I've been waiting 10 years for these travel plans

[momo613]

When I moved back from Israel to the US 10 yrs ago, I promised myself I'd go back with my kids for a summer as soon as possible. I could never accumulate enough mileage fast enough until I discovered dans deals. I believe I have enough mileage now for a trip next summer (2013). I know availability is tight then and my mileage is strewn over a few airlines. If anyone has suggestions, it would mean a tremendous amount to me.
Oh, I almost forgot! I need 9 tickets!:P
mileage balances:
AA- 357k (self), 136k (wife)
United- 150k (self), 100k (wife)
AmexMR- 120k self, 290k wife
BA- 120k self
Chase ur- 87k self, 61k wife

[Mocha]

When I moved back from Israel to the US 10 yrs ago, I promised myself I'd go back with my kids for a summer as soon as possible. I could never accumulate enough mileage fast enough until I discovered dans deals. I believe I have enough mileage now for a trip next summer (2013). I know availability is tight then and my mileage is strewn over a few airlines. If anyone has suggestions, it would mean a tremendous amount to me.
Oh, I almost forgot! I need 9 tickets!:P
mileage balances:
AA- 357k (self), 136k (wife)
United- 150k (self), 100k (wife)
AmexMR- 120k self, 290k wife
BA- 120k self
Chase ur- 87k self, 61k wife

If you were to start unloading some by selling it youd get over $9k in no time.

[Fan of Dan]

When I moved back from Israel to the US 10 yrs ago, I promised myself I'd go back with my kids for a summer as soon as possible.

How many tickets do you need?

[myb821]

How many tickets do you need?

When I moved back from Israel to the US 10 yrs ago, I promised myself I'd go back with my kids for a summer as soon as possible. I could never accumulate enough mileage fast enough until I discovered dans deals. I believe I have enough mileage now for a trip next summer (2013). I know availability is tight then and my mileage is strewn over a few airlines. If anyone has suggestions, it would mean a tremendous amount to me.
Oh, I almost forgot! I need 9 tickets!:P
mileage balances:
AA- 357k (self), 136k (wife)
United- 150k (self), 100k (wife)
AmexMR- 120k self, 290k wife
BA- 120k self
Chase ur- 87k self, 61k wife

[momo613]

I need 9 tickets...from Los Angeles in the summer. If I sell my points and miles and net $9k, the trip well still put me about 7k in the red.

[Name Changed]

If you were to start unloading some by selling it youd get over $9k in no time.

9k??

My math tell me closer to 20K

[momo613]

I guess my question is this-
I believe that I have 5 seats through my aa mileage, and enough ur points to combine with my united miles to book the other 4 tkts.
I don't mind splitting the family if that's what it takes to make it work.

1) I'm worried that there won't be enough award seats for my group. Any experience?
2) is there any way to maximize my large amount of amex Mr points to transfer into some other airline to get us on the same flights?

[myb821]

I guess my question is this-
I believe that I have 5 seats through my aa mileage, and enough ur points to combine with my united miles to book the other 4 tkts.
I don't mind splitting the family if that's what it takes to make it work.

1) I'm worried that there won't be enough award seats for my group. Any experience?
2) is there any way to maximize my large amount of amex Mr points to transfer into some other airline to get us on the same flights?

u can transfer MR to aeroplan which would get u on star alliance same as united but finding 9 award seats on one flight is not so likely and aeroplan has pretty high YQ

or you can transfer them to ba to use one world with ur aa miles but again the same problem

[Side incomer]

9k??

My math tell me closer to 20K

+1
at the average going prices, he should get close to $20K in cash, or even more.

[Name Changed]

+1
at the average going prices, he should get close to $20K in cash, or even more.

Yup I said 20K as the lower end of the market pricing

[joeb1]

take the 20+k and pay for the tickets..should be enough for the 9 tickets and accommodations and even some activities

[MLM]

take the 20+k and pay for the tickets..should be enough for the 9 tickets and accommodations and even some activities

Then u can even go this summer

[Mocha]

9k??

My math tell me closer to 20K

I said " youd get over $9k in no time". My point was i was averaging $1k per ticket and saying that he would not need to sell all his miles..just some of it.

[PlatinumGuy]

I said " youd get over $9k in no time". My point was i was averaging $1k per ticket and saying that he would not need to sell all his miles..just some of it.

It still might be worthwhile to use BA miles to fly to the east coast and buy cheaper tickets from there.

[Mocha]

It still might be worthwhile to use BA miles to fly to the east coast and buy cheaper tickets from there.

9 people and a stopover let alone a possible terminal change? PIA

[Side incomer]

9 people and a stopover let alone a possible terminal change? PIA

As I see they live in CA, so obviously he was going to take a stop over if he uses the miles, because only LY flys direct LAX-TLV, no other carrier. And he only has enough for 3 or 4 tickets using AA miles.

[Mocha]

As I see they live in CA, so obviously he was going to take a stop over if he uses the miles, because only LY flys direct LAX-TLV, no other carrier. And he only has enough for 3 or 4 tickets using AA miles.

Hence I advised him to sell some miles.

[Afight4ever]

sell the miles and travel with everyone on the same flight. Also dont forget you will have to pay an addl fee for booking min $100 or so for taxes!.

[momo613]

Based on what I'm reading, I think I'll try to increase my aa mileage over the next few weeks to get to the level of booking 6 award tickets, and paying for the other 3.
Thanks.
A few more questions
From your experience, what are the chances of getting 6 award seats on the same flight?
Using aa, can I get a free stop over in the us for a few days and a free stop in Europe each way? If not, do you have any suggestions on how to maximize it- like that mileage based award on one world (which I know nothing about, but have seen it discussed)
Thanks

[AsherO]

Based on what I'm reading, I think I'll try to increase my aa mileage over the next few weeks to get to the level of booking 6 award tickets, and paying for the other 3.
Thanks.
A few more questions
From your experience, what are the chances of getting 6 award seats on the same flight?
Using aa, can I get a free stop over in the us for a few days and a free stop in Europe each way? If not, do you have any suggestions on how to maximize it- like that mileage based award on one world (which I know nothing about, but have seen it discussed)
Thanks

The tricky thing is, that once you get creative with the stopovers on the award tickets, you need to find similar/matching paid tickets, which isn't always possible (as they have different rules).