Help Wanted: SFO/LAX <-> MLE
Jan 21, 2017, 4:24 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 27
Help Wanted: SFO/LAX <-> MLE
Hi all,
My wife and I are trying to execute our dream trip to the Maldives this year. For a few years, we've been planning to use ANA for business-class award tickets (2 roundtrip for 272k), but even though we've called nearly everyday since availability (T-331) opened for our desired dates (11/16-11/23), we unfortunately haven't found any availability.
There actually is some Etihad availability, but ANA's routing rules don't allow award flights from North America to Asia to go over Europe twice (i.e., there and back). And unless I'm missing something, I think the relevant SQ flights both have a waitlist and are too many points for our purposes (e.g., 180k each way per person).
We'll keep trying -- but in the meantime I wanted to ask what other business-class routes we might consider. We have 272k in ANA and about 300k in Chase UR, of which 125k is earmarked for the hotel in the Maldives. We also might be willing to open up a few more cards if we were reasonably certain that the points we'd get would lead to availability. Thanks in advance for any help!
My wife and I are trying to execute our dream trip to the Maldives this year. For a few years, we've been planning to use ANA for business-class award tickets (2 roundtrip for 272k), but even though we've called nearly everyday since availability (T-331) opened for our desired dates (11/16-11/23), we unfortunately haven't found any availability.
There actually is some Etihad availability, but ANA's routing rules don't allow award flights from North America to Asia to go over Europe twice (i.e., there and back). And unless I'm missing something, I think the relevant SQ flights both have a waitlist and are too many points for our purposes (e.g., 180k each way per person).
We'll keep trying -- but in the meantime I wanted to ask what other business-class routes we might consider. We have 272k in ANA and about 300k in Chase UR, of which 125k is earmarked for the hotel in the Maldives. We also might be willing to open up a few more cards if we were reasonably certain that the points we'd get would lead to availability. Thanks in advance for any help!
Jan 21, 2017, 4:53 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,980
A popular destination. You may just have to have 2 awards. Or one way awards. Or a cash fare for the last sector. Maybe with different airlines and/or alliances
MLE is served by a number of airlines. Award availability is another matter. Having very specific dates limits your options a lot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velana...tional_Airport
http://www.macl.aero/
https://www.maleairport.com/
Credit card transfer links
Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l-program.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...mes-rules.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...-partners.html
MLE is served by a number of airlines. Award availability is another matter. Having very specific dates limits your options a lot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velana...tional_Airport
http://www.macl.aero/
https://www.maleairport.com/
Credit card transfer links
Credit, Debit and Prepaid Card Programs forum
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/ameri...l-program.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/chase...mes-rules.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/citi-...-partners.html
Jan 22, 2017, 6:15 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
If you can only go via the Atlantic in one direction, your only other two options are AI and SQ.
If using miles from other *A programs, I've found availability to be best on LH and TK.
When using miles from Oneworld FFPs, I tend to find availability on UL to be excellent, though CX also has some availability.
If using miles from other *A programs, I've found availability to be best on LH and TK.
When using miles from Oneworld FFPs, I tend to find availability on UL to be excellent, though CX also has some availability.
Jan 30, 2017, 12:55 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 27
[QUOTE=Mwenenzi;27798073]A popular destination. You may just have to have 2 awards. Or one way awards. Or a cash fare for the last sector. Maybe with different airlines and/or alliances
MLE is served by a number of airlines. Award availability is another matter. Having very specific dates limits your options a lot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velana...tional_Airport
http://www.macl.aero/
https://www.maleairport.com/
Thank you so much! I'm willing to play around with this, but is there a good way to monitor award availability? Is something like Award Nexus the best?
MLE is served by a number of airlines. Award availability is another matter. Having very specific dates limits your options a lot
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Velana...tional_Airport
http://www.macl.aero/
https://www.maleairport.com/
Thank you so much! I'm willing to play around with this, but is there a good way to monitor award availability? Is something like Award Nexus the best?
