Author Topic: Award tickest 8 moths early  (Read 3458 times)

Offline Nitantnel

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Award tickest 8 moths early
« on: June 01, 2011, 06:17:36 PM »
I figured on easy way to get a first class ticket would be to book 8 moths in advance.

Are there any risks involved? (except the fact that something might change and I will not be able to go, which is highly unlikely)

Also, what would be my best option to get a direct flight - I have 175K Amax MR points. I know continental is the cheapest, but they don't seam to have any direct flights.

All help is greatly appreciated!

(P.S. I searched, so forgive me if this was already spoken about...)



Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2011, 06:20:44 PM »
Perhaps an origin and destination.

Offline AsherO

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2011, 06:22:56 PM »
Perhaps an origin and destination.

Let me guess, NYC to TLV?

Does CO have a plan-B type thing for F?
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Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2011, 06:35:14 PM »
Let me guess, NYC to TLV?
Yup!
Does CO have a plan-B type thing for F?

I don't even know what that means... :(

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2011, 06:45:13 PM »
Let me guess, NYC to TLV?

Does CO have a plan-B type thing for F?
CO only has Economy and BF.
Plan B is for BF.
El Al flies EWR-TLV and JFK-TLV. Use AA miles.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2011, 06:51:49 PM »
CO only has Economy and BF.
Plan B is for BF.
El Al flies EWR-TLV and JFK-TLV. Use AA miles.

I got it. Thanks AsherO and aussBachu!

But I still can't figure out why is there no availability in BF? Do I have to wait closer to the time? Delta told me that award ticket availability changes with time, but that won't explain why there are absolutely NO BF tickets!
« Last Edit: June 01, 2011, 06:55:18 PM by Nitantnel »

Offline AsherO

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2011, 06:59:07 PM »
CO only has Economy and BF.
Plan B is for BF.
El Al flies EWR-TLV and JFK-TLV. Use AA miles.

Ah, good point, I forgot CO was BF. So you think the OP is better off with AA than with CO PlanB? Wouldn't PlanB ensure he gets BF?

I got it. Thanks AsherO and aussBachu!

But I still can't figure out why is there no availability in BF? Do I have to wait closer to the time? Delta told me that award ticket availability changes with time, but that won't explain why there are absolutely NO BF tickets!

FWIU BF will open up with time, AussieB can tell you for sure :)
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Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2011, 07:05:21 PM »
Ah, good point, I forgot CO was BF. So you think the OP is better off with AA than with CO PlanB? Wouldn't PlanB ensure he gets BF?

FWIU BF will open up with time, AussieB can tell you for sure :)
CO has terrible availability in BF. So, El Al may have better availability.
Plan B is only available if there is a saver coach seat available. If you do it, you should clear. No guarantees.
Delta generally has better availability closer to date rather then further.

The only true First class is on El Al. Availability is usually pretty good but can only be booked with Matmid =fortune and fuel surcharges.
Other first class options are available via Europe.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2011, 10:26:42 PM »
CO has terrible availability in BF.

I guess then I will give up on both direct and first.
Any luck with business and direct in other carriers other than El Al? (Yes, I cannot afford those hefty charges!)
If no luck with that either, I will go with business and a stop over. Which airline would be my best bet to find availability in 8 months?

Offline MLM

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2011, 11:25:09 PM »
try usairways from philly

Offline Dan

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2011, 11:37:58 PM »
Or AC from YYZ.
Save your time, I don't answer PM. Post it in the forum and a dedicated DDF'er will get back to you as soon as possible.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2011, 11:39:07 PM »
try usairways from philly

Or AC from YYZ.

I see availability form NYC too?

Offline elikay

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2011, 11:40:02 PM »
@Dan
sarcasm?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #13 on: June 02, 2011, 12:45:27 AM »
I guess then I will give up on both direct and first.
Any luck with business and direct in other carriers other than El Al? (Yes, I cannot afford those hefty charges!)
If no luck with that either, I will go with business and a stop over. Which airline would be my best bet to find availability in 8 months?
Delta. Low awards aren't always easy to get. But with the Amex>Delta promo it can be reasonable.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #14 on: June 02, 2011, 12:51:40 AM »
Delta. Low awards aren't always easy to get. But with the Amex>Delta promo it can be reasonable.

I already did that Promo.

What about US airways? I never heard of US air ways JFK-TLV? 125k for first and direct sound pretty good, no?

Offline aussiebochur

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #15 on: June 02, 2011, 12:54:08 AM »
I already did that Promo.

What about US airways? I never heard of US air ways JFK-TLV? 125k for first and direct sound pretty good, no?
They don't fly direct JFK-TLV.

BTW, what dates are you looking to go?

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #16 on: June 02, 2011, 01:02:03 AM »
I need to be there Monday Jan 30.

Offline Nitantnel

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Re: Award tickest 8 moths early
« Reply #17 on: June 02, 2011, 10:46:39 AM »
On a different note, what's the latest feasible time to get a hold of (even a multiple-leg) a ticket?