Author Topic: Star Alliance Award Search Tips (Read 901803 times)

Chaikel · « **Reply #240 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:03:08 PM »

Quote from: kivabb on June 23, 2011, 04:58:32 PM

If Continental shows availability for award, I can use US Air miles to book through US Air even though it's same route Continental flies? And vice versa?

Technically yes, but sometimes a Continental flight will show as available on CO.com, but wont be available to partners (ie US). For best availability results you can use the ANA method in the first post of this thread

Dan · « **Reply #241 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:08:59 PM »

Quote from: Chaikel on June 23, 2011, 05:03:08 PM

Technically yes, but sometimes a Continental flight will show as available on CO.com, but wont be available to partners (ie US). For best availability results you can use the ANA method in the first post of this thread

US might do starnet blocking, but why should it make a difference if the flight is showing on CO or ANA. US can block any flight if they feel like it.
Now if you are CO elite, then you may see CO availability that partners can't book into.

Chaikel · « **Reply #242 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:12:11 PM »

Quote from: Dan on June 23, 2011, 05:08:59 PM

US might do starnet blocking, but why should it make a difference if the flight is showing on CO or ANA. US can block any flight if they feel like it.
Now if you are CO elite, then you may see CO availability that partners can't book into.

I recently had many flights that showed up on CO.com non-elite, that did not show on ANA/KVS, and United showed as unavailable

Dan · « **Reply #243 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:15:35 PM »

Quote from: Chaikel on June 23, 2011, 05:12:11 PM

I recently had many flights that showed up on CO.com non-elite, that did not show on ANA/KVS, and United showed as unavailable

Please post an example. Also just because ANA doesn't see it doesn't mean an agent couldn't book it.

Chaikel · « **Reply #244 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:28:36 PM »

Quote from: Dan on June 23, 2011, 05:15:35 PM

Please post an example. Also just because ANA doesn't see it doesn't mean an agent couldn't book it.

Can't find any now. At the time I assumed it was normal. The UA agents told me they couldn't book it

Dan · « **Reply #245 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:29:45 PM »

Quote from: Chaikel on June 23, 2011, 05:28:36 PM

Can't find any now. At the time I assumed it was normal. The UA agents told me they couldn't book it

UA and US do starnet blocking.

Chaikel · « **Reply #246 on:** June 23, 2011, 05:38:26 PM »

Quote from: Dan on June 23, 2011, 05:29:45 PM

UA and US do starnet blocking.

Could UA block a CO route they dont fly?

aussiebochur · « **Reply #247 on:** June 23, 2011, 06:12:02 PM »

Quote from: Chaikel on June 23, 2011, 05:38:26 PM

Could UA block a CO route they dont fly?

Isn't this a mute point now that UA/CO miles can be moved freely between accounts?

Of late, US *net blocking hasn't been nearly as prevalent IME.

Chaikel · « **Reply #248 on:** June 23, 2011, 06:15:09 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on June 23, 2011, 06:12:02 PM

Isn't this a mute point now that UA/CO miles can be moved freely between accounts?

Of late, US *net blocking hasn't been nearly as prevalent IME.

It was a OW before 6/15

aussiebochur · « **Reply #249 on:** June 23, 2011, 06:58:23 PM »

Quote from: Chaikel on June 23, 2011, 06:15:09 PM

It was a OW before 6/15

I highly doubt it.
You saw a seat available with CO and UA couldn't book it?

Chaikel · « **Reply #250 on:** June 23, 2011, 07:14:17 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on June 23, 2011, 06:58:23 PM

I highly doubt it.
You saw a seat available with CO and UA couldn't book it?

Ya, and it didn't show on KVS

aussiebochur · « **Reply #251 on:** June 23, 2011, 07:29:09 PM »

Quote from: Chaikel on June 23, 2011, 07:14:17 PM

Ya, and it didn't show on KVS

Did you try booking on CO.
Ive seen seats come up on CO.com but when you try booking its not available...

Chaikel · « **Reply #252 on:** June 24, 2011, 12:37:34 AM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on June 23, 2011, 07:29:09 PM

Did you try booking on CO.
Ive seen seats come up on CO.com but when you try booking its not available...

No, as I said it was a OW, before it was allowed. Now that I know it's unheard of, I'll make a note if it ever happens again

SPGCont · « **Reply #253 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:20:16 PM »

If I am trying to book a mileage ticket using continental miles and the continental website shows no availability on their partner airlines (Hawaiian Air) yet if I search on the partner airline's website directly (HawaiianAir.com) I see there ARE mileage tickets available though obviously at different mileage rates (HawaiianAir's award rates).

Is there any way for for me to book such a ticket using the continental miles and get the continental mileage award rate?

Dan · « **Reply #254 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:24:49 PM »

Quote from: SPGCont on July 07, 2011, 01:20:16 PM

If I am trying to book a mileage ticket using continental miles and the continental website shows no availability on their partner airlines (Hawaiian Air) yet if I search on the partner airline's website directly (HawaiianAir.com) I see there ARE mileage tickets available though obviously at different mileage rates (HawaiianAir's award rates).

Is there any way for for me to book such a ticket using the continental miles and get the continental mileage award rate?

If you plan on checking bags you'll be better buying a ticket with a corporate account which gets 2 free bags.
Email me and I can book you on my corp account if you want.

AsherO · « **Reply #255 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:31:16 PM »

Quote from: SPGCont on July 07, 2011, 01:20:16 PM

If I am trying to book a mileage ticket using continental miles and the continental website shows no availability on their partner airlines (Hawaiian Air) yet if I search on the partner airline's website directly (HawaiianAir.com) I see there ARE mileage tickets available though obviously at different mileage rates (HawaiianAir's award rates).

Is there any way for for me to book such a ticket using the continental miles and get the continental mileage award rate?

I don't think so. It's like being unable to book AA AAnytime awards with BA miles.

Dan · « **Reply #256 on:** July 07, 2011, 01:32:25 PM »

I wouldn't rely on CO.com to search for IslandAir or Hawaiian avaialbility. Try calling them.

SPGCont · « **Reply #257 on:** July 07, 2011, 08:16:08 PM »

Quote from: AsherO on July 07, 2011, 01:31:16 PM

I don't think so. It's like being unable to book AA AAnytime awards with BA miles.

Are you guessing or have you had some experience with this kind of thing? Based on some of dan's posts it would seem that as long as the other airline show award availability at their
lowest level you could use any *alliance miles with its respective airline?

Dan, did I misunderstand your posts?

No disrespect meant.
I'm just wondering if it's worth a shot or a waste of time?

SPGCont · « **Reply #258 on:** July 07, 2011, 08:16:50 PM »

Quote from: Dan on July 07, 2011, 01:32:25 PM

I wouldn't rely on CO.com to search for IslandAir or Hawaiian avaialbility. Try calling them.

calling continental or Hawaiian?

AsherO · « **Reply #259 on:** July 08, 2011, 01:32:23 AM »

Quote from: SPGCont on July 07, 2011, 08:16:08 PM

Are you guessing or have you had some experience with this kind of thing? Based on some of dan's posts it would seem that as long as the other airline show award availability at their
lowest level you could use any *alliance miles with its respective airline?

Dan, did I misunderstand your posts?

No disrespect meant.
I'm just wondering if it's worth a shot or a waste of time?

AAnytime are the more expensive AA awards, AA's lower tier is called SAAver.

Quote from: SPGCont on July 07, 2011, 08:16:50 PM

calling continental or Hawaiian?

You're not relying on CO.com, i.e. CO's website, so instead you're calling CO.