Airpass Advise
 

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).

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

Would we be better off booking a air pass with AA or buying tickets separately?.

Qantas club members can access AA lounge if flying On AA, part of QC benefits (not OW)

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.

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.

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.

Sorry you are right!! Did not read OP's post carefully. Only notice silver but not Q Club...lol

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.

Thanks for your reply, yes thinking now buy over the counter flights and use AA where possible to gain FF points.