Rommie2k6
May 10, 12, 7:13 pm
My travel plans are focused on travel within the US and Canada and to Europe. I know lots of people of this forum use their miles to redeem 1st-class international flights, but for me the main point of using miles is to get as much free flights as I can.
I've been researching AA, Delta, US Airways, United and Avios points. I'm based in Detroit btw...
As far as I can tell AA and US Airways seems to lead the pack, as they have low season RT from US to Europe for 40k miles (AA) and 35k miles (US Airways). The rest of the airlines seems to require 60k miles.
As for domestic flights, it seems that all the airlines are about the same.
US Airways also have the Barclay's credit card that can knock 5k miles off any award travel, that makes it 30k miles to Europe(!) and 20k miles within the US. Do the cards from other airlines have similar perks? I couldn't find any...
Perhaps the guru can comment on my "research"? Have I missed out anything?
Econ is very cheap with Avios on AA filghts
TTnC4me
May 10, 12, 9:36 pm
I've found this website helpful: http://www.milez.biz/en/index.php
civico
May 11, 12, 4:52 am
My travel plans are focused on travel within the US and Canada and to Europe. I know lots of people of this forum use their miles to redeem 1st-class international flights, but for me the main point of using miles is to get as much free flights as I can.
I've been researching AA, Delta, US Airways, United and Avios points. I'm based in Detroit btw...
As far as I can tell AA and US Airways seems to lead the pack, as they have low season RT from US to Europe for 40k miles (AA) and 35k miles (US Airways). The rest of the airlines seems to require 60k miles.
As for domestic flights, it seems that all the airlines are about the same.
US Airways also have the Barclay's credit card that can knock 5k miles off any award travel, that makes it 30k miles to Europe(!) and 20k miles within the US. Do the cards from other airlines have similar perks? I couldn't find any...
Perhaps the guru can comment on my "research"? Have I missed out anything?
AA is awesome for off-peak and the time periods they have available are great. I recently did a post comparing AA/USAir off-peak (http://www.extrapackofpeanuts.com/stttrrrreeeettttcccchhhh-those-miles-by-traveling-off-peak/) that you might find interesting.
The only knock on USAirways is that you have fly roundtrip when using miles. Not a huge deal, but just something to keep in mind. They do allow 1 stopover or open jaw though, so that helps if you are planning on flying in to one place and out another.
Also, the 5k off is only if you fly on USAir metal, not if you fly on Star Alliance partners.
AA is great too for Europe, just don't fly on BA or you'll get crushed with fuel surcharges. Everything else is great though, and with Air Berlin just joining OneWorld, you have even more options.
I'd say you can't go wrong with either of them, and that they are the two best options for Europe.
United isn't bad either, although it doesn't have off-peak awards. You can fly one-way though, and you never pay fuel surcharges on any partner flights.
As far as domestic, why not consider Southwest? The Chase southwest cards give you $833 of Wanna Get Away fares. Also, there are no fees if you book tickets with your Southwest miles and then have to cancel, a HUGE bonus.
I've found this website helpful: http://www.milez.biz/en/index.php
Milez.biz is great!