AI Flying Return - Redemption on Star Alliance
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 10
AI Flying Return - Redemption on Star Alliance
Hi Guys,
I have 100K miles about to expire in my Flying Returns account. I am trying to use these for some form international trip and I encountered the following issues which I was hoping someone could confirm for me.
1. It is only possible to book non-AI routes through the call center -- So no way to check different combinations without waiting 5 minutes for a representative to check one by one?
2. Delhi to Berlin costs 42K miles ....but Delhi to Frankfurt is 25K miles ... Both are Europe, Why the difference?
3. I am also a United MP member, Same award tickets have $100 tax with United but $400 tax with AI?
I am not able to understand these discrepancies?
Your inputs would be greatly appreciated!!!
I have 100K miles about to expire in my Flying Returns account. I am trying to use these for some form international trip and I encountered the following issues which I was hoping someone could confirm for me.
1. It is only possible to book non-AI routes through the call center -- So no way to check different combinations without waiting 5 minutes for a representative to check one by one?
2. Delhi to Berlin costs 42K miles ....but Delhi to Frankfurt is 25K miles ... Both are Europe, Why the difference?
3. I am also a United MP member, Same award tickets have $100 tax with United but $400 tax with AI?
I am not able to understand these discrepancies?
Your inputs would be greatly appreciated!!!
#2
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Hilton Gold
Posts: 907
Welcome to FlyerTalk !
Go through the Wiki of this thread, pretty informative about the basics of AI-FR.
Answers to your questions can be found in this post.
Feel free to ask follow-up questions.
Go through the Wiki of this thread, pretty informative about the basics of AI-FR.
Answers to your questions can be found in this post.
Feel free to ask follow-up questions.
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 10
Hi Deovrat,
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! And for your earlier post -- It is extremely informative.
So I noticed that you had originally pointed out the point-to-point issue way back in Feb 2015 -- Looks like its still not been resolved, right?
And you mentioned, that AI charges fuel surcharge on all redemptions, even though the Star Alliance partners that themselves do not charge. I am then struggling to see how to use my expiring points for Intl travel - I only save $100 - $200 compared to buying a ticket
What would you suggest? Are there any sites where I can sell my FR points at a discounted rate?
Thanks!!
PS- I am looking to book a one way between Berlin - New Delhi.
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! And for your earlier post -- It is extremely informative.
So I noticed that you had originally pointed out the point-to-point issue way back in Feb 2015 -- Looks like its still not been resolved, right?
And you mentioned, that AI charges fuel surcharge on all redemptions, even though the Star Alliance partners that themselves do not charge. I am then struggling to see how to use my expiring points for Intl travel - I only save $100 - $200 compared to buying a ticket
What would you suggest? Are there any sites where I can sell my FR points at a discounted rate?
Thanks!!
PS- I am looking to book a one way between Berlin - New Delhi.
#4
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 27
AI vs jet redemption
I've about 125k miles on my citibank card which I'm planning to transfer to AI flying returns to redeem a del-mxp return business class ticket which requires 90k FR mikes. Can someone pls tell me the YQ charge I need to pay on this. Or should I transfer these points to jet privilege and use etihad for this sector, what would be the YQ in this case? Also could someone pls let me now if there is a better way to utilise these points on some other carrier wherein in need to pay less YQ. Awaiting reply eagerly. Cheers
#5
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 32
I've about 125k miles on my citibank card which I'm planning to transfer to AI flying returns to redeem a del-mxp return business class ticket which requires 90k FR mikes. Can someone pls tell me the YQ charge I need to pay on this. Or should I transfer these points to jet privilege and use etihad for this sector, what would be the YQ in this case? Also could someone pls let me now if there is a better way to utilise these points on some other carrier wherein in need to pay less YQ. Awaiting reply eagerly. Cheers
#6
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Hilton Gold
Posts: 907
I've about 125k miles on my citibank card which I'm planning to transfer to AI flying returns to redeem a del-mxp return business class ticket which requires 90k FR mikes. Can someone pls tell me the YQ charge I need to pay on this. Or should I transfer these points to jet privilege and use etihad for this sector, what would be the YQ in this case? Also could someone pls let me now if there is a better way to utilise these points on some other carrier wherein in need to pay less YQ. Awaiting reply eagerly. Cheers
I assume you have 125k Points in your account, not miles.
CitiPM converts 1 point = 0.5 mile to lots of different airlines.
Prestige converts 1 point = 4 miles to lots of different airlines.
Other cards convert 1 point = 0.75 mile only to AI and 9W.
#7
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 27
Redeeming miles from Jet Privilege almost always requires more miles than FR on business class. To calculate the YQ tax, you can go to itamatrix.com and enter your route there. It will show the fare split up (YQ will always be the same irrespective of the base fare). For DEL-MXP return the YQ amount will be around 28k
Fare 1: Carrier YY CIF1RT2 DEL to MIL (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code C
Covers DEL-MXP (Business)
Rs.149,350.00
Fare 2: Carrier YY CIF1RT2 MIL to DEL (rules)
Passenger type ADT, round trip fare, booking code C
Covers MXP-DEL (Business)
Rs.149,350.00
Indian Service Tax (JN)
Rs.27,482.00
Indian Passenger Service Fee (WO)
Rs.148.00
India Development Fee (YM)
Rs.684.00
AI YQ surcharge (YQ)
Rs.28,160.00
AI YR surcharge (YR)
Rs.300.00
Indian User Development Fee (IN)
Rs.1,289.00
Italy Embarkation Tax (IT)
Rs.1,293.00
Italy Security Charge (VT)
Rs.194.00
Italy Security Bag Charge (EX)
Rs.68.00
Italian Council City Tax (HB)
Rs.480.00
Italy Passenger Service Charge Departure (MJ)
Rs.91.00
Indian User Development Fee (IN)
Rs.1,064.00
Subtotal per passenger
Rs.359,953.00
Number of passengers
x1
Subtotal For 1 adult
Rs.359,953.00
so this means that AI is charging almost 62000/- in taxes , which is insane in my opinion. or am i doing some mistake here?
#8
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 27
Which Citi card do you have? Is it Premiermiles/Prestige or any other one?
I assume you have 125k Points in your account, not miles.
CitiPM converts 1 point = 0.5 mile to lots of different airlines.
Prestige converts 1 point = 4 miles to lots of different airlines.
Other cards convert 1 point = 0.75 mile only to AI and 9W.
I assume you have 125k Points in your account, not miles.
CitiPM converts 1 point = 0.5 mile to lots of different airlines.
Prestige converts 1 point = 4 miles to lots of different airlines.
Other cards convert 1 point = 0.75 mile only to AI and 9W.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, IHG Plat, HH Gold, Trident Plat, DL Diamond, AI Maharajah
Posts: 29,708
#10
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Hilton Gold
Posts: 907
Hi Deovrat,
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! And for your earlier post -- It is extremely informative.
So I noticed that you had originally pointed out the point-to-point issue way back in Feb 2015 -- Looks like its still not been resolved, right?
And you mentioned, that AI charges fuel surcharge on all redemptions, even though the Star Alliance partners that themselves do not charge. I am then struggling to see how to use my expiring points for Intl travel - I only save $100 - $200 compared to buying a ticket
What would you suggest? Are there any sites where I can sell my FR points at a discounted rate?
Thanks!!
PS- I am looking to book a one way between Berlin - New Delhi.
Thank you for pointing me in the right direction! And for your earlier post -- It is extremely informative.
So I noticed that you had originally pointed out the point-to-point issue way back in Feb 2015 -- Looks like its still not been resolved, right?
And you mentioned, that AI charges fuel surcharge on all redemptions, even though the Star Alliance partners that themselves do not charge. I am then struggling to see how to use my expiring points for Intl travel - I only save $100 - $200 compared to buying a ticket
What would you suggest? Are there any sites where I can sell my FR points at a discounted rate?
Thanks!!
PS- I am looking to book a one way between Berlin - New Delhi.
Air India, as with all airlines, does not allow selling of miles to anyone.
From their rulebook:
" 'Fraud' includes fraud, dishonesty and deceit and in particular:
Selling, bartering and / or purchasing FR Miles or Awards, including attempting to sell Awards by means of Internet-based sales or auctions''
Fuel surcharges hamper value and you are right in that revenue economy tickets are not that much more expensive when you are already paying YQ.
If the miles are really expiring on a short notice and you can't find other immediate uses for them, why not book a business class award ticket instead? It'll require double miles, but better to use them and treat yourself rather than allow them to go to waste, right?
Furthermore, fuel surcharges are same for all classes on that particular flight, whether be it economy or first.
You might squeeze more value out of your miles this way, with paid business ticket anywhere around ~ $1200 more than the money you pay for taxes.
#11
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: India
Programs: Star Alliance Gold, SkyTeam Elite Plus, Hilton Gold
Posts: 907
In case of award tickets, the service tax should be around ~1000 INR instead of the figure in your example.
Last edited by deovrat; Oct 2, 2015 at 10:28 pm