I am trying to book a trip to Hawaii. from Philadelphia. with my husband. We are leaving the end of Sept. and coming home the middle of Oct. We have just over 80,000 points. Basic coach is 35,000 roundtrip for each of us. Everytime I check the internet they quote me 35,000 each way, coach premium rate. (I am using the latest possible return date that they have available), I still have to wait until this Thurs, 11/16 before I can actually book, for the return portion of the trip. I would be truly greatful to hear any suggestions on how I might make this actually happen using my basic coach miles. I can't believe how difficult US Airlines are when you try to redeem your points. I have changed our dates several times trying to use the points to no avail. Now our dates are fairly set! I am new to this board so hopefully I'm asking this at the proper place!!

I can't believe how difficult US Airlines are when you try to redeem your points

First, welcome...

Second, you didn't specify actual dates, so you might have better luck travellng on "low travel" days-- like Tuesdays and Wednesdays. HNL tends to be a pretty popular place to go.

Third, I assume you are planning travel on Usairways. US has mileage partners that also go to HNL from PHL, like United. So, you might want to check them for availability.

Fourth, keep in mind that other airlines also serve both PHL and HNL, if you have to buy a ticket. For example, Southwest....

Happy Coach Flyer, thanks for the suggestions. We are flying Friday, Sept 28 and returning Sat. Oct. 13. I will definitely try other airlines if the freq. flyer thing doesn't work. I'm praying real hard though!!

Glamourgal, the inventory available for HNL flights is typically very dynamic - some may come available as early as possible, and some may come available much later. Since you are looking for flights ten months in advance, it is always good to check on the first day they are available... but it is also important to check often. I would check US and United soon, but then keep checking... even if you wind up having to buy a ticket because none of the programs have mileage seats available, I would wait a while and purchase a ticket when the airlines announce a fare sale.

Bottom line - keep trying... some of us call every day when we are trying to get a specific award.

Has anyone done this as an AC award?

Not an answer to your question, but maybe some relevant information.

I once tried to book an intra-Canada trip (Montreal to Edmonton) and was told that AC was my only choice. A connection in the US was not allowed for regulatory reasons (cabotage, I believe?).

Not sure if the same would hold true in the other direction...

Happy Coach Flyer, thanks for the suggestions. We are flying Friday, Sept 28 and returning Sat. Oct. 13. I will definitely try other airlines if the freq. flyer thing doesn't work. I'm praying real hard though!!

ya,

I would guess that Fridays and Saturdays are going to be hard days to get. For a duration that long, travelling on Tuesdays and Wednesdays might give you better luck- and you would not notice the difference.

Call up Usair and ask what the United partner award availability is. You can check United's website to see what United has, but United's listing is likely more options than Usair could book for you.

Not an answer to your question, but maybe some relevant information.

I once tried to book an intra-Canada trip (Montreal to Edmonton) and was told that AC was my only choice. A connection in the US was not allowed for regulatory reasons (cabotage, I believe?).

Not sure if the same would hold true in the other direction...



AC can NOT pick up and drop off pax in US. When (im hoping) they can, I will be AC elite and DUMP US.

I once tried to book an intra-Canada trip (Montreal to Edmonton) and was told that AC was my only choice. A connection in the US was not allowed for regulatory reasons (cabotage, I believe?).

Not sure if the same would hold true in the other direction...

Were you able to get around this by using mixed awards? ie PHL-YYZ on US, then on to somewhere else in the US on AC.

Glamourgal,

I don't know if calling US makes any difference compared to the website, but I agree that US makes it very difficult to use awards at the saver level to many places on their website.

My impression is that you may have better luck with a *A award on United, I show availability PHL-HNL currently on 9/28 for UA, but it is too early for the return. Whether US could access this inventory is unknown.

I don't know your plans, but you may want to also look at availability to/from one of the other islands if HNL is not available both ways, particularly KOA and LIH seem to have decent availability (plus if you are going to multiple islands, you can avoid an inter-island trip).

Or depending on where you live, perhaps look at BWI or other alternative departure airports.

Happy Coach Flyer, thanks for the suggestions. We are flying Friday, Sept 28 and returning Sat. Oct. 13. I will definitely try other airlines if the freq. flyer thing doesn't work. I'm praying real hard though!!

Thanks so much for all of your help. When the return flight comes available I am going to contact United.

I am still pinching myself but I actually managed to get my US Air frequent flyer tickets, and only using 35,000 points per round trip ticket from Philadelphia to Honolulu!! When I tried to get them online, they only had premium seats and they were 35,000 point each way. You have to be pleasantly persistent, patient and keep calling back several times a day. We did have to change our plans, but it actually worked out to our advantage!! We are coming home a day early on a red eye flight but it gives us an extra day before we have to go back to work!! I did find out after probably the 20Th time calling that you can put a flight on hold for 3 days. That is what I did and then when I got both days I wanted, I combined the flights on hold and had my flights!! It was very nerve wracking but I have the flights and that is what counts in the end!! We are flying to Chicago on Us Air and then all United after that. I have the confirmed e-mails so I know I am not dreaming!!
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congrats!! i myself am saving my miles for that same reward, so that gives me hope when i'll go down your path

I am still pinching myself but I actually managed to get my US Air frequent flyer tickets, and only using 35,000 points per round trip ticket from Philadelphia to Honolulu!! When I tried to get them online, they only had premium seats and they were 35,000 point each way. You have to be pleasantly persistent, patient and keep calling back several times a day. We did have to change our plans, but it actually worked out to our advantage!! We are coming home a day early on a red eye flight but it gives us an extra day before we have to go back to work!! I did find out after probably the 20Th time calling that you can put a flight on hold for 3 days. That is what I did and then when I got both days I wanted, I combined the flights on hold and had my flights!! It was very nerve wracking but I have the flights and that is what counts in the end!! We are flying to Chicago on Us Air and then all United after that. I have the confirmed e-mails so I know I am not dreaming!!
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Congratulations!
I too have found that 'pleasant persistance' is the best mode to be in. I have now, twice, scored *5* RT to HNL, taking my fam. All same day, first time all same flt, this time split between UA and US. All savers in E. Start calling on the first day (T-331)...