Author Topic: Award ticket, TLV-MEL (Read 4028 times)

aussiebochur · « **on:** May 25, 2010, 02:22:00 AM »

Is it possible to book an award flight from Israel to Australia using miles from an American based carrier, AA,CO,US etc.?
Any help/details would be appreciated.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #1 on:** May 25, 2010, 04:42:26 AM »

Not only possible, but excellent mileage conditions.

If I'd need to fly with oneworld to Australia, I'd fly to IL, even if the flight brings me back to europe.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #2 on:** May 25, 2010, 05:39:17 AM »

Quote from: SuperFlyer on May 25, 2010, 04:42:26 AM

Not only possible, but excellent mileage conditions.

If I'd need to fly with oneworld to Australia, I'd fly to IL, even if the flight brings me back to europe.

Is there any way to search for oneworld availability online?

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #3 on:** May 25, 2010, 06:02:07 AM »

http://www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/welcome

subscribe there, and you can search by them.

search segment by segment.

not very reliable though, i just call Advantage.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #4 on:** May 25, 2010, 06:53:39 AM »

Quote from: SuperFlyer on May 25, 2010, 04:42:26 AM

Not only possible, but excellent mileage conditions.

If I'd need to fly with oneworld to Australia, I'd fly to IL, even if the flight brings me back to europe.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of oneworld as opposed to star alliance?
What would be the most direct routing on both alliances?
Thanks for any help!

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #5 on:** May 25, 2010, 07:09:22 AM »

too many questions, with too little time (for me), on this routhing you want to take oneworld. you will have to trust me on this one. (using ba or quantas)

aussiebochur · « **Reply #6 on:** May 25, 2010, 12:40:03 PM »

I was looking at availability on qantas.com and there doesn't seem to be any seats available from 3/21/11-4/21/11, even though for the month before and after there are seats almost every day. Does Qantas have blackout dates? If yes, would those blackout dates also apply to bookings on AA?

Dan · « **Reply #7 on:** May 25, 2010, 02:31:55 PM »

Start by going through each airline's mileage charts for the most favorable rate.

Qantas is nice for OneWorld, but try calling AA for the most reliability.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #8 on:** May 25, 2010, 03:12:20 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 25, 2010, 02:31:55 PM

Start by going through each airline's mileage charts for the most favorable rate.

Qantas is nice for OneWorld, but try calling AA for the most reliability.

Does it make sense that on US its only 80k miles?
As far as I can see that is the rate from Middle East to South Pacific.

Dan · « **Reply #9 on:** May 25, 2010, 03:28:14 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on May 25, 2010, 03:12:20 PM

Does it make sense that on US its only 80k miles?
As far as I can see that is the rate from Middle East to South Pacific.

Yes, that's correct.
They do charge an award processing fee though.

steve2 · « **Reply #10 on:** May 25, 2010, 03:43:59 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 25, 2010, 03:28:14 PM

Yes, that's correct.
They do charge an award processing fee though.

so does AA unless you book it online and if there is any Carrier except AA involved U cant book it online but must call in and Bingo you will be Dinged for using a Rep at AAdvantage. I think EXPs (AAs top level are exempt but for sure LifeTime Plats are NOT :-((( )

Dan · « **Reply #11 on:** May 25, 2010, 03:52:03 PM »

Quote from: steve2 on May 25, 2010, 03:43:59 PM

so does AA unless you book it online and if there is any Carrier except AA involved U cant book it online but must call in and Bingo you will be Dinged for using a Rep at AAdvantage. I think EXPs (AAs top level are exempt but for sure LifeTime Plats are NOT :-((( )

AA charges a $20 phone fee, which they may waive if it can't be booked online and you get a nice rep.

US charges a $30-$40 phone fee and an "award processing fee" that can be as high as $50 per ticket. Although US will waive the phone fee for partner redemptions...

aussiebochur · « **Reply #12 on:** May 25, 2010, 04:33:15 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 25, 2010, 03:52:03 PM

AA charges a $20 phone fee, which they may waive if it can't be booked online and you get a nice rep.

US charges a $30-$40 phone fee and an "award processing fee" that can be as high as $50 per ticket. Although US will waive the phone fee for partner redemptions...

Subject to availability it would still make sense to go with US, being that they are offering 50% bonus on starpoints, effectively making it only 44k starpoints.

steve2 · « **Reply #13 on:** May 25, 2010, 04:38:07 PM »

Quote from: Dan on May 25, 2010, 03:52:03 PM

AA charges a $20 phone fee, which they may waive if it can't be booked online and you get a nice rep.

US charges a $30-$40 phone fee and an "award processing fee" that can be as high as $50 per ticket. Although US will waive the phone fee for partner redemptions...

its not the amount but the Principle

I guess you are very Lucky , Ive never been able to get them to wavier the $20 even with hang up , wait a few mins and call back. They simply say after my asking well Mr steve should I go ahead and tkt it or do you want to do something else

steve2 · « **Reply #14 on:** May 25, 2010, 04:39:07 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on May 25, 2010, 04:33:15 PM

Subject to availability it would still make sense to go with US, being that they are offering 50% bonus on starpoints, effectively making it only 44k starpoints.

100%

Dan · « **Reply #15 on:** May 25, 2010, 04:48:19 PM »

Quote from: steve2 on May 25, 2010, 04:38:07 PM

its not the amount but the Principle

I guess you are very Lucky , Ive never been able to get them to wavier the $20 even with hang up , wait a few mins and call back. They simply say after my asking well Mr steve should I go ahead and tkt it or do you want to do something else

I admit it's hard, but it's happened to me a couple times.

Quote from: steve2 on May 25, 2010, 04:39:07 PM

100%

+1.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #16 on:** May 25, 2010, 08:41:34 PM »

I was having a look at the AA award chart and it seems that Middle East-South Pacific is only 30k each way. Isn't it weird that its 33% less then from North America-Middle East even though it is a much greater distance?

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #17 on:** May 25, 2010, 10:35:02 PM »

Mr aussie?

Didn't I tell you to book from israel ?

Dan · « **Reply #18 on:** May 25, 2010, 10:40:19 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on May 25, 2010, 08:41:34 PM

I was having a look at the AA award chart and it seems that Middle East-South Pacific is only 30k each way. Isn't it weird that its 33% less then from North America-Middle East even though it is a much greater distance?

There's little rhyme or reason to zone award charts, just enjoy the benefits.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #19 on:** May 25, 2010, 11:11:14 PM »

Thanks for all the help! I
Its a bit of a toss up now. Either AA, as suggested, or US, being that they are offering 50% bonus on SPG transfers.