United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - ATL-CPT/JNB-ATL November 2012

Hi guys-

I'm still working on my S. Africa itinerary. It looks as if it would be more ideal for me to fly in to CPT departing 11/14 (PM) to get there by 11/16 (AM) to meet up with friends later on that evening. Departing from JNB-ATL back home 11/23. All in Y.

I've found availability on United 40K miles each leg with $31 in taxes each. Stopping in Munich on the way there for about 8 hrs on the way to CPT. Maybe I could do a bit of sightseeing?

I think it's pretty good deal and great that it works out on my exact dates.
I was initially going to purchase a RT on DL ATL-JNB for about $1100. And do a RT flight on SAA JNB-CPT so now I would just do a one way CPT-JNB and leave out of JNB.

I have 110K United miles. And if I ever need more in the future I have 100K UR points I could always transfer.

Any advice?

Thanks,
Kiya

Question moved to UA forum because it pertains specifically to MileagePlus redemption.

Long flight. W your mileage I'd go in C, not Y

Long flight. W your mileage I'd go in C, not Y

He was talking about buying a ticket on DL so this doesn't apply. Also UA doesn't fly to south africa so he would have to be on SA, LH, or ET at somepoint.

Op,

Eight hours is enough time to go into the city and see stuff. Most of the good stuff in MUC is outside of the city center so you will have problems getting out there. That being said plenty of time to go to the beer halls in the center.

I would go with Delta, $1100 is a good deal, I almost never use miles for international economy because of the poor value vs lost earning potential. It's going to be difficult to find availability in C at this point. Is there a direct ATL - MUC LH flight?

I would go with Delta, $1100 is a good deal, I almost never use miles for international economy because of the poor value vs lost earning potential. It's going to be difficult to find availability in C at this point.

I agree if $1100 doesn't break the bank for you. Miles are a great way to travel in C or F when you might never buy a C or F ticket.

No there are no direct flights from ATL-MUC. And it would on LH on the way there and SA back.

Sorry was looking at the award chart availabilty incorrectly. Yes, there is no availability in C.

Thanks everyone for your advice I will go with the DL RT purchase ticket.

It's worth it to fly business for such a long flight.

^^ I agree I do see some availability in C (mixed cabin though so not worth it as it looks like economy for the longer legs) for those dates that would still get me there with a few stops. 60K each leg + taxes.

Is there a way to perhaps build a better itinerary that could get me there in C and make the connects worth it?

^^

Is there a way to perhaps build a better itinerary that could get me there in C and make the connects worth it?

You could risk it and wait for availability to open up (LH has a decent chance)

If you can get a $1100 fare on the nonstop flights from ATL to JNB then honestly thats what I'd do. Business class award availability to SA is not so easy -- possible that something would open up (nothing looked available in C all the way to JNB or CPT when I did some quick searches for those dates) but no guarantee. The advantage of paying for that ticket is that you'll get nonstop from ATL, the times worth pretty well for CPT connections and you'll earn quite a number of miles for the trip. If you have the cash, I recommend that route.

Yes I've looked and looked and there's no availability in C this late in the game. I don't want to wait too long to see if availability opens up. I'm looking to book within the next week.

I will keep my eye open over the next few days but I doubt I will find anything in C. I will go ahead and need to buy soon so that I can have a confirmed itinerary as soon as possible and buying ticket in Y looks to be the best option at this point anyway.

Also I would earn miles. Although DL miles are a bit tough to redeem.

Thanks for all your help!

It's worth it to fly business for such a long flight.

Exactly my thoughts too! 40k isn't a bad deal in Y, but for 20k more the 60k business award is a steal, in my opinion. This is a strong area for UA awards. A much better deal than using AA miles (75k US-Africa in J) or Delta (who knows? 60k on the chart, but probably in the six figures in practice!).

My suggestion: keep checking back regularly to see if anything in C opens up.

-FlyerBeek

Exactly my thoughts too! 40k isn't a bad deal in Y, but for 20k more the 60k business award is a steal, in my opinion. This is a strong area for UA awards. A much better deal than using AA miles (75k US-Africa in J) or Delta (who knows? 60k on the chart, but probably in the six figures in practice!).

My suggestion: keep checking back regularly to see if anything in C opens up.




Generally I would agree with this, but from ATL the *A options aren't great, so you'll likely have to go ATL-IAD/EWR/ORD-Europe-JNB-CPT. To me all that extra travel would probably not be worth flying in C given how short your overall trip is.

Thanks FB I'm still keeping my eyes open. Good point Noah.