Hi folks - this is a weird one.

I have a friend, a complete Luddite in terms of maximising the benefits of regular air travel, that want's to take her son on a RTW trip of a lifetime. He recently lost his father.

(She is also a complete Luddite when it comes to internet access, she needs to ask how to turn on a computer, so was completely bamboozled when I suggested she become a member of FT - she asked "What is a bulletin board!" So any replies that I get I will be printing out, taking to her, and then getting her response and then posting back here - so expect some delays)

I suggested that she join a program (initially AA, but after finding out about about her travel patterns - a fair bit of DJ domestically in Australia - I think QF WP status would be best, as she will be able to access QP's under the anytime access policy) and at the same time join the ranks of frequent flyers and earn points and status for the trip.

She's a great person and has a flexible itinerary outside of visiting HKG, YVR, SFO, LHR and CNS. I'd like to see her and her son make Platinum from the trip so hope you guys can massage the following ITN to make sure they do.

I understand she will book into QF code shares where possible to max her return. The trip is an AONE4 so easily done I think. Can I also have some input relating to NA DOM travel in F maxing out the use of INT equipment over the DOM F Class.

Current itinerary is as follows:

One potential problem I can see is the SYD-CNS-SYD at the end, given the AONE4 starts in SYD, is a SYD-CNS-SYD allowed after arriving in SYD on the SIN-SYD sector?

If this is an issue, perhaps instead of SIN-QF-SYD, maybe SIN-QF-BNE, using a red-e-deal for BNE-SYD (to get home), then a red e-deal SYD-BNE to resume the AONE4 BNE-CNS-SYD.

As I mentioned, I am merely passing this on, I am by no means an expert on the xONEx rules, having never needed to do one.

As mentioned, Suzie flies a lot on DJ, and can benefit from WP status with QF, so looking to maximise QF status, namely WP.

Also, as mentioned (a couple of times) I am passing this on - I will collate replies, pass them on to Suzie, get feedback, and then come back, so expect some delays in responses.

Dave

To maximise earning for QFF she wants QF, BA or AA flight numbers where possible, and as usual operating airline code is better than using a codeshare.

For NA domestic the better first class is mainly the LAX/SFO trans-cons and some intra-hub flights (between ORD, DFW and perhaps also MIA).

She may need to be flexible for travel over Christmas and lunar new year periods.

Something as simple as SYD-HKG-jfk-YVR-dfw-SFO-LHR-SYD-CNS-SYD appears to meet the requirements and qualifies QF WP from scratch - only YVR-DFW-SFO and SYD-CNS-SYD don't have longhaul first class. (YVR-SFO can be done on QF if schedule/season permits).

With only 8 or 9 flights there is plenty of scope for extra travel, but the north america transcon is already used up (JFK-YVR) as is the 2 stopovers in continent of origin (and 2 of the 4 permitted flights - any extras cannot include NZ). Another 11 or 12 flights can be included for free (max 4 in asia, 4 in europe, 3 or 4 in north america, 2 in australia).

One thing to be aware of is that even though the rules do not specifcally prevent such a routing as SYD-...-SYD-CNS-SYD, there have been reports that some TA's and Airline Agents will not book such an itinerary.

(Several years ago, the rules DID spefically state that returning to the point of origin would end the itinery. This is no longer the case)

I have no personal experience to compare first-class service between airlines and flights, so the following is a very unqualified suggestion, but if mileage maximization is a subgoal and a extra flight hours is not a concern, perhaps making SYD-NYC on QF, LAX-LHR or YVR-LHR on BA, LHR-HKG on CX, and HKG-SYD on QF as the transcontinental legs would be worth considering. Or HKG-AKL on CX if they haven't been to New Zealand.

The itinerary in your original post isn't valid as it enters Asia twice.

And Katoomba is indeed a lovely place (even when it's raining and misty like it was when we were there in June -- part of our DONE4).

It's OK so long as the LHR-SIN & SIN-SYD have just a transit in SIN.

Two entries are permitted in Asia as long as one is a transit without stopover between Europe and SWP.

Ok, thanks for this so far.

I received a query about maximising QF miles by using QF flights or code-shares using QF flight numbers, I explained that as long as the booked flight carried a QF, AA or BA flight number, then status bonuses would kick in (and based on the intended itinerary, they will start to kick in fairly quickly).

Will keep monitoring, will keep on passing feedback to my friend, I will anser any queries she has which I can answer, and will pass on anything I cn't answer to this forum

Dave

You should have popped into the Australia & South Pacific Forum and let us all know your planned itinerary - if I had known you were in the mountains, we could have organised something.

Dave

Ok, the itinerary has been (sort of) settled. I will keep on making suggestions, but the following has been booked (my notes are in italics):

SYD-SFO QF 73
I'm wondering whether it would be more advantageous to book under the AA 7381 code. Some agents will ticket based on the first carrier, if the first stage is QF it will be on an 081 ticket, and QF fuel fines will apply, if on the AA code it will be on a 001 ticket with AA fuel fines - will this be an issue?)

SFO-LAX AA 1943

LAX-ORD AA 88
The only flight with decent equipment - a 763 - everything else is M83 or 757

ORD-LAX AA 55
See above

LAX-LHR BA 282

LHR-HKG CX 252 Waitlisted in A class
Wants to avoid the A340. Have suggested the QF 30, operates to similar times, but wants to try different OW carriers. Have also suggested AY, LHR-HEL-HKG as an alternative option.

HKG-MEL QF 30

The rest are domestic Australian flights, MEL-CNS-MEL-BNE-SYD, resulting in a total of eleven sectors, so have nine sectors up her sleeve. Any thoughts?

The goal is to get QF Platinum status, which should be achieved after stage 10 (MEL-BNE).

Any thing else I should pass on to her? If so, please post it and I will pass it on, and get back to you all.

Dave

Be aware that AY has no F, just J and Y, so a bit of a waste on an AONE4.

Which of these are stopovers? You're only allowed 2 in the continent of origin - are the stopovers CNS and BNE? If so, why fly into MEL? Returning to the point of origin (SYD) is permitted and does not end the itinerary.

I presume for the extra points and SCs. Both SYD-CNS and MEL-CNS are zone 3 for QFF earning (and BNE-CNS is not). MEL is easier to transfer than SYD, so it makes sense to me.

Oops - I should have been clearer - it should read:

HKG-X/MEL-CNS-MEL-X/BNE-SYD

One query though, the Brisbane stop will be overnight, but less than 24 hours. For domestic fares, QF regards this as a stopover, does QF apply this rule to an xONEx fare?

Any thoughts on whether the QF or AA code should be used for SYD-SFO to start it all off?

Also, which carriers tickets should be used - I'm leaning towards AA, in order to save on fuel fines.

Dave

Isn't this a code share on Alaska Airlines? If so, it's not allowed on an XONEX.

Never mind - It appears tt7 is right (see next post).

No, I think that's just a regular AA flight; the AS codeshare flight numbers are in the 70xx series.