Author Topic: Star Alliance Award Search Tips (Read 912042 times)

dunno · « **Reply #220 on:** June 10, 2011, 07:54:11 PM »

Hi, first time posting.

As I understood it from Dan, I could book an award ticket on Continental from US to Australia via Asia, for the same miles as direct US-Aus.

However, when I called today, the agent told me in no uncertain terms that this was not possible, and never has been.

Is she incorrect, or am I missing something here?

Thanks.

Dan · « **Reply #221 on:** June 10, 2011, 08:05:14 PM »

You can definitely book US to Australia via Asia with CO miles. Just call back.

dunno · « **Reply #222 on:** June 12, 2011, 04:24:23 PM »

Yep, I called back and there was no problem. I have no idea why the first agent wasn't able to help me.

Being new to the world of Continental, I found it interesting that because I had the requisite miles to make the reservation, I could NOT place a 3-day hold, whereas if I didn't have enough miles, I could place a hold.

I like to place a hold wherever possible (in case any changes pop up etc), so I will simply transfer some miles back to my UA account, make a reservation, place it on hold, and then shift the miles back when I want to confirm the reservation.

IIRC correctly, UA allows 3-day holds regardless. Any idea why CO does not?

YOSEF · « **Reply #223 on:** June 12, 2011, 04:34:26 PM »

UA actually allows a hold for *A flights ONLY if there are enough miles in the account.

They also claim that you only have until midnight, or the *A partner can take the seat back.

dunno · « **Reply #224 on:** June 12, 2011, 04:49:40 PM »

Quote

UA actually allows a hold for *A flights ONLY if there are enough miles in the account.

That just makes CO's inverse policy seem all the more stranger.

I've never lost a UA reservation I've placed on hold, so I don't know how worried one need be of the midnight rule.

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #225 on:** June 13, 2011, 04:49:42 AM »

Open a new CO acc, and put on hold.

I've had several times that parts of tix on hold by CO were lost.

dunno · « **Reply #226 on:** June 13, 2011, 10:47:06 PM »

Thanks.

Where can I find which places in Asia I can go through as part of this US-Aus reward ticket?

I know Bangkok is possible, but I can't find a simple list anywhere.

(It came out 65K for US-Asia-Aus RT, whereas it would be 80K for US-Aus RT. What gives?)

aussiebochur · « **Reply #227 on:** June 14, 2011, 05:35:40 AM »

Quote from: dunno on June 13, 2011, 10:47:06 PM

Thanks.

Where can I find which places in Asia I can go through as part of this US-Aus reward ticket?

I know Bangkok is possible, but I can't find a simple list anywhere.

(It came out 65K for US-Asia-Aus RT, whereas it would be 80K for US-Aus RT. What gives?)

There is no list, its up to your imagination and the mode of the agent.
How about something like this?

If they quoted 65k, someone has a terrible geography (its amazing how many airline agents don't know which continents countries/cities are in) or its a mistake.
Congrats if you got that price! If you didn't ticket yet, don't rely on actually getting that price...

mclovin · « **Reply #228 on:** June 14, 2011, 04:43:14 PM »

Quote from: SuperFlyer on June 13, 2011, 04:49:42 AM

Open a new CO acc, and put on hold.

you can book a ticket that was on hold from a diff account?

SuperFlyer · « **Reply #229 on:** June 14, 2011, 08:44:05 PM »

Yes, you can, actually, when logged in, and opening a reservation made with another acc (using locator and name), there is an option to save to your profile.
Not sure how well that works though, but over the phone, its no problem.

dunno · « **Reply #230 on:** June 15, 2011, 06:01:02 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on June 14, 2011, 05:35:40 AM

There is no list, its up to your imagination and the mode of the agent.
How about something like this?
If they quoted 65k, someone has a terrible geography (its amazing how many airline agents don't know which continents countries/cities are in) or its a mistake.
Congrats if you got that price! If you didn't ticket yet, don't rely on actually getting that price...

Thanks; I had figured most of those cities would be included.

I did ticket it already (wanted do it before 6/15 and United's charming $150 change fee), and indeed only 65K were used.

In the course of making the ticket, I called CO several times spoke to 3 different agents. One quoted 80K, but the other two both told me 65K. Odd.

aussiebochur · « **Reply #231 on:** June 15, 2011, 07:17:12 PM »

Quote from: dunno on June 15, 2011, 06:01:02 PM

Thanks; I had figured most of those cities would be included.

I did ticket it already (wanted do it before 6/15 and United's charming $150 change fee), and indeed only 65K were used.

In the course of making the ticket, I called CO several times spoke to 3 different agents. One quoted 80K, but the other two both told me 65K. Odd.

That's airline agents for you...

aussiebochur · « **Reply #232 on:** June 17, 2011, 09:59:43 PM »

Just reading through this and seems like a pretty basic tip is missing.
ANA doesn't show availability within 7 days of flights.
However, it will still show you the return flights.

So to work around, work backwards.
Say you want ro fly from TLV to ZRH on June 19 and today is June 17.
Type in ZRH-TLV dep. June 18 returning June 19.
It will tell you that its within 7 days so no availability but scroll down to the return and there it is....

Perhaps this belongs in the OP?

mb · « **Reply #233 on:** June 20, 2011, 10:13:42 PM »

I searched on ANA to book a flight from EWR-TLV from 1/10/12 to 1/17/12. I was able to make an itinerary on ANAs award search site for 90,000 miles TOTAL in "Business" class with direct flights both ways on the new 777s! Now, I know Continental's 777s have BusinessFirst now and no longer have Business class seats.

BUT, when I call Continental, they keep telling me that this flight is 120,000 miles and I can't book it for 90k. What to do??

Thanks!

myb821 · « **Reply #234 on:** June 20, 2011, 10:14:47 PM »

Quote from: mb on June 20, 2011, 10:13:42 PM

I searched on ANA to book a flight from EWR-TLV from 1/10/12 to 1/17/12. I was able to make an itinerary on ANAs award search site for 90,000 miles TOTAL in "Business" class with direct flights both ways on the new 777s! Now, I know Continental's 777s have BusinessFirst now and no longer have Business class seats.

BUT, when I call Continental, they keep telling me that this flight is 120,000 miles and I can't book it for 90k. What to do??

Thanks!

90k would be ANA miles not continental miles they have different rates

aussiebochur · « **Reply #235 on:** June 20, 2011, 10:17:33 PM »

Quote from: myb821 on June 20, 2011, 10:14:47 PM

90k would be LAN miles not continental miles they have different rates

LAN? You mean ANA, no?

myb821 · « **Reply #236 on:** June 20, 2011, 10:18:15 PM »

Quote from: aussiebochur on June 20, 2011, 10:17:33 PM

LAN? You mean ANA, no?

corrected my bad lol

mb · « **Reply #237 on:** June 21, 2011, 07:12:01 AM »

@myb821

Thanks for the quick response!

Can I transfer Amex MRs to ANA 1:1? Or only star points?

If not, would you agree that 120k CO miles to israel roundtrip, direct both ways, in continental businessfirst, is the best option I will find?

Thanks

aussiebochur · « **Reply #238 on:** June 21, 2011, 10:21:05 AM »

Quote from: mb on June 21, 2011, 07:12:01 AM

@myb821

Thanks for the quick response!

Can I transfer Amex MRs to ANA 1:1? Or only star points?

If not, would you agree that 120k CO miles to israel roundtrip, direct both ways, in continental businessfirst, is the best option I will find?

Thanks

Amex MR do transfer to ANA. Usually post 2 days after transfer.

kivabb · « **Reply #239 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?