Topic Wiki

Check out Awardhacker.com

Domestic
UA EWR-LAX J
17.5K LH
20K SQ

International
US-EU J
60k AC (As of recent devaluation)

UA J NYC-TLV 69k SQ

this is just to start it feel free to add :)



« Last edited by LoLo on June 20, 2018, 01:08:36 PM »

Author Topic: What's the best way to book?  (Read 723913 times)

Offline deusconsilio

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2013
  • Posts: 130
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #900 on: December 14, 2015, 02:40:49 PM »
Need some advice please on which option you more experienced travelers would recommend:

Option A: MLE - HKG Business on Cathay, then pay out of pocket or use BA points for economy shuttle from HKG - CNX? (I've read that I can add HKG-CNX as part of a single reward booking, but when I talk to AA they try to route be through BKK?)

Option B: MLE - SIN Business on Singapore, then SIN - CNX Business on Tiger Air? Please note will pay out of pocket purchase of ~10K KrisFlyer + $402 in Taxes/Fees

Option A is clearly cheaper, but happy to pay more for a better experience or shorter flight. Also, I'm seeing that availability is easier to find on Option B. Just don't have time to check both that often and want to pick a path and stick to it.

Offline Chapshnell

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 4835
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: BP
  • Programs: Delta Skypesos, AA Shilling, AS Pounds.
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #901 on: December 14, 2015, 03:36:34 PM »
Need some advice please on which option you more experienced travelers would recommend:

Option A: MLE - HKG Business on Cathay, then pay out of pocket or use BA points for economy shuttle from HKG - CNX? (I've read that I can add HKG-CNX as part of a single reward booking, but when I talk to AA they try to route be through BKK?)

Option B: MLE - SIN Business on Singapore, then SIN - CNX Business on Tiger Air? Please note will pay out of pocket purchase of ~10K KrisFlyer + $402 in Taxes/Fees

Option A is clearly cheaper, but happy to pay more for a better experience or shorter flight. Also, I'm seeing that availability is easier to find on Option B. Just don't have time to check both that often and want to pick a path and stick to it.

why not A?

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13140
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #902 on: December 14, 2015, 03:41:58 PM »
Need some advice please on which option you more experienced travelers would recommend:

Option A: MLE - HKG Business on Cathay, then pay out of pocket or use BA points for economy shuttle from HKG - CNX? (I've read that I can add HKG-CNX as part of a single reward booking, but when I talk to AA they try to route be through BKK?)

Option B: MLE - SIN Business on Singapore, then SIN - CNX Business on Tiger Air? Please note will pay out of pocket purchase of ~10K KrisFlyer + $402 in Taxes/Fees

Option A is clearly cheaper, but happy to pay more for a better experience or shorter flight. Also, I'm seeing that availability is easier to find on Option B. Just don't have time to check both that often and want to pick a path and stick to it.
Does a layover in either city account for anything?
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline yitzyul

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 3054
  • Total likes: 147
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 71
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #903 on: December 14, 2015, 04:08:09 PM »
1) NYC-LHR J class
British and AA show tons of availability. What the best way to book using the least miles
(I have amex, BA, UR, or can transfer from SPG)

2) Best way to book NYC-TLV with a stop on LHR for overnight J class?
TY

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2944
  • Total likes: 135
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #904 on: December 14, 2015, 04:09:04 PM »
I know there's not much love for LY around here, but they are the only nonstop BOS-TLV, so it might make sense for us.
I understand from Dan's Israel post that I can transfer MR to Matmid and that I would need 40,000 for one-way in Y (wow).

But how do I check LY award availability? Do I need to join Matmid first? And do they really charge $25 to join their "club"?

Thanks.

Offline Marco Polo

  • Dansdeals Lifetime 10K Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: Jul 2012
  • Posts: 13140
  • Total likes: 49
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 104
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #905 on: December 14, 2015, 04:09:06 PM »
1) NYC-LHR J class
British and AA show tons of availability. What the best way to book using the least miles
(I have amex, BA, UR, or can transfer from SPG)

2) Best way to book NYC-TLV with a stop on LHR for overnight J class?
TY
BA solid option, but lot of fees.
Quaerite et Invenietis.

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2944
  • Total likes: 135
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #906 on: December 14, 2015, 04:11:07 PM »
1) NYC-LHR J class
British and AA show tons of availability. What the best way to book using the least miles
(I have amex, BA, UR, or can transfer from SPG)

2) Best way to book NYC-TLV with a stop on LHR for overnight J class?
TY
I bet you're seeing lots of BA availability. That's because they'll nail you with huge YQ (fuel surcharge).  Another way to do it would be to fly overnight in J on Aer Lingus to DUB, but you can't get DUB-TLV directly. 

Offline Chapshnell

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 4835
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: BP
  • Programs: Delta Skypesos, AA Shilling, AS Pounds.
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #907 on: December 14, 2015, 04:14:30 PM »
1) NYC-LHR J class
British and AA show tons of availability. What the best way to book using the least miles
(I have amex, BA, UR, or can transfer from SPG)

2) Best way to book NYC-TLV with a stop on LHR for overnight J class?
TY

best way is 45k Amex MR into AC for UA metal & from there take a BA flight with avios or an easy jet flight depending on the price

Offline yitzyul

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 3054
  • Total likes: 147
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 71
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #908 on: December 14, 2015, 04:35:10 PM »
I bet you're seeing lots of BA availability. That's because they'll nail you with huge YQ (fuel surcharge).  Another way to do it would be to fly overnight in J on Aer Lingus to DUB, but you can't get DUB-TLV directly.
If I purchase it on AA (BA airlines) there are no fees but its a whopping 100K

Offline Chapshnell

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 4835
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: BP
  • Programs: Delta Skypesos, AA Shilling, AS Pounds.
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #909 on: December 14, 2015, 04:36:48 PM »
If I purchase it on AA (BA airlines) there are no fees but its a whopping 100K

if booking RT, book via LAN if you're intent on BA. No YQ that way.. unless you have a companion pass you want to redeem.

Offline yitzyul

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jul 2011
  • Posts: 3054
  • Total likes: 147
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 71
    • View Profile
  • Location: Monsey
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #910 on: December 14, 2015, 04:40:27 PM »
if booking RT, book via LAN if you're intent on BA. No YQ that way.. unless you have a companion pass you want to redeem.
UA has horrible availability that why I was sticking with BA

Offline deusconsilio

  • Dansdeals Gold Elite
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2013
  • Posts: 130
  • Total likes: 0
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 0
    • View Profile
  • Location: NYC
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #911 on: December 14, 2015, 04:42:30 PM »
why not A?

Wasn't sure if Singapore Airlines offered better flight experience or something. I'm just trying to avoid mistakes by asking.


Does a layover in either city account for anything?

Layover would be under 3 hours in both cases

Offline Chapshnell

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 4835
  • Total likes: 275
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 12
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: BP
  • Programs: Delta Skypesos, AA Shilling, AS Pounds.
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #912 on: December 14, 2015, 04:43:16 PM »
UA has horrible availability that why I was sticking with BA

they open up late these days ime

Offline D93

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Presidential Platinum Elite
  • *********
  • Join Date: Jul 2014
  • Posts: 8793
  • Total likes: 21
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 14
    • View Profile
  • Location: PHL - TLV
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #913 on: December 14, 2015, 05:04:17 PM »
I know there's not much love for LY around here, but they are the only nonstop BOS-TLV, so it might make sense for us.
I understand from Dan's Israel post that I can transfer MR to Matmid and that I would need 40,000 for one-way in Y (wow).

But how do I check LY award availability? Do I need to join Matmid first? And do they really charge $25 to join their "club"?

Thanks.

You can search on EF, or make a free matmid account (there's a thread on it somewhere here)

Offline zow

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Jun 2014
  • Posts: 2944
  • Total likes: 135
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
  • Gender: Male
    • View Profile
  • Location: LAX
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #914 on: December 14, 2015, 05:49:50 PM »
You can search on EF, or make a free matmid account (there's a thread on it somewhere here)
Thanks, D93. I'll look for it.

Offline Denverite

  • Dansdeals Lifetime Platinum Elite
  • *******
  • Join Date: May 2015
  • Posts: 2006
  • Total likes: 182
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: Denver
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #915 on: December 14, 2015, 06:25:58 PM »
Need some advice please on which option you more experienced travelers would recommend:

Option A: MLE - HKG Business on Cathay, then pay out of pocket or use BA points for economy shuttle from HKG - CNX? (I've read that I can add HKG-CNX as part of a single reward booking, but when I talk to AA they try to route be through BKK?)

Option B: MLE - SIN Business on Singapore, then SIN - CNX Business on Tiger Air? Please note will pay out of pocket purchase of ~10K KrisFlyer + $402 in Taxes/Fees

Option A is clearly cheaper, but happy to pay more for a better experience or shorter flight. Also, I'm seeing that availability is easier to find on Option B. Just don't have time to check both that often and want to pick a path and stick to it.

I'm not sure where your final destination is but can you do your whole return on Sin with MLE-SIN as one leg and then the return leg SIN-CNX-Wherever with CNX as your free stopover?  Their stopover policy is so good I just feel like some parts of this should be done as stopovers.  They are very helpful if you call them...

Offline bznt

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2678
  • Total likes: 71
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: new york
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #916 on: December 14, 2015, 11:18:03 PM »
Best way to book NYC to CUN in J ?

Offline Joe4007

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2013
  • Posts: 4122
  • Total likes: 167
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 11
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #917 on: December 14, 2015, 11:42:58 PM »
Best way to book NYC to CUN in J ?
Book with Avios on AA for 20k.

Offline bznt

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Apr 2013
  • Posts: 2678
  • Total likes: 71
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: new york
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #918 on: December 15, 2015, 01:15:45 AM »
Book with Avios on AA for 20k.
You mean in economy round trip ? Or is it 20k avios each way in business?

Offline CS91

  • Dansdeals Presidential Platinum Elite
  • ********
  • Join Date: Feb 2015
  • Posts: 3457
  • Total likes: 45
  • DansDeals.com Hat Tips 1
    • View Profile
  • Location: NY
Re: What's the best way to book?
« Reply #919 on: December 15, 2015, 01:20:09 AM »
You mean in economy round trip ? Or is it 20k avios each way in business?
Both are right. 20k RT in Y, and 20k OW in J. Full award chart can be found in this DDMS post: http://www.dansdeals.com/archives/59617