Help Me Decide How To Get Home From The U.S

by Zac George
a city with a river and a city in the distance

I’m currently trying to plan how I’m going to get home from my next trip which starts next week and I’m running into a few problems with availability, but ultimately I want to fly home with some interesting routing, as one does.

There are a few options I’ve thought of, and I’ll list them below.

Virgin Australia 777 Business Class

I was originally planning to fly home on Virgin’s Business Class, but lately, they haven’t been releasing many awards Ex-LAX which would affect me getting home. Sadly VA doesn’t open up seats as Platinum like Qantas do, I’ve already tried sweet talking, and that didn’t help.

a seat with a screen on it

Virgin Australia Business Class

Qantas A380/747 Business Class

The other more direct option would be Qantas Business Class to either Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne. If you’re familiar with using miles and points, you’ll know Qantas Business Class is very difficult to get long-haul, Unless you’re Platinum or higher. I could request a seat to be opened on all three routes but the product isn’t as exciting as some of the other on the list, but it’s always an option.

a woman sitting in a chair with a plate of food and a glass of wine

Qantas Skybed MK||

Qatar 777 Business Class

I’ve flown Qatar A350 Business Class before, and it was fantastic. I haven’t yet flown their 777 but would be interested in seeing what it’s like even though the seats are sub-par. What I could also do is instead of flying into Aus, I could fly to NZ and do the longest flight in the world, now that’s a loooooonnnngggg trip!

inside an airplane with a bed and chairs

Qatar Airways 777-200LR Business Class

Etihad A380/787/777 First Class

You know I’m a sucker for Etihad. I’m very tempted to do them home as that would make me 3/4 of the way to Platinum, but I’ve already reviewed the A380 and 787. I could do the 777 home as availability is good opposed to the A380 from JFK. I also love flying in the 787 and prefer it’s First suites over it’s brothers. Tempting…

a plane with seats and a television

Etihad 787 First Class

Japan Airlines 777 First Class

I was supposed to be flying JAL First over to the U.S., but someone took the damn seat. There is availability out of LAX when I need to depart, and it’s a product I’ve wanted to try for a while now. I could also request a QF seat be opened to get home from NRT which wouldn’t be hard to do. Decisions..Decisions…

a man sitting in a chair with a drink and a glass in his hand

Japan Airlines First Class

Vote here and if you have a suggestion feel free to let me know.

[socialpoll id=”2420984″]

 

 

 

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9 comments

MattJ February 17, 2017 - 11:56 pm

Japan Airlines or do VA’s The Business!

Otherwise

Air France 777 La Premiere.

Bernie February 18, 2017 - 9:57 am

At this point, I really want someone I know to do AC35. Try them!

fresh February 18, 2017 - 10:54 am

damn, commented on the other before i saw this post.

may swell just repeat it
would be cool for china southern First or business A380 as they look like great hard products
or china eastern F to see the double bed.

jody February 19, 2017 - 9:58 am

Got a way to go SkyTeam? Try and snag a seat on China Airlines. You won’t get a good deal since DL (if that’s the route you take) doesn’t allow routings to AU via Asia, but the 777 product ex-LAX looks amazing.

Stefan Krasowski (@rapidtravelchai) February 20, 2017 - 8:05 am

Jody – DL websites does not, DL agents do, piece together the segments and call. I booked several US via Asia to AU last year on various of their partners.

jody February 20, 2017 - 7:56 pm

Stefan, you’re correct in that the agents can definitely make this work, however, you will pay as if you booked two one ways. This is because DL’s routing rules (like AA) will not allow you to transit Asia en-route to Australia. This is to force you onto theirs or VA’s metal ex-LA.

Stefan Krasowski (@rapidtravelchai) February 21, 2017 - 1:48 am

Jody, not all agents know what they are doing but in 2016 I booked 4 one-ways for myself via Asia in economy all for 45,000 each, 4 one-ways for my wife via Asia in business all for 95,000 each, in 2017 I have 2 one-ways again for myself booked for 45,000 each. These are are all NYC-CNS/BNE/SYD/MEL/PER. The only ones I have not not been able to add the VA domestic segment at same pricing is PER-CCK/XCH which are a hassle for booking with any VA partner, and I have tried nearly them all, in those case I get to PER for 45,000 and have to add 22,500. Of the above, none have DL or VA TPAC AU flight, they used combinations of DL, KE, MU, MF, CZ, CI and GA and VN. It helps that I am Diamond Medallion and can more readily access competent agents. One strategy you can try if not getting good agents is issue the US-Asia first half, then with the 24-hour no risk cancellation, call back to add the Asia-AU and that often reprices correctly.

jody February 21, 2017 - 6:27 am

Stefan, lucky you then. I am also diamond and haven’t had such luck.

Here’s a whole thread about it:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/delta-air-lines-skymiles/1752529-new-mileage-routing-restrictions-oz-now-impossible-go-via-asia.html

Stefan Krasowski (@rapidtravelchai) February 21, 2017 - 12:52 pm

I wasn’t even aware people were having issues, most times just feed the segments and priced out fine. This year I am determined to make it for the red crab migration.

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