[FARE GONE] Aa: Lax/sfo-akl $212 rt
Oct 27, 2016, 9:21 am
#316
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
My God ... the Qantas 747 economy seats .. when the person in front of you reclines .. the seat is practically in your lap. It is insane. I'm a normal size 150 pound guy and I was limping off the plane 😂 Maybe you got lucky and are flying the A380 from LAX instead of the 747 from SFO
Oct 27, 2016, 9:28 am
#317
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: Delta Gold, Alaska Gold 75K, LATAM Black
Posts: 3,393
Are you traveling alone? How many days does your new schedule have you in NZ for? It is middle earth 🌏! So I'm glad we went. We had 8 nights in NZ in total.
Oct 27, 2016, 9:52 am
#318
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
But Kiwis are incredibly nice people, everybody speaks English obviously, I'm not sure if white people or Asian is the biggest demographic there .. lots and lots of asians , Which also means there was a lot Japanese and Korean restaurants everywhere (not a problem for me ;-))
Are you traveling alone? How many days does your new schedule have you in NZ for? It is middle earth 🌏! So I'm glad we went. We had 8 nights in NZ in total.
Are you traveling alone? How many days does your new schedule have you in NZ for? It is middle earth 🌏! So I'm glad we went. We had 8 nights in NZ in total.
Normally, that would be fine with me, but the only award flight that gets me back in time is Air Taihiti in Y - non-OW partner, therefore no lounge access either.
Never been to OZ or NZ, so 12 hours in one and 18 in another sounds like better than nothing...but I'm wavering. Any insight?
Oct 27, 2016, 10:52 am
#319
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: AA: EXP / AS:MVP75k / Hilton: Gold / Marriott Gold
Posts: 31
I'm taking this flight with QF from SFO to AKL with a 10 hour layover in SYD. Has anyone had any luck getting an earlier standby flight? I'm currently scheduled to arrive in AKL around 11:30pm 
Oct 27, 2016, 11:05 am
#320
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: TPA
Programs: BA Silver; Hilton Gold; IHG Diamond Ambassador; Marriott Gold
Posts: 2,811
Hi, I am sorry to ask this question if it has already been answered. I am flying to new zealand soon on this fare i booked in April. I am star alliance gold and first time using oneworld in years. I am trying to figure out the best way to get the most miles from this trip.
My flight is Qantas codeshare and AA metal direct to Auckland from LAX. I have a British Airways number from years ago, but I am hearing that maybe I should get an Alaska number for this trip. Which airline should I use to get the most miles out of this trip. Any help is greatly appreciated
My flight is Qantas codeshare and AA metal direct to Auckland from LAX. I have a British Airways number from years ago, but I am hearing that maybe I should get an Alaska number for this trip. Which airline should I use to get the most miles out of this trip. Any help is greatly appreciated
If you scroll back in this thread a bit, it appears there's disagreement as to whether AS would use the AA rates or the QF rates. As noted, you'd be happier if it was QF.
For BA, it would be the QF rates; apparently you have to go to their "calculator" and provide the flight info to learn the Tier Points.
So, you can look them up and see which works better for you given your fare class etc, keeping in mind that AS miles vs BA Avios is a bit of an apples-vs-oranges comparison, given the difference in the way you redeem them.
Oct 28, 2016, 4:00 am
#321
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 254
So we found out, New Zealand is more Motor Lodges and Motels. Though there is a Crowne Plaza downtown. Imho I would not return to Auckland, not much to do. But we rented a car and drove to Matamata (Hobbiton) and Rotorua which is about 3 hours away - I highly recommend going here for a few days.
My God ... the Qantas 747 economy seats .. when the person in front of you reclines .. the seat is practically in your lap. It is insane. I'm a normal size 150 pound guy and I was limping off the plane 😂 Maybe you got lucky and are flying the A380 from LAX instead of the 747 from SFO
My God ... the Qantas 747 economy seats .. when the person in front of you reclines .. the seat is practically in your lap. It is insane. I'm a normal size 150 pound guy and I was limping off the plane 😂 Maybe you got lucky and are flying the A380 from LAX instead of the 747 from SFO
Nov 6, 2016, 1:50 pm
#323
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: World
Posts: 1,647
Chilling in Auckland now and springtime here couldn't be more beautiful
Nov 7, 2016, 9:17 am
#324
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 643
I had a fine time on my 747. I'm sure it could have been better, but overall, it wasn't so bad (so take heart, all those who are on 747s!)
Nov 7, 2016, 8:32 pm
#325
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
I flew on QF 747 SFO-SYD-AKL end of July-beginning of August. Flights were very nice, great crew, decent food. Y seats are Y seats, but seat pitch was fine.
There's an airport bus direct to downtown Auckland that works well. There are hotel choices within walking distance of the bus stops. Auckland is a great city, even for a day or two.
I spent two weeks traveling all over, ended up in Queenstown. Great.
If you have the tickets, GO! My Alaska account was credited quickly, essentially made this a free flight.
Cheers,
Doc
There's an airport bus direct to downtown Auckland that works well. There are hotel choices within walking distance of the bus stops. Auckland is a great city, even for a day or two.
I spent two weeks traveling all over, ended up in Queenstown. Great.
If you have the tickets, GO! My Alaska account was credited quickly, essentially made this a free flight.
Cheers,
Doc
Nov 8, 2016, 10:56 am
#326
Join Date: Oct 2016
Programs: AA: EXP / AS:MVP75k / Hilton: Gold / Marriott Gold
Posts: 31
If anyone was wondering, SYD-AKL flights on Qantas are so incredibly full there was no way I could get an earlier flights without paying for another Y ticket at $500AUD. The 10 hours went by fast though with the Qantas being exceptional.
Nov 8, 2016, 4:33 pm
#327
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
I'm in the middle of a 10 day trip right now. Have been to NZ a few times before. My best tour ever, from Queenstown two days ago, was to Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park which was 12.5 hours long by bus and included the Milford Sound cruise - amazing mountains and snow is still around. Have Auckland, Queenstown and Milford Sound/Fiordland National Park photos on my website linked below and will be adding as I go along. Meeting FTers I know in Christchurch and Wellington.
Tom at the top of the Christchurch Gondola
Tom at the top of the Christchurch Gondola
Nov 8, 2016, 7:38 pm
#328
Suspended
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Atherton, CA
Programs: UA 1K, AA EXP; Owner, Green Bay Packers
Posts: 21,690
I'm in the middle of a 10 day trip right now. Have been to NZ a few times before. My best tour ever, from Queenstown two days ago, was to Milford Sound and Fiordland National Park which was 12.5 hours long by bus and included the Milford Sound cruise - amazing mountains and snow is still around. Have Auckland, Queenstown and Milford Sound/Fiordland National Park photos on my website linked below and will be adding as I go along. Meeting FTers I know in Christchurch and Wellington.
Tom at the top of the Christchurch Gondola
Tom at the top of the Christchurch Gondola
Nov 19, 2016, 9:40 pm
#329
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 254
I just did the outbound LAX to AKL, had dinner at the Qantas first lounge, food was amazing, glad I ate because AA food was so terrible, I didn't eat the entire 12 hours flight. make sure you eat well or bring your food. The flight was comfortable for main cabin 787.