Hi guys,

I'm in school in Chicago right now, and got final round interviews with a company in the UK. They're paying for the flight, and I'd like to know if there's any way to maximize my miles - my interview is on the 25th, and I can travel the weekend before and leave the weekend after, or any combination of dates in between. I can also stopover on NYC.

Don't want to have too much hassle, but if I can pick up some free points to travel in the US, would be great. My apologies if this is a naive question - this is my first post to this forum.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=454485

Welcome and good luck

Probably your easiest bet minus trekking out to the west coast to begin with is flying through FRA on Lufthansa and you can also throw in a connection in the US through one of LH's hubs, such as ORD-XXX-FRA-LHR. Try to do the reverse for the return. If you can find a nice routing you can yield over 11k eqm.

Hi Jason,

Welcome to the Mileage Run Forum. Normally, we don't allow fare requests - but as this is a mileage maximization question, it's okay. However, I'm going to move it to the Mileage Run Discussion forum versus the Mileage Run Deals forum.

Please continue discussion there.

Also, given the fact that a prospective employer is footing the bill, I would be hesitant to add more stops than necessary as it may seem wasteful. That said, I don't know how intensely they're going to look at your expense report, but if I were flying for an interview & someone else was paying it & I wanted the job, I'd try to go with the most cost-effective & direct route as possible - ideally with my preferred carrier, but not necessarily as it's being paid for by someone else whom I'm trying work for.

bhatnasx
Mileage Run Moderator

Chicago to London is about 3900 miles per sector direct (UA) ... so on a good day, you're looking at near on 8k before you start.

As someone else is paying, they would expect you to demonstrate "best value" (and its highly good manners)

Alternative routings could be via Charlotte, Philliy (US Airways), Manchester (BMI British Midland - 3814 ORD to MAN + 600 MAN to LHR)

SAS and LH also fly over to Europe, but unless they offer "good value" to your prospective employer, I wouldn't consider them.

Both of those above are *A partners so you can get millage on those.

Should have been more explicit - not looking for any really creative ways to maximize miles, just wondering if any airlines (AA, Northwest, etc.), that are offering promotions right now out of Chicago that I can take advantage of. I'm willing to make a stop over on the way, but that's about it. E

E.g. AA is offering promotions for free flights if you book business class, but that's about it.

Deleted, did not see your last reply.

Off-topic a little, but would you recommend Gatwick or Heathrow to fly into? My hotel is in the city center, and I can't figure out how a cheap way to get there from Gatwick. Heathrow it's the tube..

Everything you wanted to know about transport from London airports, but were afraid to ask!

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=362477

Chances are you'll end up at LHR anyway, there are no direct flights from ORD to LGW. Neither are the nicest airport in the world!

Theifrow or Gatwick?

From Heathrow: Tube (London Underground) http://www.thetube.com , Heathrow Express http://www.heathrowexpress.com/ (if you've got deepish pockerts) or AirBus (If you feeling you wish to damage your soul and tavel on a bus)

From Gatwick: Gatwick Express is your connection (http://www.gatwickexpress.co.uk), connecting Gatwick every 15 minutes with Victora Train station.

Once *in* London, public transport is a bit expensive, but either get yourself a "Travel Card" or if you just fancy living on the wild side, get an Oyster Card.

ORD vs LHR vs LGW. I wouldn't choose *any* of them by default....

If you're likely to be flying anywhere else on AA in the next three months (not hard if you're Chicago based) look at doing a (gold) challenge for elite status and bonus miles-fare is around $460 plus tax currently so serves the economical fare criteria too. Details of the challenge can be found on the AA board sticky.

As a first-time poster, I must say that advice I got here was amazing. Decided to fly to Heathrow, and already was Gold status, so enrolled in the Platinum challenge, which I should be able to make. Thanks a lot, guys, you're awesome.

Hi,

Also Virgin Atlantic are starting ORD-LHR on the 24th April ( after stopping after 9/11). They may have offers for flying from the US. You could earn CO miles on VS.

Regards

TBS

The American flight I was about to book was S class, for which I get .5 credit for each mile flown (for the platinum challenge). Next fare (K-class), is a $1000 more. Think I've found a creative way around it by flying BA Economy, since those translate on a 1/1 basis for American.

Any thoughts? Or is there another Oneworld partner I should check out?

The American flight I was about to book was S class, for which I get .5 credit for each mile flown (for the platinum challenge). Next fare (K-class), is a $1000 more. Think I've found a creative way around it by flying BA Economy, since those translate on a 1/1 basis for American.

Any thoughts? Or is there another Oneworld partner I should check out?

Hi,

Unfortunately you will NOT get any American miles for flying BA transatlantic due to restrictions. ( you will also not get any BA miles for flying American)

Regards

TBS

Flying BA transtlantic from the US will not earn you any AA miles/ points (I assume from your previous posts that you are looking for fares that will help you achieve your AA plat challenge.)

Hi,

Unfortunately you will NOT get any American miles for flying BA transatlantic due to restrictions. ( you will also not get any BA miles for flying American)

Regards

TBS

Thank you, that saved me some heartburn.

I've just noticed that The Banking Scot and I both posted effectively the same infomation within a few seconds of each other on Sunday morning. A great display of Scottish solidarity!