Sincere apologies for such a dumb question. I’ve never been to the US, but will be going to New York soon.
I am looking to book two flights, one from New York to Toronto, and one from Toronto to Chicago.
What’s the best way in making this booking please? I am a gold QFF, and hoping to make a booking where I can access a Oneworld lounge. I tried the Qantas multi city booking page, but it keeps coming up with an error.
I suspect I will need to book directly on American Airlines? But is there any way of earning qantas points/status credits if I book through AA? Or is there another company anyone can recommend?
Just book directly through AA on an AA ticket, pretty much all of their tickets earn points and credits even on an AA ticket, and you will also get lounge access (assuming both airports have AA/OW lounges). AA have an Australian website in AUD too which is great.
Just make sure you put your Qantas FF number into the booking. I do it all the time, also via Expedia. Remember to keep your boarding passes, throw them out once the points / SC credit to your Qantas account. They have that down pat these days, it only takes a couple of days.
Just book directly through AA on an AA ticket, pretty much all of their tickets earn points and credits even on an AA ticket, and you will also get lounge access (assuming both airports have AA/OW lounges). AA have an Australian website in AUD too which is great.
As a little tip, try searching for your flights in both USD and AUD. I booked some North American flights recently and found the price was actually cheaper in AUD by about 5%, and that's before taking into account things like international transaction fees on credit cards for booking in USD (which would make it more like 8%, if your card has that).
I'd start with Skyscanner to get an idea of the market before moving to the AA website. I know that you want lounge access and points etc but it's good to be informed as to the premium you might be paying for that.
I recently booked direct with AA and it worked perfectly. Definitely put in your FF#, it gets you points and status but also promotes you up the boarding group order.
If you fly out of JFK you can also access the better AA lounges. I also once did a multi-leg flight with AA, and goin gfirst/business was aonly $100 more and l reaped a hell of a lot more status credits.
Just take a photo of all you AA boarding passes, but generally AA is really quick in loading up your points and status credits.
Totally agree with Chris. My bookings with AA.com as always been via the Australian website, price is cheaper and no international transaction fees and very reliable. However, i always do a comparison on orbitz to see if any other major airline was more affordable (first).
Being QF member, you get access to Admirals with few free drinks tickets thrown in, and if you tip the bartender, you may get more free drinks. Otherwise their lounges are not worth visiting
I’m QFF Gold as well but for those flights I would forget about AA/oneworld altogether and book with Porter Airlines who in my experience are fantastic value. They fly to/from smaller airports but YTZ is so close to downtown Toronto (with free shuttles - insanely convenient), and EWR in NY/NJ and MDW in Chicago are also easier to get to the respective city centres than JFK/ORD. AA lounges are nothing special and I’d bet on Porter being a lot cheaper too.
1) you’re aware that Toronto is in Canada and not in any way a “US Domestic flight,” right? Sorry - as a Canadian - s’pretty offensive.
2) check Porter Airlines - a Canadian boutique airline that flies in and out of Toronto City Airport. Your flights are so short that any points accrual is negligible and this airport’s convenience and proximity negate any bonus a terrible regional AA lounge might give you. Fares are usually pretty reasonable, and when you land at YTZ, you literally walk out of the airport into what is essentially downtown Toronto. Plus the landing is absolutely epic for views of the skyline.
1) you’re aware that Toronto is in Canada and not in any way a “US Domestic flight,” right? Sorry - as a Canadian - s’pretty offensive.
2) check Porter Airlines - a Canadian boutique airline that flies in and out of Toronto City Airport. Your flights are so short that any points accrual is negligible and this airport’s convenience and proximity negate any bonus a terrible regional AA lounge might give you. Fares are usually pretty reasonable, and when you land at YTZ, you literally walk out of the airport into what is essentially downtown Toronto. Plus the landing is absolutely epic for views of the skyline.
Good point!
One thing to note though, when leaving Canada for the US one real bonus is the preclearance of US immigration and customs at the Canadian port of departure. It’s saves a huge amount of time and frustration at the US end of the trip. Pearson (the main Toronto airport)does has it but Billy Bishop (the city airport) doesn’t. Which means when you land in Chicago you’ll have to go through US immigration there.
Pearson does have a small but very modern and nice AA lounge. I was there in July, doing the same flight to Chicago.
There is an official website that only charges Usd$14.
This being your first trip to the US, on your departure from an Aust airport, you will face some questions, usually at the gate prior to you getting onto the plane, and then on your arrival.
The US C&BP procedure scares me, so I have not ever even considered visiting the US, but you have to to go, so will have to face their quesionings.
Read up on what is expected, and watch the Youtube videos too, silly of me to say this.
People have have visited more than once, will have it a bit easier I guess, on entry, as they know what to expect.
On the ESTA note … Make sure you get your eTA for Canada as well.
I was caught at LAX in July, having driven out of Canada in June following a cruise ship arrival to fly out to Australia.
Arriving on a through ticket at LAX on my July return, Air Canada advised that to fly into Canada the eTA was required for TSA to allow boarding and provided me with a card nominating the (supposed) Canadian government website for on-line application.
I hurriedly did the application and provided CC details …. and was charged USD99 (AUD138} for a $7 visa fee.
I suspect Air Canada or it's employees are colluding with a third party to rip off unaware travellers.
Just book directly through AA on an AA ticket, pretty much all of their tickets earn points and credits even on an AA ticket, and you will also get lounge access (assuming both airports have AA/OW lounges). AA have an Australian website in AUD too which is great.
If you are going to book directly with AA online, don't use AA's AU website. It has less options and charges more.
Nichokiu
Nichokiu
Member since 13 Apr 2018
Total posts 25
Hi all,
mannej
mannej
QF
Member since 21 May 2014
Total posts 176
You cannot book the QF codeshares within America on a standalone ticket - it needs to be booked with a QF flight to/from Australia.
AA flights will earn points and sc provided they are booked within the following classes
jeppetto367
jeppetto367
Member since 06 Jun 2017
Total posts 46
Just book directly through AA on an AA ticket, pretty much all of their tickets earn points and credits even on an AA ticket, and you will also get lounge access (assuming both airports have AA/OW lounges). AA have an Australian website in AUD too which is great.
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
Just make sure you put your Qantas FF number into the booking. I do it all the time, also via Expedia. Remember to keep your boarding passes, throw them out once the points / SC credit to your Qantas account. They have that down pat these days, it only takes a couple of days.
Chris C.
Chris C.
Member since 24 Apr 2012
Total posts 1,116
As a little tip, try searching for your flights in both USD and AUD. I booked some North American flights recently and found the price was actually cheaper in AUD by about 5%, and that's before taking into account things like international transaction fees on credit cards for booking in USD (which would make it more like 8%, if your card has that).
henri9
henri9
Member since 24 Apr 2018
Total posts 14
I'd start with Skyscanner to get an idea of the market before moving to the AA website. I know that you want lounge access and points etc but it's good to be informed as to the premium you might be paying for that.
Steve987
Steve987
Member since 23 Feb 2015
Total posts 268
I recently booked direct with AA and it worked perfectly. Definitely put in your FF#, it gets you points and status but also promotes you up the boarding group order.
MaximillianW
MaximillianW
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 14 Dec 2016
Total posts 47
If you fly out of JFK you can also access the better AA lounges. I also once did a multi-leg flight with AA, and goin gfirst/business was aonly $100 more and l reaped a hell of a lot more status credits.
Just take a photo of all you AA boarding passes, but generally AA is really quick in loading up your points and status credits.
mspcooper
mspcooper
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 09 May 2013
Total posts 442
Totally agree with Chris. My bookings with AA.com as always been via the Australian website, price is cheaper and no international transaction fees and very reliable. However, i always do a comparison on orbitz to see if any other major airline was more affordable (first).
zigmund
zigmund
Member since 06 Sep 2018
Total posts 1
I’m QFF Gold as well but for those flights I would forget about AA/oneworld altogether and book with Porter Airlines who in my experience are fantastic value. They fly to/from smaller airports but YTZ is so close to downtown Toronto (with free shuttles - insanely convenient), and EWR in NY/NJ and MDW in Chicago are also easier to get to the respective city centres than JFK/ORD. AA lounges are nothing special and I’d bet on Porter being a lot cheaper too.
Mjkcan
Mjkcan
Singapore Airlines - KrisFlyer
Member since 14 Jun 2017
Total posts 60
Couple of things:
aggie57
aggie57
QF
Member since 04 Apr 2014
Total posts 136
Good point!
Andrew Barkery
Andrew Barkery
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Mar 2011
Total posts 433
Make sure you get your US ESTA too.
Rotten
Rotten
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
Member since 21 Jul 2018
Total posts 6
Himeno
Himeno
Member since 12 Dec 2012
Total posts 295
If you are going to book directly with AA online, don't use AA's AU website. It has less options and charges more.