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Apr 25, 2011 | 11:21 pm
  #1  
Looking for domestic USA airpass for 2 adults, as we will be flying into US and Ret. on Q thought it may be better to use One World Alliance as we are both QFF. Be in the US and Canada for approx. 2 weeks in all, wish to visit:

Calgary
Miami
SFO
Las Vegas

As we are travelling in J we would like to sample the Q 380, but one way via Dallas is OK on 747, and one via LA (latter for 380) if required.

Can fly out/in to OZ via Brisbane or Sydney as we are from FNQ.

I'm in Q Club (silver status) so not sure flying AA if we can use their domestic lounges?

Any assistance with proposed flight itinerary appreciated (internal US flights in economy).
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Apr 26, 2011 | 1:27 am
  #2  
No you will not be able to go to AA lounge in domestic itinerary.

FNQ-SYD-LAX-SFO-X LAX-LAS-X DFW-YYC-X DFW-MIA-LAX-SYD-FNQ

or

FNQ-SYD-LAX-SFO-X LAX-LAS-MIA-X DFW-YYX-X DFW-LAX-SYD-FNQ
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Apr 26, 2011 | 3:08 am
  #3  
Would we be better off booking a air pass with AA or buying tickets separately?.
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Apr 26, 2011 | 4:45 pm
  #4  
Quote: No you will not be able to go to AA lounge in domestic itinerary.
Qantas club members can access AA lounge if flying On AA, part of QC benefits (not OW)
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Apr 26, 2011 | 8:17 pm
  #5  
Hope to minimise going through Lax, terrible airport.

thinking now:

BRIS - DFW (in J)
internal USA flights economy.
DFW - MIA
MIA-LAX-X
LAS-X - YYC
YYC - SFO
SFO - LAX
LAX - SYD (in J on QF380)

I'll get domestic flights in Oz separately from CNS - BRIS and SYD-CNS

I'll use points for one Q return in J and buy the other (about $9K, but looking at Air NZ in J around $6200 CNS - AKL - SFO return about 3 grand cheaper than Q., so two would be $12.4K and I use my Amex get 1.5 points per $ but no FF points using Air NZ, ah decisions.
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Apr 26, 2011 | 11:11 pm
  #6  
Quote: No you will not be able to go to AA lounge in domestic itinerary. ...Q
QANTAS CLUB members can access AA's A/C lounges before departure on AA flights.

The OP being silver they can get free checked baggage (International Itinerary/QP may be enough) for this as well.
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Apr 26, 2011 | 11:31 pm
  #7  
Have you considered a "Circle Pacific" fare?

cns-syd-nrt-yvr-dfw-yyc-dfw-mia-dfw-las-lax-bne-cns
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Apr 27, 2011 | 12:31 am
  #8  
Quote: Have you considered a "Circle Pacific" fare?

cns-syd-nrt-yvr-dfw-yyc-dfw-mia-dfw-las-lax-bne-cns
Yes did that circle pacific few years back, but has to be purchased in country of origin and its over $9K in OZ and adds about 8 hours to the main trip, my thing is just USA/Canada domestic flights.

Looking at AA can do most of it with them and buy a separate LAX - YYC from the look of it.
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Apr 27, 2011 | 8:33 am
  #9  
Quote: QANTAS CLUB members can access AA's A/C lounges before departure on AA flights.

The OP being silver they can get free checked baggage (International Itinerary/QP may be enough) for this as well.
Sorry you are right!! Did not read OP's post carefully. Only notice silver but not Q Club...lol
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Apr 28, 2011 | 7:05 pm
  #10  
I'm the Q club member so can I get the wife in AA lounges too?.

What do you guys think of the domestic routing, any better way to do it?
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Apr 28, 2011 | 8:14 pm
  #11  
Quote: Hope to minimise going through Lax, terrible airport.

thinking now:

BRIS - DFW (in J)
internal USA flights economy.
DFW - MIA
MIA-LAX-X
LAS-X - YYC
YYC - SFO
SFO - LAX
LAX - SYD (in J on QF380)
Quote: I'm the Q club member so can I get the wife in AA lounges too?.

What do you guys think of the domestic routing, any better way to do it?
I think they'll let your wife in.

As to your route, I'm a little unclear of your stopover points, but a couple of things -

LAS-YYC-SFO will require some other airline than AA; most likely Alaska Airlines with a change in SEA in both directions. That would limit your AA segments to 3 - DFW-MIA, MIA-LAX, and SFO-LAX. IIRC 3 is the minimum number of segments you can buy an airpass for; frankly I'd skip it and look for inexpensive over-the-counter flights.

You might look at using Alaska between Florida and Calgary, e.g. MIA-xSEA-YYC, then YYC-xSEA-SFO/LAS/LAX. It might be cheaper, certainly faster, and you'll get full QFF points on AS flights. If you DO stay on AA for MIA-LAX, be sure you take the 777 if traveling in Y - by far superior than any other Y seats in the AA fleet.
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Apr 30, 2011 | 7:41 pm
  #12  
Thanks for your reply, yes thinking now buy over the counter flights and use AA where possible to gain FF points.
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