AONEX ex-AKL / How to maximise F sectors?
 

I am planning a new AONE4 or even 5 ex-AKL as the price is good and it isn't too far from PER (other suggestions invited).

I will need to go to DEN, LON and MUC, however I am otherwise totally flexible. The trip will be over a short 4 weeks.

My goal is to maximise miles in as many F sectors as possible including QF A380 on LHR-SIN-SYD and perhaps SYD-LAX / CX new F and CX YVR-JFK or vice-versa.

I was thinking AKL-SYD-LHR-MUC-LHR-MCT-LHR-YVR-JFK-DEN-DFW-ANC-DFW-LAX-SYD-MEL-AKL. I'm not too bothered about losing North American sectors and even the LAX-SYD A380 if there are some good routes I can take within Asia.

I would appreciate any alternative suggestions please.

Many thanks,

Marcus.

A couple of comments.

First, I don't see JFK-DEN on any current timetable. It wouldn't be the first time I'm behind the curve, but I don't see it.

Second, "A" seats on DFW-ANC-DFW can be very hard to obtain, so your travel dates would be important. Remember it's just a seasonal (May - Sept.) service.

Third, it looks like JL is now running one 744 a day with F on SIN-NRT. SIN-NRT-SIN could be a good substitute for DFW-ANC-DFW in terms of miles/SCs, and would beat the bejeezus out of it in terms of service.

Taking those changes into account would give you something like AKL-SYD-SIN-NRT-SIN-LHR-MUC-LHR-MCT-LHR-YVR-JFK-DFW-DEN-LAX-SYD-AKL, dropping MEL. I think that's a few fewer miles than your itinerary, but more in international F due to the SIN-NRT loop.

Frankly, given the amount of money for an AONEx, I'd be tempted to drop the LHR-MUC legs and just do those on the side (no F on BA anyway on that route) and use those segments for something with more miles/amenity/adventure. You could add ANC back in, or even a second SIN-NRT return, for considerably more bang for the buck.

I think I would do the SIN run on the back end. Instead of LAX-SYD, I would consider something like like LAX-NRT-SIN-SYD. That way, you also get the A380 again. If the SIN flights are anything like the BKK flights, they are in the old coffins and nothing spectactular. That being said, they are more comfortable than an AA 757 or whatever AA uses to Anchorage.

I would probably suggest something more like AKL-SYD-LHR-MUC-LHR-MCT-LHR-YVR-JFK-DFW-DEN-LAX-HKG-NRT-SIN-SYD-AKL

One other point. If MCT is a turnaround, I would change it to Dubai. Besides the MCT flight being a lot longer due to a stop in AUH, Dubai is a nicer and more modern airport with more comprehensive transit facilities. If you're planning to stay, MCT is a more interesting area, IMO.

For QFF, MCT is a better turnaround than DXB as MCT is a zone higher and therefore a better SC earn.

Itinerary shows as OK in MM but routes are inputted manually in MM.

SYD-MEL is a waste of sector. You could throw something else into Aust that is more value. You have 12 months and 2 stop overs in the area where ticket is purchased (SWP).

[QUOTE=astonmartinv8;12135165]I am planning a new AONE4 or even 5 ex-AKL as the price is good and it isn't too far from PER (other suggestions invited).[QUOTE]

I am also planning a AONEX originating in NZ. However, in the last few weeks Oneworld increased the AONEX price by about 20%!!! It still offers good value but not the screamer it once did like the good old days of South Korea originator.

My proposed itinerary is currently AKL-SYD-LHR-DXB-LHR-LAX-ORD-DFW-LAX-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-NRT-SIN-HKG-AKL.

I have also tried to maximise true First segments but also seeking to optimise Status Credits (QF). Within the USA, I've chosen routes that offer three class aircraft (777 Int'l config ORD-DFW) or where possible 763 aircraft which offers greater comfort in First than a 757. The YVR-JFK was chosen specifically for the Int'l config CX flight. The only segment that I'm wasting potential First SCs is DFW-YVR (First sold as Biz).

One of the LHR segments will be used as a stopover where I plan to Eurostar/Eurail around France and Germany. My timeframe for this trip is over 12 months. The first half up to the second LAX will be ~ 4 weeks, at which point I will get an award flight back to Australia on A380 in biz. 10 months later will do the same back to LAX and resume the remainder of USA and Asia.

Based on the routing and status credits, this will qualify me for Platinum status (1400 SCs) in the first half of the trip (~50SCs short which I can make up easily), and requalify (1200 SCs) in the second half.

Hope this helps or gives you some ideas.

I did the DFW-ANC-DFW once, becuase i really wanted to spend some time in Alaska.
Just to get mileage/sectors i would not do it. Long flight, horrible local F seats which are worse than any business seat on CX or QF. Impossible to sleep. Service is typical AA, no nice lounges.

Gold_Member, AKL-SYD has no oneworld F, HKG-AKL has F only seasonally (assuming it returns northern winter) and LHR-MCT is better than LHR-DXB for QFF status credits (MCT is the only mid-east destination over 3600 miles from LHR with direct flights from LHR).

Hi Kiwi. Yep, know both of these facts already (thanks to this forum).

I was actually contemplating taking the OMG'oclock LAN flight from AKL-SYD simply for the bed, but the whole early morning thing just doesn't work for me so WF domestic biz it is, but at a reasonable time.

I actually looked into MCT into some detail in the interest of an additional 60SCs. I couldn't find anything at all that interested me aside from the resorts (which looked pretty shabby anyway) so decided to compromise with DXB which I'm sure will keep me busy for at least 3 days.

Agree with Unterwegs. ANC was only ever a status run and given the horrid flight times/conditions, not worth it IMHO.

Thanks all for the tips. Some modifications and we are at AKL-SYD-LHR-MCT-LHR-LAX-ORD-DFW-YVR-JFK-HKG-NRT-SIN-BKK-SIN-SYD-AKL.

Looking good so far. Added BKK as we fancy a trip there too.

Note that HKG-SIN-NRT-BKK-SIN is 1700 more base miles than the routing you chose with all still possible in F except BKK-SIN (which occasionally gets a 3-class plane but apparently only sold as 2-class these days).

A longer all-F run round Asia would be to go to CGK instead of BKK: HKG-CGK-HKG-NRT-SIN

I have done this run and I actually enjoyed it. Just make sure you have an EF side seat for the spectacular views.
The service was actually not that bad and between the chicken and the pasta I took the chicken. :rolleyes:
The seat is okay for the outbound as it is a day flight but of course the return is like in the bad old days.

How about AKL-SYD-LHR-MCT-LHR-LAX-MIA-DEN-MIA-JFK-HKG-NRT-BKK-NRT-SIN-SYD-AKL?

This gets you to DEN (where you wanted to go) as well as LON and BKK and has more miles / SCs than your current plan.

If ANC is really on the agenda, just spend the $$$ and buy a F ticket on AS. A much much much nicer experience. Crew are consistently great (the best you'll find in North America) and the seats on the AS 737s are better than the old crappy brown leather ones on the AA 757s. The AS lounges (Boardroom) are better than any AC or RCC. It means going via SFO or SEA, but a more civilised way to go. There is even the odd flight direct into FAI if that is important.

Noted, this is what I did last year come to think of it!! I agree with all of your observations.