Star Alliance Award Search Tips

[AsherO]

If I use my AMEX card to buy amex gift cards can I use these cards to pay off other credit cards that are not AMEX? Will vendors take them? Trying to make $10,000 purchases for the 50,000 + 10,000 points. Thanks.

Absolutely not.

[aussiebochur]

Im not having any luck getting CO to sell me a simple CLE-EWR-FRA-BKK-SYD-BKK-FRA-EWR-CLE itinerary.
Has anyone here actually gotten CO to book a ticket to Australia via Europle and Asia?

Bump.
Anyone figured this out or know someone who managed to book it?

[aussiebochur]

Trying to get a couple business class tickets for my grandparents, MEL-TLV.
So far I've got,
OUTBOUND:
12/19, TG462 MEL-BKK, 23:00-4:10+1
12/20, TG920 BKK-FRA, 13:15-19:05
12/20, LH690 FRA-TLV, 22:25-03:25+1
INBOUND:
12/27, LX 257 TLV-ZRH, 5:30-8:50
MISSING
12/28, TG461 BKK-MEL, 8:10-21:20

Any tips on how to fill the gap? I've checked the basics (FRA, MUC, IST etc.) but with no luck.
Any ideas of which routes may open up?
Thanks for any help.

[Mikeoracle]

Trying to get a couple business class tickets for my grandparents, MEL-TLV.
So far I've got,
OUTBOUND:
12/19, TG462 MEL-BKK, 23:00-4:10+1
12/20, TG920 BKK-FRA, 13:15-19:05
12/20, LH690 FRA-TLV, 22:25-03:25+1
INBOUND:
12/27, LX 257 TLV-ZRH, 5:30-8:50
MISSING
12/28, TG461 BKK-MEL, 8:10-21:20

Any tips on how to fill the gap? I've checked the basics (FRA, MUC, IST etc.) but with no luck.
Any ideas of which routes may open up?
Thanks for any help.

OK, This may be a little crazy but after A LOT of searching I was able to peace this together. Although I am not sure if your Grandparents will appreciate it 

Tel Aviv
05:30 (12-26)
Zurich
08:50 (12-26)
LX 257

ZRH 12:40 (12-26)
IST  16:30 (12-26)
LX 1804

IST 23:40 (12-26)
PVG 16:05 (12-27)
TK 26


PVG
19:15 (12-27)
MEL
09:00 (12-28)
CA 177

[Deal Guy]

No need to merge. You can hold a ticket under one account and ticket with miles from another...

How exactly? How will they allow someone else's miles to come and take away a reservation that person A already has on hold?

[Mikeoracle]

How exactly? How will they allow someone else's miles to come and take away a reservation that person A already has on hold?

Probably just call up and say I have the following on hold under my account but the points didnt come through on time please ticket booking# xxx using the following account (friends/relative's...) which the account holder may need to verify.

[Deal Guy]

Probably just call up and say I have the following on hold under my account but the points didnt come through on time please ticket booking# xxx using the following account (friends/relative's...) which the account holder may need to verify.

True. But the truth is that every time that a ticket is booked in someone else's name they have a ch'shash that it was sold or bartered, but they are forced to usually go along with it. But in this case, wouldn't it be slightly more suspicious? After all, I was not going to get the GIFT from person B at the beginning, and only now that my miles didn't work out will suddenly person B appear and GIFT it to me. Doesn't it set off a little more scrutiny?

[Dan]

Trying to get a couple business class tickets for my grandparents, MEL-TLV.
So far I've got,
OUTBOUND:
12/19, TG462 MEL-BKK, 23:00-4:10+1
12/20, TG920 BKK-FRA, 13:15-19:05
12/20, LH690 FRA-TLV, 22:25-03:25+1
INBOUND:
12/27, LX 257 TLV-ZRH, 5:30-8:50
MISSING
12/28, TG461 BKK-MEL, 8:10-21:20

Any tips on how to fill the gap? I've checked the basics (FRA, MUC, IST etc.) but with no luck.
Any ideas of which routes may open up?
Thanks for any help.

If your dates are little flexible try CDG-BKK.
The CDG-BKK route is usually operated on a dry-leased plane from Jet Airways, so it should be great!

[Yordai Dooma]

Not sure if this is the correct place for my question.

I am trying to book a one way in first class from ORD-LAS on 12/26.

CO shows 2 "saverpass" routings available (on US) with a stop in CLT. CO doesn't allow for on-way bookings.
US does not show ANY availability on 12/26 at all.
UA doesnt show any availability either at all. Even if i look at the regular award availabilty (as in 50k for each leg) there is no routing showing through CLT.

I called both US and UA and they are able to find the availability on the phone. Is it possible that UA only allows one-way award bookings on their own metal to be made on United.com and one must call in to book a one-way award on a partner?

The only one of the 3 that does one-way awards is UA and they told me i have to pay $25 per person for booking it on the phone. How does that make sense if they wont allow me to book it online because the availability doesn't come up? Is there any way around it?

Even if i pretend to book a this US flight as a RT ticket on united.com, the availability wont show up.

[Dan]

I called both US and UA and they are able to find the availability on the phone. Is it possible that UA only allows one-way award bookings on their own metal to be made on United.com and one must call in to book a one-way award on a partner?

Yes, one-way *A is only bookable on the phone with UA, so you'll pay the fee unless you get a very nice sepervisor.

[Yordai Dooma]

Yes, one-way *A is only bookable on the phone with UA, so you'll pay the fee unless you get a very nice sepervisor.

Thanks!

Does the availability issue seem strange? As to why CO would show a US flight available online while US themselves dont show it?

[Dan]

Thanks!

Does the availability issue seem strange? As to why CO would show a US flight available online while US themselves dont show it?

Not strange at all, CO.com>US.com

[Yordai Dooma]

Yes, one-way *A is only bookable on the phone with UA, so you'll pay the fee unless you get a very nice sepervisor.

Didnt even need a supervisor. Called back to book it and she said there would be a $25 fee. So i replied (as if she made a mistake) that there is no fee because this flight was not book-able online. She put me on hold for a minute, came back and said the fee is waived.

[Eli]

Can I book one way awards on a star alliance carrier on united's website or must it be over the phone?

[Yordai Dooma]

Can I book one way awards on a star alliance carrier on united's website or must it be over the phone?

Must be booked over the phone. They will try and tack on the $25 phone fee. I managed to get it waived without even speaking to a supervisor.

[Good Credit]

Cant use Ana "Star Alliance Search" its in Gray dosent let me press it?

[Dan]

Cant use Ana "Star Alliance Search" its in Gray dosent let me press it?

1st of all please don't double post.
2nd of all you need to use the workarounds.  Look for links in the OP.

[Aben]

Wandering if someone can help I tried a couple of searches but not as good as you guys and not so familiar.
I have lots of starwood, AA, Delta and MR points I need help booking a ticket from TLV to NYC or Philly for Pesach
my dates are Apr. 4,5,6,7 or the following week 10,11,12,13 returning May 3,4, possibly the 5th (depending on time of arrival)
for 2 Adults, 1 child and a infant.
Thanks

[KVS]

Wandering if someone can help I tried a couple of searches but not as good as you guys and not so familiar.
I have lots of starwood, AA, Delta and MR points I need help booking a ticket from TLV to NYC or Philly for Pesach
my dates are Apr. 4,5,6,7 or the following week 10,11,12,13 returning May 3,4, possibly the 5th (depending on time of arrival)
for 2 Adults, 1 child and a infant.
Thanks

Assuming this would be in Economy and it's a lap infant, a quick SkyTeam search shows outbound award availability for the 4th, but only a long connection + arrival on the 6th on the return:

[KVS Availability Tool 6.0.4/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/SkyTeam/US-AF]

Code: [Select]

TLV  Tel Aviv Metro / Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Intl IL = TLV SDV [LLBG]
NYC  New York Metro NY US = JFK LGA
MON  04 Apr 2011 | 3 Seats

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
OK         287     TLV   05:05     PRG   09:15              YS+
 -> DL     211     PRG   11:55     JFK   15:05
KL         462     TLV   05:05     AMS   09:00              YA+
 -> KL     641     AMS   13:25     JFK   15:30
KL         462     TLV   05:05     AMS   09:00              YA+ CS+
 -> KL     643     AMS   17:45     JFK   19:50
AF         2221    TLV   08:10     CDG   12:10              YA+ WA+
 -> AF     18      CDG   13:30     EWR   15:45
AF         2221    TLV   08:10     CDG   12:10              YA+
 -> AF     6       CDG   13:35     JFK   15:50
AF         2221    TLV   08:10     CDG   12:10              YA+ WA+
 -> AF     10      CDG   16:35     JFK   18:40
AF         2221    TLV   08:10     CDG   12:10              YA+ WA+
 -> AF     8       CDG   19:10     JFK   21:20
AF         1621    TLV   17:15     CDG   21:15              YA+ WA+
 -> AF     22      CDG   08:25 +1  JFK   10:30 +1
AF         1621    TLV   17:15     CDG   21:15              YA+ WA+
 -> AF     12      CDG   10:30 +1  JFK   12:30 +1

[KVS Availability Tool 6.0.4/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/SkyTeam/US-AF]

Code: [Select]

NYC  New York Metro NY US = JFK LGA
PRG  Prague Ruzyne CZ [LKPR]
WED  04 May 2011 | 3 Seats

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
DL         210     JFK   19:05     PRG   10:00 +1           YS+
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     1382    CDG   07:15 +1  PRG   08:50 +1
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     1982    CDG   13:10 +1  PRG   14:45 +1
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     2482    CDG   18:15 +1  PRG   19:50 +1
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4900    CDG   09:55 +1  PRG   11:40 +1
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4902    CDG   15:45 +1  PRG   17:35 +1
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4906    CDG   19:10 +1  PRG   20:50 +1
AF         23      JFK   16:40     CDG   06:00 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4904    CDG   20:45 +1  PRG   22:30 +1
KL         642     JFK   18:00     AMS   07:30 +1           YA+
 -> KL     1355    AMS   11:40 +1  PRG   13:15 +1
KL         642     JFK   18:00     AMS   07:30 +1           YA+
 -> KL     1357    AMS   17:10 +1  PRG   18:40 +1
AF         17      JFK   18:15     CDG   07:30 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     1982    CDG   13:10 +1  PRG   14:45 +1
AF         17      JFK   18:15     CDG   07:30 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     2482    CDG   18:15 +1  PRG   19:50 +1
AF         17      JFK   18:15     CDG   07:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4900    CDG   09:55 +1  PRG   11:40 +1
AF         17      JFK   18:15     CDG   07:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4902    CDG   15:45 +1  PRG   17:35 +1
AF         17      JFK   18:15     CDG   07:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4906    CDG   19:10 +1  PRG   20:50 +1
AF         17      JFK   18:15     CDG   07:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4904    CDG   20:45 +1  PRG   22:30 +1
AF         19      EWR   19:05     CDG   08:30 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     1982    CDG   13:10 +1  PRG   14:45 +1
AF         19      EWR   19:05     CDG   08:30 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     2482    CDG   18:15 +1  PRG   19:50 +1
AF         19      EWR   19:05     CDG   08:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4900    CDG   09:55 +1  PRG   11:40 +1
AF         19      EWR   19:05     CDG   08:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4902    CDG   15:45 +1  PRG   17:35 +1
AF         19      EWR   19:05     CDG   08:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4906    CDG   19:10 +1  PRG   20:50 +1
AF         19      EWR   19:05     CDG   08:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4904    CDG   20:45 +1  PRG   22:30 +1
AF         7       JFK   19:15     CDG   08:35 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     1982    CDG   13:10 +1  PRG   14:45 +1
AF         7       JFK   19:15     CDG   08:35 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     2482    CDG   18:15 +1  PRG   19:50 +1
AF         7       JFK   19:15     CDG   08:35 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4900    CDG   09:55 +1  PRG   11:40 +1
AF         7       JFK   19:15     CDG   08:35 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4902    CDG   15:45 +1  PRG   17:35 +1
AF         7       JFK   19:15     CDG   08:35 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4906    CDG   19:10 +1  PRG   20:50 +1
AF         7       JFK   19:15     CDG   08:35 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4904    CDG   20:45 +1  PRG   22:30 +1
AF         11      JFK   21:50     CDG   11:05 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     1982    CDG   13:10 +1  PRG   14:45 +1
AF         11      JFK   21:50     CDG   11:05 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     2482    CDG   18:15 +1  PRG   19:50 +1
AF         11      JFK   21:50     CDG   11:05 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4902    CDG   15:45 +1  PRG   17:35 +1
AF         11      JFK   21:50     CDG   11:05 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4906    CDG   19:10 +1  PRG   20:50 +1
AF         11      JFK   21:50     CDG   11:05 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4904    CDG   20:45 +1  PRG   22:30 +1
KL         644     JFK   22:50     AMS   12:10 +1           YA+
 -> KL     1357    AMS   17:10 +1  PRG   18:40 +1
AF         9       JFK   23:20     CDG   12:30 +1           YA+ WS+
 -> AF     2482    CDG   18:15 +1  PRG   19:50 +1
AF         9       JFK   23:20     CDG   12:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4902    CDG   15:45 +1  PRG   17:35 +1
AF         9       JFK   23:20     CDG   12:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4906    CDG   19:10 +1  PRG   20:50 +1
AF         9       JFK   23:20     CDG   12:30 +1           YA+
 -> AF     4904    CDG   20:45 +1  PRG   22:30 +1

[KVS Availability Tool 6.0.4/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/SkyTeam/US-AF]

Code: [Select]

PRG  Prague Ruzyne CZ [LKPR]
TLV  Tel Aviv Metro / Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Intl IL = TLV SDV [LLBG]
THU  05 May 2011 | 3 Seats

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive         St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------
OK         286     PRG   23:55     TLV   04:35 +1           YS+ CS+
AF         4901    PRG   07:15     CDG   09:05              YA+
 -> AF     1620    CDG   10:35     TLV   16:00
AF         4901    PRG   07:15     CDG   09:05              YA+
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
OK         758     PRG   07:15     CDG   09:05              YS+ CS+
 -> AF     1620    CDG   10:35     TLV   16:00
AF         4901    PRG   07:15     CDG   09:05              YA+ CA+
 -> AF     1888    CDG   10:25     BUH   14:15
 -> RO     151     BUH   16:25     TLV   19:00
AF         4901    PRG   07:15     CDG   09:05              YA+ CA+
 -> AF     2356    CDG   12:25     BUH   16:15
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
AF         4901    PRG   07:15     CDG   09:05              YA+ CA+
 -> AF     1888    CDG   10:25     BUH   14:15
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
KL         1352    PRG   09:25     AMS   11:00              YS+
 -> KL     1375    AMS   12:35     BUH   16:20
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
KL         1352    PRG   09:25     AMS   11:00              YA+
 -> KL     461     AMS   21:05     TLV   02:30 +1
KL         1352    PRG   09:25     AMS   11:00              YS+
 -> AF     1741    AMS   15:20     CDG   16:35
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
KL         1352    PRG   09:25     AMS   11:00              YS+
 -> AF     1641    AMS   13:55     CDG   15:10
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
KL         1352    PRG   09:25     AMS   11:00              YS+
 -> KL     1233    AMS   12:30     CDG   13:45
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
AF         1383    PRG   10:05     CDG   11:50              YS+ CS+
 -> AF     2488    CDG   15:25     BUH   19:15
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
AF         1383    PRG   10:05     CDG   11:50              YA+ CS+
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
AF         1383    PRG   10:05     CDG   11:50              YA+ CS+
 -> AF     2456    CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
AF         1383    PRG   10:05     CDG   11:50              CS+
 -> AF     2104    CDG   15:25     FCO   17:30
 -> AZ     810     FCO   22:00     TLV   02:15 +1
OK         802     PRG   11:40     BUH   14:30              YS+ CS+
 -> RO     151     BUH   16:25     TLV   19:00
OK         802     PRG   11:40     BUH   14:30              YS+ CS+
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
AF         4903    PRG   13:05     CDG   14:55              YA+
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
AF         4903    PRG   13:05     CDG   14:55              YA+ CA+
 -> AF     2456    CDG   16:20     BUH   20:10
 -> RO     153     BUH   20:55     TLV   23:30
OK         760     PRG   13:05     CDG   14:55              CS+
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
AF         4903    PRG   13:05     CDG   14:55              YA+
 -> AF     2240    CDG   18:25     AMS   19:40
 -> KL     461     AMS   21:05     TLV   02:30 +1
AF         4903    PRG   13:05     CDG   14:55              YA+
 -> AF     2040    CDG   16:20     AMS   17:35
 -> KL     461     AMS   21:05     TLV   02:30 +1
KL         1356    PRG   14:00     AMS   15:35              YA+
 -> KL     461     AMS   21:05     TLV   02:30 +1
AF         1983    PRG   15:40     CDG   17:25              YA+ CS+
 -> AF     2220    CDG   18:45     TLV   00:10 +1
AF         1983    PRG   15:40     CDG   17:25              YS+ CS+
 -> AF     2240    CDG   18:25     AMS   19:40
 -> KL     461     AMS   21:05     TLV   02:30 +1
AF         4905    PRG   18:10     CDG   19:55              YA+
 -> AF     1620    CDG   10:35 +1  TLV   16:00 +1
AF         2483    PRG   20:35     CDG   22:20              YA+ CS+
 -> AF     1620    CDG   10:35 +1  TLV   16:00 +1
OK         804     PRG   21:35     BUH   00:25 +1           YS+ CS+
 -> RO     155     BUH   06:00 +1  TLV   08:35 +1


[Jay the PRESIDENT]

before anyone attacks me   i just wanna say that i tried searching myself- but im not great at this and can def use assistance--

looking for TLV-NYC    March 30 - returning May 4   (dates are flexible by a day or day)

-long stop over is OK (if theres something to do there-lol)
-(if theres cheap paying fares would consider too)


THANX!