Newbie Points Transfer Help Please!

[ponash123]

Hi,

I travel a lot but rarely in business or using awards (I know I know, I don't belong here). I use points to book, but that's just instead of paying for the ticket and that is that.

Sorry if my question is not so clear, would really love some help with this if possible.

I am booking a Korean Air multicity flight. I'd love to use points either to book the ticket or upgrade.

The flight is Delta operated by Korean (itinerary here if needed.

I have Chase/United points.
What's my best course of action? I want to book on KoreanAir website.

• I don't believe I can transfer from Chase to SkyPass
• I think I might be able to transfer from Chase to FlyingBlue. And then book using that?
• If booking on KoreanAir, am I better off using a Delta Mileage account or the Korean SkyPass account?
• Do the transfers take a while? I don't want to lose the tickets and really want to book as soon as possible
• Can I book economy and then upgrade later with points if desired?

[Alex1974]

It's hard to answer your questions because it is unclear what you really want.

Is the end result wanted that you get to Hanoi with points?
You have a very long stopover in Seoul. Why Korean?
Do you want to use points even if the end result is just in economy?
Would you consider another airline with a shorter stopover?
Would you consider buying a cheap ticket from Da Nang to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and return from there with points?

[ponash123]

It's hard to answer your questions because it is unclear what you really want.

Is the end result wanted that you get to Hanoi with points?
You have a very long stopover in Seoul. Why Korean?
Do you want to use points even if the end result is just in economy?
Would you consider another airline with a shorter stopover?
Would you consider buying a cheap ticket from Da Nang to Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh and return from there with points?

Thanks for your response.

My end result is to get to Hanoi without paying for it. Obviously would rather business but doubt I have enough points.
There is a long stopover in Seoul but it's the only flight I found for reasonable amount (combined with outgoing flight) and it still lands me in Hanoi at a decent time on Monday because it departs Motzei Shabbos.

I would possibly consider going from DAD to HAN or HCM but would prefer not to add travel time if I don't have to and I don't want to cut into Monday, 8/22.

Hope that's clear.

[Alex1974]

This if for outbound, 98,000 BA Avios + $ 178.70 in premium economy. There is 30% bonus now to transfer Chase to BA. So the total for premium economy the way there would be 73,000 Chase point and $178.70 in taxes.

[Alex1974]

Can't find anything for the return flight.
Sell your miles and use that money to book for $.
Or wait for last minute and usually something opens up. But you need nerves of steel for that.

[Alex1974]

If you can arrive a day later...

[ponash123]

This if for outbound, 98,000 BA Avios + $ 178.70 in premium economy. There is 30% bonus now to transfer Chase to BA. So the total for premium economy the way there would be 73,000 Chase point and $178.70 in taxes.

So you're saying book this as a one way and the return flight book and pay separately?

[Alex1974]

So you're saying book this as a one way and the return flight book and pay separately?

Yes. If you want to pay 73,000 points and $178 for premium economy, I would book that.
You can always send me message later and I will help you find a return.
But the 30% bonus to BA is expiring soon. Book this now.

[ponash123]

Yes. If you want to pay 73,000 points and $178 for premium economy, I would book that.
You can always send me message later and I will help you find a return.
But the 30% bonus to BA is expiring soon. Book this now.

Is the transfer automatic?

[Alex1974]

You mean immediately? Yes.
The bonus should also be.

[ponash123]

You mean immediately? Yes.
The bonus should also be.

Yes, I did mean that 

Thank you! Checking now

[ponash123]

To pay in dollars for my original itinerary, the total is $1630.
To do the above JAL flight would be 73k points plus $178 and the return flight is $1098.

I'm not sure it's worth it, I save about $400 and lose half the day in Hanoi on 8/19.

[Alex1974]

That's up to you do decide.
Its premium economy though and a long flight.