[kpc]

In one of my previous posts, I mentioned that I'll be going to Washington DC and Glasgow next year for 2 meetings, and was planning a DONE! Well those plans have all gone pear-shaped as I'll now be travelling with my gf, plus my work travel funds have taken a heavy beating in recent times. So for the first time in a long time (I know, I know, don't all feel sorry for me!!) I will be travelling in Y...and I'm trying to make it as short as possible to minimise the agony!! The price difference between Y and J (more than 8K) for my gf's fare will more than cover 2 weeks' of very nice 5* accommodation plus all our meals (with plenty of shopping change to boot)...this is the only consolation!

My itinerary at this stage is:
QF 31 SYDLHR 1655 0640+1
QF 3476 (BA codeshare) LHRGLA 0955+1 1115+1
STOP
QF 3495 (BA codeshare) GLALHR 1845 1945
STOP
BA 293 LHRIAD 1710 2010
STOP
QF 3082 (AA codeshare) IADLAX 1755 2030
QF 12 LAXSYD 2230 0605+2

I have some Qs please:
1) As a QF Gold, can I request specific seats in Y? or is that only for WPs? (BTW, if I had done the trip as a DONE, I'll be more than 1/2 way to WP) Can I request emergency exit seats? (I promise to volunteer my services if medical assistance is required inflight, but my "fee" will be a new seat in the next cabin). Any seat recommedations?

2) I might see if I can use points to upgrade to Y+; anyone know how much this will cost from Syd to LHR? Can't seem to find it on the QF website!

3) Can my gf (QF NB) check in with me at the business class counter (QF in Syd, BA in LHR and GLA, and AA in IAD)? I should check in her luggage as mine to get priority baggage tags, right?

4) I have 3.5 hours in transit at LHR...is that enough time to transfer to a UK domestic flight (T5)? I presume I will have to collect my luggage at LHR and recheck it. Do I have to lug it to terminal 5, or can I check it in at my arriival terminal (4). I suppose I can wait it out at the BA executive lounge at T5 if I don't need the full 3.5 hours for the transit through LHR. Does it have a shower - I'll need it desparately by then?

5) Does the AA flight (codeshare QF 3082) to LAX from IAD arrive at the same terminal that QF12 departs LAX for SYD? Will I be able to check my bags all the way from IAD to SYD, or do I have to collect it, and recheck them in LAX?

6) Any tips to make this trip more pleasant? or should I just cancel it as it will be hell!?

7) Is there any point in signing up my gf for the AA challenge? (she really only travels with me but I guess OW Sapphire may be useful for her). Will she make the challenge after this trip??

Thanks for all your help...I don't want to develop insomnia worrying about this ATW trip in Y....I always have insomnia when I travel long haul, even in J!

[Mal]

Here's my take on your questions:

1) Yep. should be able to request seats, but not Emergency Exits.

2) AFAIK, Qantas hasn't released details yet.

3) Yes.

4) Sounds ok to me. Not sure about the specifics and T5 hasn't opened yet so not everything is known about what it will be like.

5) Not sure about the terminals, but I can't see checking the baggage through as being an issue. Worst that will occur is a terminal change and rescreening through TSA.

6) Not all flying in Y is hell, but yeah it can be uncomfy at times.

7) AA challenge only counts AA flight numbers, so unless you want to rejig the itinerary to include AA flights, then it will have no practical use.

[jpk]

2. should be do-able, but QF Y+ details still thin in relation to upgrade costs. you used to be able to upgrade LONE* BA sectors to WT+ by paying a surcharge, i can't remember how much or if this is still possible, but could be worth looking into.

3. have had no problems with this in the past.

4. should be fine, although i wouldn't allow any less. should be able to thru-check luggage, but i would check the boards for how well BA transfer luggage is going first (currently high risk of loss). T5 will have nice lounges and definitely nice showers too - it will be a pleasant place to wait for sure.

6. maybe go IAD-JFK on AA, then go JFK-LAX on QF ?? its an extra flight so adds some complexity and time, but transcon on QF would be nicer than AA domestic.

it won't suck anywhere near as much as you think it will, especially if you are with another person (to either stop you getting frustrated or to take your frustrations out on). IMO you are doing the right thing by spending $ on hotels rather than flights. would rather fly Y and 5* hotel, than fly J and 3* (or less) hotel. IME girls are more impressed with nice hotels than they are flying J.

hope you have a good trip.....

JK.

[QF009]

Am hoping for LONEx and LGLOBx rules to be altered to include upgrades to whY+ on QF before I issue my ticket (yes an actual enhancement would be nice!). I've got QF HKG-MEL in my LLGLOB26 and it'd be lovely to sample the new product for that one.

[Dave Noble]

Originally Posted by kpc

7) Is there any point in signing up my gf for the AA challenge? (she really only travels with me but I guess OW Sapphire may be useful for her). Will she make the challenge after this trip??

To get best value out of challenge; switch the LHR-IAD to use AA rather than BA. Use the AA flightnumber IAD-LAX and the AA codeshare on QF12 to MEL

Dave

[bambbbam2]

6) Stilnox or Xanax

[QF009]

Originally Posted by Dave Noble

To get best value out of challenge; switch the LHR-IAD to use AA rather than BA.

He'd have to reroute to be on AA as they don't do LHR-IAD directly, probably via BOS or JFK. Probably a better idea to fly into DCA too if you need to actually be in downtown WAS.

[kpc]

Thanks all for your advice and hints

Originally Posted by jpk

IMO you are doing the right thing by spending $ on hotels rather than flights. would rather fly Y and 5* hotel, than fly J and 3* (or less) hotel.

That's exactly my thinking...

Anyone got an answer for my Q)5...i.e. do I need to change terminals at LAX?

Thanks again...

[QF009]

IIRC AA flights and QF flights to SYD use T4 at LAX and so you wouldn't need to switch terminals. You should be able to check yourself and your bags all the way through as it's a dom-intl connection and the bookings are all on the same ticket. You'd need to reissue your BPs at LAX on to QF paper for the API.

[serfty]

Originally Posted by kpc

... 5) Does the AA flight (codeshare QF 3082) to LAX from IAD arrive at the same terminal that QF12 departs LAX for SYD? Will I be able to check my bags all the way from IAD to SYD, or do I have to collect it, and recheck them in LAX? ...

QF12 is a Sydney flight and should depart from Terminal 4 - the same terminal the AA flight arrives at.