO, NAN, AKL, BNE - even JL via MEX - etc. make sense as well - but what is this "blacklist" mentioned? I'm not familiar with it.
Two together or F instead of C takes it to a new levels of difficulty, as well - be glad you are not taking two kids as well.
As others have stated, looking for alternatives to CX and QF, or looking at connections via YVR, SFO, NAN, AKL, BNE - even JL via MEX - etc. make sense as well - but what is this "blacklist" mentioned? I'm not familiar with it.
Last edited by JDiver; Jul 13, 2008 at 6:09 pm Reason: corrected; ohioflyer PMd with apology
Jul 13, 2008, 5:36 pm
#7
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Portage County, Ohio
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Jul 13, 2008, 5:43 pm
#8
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
I'm just through talking to AA rewards operator and there are supposedly no FF seats available to get from Washington to Sydney. Tried everything the operator and I could think of (via LAX, NRT, HKG, FRA, LHR, etc), but September, October and November are empty. Of course, Dec & Jan are blacklisted. Is there any word when the two of us might be able to get an FF flight? Preferably I'd like to go F on the long haul.
TIA
TIA
Jul 13, 2008, 9:18 pm
#9
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: WAS
Posts: 1,626
I'm on a J award ticket to AKL in Aug and a F award ticket returning from MEL. They were not easy to get, had to book 330 days out etc. etc.
I've been monitoring the return to change (should something magically open up) and seats are scarce. However, ever now and then I see a seat. For instance a few hours ago I saw a J award seat available MEL-LAX sometime in Mid-Oct. Keep checking and check all sorts of routes. GL!
I've been monitoring the return to change (should something magically open up) and seats are scarce. However, ever now and then I see a seat. For instance a few hours ago I saw a J award seat available MEL-LAX sometime in Mid-Oct. Keep checking and check all sorts of routes. GL!
Jul 13, 2008, 9:46 pm
#10
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: AA LT PLT 3 MM+, BA (very) Blue, CO nobody
Posts: 2,640
"For instance a few hours ago I saw a J award seat available MEL-LAX sometime in Mid-Oct. Keep checking and check all sorts of routes. GL!"
How do you monitor availablity of J award seats?
I always wind up having to go through the operator to get J award seats.
Thanks - Paul
How do you monitor availablity of J award seats?
I always wind up having to go through the operator to get J award seats.
Thanks - Paul
Jul 13, 2008, 10:49 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2001
Programs: AA Plat & LTG; QF LTG
Posts: 9,837
F awards trans-Pacific on QF are going to get even harder to find as they bring the A380s on line. So far QF is not releasing any F awards on the A380s, so you will be restricted to 744 flights.
Jul 13, 2008, 11:49 pm
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Florida
Posts: 29,760
"For instance a few hours ago I saw a J award seat available MEL-LAX sometime in Mid-Oct. Keep checking and check all sorts of routes. GL!"
How do you monitor availablity of J award seats?
I always wind up having to go through the operator to get J award seats.
Thanks - Paul
How do you monitor availablity of J award seats?
I always wind up having to go through the operator to get J award seats.
Thanks - Paul
You should find at least a doz threads on how these help to find seats BEFORE calling AAdvantage desk.
Jul 14, 2008, 12:14 am
#14
Join Date: Dec 2006
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Jul 14, 2008, 12:15 am
#15
Join Date: Dec 2006
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