DONE4 dilemma...
 

Hi all, the time has come for me to ask the "help with DONE4" question: :)
I am building a DONE4 around a trip to SEA in June, coming from BNE.

So far, looking at BNE-SYD-SFO-SEA-DFW-ANC-DFW-JFK-LHR-SIN-HKG-PER-MEL-CNS-BNE

Problems raised by travel agent so far:
1. Can't travel SFO-SEA (AS codeshare) which reading the T&C seems true. So is it possible to travel from LAX or SFO to SEA on a DONE4, or do I need to add a sector?

2. Says I can't take the Australian Domestic sectors.
Pretty sure that I can, according to the T&C:
"You are allowed to take two stopovers in total within your continent of origin in order to get to or from a gateway to commence or return from your international travel."

I would plan to interrupt the DONE4 and return SIN-BNE then return to SIN and resume within the 12months, which should be ok, as I read the rules?

She is correct in that you cannot use the AS codeshare. You would have to either buy a separate ticket or do something such as LAX-ORD-SEA

There is nothing wrong that I can see with your domestic sectors. Obviously you are only permitted 2 stopovers

I would query the benefit of using an agent; personally I would just use the AA ATW desk to book it . If you do use the agent, do make sure that the agent issues it through AA rather than QF to reduce the fuel fines

Dave

Thanks Dave!
I was interested to get the agent to quote, but will be comparing, never fear!
Looks like adding the -SEA- sector separately might be the best bet.

Or fly SFO-YVR on QF and go overland to SEA... I guess you realise that the itinerary is a long way from being mileage-maximised for those cities? (You'd do SYD-JFK... SFO-LHR for example for maximum miles, and you have 6 segments unused.)

Unfortunately, have only 3 weeks, AND a conference to actually attend! Planning to resume the SIN-HKG-oz sectors later will help, but unfortunately don't have time for Euro side trips this time! Should be a good help on the way to QF Plat though... :)

Assuming the ANC is a side trip, was some mention in another thread of a single flight number MIA-ANC this yr (presumably via DFW) - good for a few extra A class miles if true.

Wow, at 4004 miles, the longest NA segment I know of.

I remember SJU-ANC.

When is this MIA-ANC supposed to start? any link, or reference?

From the beginning of the ANC season (May 1) to June 13, AA278 goes MIA-DFW-ANC.

Thanks. I see it on the OW timetable now.

Continuing with the ANC leg, can I buy/issue an open-date ticket now with DFW-ANC-DFW included?

I'm planning to buy one for 2008.

Yes, you can buy a ticket with DFW-ANC-DFW open dated. However, you are not protected if they are not running it when you want or if they won't be running it next year.

Guys,
What do you think of:
BNE-SYD-JFK-SEA-DFW-ANC-DFW-SFO-LHR-SIN-HKG-MEL-PER-BNE

SYD-JFK on QF107 is one segment although stops at LAX
SFO-LHR is on the timetable as a non-stop with BA

is this possible with the US trans-con restrictions, or have I crossed the country too many times?

Nope - that's fine on the points you mentioned, but you're breaking the Australian trans-con rule:

I see! Forgot MEL is still on the East coast :)
Might have to look at CX from HKG to PER again, though I was trying to leave a couple of segments for local travel later......

CBR isn't, in case that helps.

And has excellent PER service (which isn't likely to be discontinued, for obvious reasons; the CL lounge is huge in CBR).

PER-ADL is the other alternative (a bit less useful).

Why not go ...HKG-ADL-PER-BNE ? No rule busters there. But you only have 3 segments in Australia, so you could make it HKG-MEL-ADL-PER-BNE as well.

Thanks for the good suggestions. I'll look at the MEL-PER-ADL-BNE and MEL-PER-CBR-BNE options!
If I really try, I might be able to finish in style with the Dash-8 run from CBR-BNE (although no J class!) :D

This is not for everybody but since QF nuked PER-MEL for me (after SYD-PER) I usually fly PER-CBR and then drive, either CBR-MEL or CBR-ADL-MEL. Beautiful country (Barossa Valley, Pacific Coast Highway, etc.) and a welcome change from all those airports, that get to me after a while.

As noted by headinclouds you have only used three SWP segment; one outbound and two on the return.

You have plenty of choice. To give you an idea, the following are all possible:

• -HKG-MEL-PER-ADL-BNE
• -HKG-PER-CNS-MEL-BNE
• -HKG-AKL-ADL-PER-BNE

All good ideas, thank you!
Is there a PER-CNS single segment flight? I couldn't see one when I looked?
Is it permissable to go from an Australian port to NZ then re-enter Australia?

Yes in general, but not if it breaks this rule:

Is this a unique definition of "style" that 'mericans aren't supposed to understand?

Duplicate, please delete.

Nope; Dash 8 is just a small QF aircraft.

Twice a week, QF1030 as Friday/Sunday night red-eyes. (QF1031 the return)

To enlarge on Viajero's post, not if you start in Oz. With a xONEx, once you re-enter the originating country (in this case Australia) the itinerary may not have any segments departing that country.

Also flown by Horizon(Q200 and Q400) here in the US. QF flies the Q300 and Q400(or the 400's have at least been ordered).

I realize that. I wondered why the poster's definition of "traveling in style" was such a thing while others use that term for first-class on a Cathay 744. (Or Qantas 744, for that matter)

QF fly the 100,300 and 400 versions

Dave

Maybe it's mattm199 ironic Aussie sense of humor.

I would read his post and assume a :p at the end ...

Really, CBR-SYD on a Dash-8 is more of a ½ hour Joy flight. Having done it a few times the novelty has worn off and I would never use such a segment as part of a xONEx.

Good thing I checked back here! :p
Yes, being dry indeed!
I think I will indeed take a 737 service from CBR-BNE to use the J cabin, although the better view of the scenery (including the Snowy Mountains) and the box lunch make for an amusing flight on the Dash-8! I recommend it for the novelty value alone! :p

(and for interest, am now booking BNE-SYD-JFK-SEA-DFW-ANC-DFW-SFO-LHR-SIN-HKG-MEL-PER-CBR-BNE which should make for a full three weeks, even with deferring the MEL-PER-CBR-BNE portion!)