Star Alliance Award Search Tips

[damaxer91]

With UA: If I do a US domestic leg in J/F and then a US-EU in Y (multicity), will it price the whole trip as J, or will there be some sort of pshara.

Example. IAH-IAD in J/F <connection> IAD-FRA in Y.

Always prices at the highest cabin you are using

[SuperFlyer]

Always prices at the highest cabin you are using

You could try cutting it into two trips, I'l pretty sure it pays off sometimes.

[Devorah]

I am trying to book an award with Aeroplan, but they are not coming up with all the flight options that I see on UA.  Is there anything I can do to get those flights?  I've tried calling and they tell me that they can't see it.  Also, they tell me that they cannot search by segment (i.e if I'm looking to go NYC-MEL, they can't search NYC-LAX and LAX-MEL separately which brings up more options).  Is that true or should I try calling back and speaking to another agent?

[aussiebochur]

Call again.

Tell them you just spoke to an agent who told you these flights are available (the ones you see on UA) and you just needed a minute to confirm that the timings were OK.

[Devorah]

Call again.

Tell them you just spoke to an agent who told you these flights are available (the ones you see on UA) and you just needed a minute to confirm that the timings were OK.

Even if it's not coming up on aeroplan.com but is coming up on united.com.

[SuperFlyer]

@devorah, lately UA had a problem that their site showed more availability than there actualy was.

I believe its fixed now.

[jas1285]

I am planning a safari to S. Africa NEXT summer, obviously to early to book flights now. I looked at the us Airway award chart and if I change the 60k SPG I will have enough for a ticket to Africa in business. I looked at United, ANA and Air Canada for random dates to see routing (I assume it’s 110k no matter how I get there as long as I book through US Airways)and there don’t seem to be any consistent awards tickets to get there, especially on business. Is there a better way to figure out if it’s worth it, or should I just look into oneworld instead? Thanks

[PlatinumGuy]

I am planning a safari to S. Africa NEXT summer, obviously to early to book flights now. I looked at the us Airway award chart and if I change the 60k SPG I will have enough for a ticket to Africa in business. I looked at United, ANA and Air Canada for random dates to see routing (I assume it’s 110k no matter how I get there as long as I book through US Airways)and there don’t seem to be any consistent awards tickets to get there, especially on business. Is there a better way to figure out if it’s worth it, or should I just look into oneworld instead? Thanks

Look for availability leg by leg

[jas1285]

Look for availability leg by leg

Do you think Star Alliance is better than one world?

[PlatinumGuy]

Do you think Star Alliance is better than one world?

Probably no clear cut answer, BA has great availability, but not so much to SA IME

[Fish Tank]

Hi, I have 50k MR points.  I'd like to book a coach ticket from phily to tlv and use the points to upgrade to business. 
I'd like to fly continental or US. If I transfer the points to US, can I still fly with continental? (bec MR doesn't transfer to continental.)
Thank you in advance.

(My parents have US platinum if that matters)

[PlatinumGuy]

Hi, I have 50k MR points.  I'd like to book a coach ticket from phily to tlv and use the points to upgrade to business. 
I'd like to fly continental or US. If I transfer the points to US, can I still fly with continental? (bec MR doesn't transfer to continental.)
Thank you in advance.

(My parents have US platinum if that matters)

mr doesn't transfer to us, you gotta use aeroplan. Search aeroplan partner award for restrictions

[Dan]

You generally can't use points to upgrade travel on another carrier.
Also currently you can transfer MR to US at a half-decent ratio thanks to the MR-SPG and SPG-US promotions.

[Fish Tank]

mr doesn't transfer to us, you gotta use aeroplan. Search aeroplan partner award for restrictions

The first post in this thread doesn't say anything about aeroplan so I'm assuming its not a star alliance member.
So how would that help me?

[Fish Tank]

You generally can't use points to upgrade travel on another carrier.
Also currently you can transfer MR to US at a half-decent ratio thanks to the MR-SPG and SPG-US promotions.

Thanks. So MR doesn't transfer directly to US but it does transfer through spg, correct?

Also, I guess I wont be flying continental bec upgrade wont work, but I guess US should be okay.

Thanks again

[jas1285]

I will be booking a trip to South Africa in a year. I want to wait to make that decision but I don't want to pass up on this spg to US Airways deal. Should I transfer points now and hope for the best or just wait and book something with One world.
Other question: US Airways says it is 110k in miles to get to SA in business, does that mean no matter what airline or route I take to get there is will be 110K, no more no less?

[AJK]

Thanks. So MR doesn't transfer directly to US but it does transfer through spg, correct?

Also, I guess I wont be flying continental bec upgrade wont work, but I guess US should be okay.

Thanks again

On US, unless you buy a full-fare (Y or B class), it'll cost you 40,000 miles plus $300 co-pay, IIRC.

[PlatinumGuy]

I will be booking a trip to South Africa in a year. I want to wait to make that decision but I don't want to pass up on this spg to US Airways deal. Should I transfer points now and hope for the best or just wait and book something with One world.
Other question: US Airways says it is 110k in miles to get to SA in business, does that mean no matter what airline or route I take to get there is will be 110K, no more no less?

Basically yes. The routing has to make sense, but US reps are pretty clueless.

[Fish Tank]

On US, unless you buy a full-fare (Y or B class), it'll cost you 40,000 miles plus $300 co-pay, IIRC.

Your correct about the fees and mileage costs, I just saw that on US's site - but what's "Y/B full fare class" ?
Isn't a regular coach ticket a full class fare?
Also, this may not be the proper thread for this, but if my parents are platinum, does that wave the $300 upgrade fee? (If this isn't the right place,  please direct me to the proper thread)
Thanks again

[AJK]

Your correct about the fees and mileage costs, I just saw that on US's site - but what's "Y/B full fare class" ?
Isn't a regular coach ticket a full class fare?

Definitely not. A full-fare is a refundable ticket and can easily be 3-4x the price of a discounted coach fare.

Also, this may not be the proper thread for this, but if my parents are platinum, does that wave the $300 upgrade fee? (If this isn't the right place,  please direct me to the proper thread)
Thanks again

I'm not positive, but I don't believe having US Platinum elite status will waive the co-pay.