United MileagePlus (Consolidated) - MIA-Asia 65K-mile award, connecting city choices / newbie needs help

Have 21K United miles & 113K ChaseSapphPref pts to convert 1:1. Want Sept. 65K-award-mile econ rt MIA-Asia with "free connecting city" stop -- Star Alliance partners OK. Can someone provide link to route map that will show me worldwide "free connecting city", e.g., Europe, possibilities & whether award seats are available. (LHR has UK fee? how much? other connecting cities with country-based fees?) United Int'l Award desk said online access to this info is limited vs. working with phone agent -- true??! Newbie appreciates links, comments, advice. As a stock photographer taking street scenes, any economically thriving cities with bike sharing programs for getting around are of interest, e.g., Seoul. Am hoping flexibility on cities, flights, will allow pre-coat weather shooting -- thanks in advance!

You can connect in a bazillion cities. You don't necessarily have to fly directly to the location to connect.

You have the option of one free stopover and two free open jaws

Example: mia-icn(stop) Singapore. Plus two open jaw tickets like Kuala Lumpur -phuket and phuket-miami

It all comes out to 65k except you'd have to buy the singapore-kul ticket. ($75)

Why don't u just do round trip in business? Definitely worth the extra points/miles.

Have 21K United miles & 113K ChaseSapphPref pts to convert 1:1. Want Sept. 65K-award-mile econ rt MIA-Asia with "free connecting city" stop -- Star Alliance partners OK. Can someone provide link to route map that will show me worldwide "free connecting city", e.g., Europe, possibilities & whether award seats are available. (LHR has UK fee? how much? other connecting cities with country-based fees?) United Int'l Award desk said online access to this info is limited vs. working with phone agent -- true??! Newbie appreciates links, comments, advice. As a stock photographer taking street scenes, any economically thriving cities with bike sharing programs for getting around are of interest, e.g., Seoul. Am hoping flexibility on cities, flights, will allow pre-coat weather shooting -- thanks in advance!

You can connect nearly anywhere on your way to Asia. You'll have to pay the taxes and fees levied anywhere you travel... I cannot think of any major airports which do not have some fee on their arrivals/departures.

>> You can connect in a bazillion cities. You don't necessarily have to fly directly to the location to connect...You have the option of one free stopover and two free open jaws

Thanks for responses. Dumb it down for me: what good are 65K-mile-award "open jaws" if they are not "free" stops? To see my choice of "free connecting" stops, should I view Star Alliance destination map? Is there one? Thanks!

Here is the "award travel for beginners" version:

2 open jaws + stopover could be used in many different ways but as an example let's assume you want to come back to MIA. In that case, you could go from MIA to let's say ICN, have a stopover there (more than 24 hours), then go to HKG. Stay there for a few days and pay for a one-way ticket to, for example, SIN. Stay in SIN for a few days and leave to MNL on your award ticket. Stay there and then buy another OW ticket to TYO. After another several days continue on your award ticket back to MIA.

>> You can connect in a bazillion cities. You don't necessarily have to fly directly to the location to connect...You have the option of one free stopover and two free open jaws

Thanks for responses. Dumb it down for me: what good are 65K-mile-award "open jaws" if they are not "free" stops? To see my choice of "free connecting" stops, should I view Star Alliance destination map? Is there one? Thanks!

You can go
Home>-A(stop)->B and then C->Home*

The stopover is at A
Openjaw is between B and C where you have your own arrangements
*this can also be another city in North America

You can stop anywhere, very few cities, especially in Europe are not covered by Star Alliance.

All airports will have a tax - but if you stopover in London - it will cost you a lot more than others, but thats only if you stop for >24 hours.

I second doing the trip in business.

Thanks for further explanations. Getting it! ^ ^
THREE QUESTIONS:
1. not opening for me:
http://routemap.staralliance.com/
working for others? temporary hang-up?
2. minimal "distance apart" requirement for open jaw airports
between which one self-transfers via flight-train-bus-car?
3. MIA-Asia award allows MiddleEast-Aussie-NZ connection or
open jaws if two oceans are not crossed?

You can connect nearly anywhere on your way to Asia.

Anyone, is this allowed under United's 65K-mile-award US-Asia?

MIA-ALC(...OpenJaw1...)VLC-MRS(...OpenJaw2...)NCE-ICN(=Destination)-DBX(=FreeConnectStop)-MIA

(2 open jaws, 1 free connect stop, 1 destination = 6 stops?)
(am not showing "unchosen" connections in above itinerary)

If not, why? Newbie asking -- thanks!

The open jaws can only be at the stopover point, destination, or origin. You can't use an open jaw to add another stopover.

Got it. So (4) airport cities max + origin, e.g.,

MIA-ALC,VLC-ICN,CJJ-MIA is OK?
ALC = free connection stop
ICN = destination

Any other caveats? regards.

Why don't u just do round trip in business? Definitely worth the extra points/miles.

Perhaps for someone with miles/points comming out the ears. I would never waste the miles for higher cabin myself. I've only got about 500,000 miles and that means less than 10 RTs to Europe in economy and even less to other destinations.

Perhaps for someone with miles/points comming out the ears. I would never waste the miles for higher cabin myself. I've only got about 500,000 miles and that means less than 10 RTs to Europe in economy and even less to other destinations.

I certainly dont have miles coming out of my ears, and they are all hard earned, I dont fly for work, and we dont have United CCs up here to pad accounts.
Yet, I do not hesitate to use them in business MIA-Asia. If I was to fly coach, I'd just spend the money, rather than get 2cpm value for my miles.

And these are NOT easy miles like most here who fly for work.

I am in the middle of booking SJO-YYZ-YUL-DOH-BKK. I wouldnt even dream of doing this in coach 62.5k vs 35k miles - no contest. Is the upgrade worth 27.5k miles on QR - hell yeah - even at the extortionate amounts UA charges for points that is at most $700 if one was to buy them outright.... a $700 upgrade halfway around the world, and on Qatar... hell yeah.

@rankourabu: I totally endorse what you have said above. Additionally remember that 14th Sept is the last date to book flights on Qatar using UA miles and so you might better want to hurry.

Bringing it back to the bottom so it doesn't get lost:

"Got it. So (4) airport cities max + origin, e.g.,

MIA-ALC,VLC-ICN,CJJ-MIA is OK?
ALC = free connection stop
ICN = destination

Any other caveats? regards."

PS. as a stock shooter, econ. class has more photo opps than business AFAICT, e.g., less complaints when taking candids of passengers putting/retrieving from overhead bins, etc. Yes, that's an often requested illustration...

Bringing it back to the bottom so it doesn't get lost: ... no need to double post
...
MIA-ALC,VLC-ICN,CJJ-MIA is OK?
ALC = free connection stop
ICN = destination

Any other caveats? ....should be OK but why bother with the secondary airports and OJs in this case?

More photo opps.
Each city = new subjects + airports.
Transportation between cities = photo opps.
Less interesting = reversing same transportation.
If jaws are offered & costs are reasonable, use it, IMO.
Am selecting cities with extensive bike share systems
= able to stop between bike stations for photo opps.

As to upgrade, have 134K United via cred card bonuses;
2nd US-X trip much more valuable than short-term comfort.
regards.

... If jaws are offered & costs are reasonable, use it, IMO.....award flight options will be more limited at secondary airports -- but if you can make it work.

If you can arrange flights without back tracking, you can add cities by having connections up to 23hr, 59min at each. You might need a smart/flexible agent.

> 23hr, 59min at each

Thanks for info. Interesting. Hectic.
So if my return was via new airport, say LHR,
I could request next day flight rather than same day?
(would <24hrs avoid UK airport fee?)

Would United 65K US-Asia award allow
MIA-DXB-PVG-MIA ?
DXB = free connection stop
PVG = destination
(DXB requires higher ff miles if = destination = award loophole?)
(can I make DXB connection AFTER PVG: MIA-PVG-DXB(=free)-MIA?)
What are DXB & PVG airport fees, tourist visa fees?
How would others describe fall award availability for this itinerary?
Newbie says thanks in advance!

Would United 65K US-Asia award allow
MIA-DXB-PVG-MIA ?
DXB = free connection stop
PVG = destination
(DXB requires higher ff miles if = destination = award loophole?)
(can I make DXB connection AFTER PVG: MIA-PVG-DXB(=free)-MIA?)
What are DXB & PVG airport fees, tourist visa fees?
How would others describe fall award availability for this itinerary?
Newbie says thanks in advance!

Would United 65K US-Asia award allow
MIA-DXB-PVG-MIA ?
DXB = free connection stop
PVG = destination
(DXB requires higher ff miles if = destination = award loophole?)
(can I make DXB connection AFTER PVG: MIA-PVG-DXB(=free)-MIA?)
What are DXB & PVG airport fees, tourist visa fees?
How would others describe fall award availability for this itinerary?
Newbie says thanks in advance!

DBX? I cannot find any such airport. Do you mean DXB (Dubai)?

I'm not possitive, I would think that an east bound ATL-PVG would not be allowed as west bound is shorter distance. You might need to do an ATW award for that -- 180,000 miles.

Visa fees depend upon one's citizenship. If you are a US citizen, no fee for the UAE with visa issued on arrival; China is $130 plus extra fee if you want rush service. http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/

I'm not possitive, I would think that an east bound ATL-PVG would not be allowed as west bound is shorter distance. You might need to do an ATW award for that -- 180,000 miles.

Its definitely allowed to go via the Atlantic. What may not be allowed is a stop in DXB.

Just a suggestion..... Why don't you keep this question with your original thread? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/united-mileageplus-consolidated/1383147-mia-asia-65k-mile-award-connecting-city-choices-newbie-needs-help.html

Would United 65K US-Asia award allow
MIA-DXB-PVG-MIA ?
DXB = free connection stop
PVG = destination
(DXB requires higher ff miles if = destination = award loophole?)

Which airlines do you plan on flying nonstops for MIA-DXB and DXB-PVG?


(can I make DXB connection AFTER PVG: MIA-PVG-DXB(=free)-MIA?)

You are permitted one stopover.


What are DXB & PVG airport fees, tourist visa fees?


Try to do an award booking with United.com? The second question depends on your country of citizenship...


How would others describe fall award availability for this itinerary?

Look at United.com. Where are you willing to connect? Do you mind booking at the last minute?

Thanks for responses.
Corrected to DXB, sorry.
US citizen, spend 6 days each DXB & PVG.
Would fly any Star Alliance airline necessary
if MIA-PVG(=dest'n)-DXB(=free)-MIA is allowed.
But is it? Tried online, got nothing.
Previously, phone rep said more info via phone(=$25).
But was hoping someone knows off "top-of-head" as
phone reps seem to vary in expertise. regards.

if MIA-PVG(=dest'n)-DXB(=free)-MIA is allowed.
But is it? Tried online, got nothing.
Previously, phone rep said more info via phone(=$25).

As already stated, this is a valid routing (assuming you find some actual award space on star alliance carriers between those cities)...

Multicity will almost certainly break down and you will need to speak to an agent to book.

...
if MIA-PVG(=dest'n)-DXB(=free)-MIA is allowed.
....Need to be careful on the routing -- need to avoid RTW (Round The World) routing. Need to return to the USA in the same way you left -- via Altantic routing or Pacific routing. Can not do both.

Need to be careful on the routing -- need to avoid RTW (Round The World) routing. Need to return to the USA in the same way you left -- via Altantic routing or Pacific routing. Can not do both.

False? You can cross both oceans on a North America - Asia award with United without turning it into a RTW trip. If you get an agent who disagrees, hanging up works wonders.

False? You can cross both oceans on a North America - Asia award with United without turning it into a RTW trip. ....and do DXB?

and do DXB?

Yes. SFO-SYD (stop)-SIN (destination)-FRA-LHR-MAN-EWR-DTW prices as a North America-Asia roundtrip, even though the price for North America-Australia higher.

(Now to wait for people to start PM'ing me to take this down because I'm letting out some sort of secret about MPMs :rolleyes:)

Yes. SFO-SYD (stop)-SIN (destination)-FRA-LHR-MAN-EWR-DTW prices as a North America-Asia roundtrip, even though the price for North America-Australia higher.
... Yeap online some RTW will book as normal awards, but don't get an agent involved.
Also in your case, you started West Coast and ended East Coast, another known loophole -- what happens if you add DTW-SFO?
.... (Now to wait for people to start PM'ing me to take this down because I'm letting out some sort of secret about MPMs :rolleyes:)like there is no MPM test anymore -- no big secret.

Yeap online some RTW will book as normal awards, but don't get an agent involved.
Also in your case, you started West Coast and ended East Coast, another known loophole -- what happens if you add DTW-SFO?

I don't know. A friend (also NYC-based) booked this particular one. Getting to SFO on a revenue ticket was worth the inconvenience to be able to stop to see friends in SFO, but it wasn't constructed explicitly to avoid it turning into a RTW.

Yes. SFO-SYD (stop)-SIN (destination)-FRA-LHR-MAN-EWR-DTW prices as a North America-Asia roundtrip, even though the price for North America-Australia higher.

Sorry to burst your bubble, UA shut that down about a month ago - after it was discussed on FT, after nearly a year without exposure kept it alive.

You can cross both oceans on a North America - Asia award with United without turning it into a RTW trip. If you get an agent who disagrees, hanging up works wonders.
That easy? Told by (1) agent 65K-US-Asia 1-ocean only...
What is ratio of hanging up vs. 2-ocean agents?
Will 2-ocean agent be technically wrong? Repercussions?
Agents seem to read & interpret rules in real time?
Newbie asking, thanks!