Don't get me wrong---I love US Airways and it has always been sufficient to meet my needs, but when hopping across the pond, I want to travel on an airline that knows what business class ought to look like. I want to book award travel using my DM to and from Munich on LH using my US Div. miles. Since I've got over 160K, I want to do it in Business class.

My questions are:
1) If US flies a similar route to that city, do I have to use their planes, even though their service doesn't even come close?

2) Will US book the tickets for me via the Gold help desk, or do I have to do something crazy?

3) Has anyone experienced any issues doing this? The chat person was not all that helpful, and I absolutely despise using telephones. Is that the ONLY way?

I want to thank anyone who can help me out here. If it matters, my departure airport is FAY and my travel time would be around the new year.

Don't get me wrong---I love US Airways and it has always been sufficient to meet my needs, but when hopping across the pond, I want to travel on an airline that knows what business class ought to look like. I want to book award travel using my DM to and from Munich on LH using my US Div. miles. Since I've got over 160K, I want to do it in Business class.

My questions are:
1) If US flies a similar route to that city, do I have to use their planes, even though their service doesn't even come close?

Nope. You can book on any partner airline (assuming availability) regardless of if US flies that route.



2) Will US book the tickets for me via the Gold help desk, or do I have to do something crazy?

Call the Gold line and they'll help you. It's the one and only way to book partner/*A tickets.


3) Has anyone experienced any issues doing this? The chat person was not all that helpful, and I absolutely despise using telephones. Is that the ONLY way?

It is the only way. Call, and they'll help you. If you get a nasty or unhelpful person on the phone, hang up, and call back. The only issue you should expect is lack of business class availability on LH. Be VERY flexible in your dates/routing.

I've been able to do this, and I didn't fly any US Air legs. I flew United to Chicago, then LH to Munich, (then LH to Prague).

The funny thing is, it was fewer miles than US. A flight using US was going to be 160k a ticket for business, where it was only 80k a ticket to go United/LH business class.

I haven't done this since the merger, but I've booked several international reward tickets, and never used US as a carrier. The chairman's desk has been very helpful, and I'm sure the Gold would be too, although I think both may transfer you to the international line. They will spend a lot of time researching for you since they have a lot of different airlines to search now. Also, if you are a little flexible with dates or times you can really get a deal.

I've been able to do this, and I didn't fly any US Air legs. I flew United to Chicago, then LH to Munich, (then LH to Prague).

The funny thing is, it was fewer miles than US. A flight using US was going to be 160k a ticket for business, where it was only 80k a ticket to go United/LH business class.

I haven't done this since the merger, but I've booked several international reward tickets, and never used US as a carrier. The chairman's desk has been very helpful, and I'm sure the Gold would be too, although I think both may transfer you to the international line. They will spend a lot of time researching for you since they have a lot of different airlines to search now. Also, if you are a little flexible with dates or times you can really get a deal.

jpoarch:
US probably offered you the 160K Premium Biz award because of the lack of the 80K Standard award.

my suggestions to the OP(opener) of this thread:
In trying to find these tickets in Biz that you are looking for, I suggest you sign up (free of charge) for the ANA Mileage Club, as they have a really good STAR alliance availability tool thats shows award availability on all of STAR's carriers. Good Luck to you!