Here's a short update!

Turns out our travel dept IS aware of the Circle Pac fares (whew) - it's just our website for self-managing bookings gives the impression that we're paying $15K for a business class ticket -- when in reality (behind the scenes, I'm told) - the reservation gets shunted to a team of experts (I shudder a bit) who then reprice and work towarrds getting the best fare available.

Thus - I'm now booked to be flying from DFW/LAX/BNE/MEL on 4 July (no fireworks for me) --and return on 3 Sep MEL/NRT (stay over 1 night)/DFW. And I'll be using my eVIP to bump up the NRT/DFW segment to First. I've not seen the total fare yet -- but I believe we're getting a DIRC22 ex DFW.

Thanks again to all for your suggestions!

That is only an option if you intend to pay for it in person at AA's office in HKG. They do not accept more than USD1000 via CC over the phone. Someone I know found that out after playing musical chairs with AA offices in the region for his DCIR.

ex-MNL could be a good option. AA GSA there (Airesources) quite capable of issuing tix remotely. Ex-MNL also has a lower base price for DCIRxx. Alternatively you could ticket the ex-HKG fare with the office in MNL. Note though that Airesources only accepts bank transfers if paying remotely.

One more question - why are you taking QF176 to BNE, rather than QF26 to MEL, via Auckland?

Going via Brisbane, you'll come into the international terminal, then have to schlepp over to the domestic terminal for the flight to MEL. If you take QF26, it goes 'direct' to MEL, with a stop in AKL. I'd rather go for a walk in AKL to the Qantas Club and then back on the plane and then deal with immigration and customs in MEL, rather than do it in BNE and then have to get over to the other terminal for a domestic flight (on an inferior plane).

QF009, many thanks for the input. I haven't (yet) ticketed anything ex-HKG - so was unaware that it was yet another location where AA cannot get its act together when it comes to taking credit cards.

I thought about mentioning MNL, as that came up in another thread recently and it is, indeed, somewhat cheaper. However, I'm not sure how well it would fit in to the routing if you're really trying to get from DFW to MEL. There's no direct service MNL-MEL and I suspect routing through SYD (if it can be done) would push it over the DCIR22 limit.

I don't know if you've transitted NRT before but there are a bunch of hotels within a short bus ride of the terminal. As it's Japan, it's very 'organized' - just figure out which bus stop number your hotel's shuttle bus goes from and walk outside and over to the stop. We usually stay at the Hilton but YMMV depending on your hotel preferences. The Hilton bus goes from stop 26 outside terminal 2 at 10, 30 and 50 minutes past the hour (at the time you get in from MEL).

OK, forget that!

QF26 seems to be switching back and forth between a 330 and a 743. The 330 is fine and has the current Skybed seats (which I like and would say are about as good as anybody's J seats). The 743 is an old, clapped-out 747-300 with the old Dreamtime cradle seats .... and of course July 4 is scheduled to be a 743. Go through Brisbane and avoid the 743 at all costs. If you can find a day that they're using the 330 and that has availability, I'd switch days.

Edited to add: There's 1 seat available on QF26 on Sunday, July 6 when it's scheduled to be a 332; nothing on the other days +/- July 4.

I was/am actually hoping to get on the non-stop/one stop from LAX/MEL (right now "D" inventory was not available) - hence, the routing LAX/BNE/MEL.

We'll see how it looks on Friday (although, I'm wondering if it'll be more of a hassle, as I will be checking my baggage in Dallas through to Melbourne (now on the LAX/BNE/MEL) - and if by some chance I get on the LAX/MEL one stop flight -- not sure if they'd be able to make the baggage change/pull in LAX (although - I do have a 4 hour layover after DFW flight arrives early evening on Friday..) - Something to ponder.

And - a question - I'm assuming that once I clear imigration in Brisbane, I'll recheck my baggage before I "schlep" :-) over to the domestic terminal... or do I need to schlep the baggage with me from the International Terminal to the Domestic terminal and re-check them there?

And on a work note - just found out my client expects us to wear ties...(and sometimes, egads - a suit!) (as a consultant, it's been literally decades since I've worn a tie to work). Gonna dust off the ties in the closet - who knows, perhaps what I wore back in the 1990's has come back in fashion! :D

Penned this week from warm and muggy Orlando - down here on vacation with my partner for the week (and visiting with our friends from Ireland who've brought their children to see Mickey and friends). Gonna soak up my warm weather this week - as I see it's just the start of "winter" in Melbourne - no more warm days for a few months!

Safe travel week to everyone!

Never transited - just flew in to work for a few months at a time -- I remember taking the Narita Express to the central station (I think), and then a cab to our hotel in Shinjuku (the Hilton).

For this trip - I fly in on 1 Sep at 7pm - since I need to do the 24 hour stopover, nothing flys to DFW on 2 Sep after 7pm, so I'll be there until 3 Sep, afterwhich I'll be taking the DFW/NRT flight. (and whoo hoo - already cleared the e-vip to First).

For my 2 days at Narita - I believe I'll be staying at the Airport Hilton; gonna take the train into town probably on the 2nd for a day trip of wondering about (and checking the latest electronics in Akihabari (sp?)). I still wanna get one of those Phillips heated electronic toilet seats that squirts water to clean up, ahem, one's bum.

Yup, we had wild winds over the weekend down here in Melbourne. Bit grey today but not much rain. Getting colder though.

ExecPlatinum_Lord, you'll find all electronic stores have the toilet seat thingies. Top floor of most Yobidashi stores (think electronic heaven - 8 floors of everything electronic). They're not cheap!! You were probably thinking of Akihabara. I was in Tokyo in February - loved it!

And yeah suits are pretty common with the consultant/executive folk here and in Sydney. Hopefully you'll have enough influence to change that. ;)

You will need to get your bags to the domestic terminal. There is a train between the terminals (the same train that comes from the city) and is free when you show your QF boarding pass. Then you will need to re-check your bags at the domestic terminal.

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They are also popular with undertakers and real estate agents. No one else though. I believe they are also popular in Melbourne - but they are a strange mob down there.

Car salesman too! Was interesting sitting across the table from a kid wearing a cheap suit, not much older than my own son (the kid, not the suit), while I am wearing shorts and a t-shirt (yes, winter is yet to hit Brisbane this year), negotiating the deal for a new car.

And I even had to wear a suit back in April :eek: Most days I don't even wear shoes "at the office" :cool:.

And in the Kebab shop in bundaberg last sunday i was served by a young fellow in a suit and tie.My we are cultured up here in QLD.