MilesBuzz! - All those miles and can't get a seat

OK, call me lame, but I've searched the The Buzz, United and other threads for a good story of someone who has oodles of miles but can't get to the destination he or she wants. I'm filing a story for the SF Examiner this Friday and would be mucho grateful if anyone out there, especially a Premier (or similar) member, would like to share his or her tale of woe.

I'll keep checking this board or you can email me: shapiro@sonic.net -- or just tell me where to look. I won't use any posts without the author's permission. And I won't just be a vulture on this board -- I've already made posts unrelated to my work, just because y'all know yer stuff.
TIA -scribe

Looks like you are going on a fishing expedition, but I'll bite.

Lets assume that I have oodles of miles on an airline and I really want to get to a destination. I guess I could request a standard award, which does not have blackout dates or capacity controls. If there is a seat available on a plane I get the seat.

Sorry I can't help you - I have never claimed an award.

But I am quite happy to make something really bad up about Virgin if it helps! Nothing springs to mind, but I will e-mail Roberto for assistance with making things up.

Please let me, I would really love too!
MF

we are already on "speaking-terms" next Sunday in SFO (just to let the others here know).

I seem to recall someone being frustrated with TWA??
And wasn't there someone else who tried booking an award flight almost a year in advance, just to be nudged down the waiting list by more elite ffs? (was that United?)

Like Merry, I have never actually claimed an award...

I have been collecting frequent flyer mileage since 1988 and have redeemed mileage for everything from well-planned first class tickets to Europe to impulsive long weekends in Hawaii to using mileage the very next day to go to a family funeral. Over the span of 10 years, I have redeemed mileage and have flown with Eastern, Northwest, United, Alaska, Reeve Air Aleutian, Aloha, Delta, SAS and KLM. In most cases, I have redeemed the reduced mileage levels that have blackout dates and have never had a problem (keep in mind that I am married and my wife goes as well so I usually need 2 freebies) getting tickets to go somewhere. The most challenging trip I recall was with Northwest in 1995 when I wanted to fly to Paris and ended up having to fly home from Frankfurt but I didn't mind.

Maybe I have been lucky but I do plan at least 6 months in advance for mileage I will redeem for vacation use.

It doesn't seem you're getting the answers you had hoped for. I'm a bit surprised that NOBODY has related a negative experience, although my own have also been all positive. I've been collecting miles and other perks longer than I care to remember (When I hit 100,000 miles with United and the Regional Sales Manager visited to deliver my Red Carpet membership, he told me it was the first one he'd ever presented that had a bill with it). I use most of my miles for vacation trips. My wife has miles of her own, but seldom enough for a 1st class ticket; so we're usually using mine for two tickets. The family rule is at least one vacation to a place where Delta flies and Marriott has a hotel, outside CONUS. Delta and Marriott since that's where most of our miles and points are, although I've also used some AmEx points elsewhere. I've never had a problem getting both the "free" first class air and the "free" hotel space on the first try (I vaguely recall once having to shift dates by a week, but don't remember details). Upgrades are iffier, although if I'm on a trip where I absolutely INSIST on the front cabin and absolutely REFUSE to pay the first class fare, I'll use either miles or a Delta system-wide certificate to confirm first when I make my reservation. As I've said in other posts, though, I seldom travel at the last minute. Our vacation travel is planned at least six months out, and usually even earlier. I did have one occasion when I was told I was TOO early - Delta hadn't yet calculated their capacity-controlled award seat availability for the flight we wanted.

I forgot to mention that I have also earned free tickets on Southwest which I give to my brother and his family since they don't fly enough to earn freebies. Since Southwest has no seat allocation restrictions, he has never had any problems getting on board the flights he wanted.

My guess is that you WANT people to tell you a "Tale of Woe", but you aren't finding them. Good Luck!

Thanks for the replies. I'm not looking for tales of woe per se -- I want to get a clear idea of what's going on out there with FF miles. If most people are successful, so much the better, and I'll put this in my story. Given that I've gotten tales of woe elsewhere (through Net boards and phone interviews), I'm starting to conclude that members of this forum are generally pretty savvy, and that you're successful because you plan ahead and understand the need to be flexible.

Also, one thing I find surprising is that there seem to be at least a couple of folks out there who are expert collectors of miles but don't cash them in -- what's up with that -- is it to reach certain status levels for free upgrades?

travelscribe: I had a look at your homepage, saw your book, can't click any further.

where can I buy your book (ISBN-number please, trough Amazon?).

or if we meet in SFO, please bring one with you (with the bill) - thank you.

travelscribe - I know that Merry & I are among the offenders as far as collecting without spending goes. The reason for this is probably that once you reach a certain level of travel (I did 50000 miles in 3 months, MF does a transatlantic commute most weeks), the last thing you want to do with your spare time is step on a plane. Elite status certainly helps in terms of upgrades and extra attention, and I am planning to (eventually) use my miles for a marathon trip - but spending miles in 100000 mile increments takes a while to plan... I'll probably be spending 250000 at once. (Unlike Rudi I can't take off on round-the-world trips at the drop of a hat)

I think Merry donated a slew of his miles to charity recently, but secretly he's in it for the fun of having a wallet full of cards...
We're both BA fans. I don't know if that means anything.

Rudi (pasha): http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1565921720/qid%3D911416678/002-8013550-8149268
There's information, reviews, etc... and you can order it or ask the author to bring a signed copy to your meeting...

I think Rudi travels simply to meet fellow FlyerTalk members! I plan on meeting him next week at SEA during his layover.

Rudi...how many people from the internet have you met so far?

I am not sure if I should disclose here whom I meet when (I don't know if the other person involved wants you to know), but I don't mind if those which I arranged to meet, publish it here or elsewhere.

The total of flyertalk-friends to be met during this coming trip could reach a max of 7 (but nevertheless - the coming trip was planned and booked somewhen in february/march 98 - before I knew anything about this board.

Travelscribe... I'm sorry I can't think of any problems getting my upgrades/Free tickets. One thing you might put in the article is with any award tickets HAVE TWO
OR THREE Travel dates ready. I do remember going with the second or third choice a few
times with award tickets (both upgrades and free.)

Another rule of "paw" (thumb for you humans:)
DO NOT BOOK THE HOTEL BEFORE GETTING THE AIRLINE TICKETS!!! Nothing's more aggrevating then getting a great hotel and finding the airfare's not available. I've learned this early in my travel career.

Keep watching Flyertalk. Some great story's bound to come up! CATMAN

I wish you happy and safe flying on your
trips, Rudi and tell those seven Flyertalk
members that the CAT says MEOW!

Travelscribe - you'll find one story in the United section under First Class Award Seats..the short version is that I went to a lot of trouble to book a condo on Maui for next summer a year in advance becasue I'd been told by United that first class award seats are scarce to Hawaii and that I should book them 331 days in advance if I wanted to get them. So I called 331 days out & was told there were no seats in inventory & I'd have to go on the waitlist. Almost 2 months later, I've gotten first class seats on the return because I keep calling several times a week on the other flights to Hawaii; I'm still on the waitlist for the trip over, but keep getting bumped down the list because 1K and Prem Ex members have priority over me no matter when they call to get on the list...

I think travelscribe hit the nail on the head that we have all learned to be flexible in our plans and we can get free travel and free upgrades using miles. Some examples:

1. This past August a few friends of mine were going to Ireland for vacation. I did not find out until 21 days before I could leave that I would be able to go. At first, I tried to get direct flights to LHR on American -- but everything was booked in business. After 1 hours on the phone with American Gold desk, the agent found a way to get me to London on an upgraded fare. Unfortunately, I had to fly from NY to ORD to LHR -- but I got there and enjoyed vacation.

2. The only time I had a problem upgrading when I had already purchased my tickets before checking on availablity was a trip to Costa Rica this past October. I was able to upgrade the domestic legs right away but found out 3 days before I left that I was upgraded for the MIA-SJO flight. For the return SJO-MIA flight, I found out 2 hours before flight time I was upgraded.

3. I rarely use my miles for free trips but have heard that most people have problems with Hawaii (sp?) year round and Europe during the peak season. Again -- flexibility helps.

4. I have never had the situtation on American where I saw a completly empty 1st class (i.e. use the seat maps from Personal AAccess) and was not able to get an upgraded seat -- unlike the United Hawaii story.

Rudi,
I'll be happy to bring you a free signed copy of my book if we meet -- if not I can leave a copy at your hotel this weekend -- I'll be at the airport Saturday to fetch my grandparents so it's no trouble. Just curious how you found I had a book out -- I don't recall mentioning it or putting it in my email sig.

If anyone is interested, the book is called "NetTravel: How Travelers Use the Internet" published last year by O'Reilly & Asso. The foreword is by Arthur Frommer. To buy it through Amazon, just search for the term "nettravel" -- or buy it direct at nettravel.com (click on the link at the bottom of the page which goes to the NetTravel page on O'Reilly's site).

To be honest, the book is 19 months old and thus a bit dated -- and since most of you are quite savvy, you probably know most of the info and tricks I discuss. Still, it's 20 percent off at Amazon and I know how much y'all love a bargain...

just push your Info button here and then

your http:address in your profile.

yes please, leave it at the airport Marriott - thank you (and please email me your address for the swiss chocolate - so that I can send it from the US and spare some postage).

Just one aside about reward flights, not everyone is aware that you can check-out BA award flight availability on-line:

www.airmiles.co.uk

---


Bab's made the comment earlier about me never using my miles/points etc. This is quite true, as I have no wish to spend any more time travelling than I currently do.

However, there have been occassions when I have wanted to take 'her-in-doors' with me on a trip (you never know when are are going to need someone to do the laundry!!) and have been prepared to use miles, however BA (and once CO) have comped her a flight.

I did recently, following a suggestion from Catman, donate a number of miles to charity - this is not as generous as it may seem as they were too expire anyway.

As for Bab's comments about just wanting wallett full I cards, I don't think so.

I have and use CO,UA & BA + Hilton & Marriott. All the others are ones I have been comped through work, I don't think I have used many of them, and I never travel with them.

The advantages are mainly for my travel Dept. who can wait-list or get guaranteed seats/rooms etc. once you are at the airport it makes no difference to me what Elite category you have or not (BA excepted).
MF

Merry - you were boasting about your new Malev membership recently! No matter how 'practical' it may be to have membership, I do believe that it gives you a thrill...

JIMBOLIGUY: Your spelling of Hawaii was perfect.

Baobab: I don't think so! I mention MALEV as I thought it was funny! Have I ever mentioned Iberia or Cathay or China or Air France or Finnair or SAS or Quantas or LOT...?

I think not!

No thrill I assure you. I am quite pleased when I qualify for something, but when it is just comped it gives me no satisfaction at all.

It is like most things, if you work for them fine. If you are just given them... no fun!
MF

merry flyer: a great and typical HR-manager-philosophie and answer. I use this just now in all the salary-talks with my employees ....

Merry Flyer, I do pretty much the same thing with my miles...use them for "she who must be obeyed" on vacations and such. In fact, since starting with Mileage Plus in 1982, I think that our First Class trip to England this coming January will be the first time I've EVER flown on a free ticket! Most of the time I use them for others or upgrades...gotta keep those elite qualification miles coming in!

I should also mention that here in the colonies, a Male would never make a sexist remark about bringing along a person of the Female gender because of needing someone to "do the laundry!" In California, that could get me the Gas Chamber! ;o)

premex: I will apologize for my laundry-remark to gisela (and by the way it is not true at all).

Rudi...no need apoligize. MerryFlyer made that statement, not you. Wait a minute! Are YOU MerryFlyer?! What if Rudi is EVERYONE on this board except me! The ulimate cyber-split-personality! I'm starting to get a little paranoid about all this!

I must put my shield before merry flyer - it was me and I titled myself pasha then.

Exactly how many miles/points have you hoarded, Baobab, Merry, & PremEx? I have taken a few free trips (both airlines and hotels) and still have a sizable stash of miles/points (close to 500K Mariott points and 500K Hilton points for instance). I would bet no one stacks up to Rudi, though!

The only time I had a problem claiming anything was in getting two free tickets on UA Express out of Rapid City. I wanted a saver award and was told no availability. When I requested a regular award (40K miles per ticket) on the same route, UA suddenly came up with 2 free saver tickets although at a less desirable time (6:30 AM). It wasn't a big inconvenience and saved me miles, so I went with it.

MileKing...at one point I had over 1 million miles in my UA account. But as I said I do use them for family, friends, upgrades, and transfers to HHonors, so now I'm down to a pitiful 450K. Total lifetime miles earned (with bonuses) since 1982 is around 2.6 million.

Merry - you take advantage of a day when I'm away from the threads to be so argumentative!!! Nice psychology, but I still don't buy it...

PremEx - Rudi said something about getting Gisela to do his laundry on another thread, but both he & Merry are olde worlde males. They don't mean any harm by it... and I know that Merry recently went on a washing-machine outing!

That isn't 'outing' in the American sense.

Another "successful" free seat story I remembered... My Holly has no patience like I do for booking free seats. So within about 5 minutes I booked her a seat so she can go home to Providence, R.I. and her parents for Christmas. She had the miles and in fact thanks to me saved 5 thousand miles on the ticket. (She's flying DFW and Boston then driving.)

Again, I haven't had problems get my award tickets, pet the kitty (It's like the expression "knock on wood" but I've applied it to my "world.")

I have over 300K UA miles and a fraction fo that with Delta, AA and CO. I have earned about 250K points with HIlton, Marriott and Westin/Sheraton. Haven't flown as much as you folks but remember, I've only known of ff programs for about six years!

As for Merry Flyer's expression: "a washing
Machine outing" It probably means that he's gone to the laundramat or is out buying a washing machine. I'm lucky, I just have to go downstairs to wash my clothes (We can't have the machines in our apartments!) CATMAN

is k after a numero for karats? i likes washing masheens too.

That was fun... all those American sensabilities coming out! Heeheehee.

MK: Miles staked up.... hmmmm? I'm not sure we should talk this, but Hilton +2m, none in Marriott (I know I shouldn't, but I have never changed from Mmiles to Mrewards).

As for the airlines, I would rather not say!

Remember I gave away a load of UA & CO a month or so ago (thanks for the suggestion Catman).

Now the really big one is AMEX Rewards. I get points from my own cards and the Corporate Travel Cards (which reach their points limit each year).

But that will come to an end very soon, as I am changing job. Yippppeeee!

MF, Can I have your old job? ;) I'm going through "career-itch" as well and have been looking....

See you in Vancouver on Wednesday Rudi--I have no problem with people knowing my whereabouts. The police aren't after me (as far as I know). Just got back to Canada from San Francisco on an uneventful flight but an eventful trip (Sea Otters, travelling with an international crowd to see the Big Sur Coast -- an Australian, Argentinian, Mexican, American and Canadian!-- I was chauffeur. No problems with Canadian or US customs, weather etc etc.) Surprised that TWA lounge is still charging for drinks. I like Maple Leaf Lounges (I am in Vancouver using their internet hook up to see my e-mail and browse the Flyer Talk). Back home in a couple of hours.

BlondeBomber: yes, at the CP Vancouver

the report on that crazy swiss, flying in on award tickets just for 49er-games from Switzerland, is scheduled for dec-6th on the San Francisco Examiner. They took the pictures on last Sunday's game at 3COM-Park and the interview was made by e-mail.

No, arturo, it's for "carrots". They make your eyes work better.

I', deathly afraid the airlines are going to suddenly terminate the programs; so I don't save up miles. I make enough for a first class trip for two to anywhere each year, and I use them. Same with hotel points. Every year, we take a vacation to a place Delta flies and Marriott has a hotel. Never have much left over.

I have claimed awards several times, all from San Diego to Mexico or Central America. I usually book at least 4 months in advance, and I have had little trouble. It helps to be flexible with dates and times of travel.

I know I am late posting this but I have so many horror stories about trying to use my miles on Continental that you could write a book.

I finally decided to give them away. I gave away tickets (to family members)worth over 150, 000 miles.

The only way to use your miles is to book a very long time in advance and be very flexible in your travel dates. If you are spontaneous like I am, all you can do is keep on earning miles in the hopes that someone else will get to use them someday.

As we all know, U.S. - Europe summer flights are extremely full and redeeming mileage is very difficult...here was my strategy for my girlfriend using my award certificate:

Called in May for travel at the end of June. Airline checked award travel seats for both the primary airline and partners - none more weeks within the desired dates of travel.

Called back a week before desired flight day - seats had been released for award travel, but the routing was not the most desirable(2 stops). Waited until the night before desired travel day - Confirmed seat without having to fly standby.

Airlines will release seats as the travel date gets closer and if all else fails, on the day of the flight, find out if the flight is oversold, if not, show up at the airport and fly standby.

So far, I have always been able to use my award travel certificates.

--------------

As for whether to bank airline miles for the future or redeem the miles now, it probably depends on your situation. One note: In a lawsuit about 5 years ago, it was ruled that the airlines must honor the award levels at the time the miles were earned; they cannot devalue your miles.

Diver... No apologizes needed. We all have those busy spirts of lots and lots of air travel and hotel stays. It's nice to have you back and sorry about your horror stories.

I would write CO and call them to explain that they may be the current Freddie champ but you have some issues to raise.

Thanks for your tips Aubie. Waiting for a seat to open up is tempting, but I try to do just about everything ahead of time. When this "trip to paradise" is set I will be on the phone to UA to book my upgrades. then checking whatever hotel we choose to see if I can use points. It's probably the Capicorn
in me.

But I will keep your tip in mind.

OMNI comment: My christmas/Hannukah/Yaz's
birthday shopping was done November 9th. That's the planner in me!CATMAN

aubie, you are right. Get whatever routing is possible, then keep calling back. AA offered me once ORD/DFW/LGW/DFW/ORD one time. I reserved and, lo and behold, 7 days before the flight the n/s flights opened up ORD/LHR.