Best way to maximize travel ORD-Australia w/ AA (merged threads)
Nov 27, 2015, 6:15 am
#46
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Blue Mountains, Australia
Programs: QF PS, AA
Posts: 50
Have you considered Etihad? They seem to have Business class for about 5,300 usd from JFK to MEL if you can leave from there on 1st to 3rd December and as an AA partner you would be able to earn AA miles.
Nov 27, 2015, 7:20 am
#47
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: FIND ME ON TWITTER FOR THE LATEST
Posts: 27,730
Is this thread any different to your other threads on the same topic?
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-metal.html (AA forum)...
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...-aa-metal.html (AA forum)...
Nov 27, 2015, 9:58 am
#48
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: QF LTG
Posts: 1,200
It only has leg rests in the front row of the cabin. The rest of the seats have a foot rest that drops from the seat in front and kind of sucks.
Nov 27, 2015, 10:05 am
#49
Join Date: Dec 2014
Programs: AA exp
Posts: 114
No, I have 0 status 0 points on we. First time taking either QF or CX. Only EXP on AA.
Is there anything I can do with the confirmed business on Cathay ORD-HKG? As far as flights go the PVG-ORD and DFW-HKG have a good chance of upgrading as it stands. Everything else kinda sucks though.
Not exactly sure why I should scrap the itinerary and start over but willing to do so if I can find something better. Premium economy is basically the same as economy. Same seats and maybe some more leg room, which I could care less about. I need to sleep. I have short legs and unless my legs are being elevated via a foot rest or something, the leg room doesn't do much for me.
Is there anything I can do with the confirmed business on Cathay ORD-HKG? As far as flights go the PVG-ORD and DFW-HKG have a good chance of upgrading as it stands. Everything else kinda sucks though.
Not exactly sure why I should scrap the itinerary and start over but willing to do so if I can find something better. Premium economy is basically the same as economy. Same seats and maybe some more leg room, which I could care less about. I need to sleep. I have short legs and unless my legs are being elevated via a foot rest or something, the leg room doesn't do much for me.
Nov 27, 2015, 1:22 pm
#50
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
OP, if you are an EXP flying on a OW airline its the same as flying on AA. Same types of bennies. What are you expecting, CX or QF to see EMERALD printed on your BP and throw you in the cargo hold. E+ is not the same as MCE on AA-its a whole different class of service as J Diver has shown. You are making this much more difficult on yourself than it needs to be.
A few years back flying in Y on QF as an EMERALD the purser came up to me to thank me for my business and request that I call upon him if I should need anything. Even got an expedited card to get me through customs at SYD quicker. A few years before that on an empty JFK/LAX/SYD flight on New Years Eve the GA moved me from Y to Y+. Can't get any better than that.
A few years back flying in Y on QF as an EMERALD the purser came up to me to thank me for my business and request that I call upon him if I should need anything. Even got an expedited card to get me through customs at SYD quicker. A few years before that on an empty JFK/LAX/SYD flight on New Years Eve the GA moved me from Y to Y+. Can't get any better than that.
Dec 4th - ORD-LAX (AA)
Dec 4th - LAX-MEL (QF) - Premium Economy
Dec 10th - MEL-LAX (QF) - Premium Economy
Dec 10th - LAX-ORD (AA)
This was a much "friendlier" option on the ol' company pocket book ($4500 vs $7500 and confirmed Prem. Econ)
Would be nice if I got an extra "bump" up to ol' Business, but lol, completely not expecting that as I have absolutely 0 points with QF nor have I ever flown them before.
Question though, what's the boarding priority for me? I was trying to google / find this on Qantas site, and all I could find was it just stating "I get Prioirty boarding." As an Emerald, am I supposed to line up with the First Class folks? Business? A separate line altogether?
Nov 27, 2015, 1:25 pm
#51
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
Nov 27, 2015, 2:36 pm
#52
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,027
Thanks for all the advice! I'm now re-booked in a W Class (Premium Economy Seat) on Qantas.
<snip>
Question though, what's the boarding priority for me? I was trying to google / find this on Qantas site, and all I could find was it just stating "I get Priority boarding." As an Emerald, am I supposed to line up with the First Class folks? Business? A separate line altogether?
<snip>
Question though, what's the boarding priority for me? I was trying to google / find this on Qantas site, and all I could find was it just stating "I get Priority boarding." As an Emerald, am I supposed to line up with the First Class folks? Business? A separate line altogether?
With QF long haul priority boarding means you can stay in the lounge longer.
Many people in the USA assume boarding non USA airlines is like in USA with a scramble for over head space. This will not be case with QF PE.
Note that with QF (and many to most non USA airlines) have lower carry on limits (size & weight) compared to common practise on USA airlines
Enjoy the trip & Melbourne.
Last edited by Mwenenzi; Nov 27, 2015 at 8:06 pm Reason: spelling
Nov 27, 2015, 4:28 pm
#53
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
Question though, what's the boarding priority for me? I was trying to google / find this on Qantas site, and all I could find was it just stating "I get Prioirty boarding." As an Emerald, am I supposed to line up with the First Class folks? Business? A separate line altogether?
If possible, select a window seat for QF93 and QF94. PE is on the upper deck of the A380. The window seats on the upper deck have side storage bins between the seat and the window. Not big enough for bags, but more then enough for travel docs, shoes, tablet, phone, etc.
Nov 28, 2015, 12:36 pm
#55
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hunter Valley, Australia
Programs: Qantas, American Airlines, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 41
Enjoy your trip usafltg. MEL should be a sunny 25-27 degrees C on the day you arrive but be aware that in December MEL weather can have maximum temperatures anywhere between 18-40 degrees.
Dec 14, 2015, 11:50 am
#56
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 161
Just a report back on this trip. The Qantas First Class lounges were amazing. Best part of the whole trip! The Premium economy seats, although QUITE an upgrade over economy, I actually found a bit "less than" desirable. IMO these are equivalent to AA First Class Domestic Seats (could find no difference in pitch) with a leg rest. The leg rests themselves I felt did not extend far enough to provide real usefulness. There is a footrest attached to the bottom of the legrest that is adjustable, but even with that.... I constantly found my legs / feet sore from usage. Sleeping was difficult, although again... quite an upgrade over regular old economy, I found it lacking comfort. Every hour I would wake. The one "biggest" thing I was really trying to ensure was that I was able to get plenty of sleep. Other than waking every hour from being sore, or my legs / feet / arms being numb... I was able to sleep, but it was less than desirable.
The seats themselves, I agree that the best seat in the house is the bulkhead Window in premium economy. You have an extra "very useful" storage compartment for just about everything, and since there's nothing in front of you, unlimited leg room plus basically an aisle seat since you can just get up and go.
The food - Less than desirable. Breakfast was decent, but both flights dinners were mediocre at best. The snacks they tell you you have access to were also not all that great. One of my flights on the way back, I held off on my dinner, but later when I awoke I asked for it and they said it was too late and they had already given it away.
The seats themselves, I agree that the best seat in the house is the bulkhead Window in premium economy. You have an extra "very useful" storage compartment for just about everything, and since there's nothing in front of you, unlimited leg room plus basically an aisle seat since you can just get up and go.
The food - Less than desirable. Breakfast was decent, but both flights dinners were mediocre at best. The snacks they tell you you have access to were also not all that great. One of my flights on the way back, I held off on my dinner, but later when I awoke I asked for it and they said it was too late and they had already given it away.