Originally Posted by beachfan (Post 37278649)

Notwithstanding the advice not to get a credit card for this trip, the Barclay aviator card will be around just a few more weeks perhaps, and it’s a great way to get miles. You get 70k miles after your first purchase and payment of the annual fee ($99).

if you are t familiar with it, check the View From the Wing blog post of Aug 18 (you can google “ Barclay aviator view wing” and it should come up.

Also keep an eye out for business class paid upgrades, as given current loads, they may be a more attractive value.

Originally Posted by PHL (Post 37276750)

Since you're already ticketed, it sounds like you're seeing an offer to buy up to Premium Economy for 281,300 miles for one direction. That tracks since, if I were to try to buy those exact flights for points right now as a new booking it would be a lot more. Your friend may or may not be aware that AA now prices awards dynamically, whether it's for an upgrade or a new ticket.. There's no longer a fixed rate. They charge what the demand dictates.

Keep checking your reservation as the dates gets closer. If they have unsold seats they may start reducing that offer and you may also see business class awards. The first row is showing Coach/PE/Business. The LAX-SYD/SYD-LAX legs have a First class cabin as well and it shows up on the return search.
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...56f80d7a7b.png
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...36990a332e.png

Originally Posted by sdix (Post 37282649)

900 or 740K miles R/T is absolutely criminal!!

Wasn't to long ago 100K miles got you there and back in F on QF

Originally Posted by allergictocoach (Post 37281593)

218100 to Upgrade to PE? No way I would ever pay that.

Just for reference, I paid 75K AA for First Class MCO-CLT-LAX-SYD last November the week of my departure. AA typically drops miles required as the date approaches. Also as I think others have mentioned, the prices from various airports can be drastically different on itineraries that ultimately end up on the same LAX-SYD flight. I will often hold something I am happy enough to fly, then cancel/refund that ticket after AA makes me an offer I can't refuse at the last minute lol.

Originally Posted by sdix (Post 37282649)

900 or 740K miles R/T is absolutely criminal!!

Wasn't to long ago 100K miles got you there and back in F on QF

Originally Posted by PHL (Post 37284600)

In 2002 I flew PHL-LAX-MEL for 125K roundtrip in First class on a Qatas 747-400ER (obviously, PHL-LAX was on US in domestic F)

Originally Posted by FlyingEgghead (Post 37284626)

How did that work, since US was *A whereas QF was OW? Are you sure the domestic flight wasn't AA?

Originally Posted by Dave Noble (Post 37282726)

I would disagree - I think it has been a long time since redemption rates were that low. The current award chart has existed for quite a while and is currently 110k one way in 1st class

740k r/t would be assessing the difference as about $7400 return between economy and business ( assuming AA is assessing a value of 1c per point ) whoih doesn't seem likely to be inqccruate - trouble with trying to find 110k one way in 1st though is the complete dearth of availability offered by QF

Originally Posted by FlyingEgghead (Post 37284626)

How did that work, since US was *A whereas QF was OW? Are you sure the domestic flight wasn't AA?