Jul 4, 2014, 8:35 pm
Last edit by: Mwenenzi
oneworld nonstop flights between USA and Australia are operated by American Airlines / AA and Qantas / QF. US gateways include DFW, JFK, LAX, SFO. Australia gateways include BNE, MEL, SYD.
Alternatives include using Hawaiian / HA from HNL, Fiji Airways / FJ from Los Angeles / LAX or SFO via NAN or Air Tahiti Nui / TN via PPT. (QF codeshares on Jetstar are no longer bookable as AA awards). You must route direct or South Pacific; awards via Asia, or transatlantic require two awards. Premium Economy services may not be booked with AAdvantage miles yet.
Awards using HA / Hawaiian Airlines require two awards, and one may not use HA between the mainland and Hawaii.
Only MileSAAver Awards are available on AA partners.
The usual award rules regarding Maximum Permitted Miles (MPM) and unconstructed origin-destination routings sold by the prevailing carrier apply.
Qantas releases awards ~355 days out; AA can not book anything beyond 331 days out. Qantas awards are challenging to secure. AA MileSAAver flights seem to be scarce on the LAX-SYD routing, even when aircraft go out with empty seats. AAnytime awards can be used on AA, but dynamic pricing may see those for as much as 225,000 miles one way in First.
Note: there are fees involved in award changes from oneworld airlines to non-oneworld partners or vice versa.
See here for current AA redemption charts.
Threads that can help include:
oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Assistance & Discussion (consolidated) (you must use MileSAAver awards on partners; AAnytime wards may only be used on AA.)
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) (consolidated)
AAdvantage Miles Awards: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions
FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, awards, etc. (consolidated)
Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AAdvantage miles awards to / from Australia (consolidated)
Edit (post pandemic list at 06 Aug 2022 by Mwenenzi)
Member Mwenenzi posted
Alternatives include using Hawaiian / HA from HNL, Fiji Airways / FJ from Los Angeles / LAX or SFO via NAN or Air Tahiti Nui / TN via PPT. (QF codeshares on Jetstar are no longer bookable as AA awards). You must route direct or South Pacific; awards via Asia, or transatlantic require two awards. Premium Economy services may not be booked with AAdvantage miles yet.
Awards using HA / Hawaiian Airlines require two awards, and one may not use HA between the mainland and Hawaii.
Only MileSAAver Awards are available on AA partners.
The usual award rules regarding Maximum Permitted Miles (MPM) and unconstructed origin-destination routings sold by the prevailing carrier apply.
Qantas releases awards ~355 days out; AA can not book anything beyond 331 days out. Qantas awards are challenging to secure. AA MileSAAver flights seem to be scarce on the LAX-SYD routing, even when aircraft go out with empty seats. AAnytime awards can be used on AA, but dynamic pricing may see those for as much as 225,000 miles one way in First.
Note: there are fees involved in award changes from oneworld airlines to non-oneworld partners or vice versa.
See here for current AA redemption charts.
Threads that can help include:
oneworld and Other Airline (Partner) Awards info, rules 2014 on
MileSAAver / SAAver Award Availability - Assistance & Discussion (consolidated) (you must use MileSAAver awards on partners; AAnytime wards may only be used on AA.)
AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) (consolidated)
AAdvantage Miles Awards: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions
FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, awards, etc. (consolidated)
Older posts have been archived to ARCHIVE: AAdvantage miles awards to / from Australia (consolidated)
Edit (post pandemic list at 06 Aug 2022 by Mwenenzi)
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia. Following the pandemic, routes are being restabilised and some new routes. Schedules can change. Route restart dates subject to change.
Following the pandemic routes are being restabilised and with some new routes. Schedules can change. Route restart dates subject to change
- Air Canada AC YVR – SYD BNE. [Star Alliance] .
- Air New Zealand NZ LAX SFO IAH YVR via AKL. [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN LAX – via Tahiti & AKL. Last segments on QF codeshares. (AA & DL partner)
- American Airlines AA LAX-SYD due to restart 29 Oct 2022 [OneWorld Alliance]
- Delta DL LAX – SYD. [Skyteam Alliance]
- Fiji Airways FJ LAX SFO HNL – BNE SYD MEL via NAN Fiji. (OneWorld Alliance connect. QF AA & AS partner)
- Hawaiian HA HNL – SYD. Pre CV19 also used to fly to BNE (AA & VA partner)
- Jetstar JQ HNL – SYD. Pre CV19 also used to fly to/from BNE & MEL.
- Qantas QF SYD - LAX DFW HNL YVR*; BNE - LAX ; MEL- LAX. {* seasonal}. MEL-DFW due to start 02 Dec 2022 (new route). SYD – SFO due to restart 30 Oct 2022. Pre CV19 also had SYD-SFO & SYD-JFK(via LAX). [OneWorld Alliance]
- United UA MEL-SFO, SYD-LAX SFO. BNE-SFO from 31 Oct 2022 (new route). MEL-LAX and SYD-IAH due to restart 30 Oct 2022. [Star Alliance]. (VA partner)
- and others via Asia & Middle East
Following the pandemic routes are being restabilised and with some new routes. Schedules can change. Route restart dates subject to change
- American Airlines AA . DFW-AKL due to start 29 Oct 2022 to 25 Mar 2023(new route) LAX-AKL due to restart unknow. AA was to fly LAX-CHC 3 days a week from Oct 2020. [Oneworld Alliance]
- Air Canada AC YVR – AKL Due to restart 12 Nov 2022 [Star Alliance]
- Air New Zealand NZ LAX SFO IAH YVR – AKL. Pre CV19 also had ORD. [Star Alliance]
- Air Tahiti Nui TN LAX - AKL via Tahiti (AA & DL partner)
- Fiji Airways FJ LAX SFO HNL - AKL via NAN Fiji Pre CV19 used to fly to WLG CHC. (QF AA & AS partner).
- Hawaiian HA HNL – AKL (AA & VA partner)
- Qantas QF LAX SFO DFW JFK HNL YVR* via SYD BNE & MEL. {* seasonal} [Oneworld Alliance])
- United UA SFO – AKL [Star Alliance]
- And others via Australia, Asia & Middle East
Member Mwenenzi posted
Mxflyer Welcome to FT
Many threads on this topic.
USA <---->Australia business class awards are one of the hardest to get. An award in ~6 to 8 weeks time (short notice) even harder. 2 people on the same flight harder again.
Hard but may not be impossible. At times availability can increase close in.
What ffp's are you currently a signed up member of?
If you look only at LAX SYD you are restricting your options a lot, and then some. Look at SFO, IAH & DFW and BNE MEL. BNE can have better availability than other airports. Domestic USA & Australia flights as needed
Via Asia is the other option, but would be 2 awards. BKK, HKG, TPE, SIN, NRT, HND and others. Due to political unrest some HKG flights have low loads
They do not need to fly the same airline/ffp/routes/airports out & back. Look for one ways.
AA ff miles cannot be used to upgrade QF flights. Anyway upgrades, with any airline on the USA Aust routes are hard.
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia
Edit
List deleted due to out of date post Covid-19 pandemic (see above)
AA & UA also fly LAX-AKL. Then a 3:30hr flight across to Aust.
Via Fiji or on TN can work
AA forum
Consider these Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Credit card transfer links
Many threads on this topic.
USA <---->Australia business class awards are one of the hardest to get. An award in ~6 to 8 weeks time (short notice) even harder. 2 people on the same flight harder again.
Hard but may not be impossible. At times availability can increase close in.
What ffp's are you currently a signed up member of?
If you look only at LAX SYD you are restricting your options a lot, and then some. Look at SFO, IAH & DFW and BNE MEL. BNE can have better availability than other airports. Domestic USA & Australia flights as needed
Via Asia is the other option, but would be 2 awards. BKK, HKG, TPE, SIN, NRT, HND and others. Due to political unrest some HKG flights have low loads
They do not need to fly the same airline/ffp/routes/airports out & back. Look for one ways.
AA ff miles cannot be used to upgrade QF flights. Anyway upgrades, with any airline on the USA Aust routes are hard.
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to/from Australia
Edit
List deleted due to out of date post Covid-19 pandemic (see above)
AA & UA also fly LAX-AKL. Then a 3:30hr flight across to Aust.
Via Fiji or on TN can work
AA forum
- Australia New Zealand---->AAdvantage award to / from Australia, New Zealand (master thread)
- FJ---->FJ / Fiji Airways (ex-Air Pacific) and AA, miles, awards, etc. (consolidated)
- HA---> Earning and Redeeming AA Miles on HA / Hawaiian Airlines (master thread)
- JL---> AAdvantage Award using JL / JAL / Japan Airlines (master thd)
- QF---> AA miles awards: using / redeeming AA miles on Qantas (QF) & related (consolidated)
- TN ----> AA Miles Award: TN / Air Tahiti Nui award redemptions (master thread)
Consider these Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Credit card transfer links
- Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs forum
- Amex MR Transfer Membership Rewards points to which airline or hotel program?
- Chase UR Ultimate Rewards - Airline and Hotel Transfer Partners, Rules, Timeline, etc (2017)
- Chase UR Ultimate Rewards - Which airline/hotel should I transfer points to?
- Citi TYP Citi ThankYou Points (TYPs): airline transfer partners
AA MileSAAver award to / from Australia, New Zealand (master thread)
Jan 10, 2013, 7:57 am
#16
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Miami 7-Million Miler EXP
Posts: 829
I'd Pick NZ
I'd Pick NZ. Smaller, more compact, much more drivable with eye popping scenery: oceans, geothermal spas, volcanoes, glaciers, etc!
Jan 10, 2013, 1:00 pm
#17
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Hunter Valley, Australia
Programs: Qantas, American Airlines, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 41
As much as I love living in Oz I would choose NZ (and maybe just South Island) for such a short stay. In the good old days Japanese honeymooners were frequent visitors but I'm not sure I'd want to spend my time on a bus with 20 other couples! There are plenty of good hotels and travelling by motorhome is very popular but it could be quite cool in September.
Air Pacific fly to AKL (North Island) and CHC (South Island) from NAN (Fiji) and should be flying out of LAX in new planes by the time you travel. If not travel to CHC via BNE, SYD or MEL.
Air Pacific fly to AKL (North Island) and CHC (South Island) from NAN (Fiji) and should be flying out of LAX in new planes by the time you travel. If not travel to CHC via BNE, SYD or MEL.
Jan 10, 2013, 6:15 pm
#18
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
You forgot to mention all those cute little creatures with pointy ears, round jovial faces and hairy feet - New Zealanders are just adorable
Jan 14, 2013, 7:26 pm
#19
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 59
Whats up people? Was wanting to get some help here on an AA award routing and was hoping for some help.
As of current the wifey and I are planning to head down in Sept and we have 2 tix on hold and I was wanting to clarify as we may be changing the dates.
Looking on AA.com we found:
--BUSINESS CLASS--
PDX-LAX-HNL-SYD on 8/31
crap availability and we have an overnight layover at LAX arriving at 2315 8/31 and leaving at 0800 9/1.
We were going to get a one way to CNS and then we can route:
CNS-BNE-LAX-PDX on the 9/10 and 9/11th
There was only 1 seat on the BNE-LAX 747 for the 10th and 11th and we were going to fly separately as I saw the 2 747 business class seats on different days I jumped on it and put them on hold.
We may have to change our end date and give up our 747 business seats BNE-LAX. My question is this:
If we book the reservations, I know we are locked into the depart and return locations and the date correct? However if seats open up we would be able to change those without charge? We are not AAEXP.
Also I just started the expert flyer trial and am seeing lots of business class (HA P seats) and barring a miracle and getting 2 LAX-SYD bus class seats, it would be much better to go PDX-HNL-SYD rather than the above route. I would just have to call in and route that way correct?
Again if I just put an alert for LAX-SYD bus class tix can I call in and change the HNL-SYD to the LAX-SYD without penalty if it opens up?
Thanks in advance and any advice would be appreciated.
As of current the wifey and I are planning to head down in Sept and we have 2 tix on hold and I was wanting to clarify as we may be changing the dates.
Looking on AA.com we found:
--BUSINESS CLASS--
PDX-LAX-HNL-SYD on 8/31
crap availability and we have an overnight layover at LAX arriving at 2315 8/31 and leaving at 0800 9/1.
We were going to get a one way to CNS and then we can route:
CNS-BNE-LAX-PDX on the 9/10 and 9/11th
There was only 1 seat on the BNE-LAX 747 for the 10th and 11th and we were going to fly separately as I saw the 2 747 business class seats on different days I jumped on it and put them on hold.
We may have to change our end date and give up our 747 business seats BNE-LAX. My question is this:
If we book the reservations, I know we are locked into the depart and return locations and the date correct? However if seats open up we would be able to change those without charge? We are not AAEXP.
Also I just started the expert flyer trial and am seeing lots of business class (HA P seats) and barring a miracle and getting 2 LAX-SYD bus class seats, it would be much better to go PDX-HNL-SYD rather than the above route. I would just have to call in and route that way correct?
Again if I just put an alert for LAX-SYD bus class tix can I call in and change the HNL-SYD to the LAX-SYD without penalty if it opens up?
Thanks in advance and any advice would be appreciated.
Jan 14, 2013, 8:09 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: NY
Programs: AA PLT, Delta SkyMiles
Posts: 569
Whats up people? Was wanting to get some help here on an AA award routing and was hoping for some help.
As of current the wifey and I are planning to head down in Sept and we have 2 tix on hold and I was wanting to clarify as we may be changing the dates.
Looking on AA.com we found:
--BUSINESS CLASS--
PDX-LAX-HNL-SYD on 8/31
crap availability and we have an overnight layover at LAX arriving at 2315 8/31 and leaving at 0800 9/1.
We were going to get a one way to CNS and then we can route:
CNS-BNE-LAX-PDX on the 9/10 and 9/11th
There was only 1 seat on the BNE-LAX 747 for the 10th and 11th and we were going to fly separately as I saw the 2 747 business class seats on different days I jumped on it and put them on hold.
We may have to change our end date and give up our 747 business seats BNE-LAX. My question is this:
If we book the reservations, I know we are locked into the depart and return locations and the date correct? However if seats open up we would be able to change those without charge? We are not AAEXP.
Also I just started the expert flyer trial and am seeing lots of business class (HA P seats) and barring a miracle and getting 2 LAX-SYD bus class seats, it would be much better to go PDX-HNL-SYD rather than the above route. I would just have to call in and route that way correct?
Again if I just put an alert for LAX-SYD bus class tix can I call in and change the HNL-SYD to the LAX-SYD without penalty if it opens up?
Thanks in advance and any advice would be appreciated.
As of current the wifey and I are planning to head down in Sept and we have 2 tix on hold and I was wanting to clarify as we may be changing the dates.
Looking on AA.com we found:
--BUSINESS CLASS--
PDX-LAX-HNL-SYD on 8/31
crap availability and we have an overnight layover at LAX arriving at 2315 8/31 and leaving at 0800 9/1.
We were going to get a one way to CNS and then we can route:
CNS-BNE-LAX-PDX on the 9/10 and 9/11th
There was only 1 seat on the BNE-LAX 747 for the 10th and 11th and we were going to fly separately as I saw the 2 747 business class seats on different days I jumped on it and put them on hold.
We may have to change our end date and give up our 747 business seats BNE-LAX. My question is this:
If we book the reservations, I know we are locked into the depart and return locations and the date correct? However if seats open up we would be able to change those without charge? We are not AAEXP.
Also I just started the expert flyer trial and am seeing lots of business class (HA P seats) and barring a miracle and getting 2 LAX-SYD bus class seats, it would be much better to go PDX-HNL-SYD rather than the above route. I would just have to call in and route that way correct?
Again if I just put an alert for LAX-SYD bus class tix can I call in and change the HNL-SYD to the LAX-SYD without penalty if it opens up?
Thanks in advance and any advice would be appreciated.
There are people that are much smarter than me that should respond though.....
Please remember that Business from HNL-SYD sucks, really really not business at all
Jan 14, 2013, 10:35 pm
#21
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 59
I believe as long as the departing and arrival city are the same, you can change stuff. But if it's award, just get what you can and cancel later if you get a better one....
There are people that are much smarter than me that should respond though.....
Please remember that Business from HNL-SYD sucks, really really not business at all
There are people that are much smarter than me that should respond though.....
Please remember that Business from HNL-SYD sucks, really really not business at all
HA Bus vs QF econ, if you have any thoughts please retort.
Am thinking of oneworld explorering through PDX-YVR-NRT-SYD-CNS-NRT-YVR-PDX which is strangely only 450 miles further. Would have to use an extra 9k avios to get to/from YVR and 130k AAd vs 125k AA and 10k one way AA points.
Anybody know if Jetstar can be included in Oneworld explorer? I think it can be but some confirmation would be cool.
Jan 14, 2013, 11:49 pm
#23
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Since JQ is not a OW carrier , I don't think that it can be used on Oneworld Explorer awards
Jan 15, 2013, 12:33 am
#25
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 59
Thanks for the reply, as well as the long 1W exp post you penned a while ago. I read there that JQ flights were 1W EXP compliant but wanted to confirm what I thought I had read.
Unfortunately it is looking like the JQ CNS-NRT is not showing any availability in my window.
Also since I guess I got you on the line, if you book a business 1W EXP ticket and there is no availibility in a bus section but premium econ is available, would you be able to get that or just econ only. Or if you set an alert, could you bump up to bus is one opened up before you left?
Thanks in advance.
Unfortunately it is looking like the JQ CNS-NRT is not showing any availability in my window.
Also since I guess I got you on the line, if you book a business 1W EXP ticket and there is no availibility in a bus section but premium econ is available, would you be able to get that or just econ only. Or if you set an alert, could you bump up to bus is one opened up before you left?
Thanks in advance.
Jan 15, 2013, 4:08 am
#27
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
Also since I guess I got you on the line, if you book a business 1W EXP ticket and there is no availibility in a bus section but premium econ is available, would you be able to get that or just econ only. Or if you set an alert, could you bump up to bus is one opened up before you left?
Jan 22, 2013, 10:40 am
#28
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 58
Okay well, now things are settled and I will start to seriously consider booking options.
Have 150,000 AA miles
Traveling out of NYC on Sept 8, 2013 (Departing anytime past noon)
Returning Sept 22 (Either into NYC, or taking a diff flight from LAX to Baltimore area) (anytime)
2 People
Wanting to fly to Sydney. Options would be considered for NZ as well, I have not yet finalized that.
First question, what is a reasonable expectation of the economy cabin in the Qantas flight. QF-108. 747-400 I believe. Business/First doesn't seem to be available on those flights even if I had the miles.
What are other destination/airline options that might have more availability and/or less per mile cost for business class. I Would consider paying for one ticket and using points for the other/partial.
Have 150,000 AA miles
Traveling out of NYC on Sept 8, 2013 (Departing anytime past noon)
Returning Sept 22 (Either into NYC, or taking a diff flight from LAX to Baltimore area) (anytime)
2 People
Wanting to fly to Sydney. Options would be considered for NZ as well, I have not yet finalized that.
First question, what is a reasonable expectation of the economy cabin in the Qantas flight. QF-108. 747-400 I believe. Business/First doesn't seem to be available on those flights even if I had the miles.
What are other destination/airline options that might have more availability and/or less per mile cost for business class. I Would consider paying for one ticket and using points for the other/partial.
Last edited by IceWilly; Jan 22, 2013 at 10:58 am
Jan 22, 2013, 11:56 am
#29
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Ocean Beach
Programs: Alaska MPVG75, AAdvantage PlatPro, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 535
Thanks for the reply, as well as the long 1W exp post you penned a while ago. I read there that JQ flights were 1W EXP compliant but wanted to confirm what I thought I had read.
Unfortunately it is looking like the JQ CNS-NRT is not showing any availability in my window.
Also since I guess I got you on the line, if you book a business 1W EXP ticket and there is no availibility in a bus section but premium econ is available, would you be able to get that or just econ only. Or if you set an alert, could you bump up to bus is one opened up before you left?
Thanks in advance.
Unfortunately it is looking like the JQ CNS-NRT is not showing any availability in my window.
Also since I guess I got you on the line, if you book a business 1W EXP ticket and there is no availibility in a bus section but premium econ is available, would you be able to get that or just econ only. Or if you set an alert, could you bump up to bus is one opened up before you left?
Thanks in advance.
Jan 22, 2013, 12:05 pm
#30
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,529
This will cost nearly 2x the miles, though.