Trying to get United Airlines award to tlv

[Thetcgang]

So I unfortunately missed 42,500 miles flights from Tel Aviv to Newark and now the flight is either $1800 For the trip or 82500 miles. I was able to get the first flight for the 42,500 miles.Been checking every day with my United card to see if the flight will go down but no luck so far. Trip is 4.5 weeks away.

So was wondering how to play this.

I get another week and a half to keep trying before the three-week increased cost goes up. I can try booking a flight back round-trip from Tel Aviv to Newark and back to Tel Aviv Using Chase Reserve points, and since the flight is over a few weeks, round trip price goes down overall to $970, meaning it would cost me 64,600 Chase reserve points, better deal than the 82,500 united miles plus I can cancel the second part of the flight and only have a $75 change fee, Leaving me with a likely $250 credit.

Anyone have any other thoughts?

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[bmw]

you cant cancel second part of trip to refund the miles, only to make a change

[Dan]

Travel date?

[Thetcgang]

November 16th, 1110  tlv to ewr.

Was also wondering if there is added visualization with a club card or premier (dont have either, but can get the former) over the regular explorer card.

Ok, if I only get credit to spend in the year.

[Dan]

How is the change fee only $75 on the CSR redemption?

You can't take the 1135am flight? Much better flight in coach...

[Thetcgang]

Only there 2 days for yartziet... would luv to stay longer but wife is resistant.. something about having little kids at home.. . Otherwise, I wouldn't have issue, so trying to squeeze as much time as possible.

I was told by United that if its greater than 60 days booked with mileage, it is $75, $125 less than 60 days.

If done with $, it would be a 200-300 change fee

[Dan]

CSR points is cash. Chase buys the ticket for you with their points.

[Thetcgang]

hmm. so more complicated and not sure if I can swing this that way.  If I cancel, they said would be $300 and maybe charge me more like a one way.. back into my $1800 flight.

Any advice?

I can still wait out and pray for a flight drop back to 42.5K...

[aygart]

Take a flight with a stopover

[Thetcgang]

Sorry, pls elaborate, how does the stopover help?


Also, would the club card give me more availability that the explorer?

[aygart]

Sorry, pls elaborate, how does the stopover help?


Also, would the club card give me more availability that the explorer?

There is often much more availability with a stopover on partners than on the direct flight.

[shapsam]

there's availability on nov/16 on swiss and austrian with good connections for 42.5k. you can also fly business class on austrian for 80k

[Thetcgang]

Thanks so much!

Pardon my ignorance, how do I find these links? short stops? its friday....

and I dont have to use united solely.. have a lot of chase points too... 

[moe8555]

and I dont have to use united solely.. have a lot of chase points too...

Why not just book the cheapest workable option you find, either CSR or cash?  Aeroflot usually has decent one-way fares.

[ExGingi]

nov 16 2017 is on a thursday. when searching just make sure that "nonstop only" in NOT checked off and you should see all the flights including with connections.

As noted above. OP wanted to take a night flight (and was probably planning to arrive Friday morning).

The alternative to that would be to book (using 42.5k United miles) a TK (Turkish Airlines) flight leaving 11/17 at 1am, connecting in IST to a flight to JFK arriving at 11:35am.

[Thetcgang]

Really appreciate everyone's time and effort.

So I am still undecided.

1)  While I would love the Austrian Business class, I live in NJ and 245 at JFK is not an option for me

2)  Yes I would like to fly in to Newark on a night flight, that would be perfect. Turkish flight at 42.5K may do it...!
- as I am only in Israel from Tuesday afternoon, not really enthusiastic about leaving early am on Thursday. 

3) Still not sure how to make flights with multiple stopovers, and if this would get me better visual of an award.  I am though limited in time as am not comfortable arriving in the afternoon, especially after a layover that may leave in Europe over the weekend

4) Still wondering if I upgrade to this expensive UH club card (dont really need club), would get me better visualization of awards.  Doesn't seem so. Getting my direct United flight at 1110 to EWR from TLV at 42.5k is still a hope and maybe a dream. 

I am watching seats, 105 left, seems they sometimes open up the day of and I can wait till I am in TLV and book and the day of, pay the $75 extra but get flight of choice, maybe.  Club card will save me $150 and I can downgrade with refund of fee?

5) Any validity in my original thought: open up a full round trip and only take the front end?  Will cost me the 64K CSR, but better than 82.5 even if I lose the second part of the flight (no credit, or they charge me $300 for $315 flight)  Unless they turn the first part into a one way and charge me $1800!  Is this a real risk?

6) Prices are real high for flights one way on this date.  Can use CSR to buy a flight if it gets me in the am to JFK or EWR

The craziest thing is that I saw this flight at my 42.5 goal but hesitated, not knowing this game and how it is played, although I am getting a quick education.


I thank and value any additional thoughts or ideas out there.  Much appreciated.

[ExGingi]

2)  Yes I would like to fly in to Newark on a night flight, that would be perfect. Turkish flight at 42.5K may do it...!
...
I am watching seats, 105 left, seems they sometimes open up the day of and I can wait till I am in TLV and book and the day of, pay the $75 extra but get flight of choice, maybe.  Club card will save me $150 and I can downgrade with refund of fee?
...
The craziest thing is that I saw this flight at my 42.5 goal but hesitated, not knowing this game and how it is played, although I am getting a quick education.

You can book the TK option and keep watching for the UA nonstop to open up. You might need to pay a fee to change, but it might be worth it.

Did you price a round trip NYC-TLV for your dates using CSR?

[Thetcgang]

Purchase of the RT is 1855, or 123K CSR, roughly were I am now, (42.5K to tlv which I have, and 82.5 back, the current price)

[srf60]

How about book the Turkish flight and waitlist for the direct . (Within 24 hrs of booking)

[Thetcgang]

What is wait listing for a flight?   What is the cost of canceling the TK option?