My father is in ICU, and doctors just rushed in for an "emergency" family cannot enter. He's 79, and it doesn't look good. I need to get from MCO to ONT-LAX-SNA-SAN either later tonight, or very early in the morning. I'm assuming I'd be better of using miles at this point, I need a flexible return. I have miles with NW and DL. Do they both allow last minute reservations like this? Any advice would be appreciated.

I've done this with United a few times without any difficulty; I've done next-day travel with Delta as well (which wound up being international award travel). Delta charges a fee if it's less than 14 days in advance, but that's well worth it in this kind of situation.

I don't know anything about NW, though.

Since time is of the essence, the best approach is to call the airlines directly and see what's possible...

Also, be sure to ask about partner awards. I think Delta's arrangement with UA is still there, and there are some MCO->LAX nonstops on UA which could be good for you...

Dan


[This message has been edited by danM (edited 09-29-2003).]

NWA-No charge for last minute e ticket award reservation, but they will charge you $50 per change. As long as you are 3+ hours out, you can do via NWA.com. Within 3 hours you must call NWA for your reservation.

DL-$75 charge for last minute e ticket award reservation, but NO charge for changes on same city pair. I don't know if you can do via Delta.com or if you have to call DL.

Best of luck to you in a difficult time.

Since it's this late in the day on the east coast, the chances of getting to LA tonight are getting slim- if you're anywhere near MCO, travelocity is showing a one way ticket on america west. leaving MCO 8:30 arriving LAX 12:35am for $400.

Delta has a non-stop MCO-LAX at 7:15am for $250 (DL2451)

Using miles, NW has a non-capacity controlled award for 50,000 miles, although there may be expedite fees or change fees for the return.

I assume that Delta offers the same (and would probably be a better choice from florida to so. cal), so if you have enough miles, I'd call DL first.

best wishes.

Hope these info helps:

For Northwest,if you are the person travelling, you could get an award ticket issued for you as an E-ticket at no cost at any time either over phone or at nwa.com. If you need the return dates to be flexible, there is no option available as such. You will have to choose a date and then change it later on for a $50 fee (waived if you are a Platinum elite).
This link provides good info.

You may check the standard availabilty at:
http://usr.v7.com/wpaa/



[This message has been edited by santo (edited 09-29-2003).]

Thanks for the help. I can't make tonights HP flight. I do need to go first thing in the AM (Kidney have stopped and his heart is on a pacemaker)

What is CO like for awards, and how do an award with them?

Dave

HP shows award availability out of MCO at 10:50 AM tomorrow, connecting through PHX, arriving ONT at 2:42. (LAX didn't show available, but other area airports might be, and the next thing to do would be to call and find out.) This may be later than you wish to go under the circumstances. If you can afford the $255, there's a non-stop Delta (Song) flight at 7:15 AM that gets you into LAX at 9:15 -- much earlier. You can book each segment 1-way at that fare so you don't have to worry about the open-ended return.

In terms of a HP free ticket, the return date may be an issue as I believe you have to book a round-trip when ticketed but that could probably be worked somehow.

In any event, I have the mileage necessary to do this so if I can help you, e-mail me.

I had a similar type of emergency. I called CO, and they were able to accomodate me for a 50k mile award leaving about 4 hours later.

The 6:50 AM out of MCO (gets to ONT at 11:20 AM through IAH) tomorrow is actually showing availability at the "standard" (25k r/t for coach, 45k for FC) level on the outbound if you include a Saturday night stay. Plenty of availability - call ASAP when you're positive you'd like to be on that flight.

My experience was that, although I selected a return, and changed it several times, CO only charged me the one $35 change fee. If forced to do it again, I'd pick the latest return date that I thought was reasonable, and move it earlier if circumstances required.

If you're using Northwest miles, call NW - they should have basically the same inventory as CO, and can eticket you on CO flights no problem.

I hope everything improves for you in California.

[This message has been edited by JeremyZ (edited 09-29-2003).]