January 2015 trip to SYD/MEL
Dec 13, 2014, 10:43 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NYC, PHL, WAS
Programs: UA, AA, BA, DL
Posts: 431
January 2015 trip to SYD/MEL
So looking at a "last minute" (for mileage purposes anyway) trip to Australia using miles. Hoping to arrive in MEL by Jan 18th. I would prefer to leave on the 15th or 16th from the WAS area. I've tried the usual suspects online (AA/United) and neither have available low level awards. I'm tempted to just book the standard award on United even though it is 85k in economy (ick!). In your experience do more flights open up closer to the date even if it is peak season? Any other ideas that will get me there on time without taking up too many work days? I have a wide swath of points in various programs at my disposal so don't hesitate to go out of the box.
Dec 13, 2014, 11:03 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
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Posts: 29,727
Wirelessly posted (BlackBerry: BlackBerry8530/5.0.0.1030 Profile/MIDP-2.1 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/417)
The aa.com website cannot display award availability on several AA partners, including FJ which flies LAX-NAN, and NAN-MEL.
Also, at that time of year, going via Asia 1 (Japan/Korea) would only cost 55K AA miles one way in Economy if you can find SAAver award seats. And since that routing would require two awards, you could even stop over in Japan/Korea, if desired.
So, give AA a call.
The aa.com website cannot display award availability on several AA partners, including FJ which flies LAX-NAN, and NAN-MEL.
Also, at that time of year, going via Asia 1 (Japan/Korea) would only cost 55K AA miles one way in Economy if you can find SAAver award seats. And since that routing would require two awards, you could even stop over in Japan/Korea, if desired.
So, give AA a call.
Last edited by guv1976; Dec 13, 2014 at 11:04 am
Dec 13, 2014, 4:16 pm
#3
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,099
A hard request. Mid to end of January is a peak travel time into Australia. End of the Aussie summer vacation/holiday time for many. A lot of business’s will start back on Monday 20th Jan. A lot of schools start the new academic year Tuesday 27th Jan
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to Australia (most from LAX) are
- United [Star Alliance]
- Qantas [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Jetstar (HNL)
- Delta [Skyteam Alliance] (VA & AS partner)
- Virgin Australia (DL partner)
- Hawaiian, via Hawaii (AA DL & VA partner)
- Air NZ, via AKL [Star Alliance]
- Fiji Airways, via Fiji (AA & AS partner)
- Air Tahiti Nui (last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Air Canada [Star Alliance]
And others via Asia & Middle East
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es-2012-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Airlines that fly USA/Canada to Australia (most from LAX) are
- United [Star Alliance]
- Qantas [OneWorld Alliance] (AS partner)
- Jetstar (HNL)
- Delta [Skyteam Alliance] (VA & AS partner)
- Virgin Australia (DL partner)
- Hawaiian, via Hawaii (AA DL & VA partner)
- Air NZ, via AKL [Star Alliance]
- Fiji Airways, via Fiji (AA & AS partner)
- Air Tahiti Nui (last segments on codeshares) (AA & DL partner)
- Air Canada [Star Alliance]
And others via Asia & Middle East
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...es-2012-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...solidated.html
Dec 13, 2014, 5:30 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 486
If you're fine with economy, there is a tonne of QF MEL-LAX and some OK SYD-DFW availability in late Jan. Also SYD-YVR on select dates. You might have more luck searching by segment to get you all the way home.
No idea how things look for your outbound but AA allows one way award bookings
No idea how things look for your outbound but AA allows one way award bookings
Dec 16, 2014, 2:47 am
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NYC, PHL, WAS
Programs: UA, AA, BA, DL
Posts: 431
If you're fine with economy, there is a tonne of QF MEL-LAX and some OK SYD-DFW availability in late Jan. Also SYD-YVR on select dates. You might have more luck searching by segment to get you all the way home.
No idea how things look for your outbound but AA allows one way award bookings
No idea how things look for your outbound but AA allows one way award bookings
Dec 16, 2014, 2:52 am
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NYC, PHL, WAS
Programs: UA, AA, BA, DL
Posts: 431
Thanks for the tip! I'm hoping to avoid fuel surcharges (flying blue), but I believe delta one way awards don't kick in until Jan 1. Hopefully the seat stays around and/or other things pop up.
Dec 19, 2014, 6:54 am
#8
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Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NYC, PHL, WAS
Programs: UA, AA, BA, DL
Posts: 431
follow up question:
Continental USA (with a couple of connections) to Hawaii to Auckland to Australia is pricing out as two awards 37,500 + 10,000. Is that because of the number of segments? The itinerary is below the maximum mileage permitted.
eta: looks like the overwater carrier does not show fares for the outbound airport
Continental USA (with a couple of connections) to Hawaii to Auckland to Australia is pricing out as two awards 37,500 + 10,000. Is that because of the number of segments? The itinerary is below the maximum mileage permitted.
eta: looks like the overwater carrier does not show fares for the outbound airport
Last edited by 2stepsbehind; Dec 19, 2014 at 7:04 am
Dec 19, 2014, 7:00 am
#9
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Posts: 18,323
How long in New Zealand? 10K would be a New Zealand-Australia award