Getting to Europe on business / first saver
Aug 16, 2014, 2:27 pm
#16
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...ilability.html
Aug 16, 2014, 3:29 pm
#17
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Austin
Programs: Mileageplus
Posts: 7
Any secret sauce for finding United Metal Europe Award seats in Business/First?
I know most of you have probably experienced the frustration of United's points Devaluation. Unfortunately I still have a bunch of United miles and I am trying to book some international travel to Europe from Houston next Summer.
A few routes have Business first on Star Alliance partners for 70k each way.
But I was hoping to find some United awards for 55k.
Is there any method to United releasing Awards for United flights? I'm looking pretty far out, but I fear if I wait too long there will be nothing (as if there were anything now).
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike
A few routes have Business first on Star Alliance partners for 70k each way.
But I was hoping to find some United awards for 55k.
Is there any method to United releasing Awards for United flights? I'm looking pretty far out, but I fear if I wait too long there will be nothing (as if there were anything now).
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike
Aug 16, 2014, 3:43 pm
#19
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat 1.995MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott Plat/LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 66,850
This is a common question and there is never a simple answer.
-- look frequently and early
-- try not be be married to a particular route / date
-- don't hesitate
There are not hard / fast rules on when or if award space will open up -- but it usually does.
There are mileage bookers out there willing to help your out for a fee.
Another good tip is find the TATL segments first and then add in the connecting segments. Try to start with the full round trip routing provides too opportunities for disappoint. Get the hard stuff first and then add on.
-- look frequently and early
-- try not be be married to a particular route / date
-- don't hesitate
There are not hard / fast rules on when or if award space will open up -- but it usually does.
There are mileage bookers out there willing to help your out for a fee.
Another good tip is find the TATL segments first and then add in the connecting segments. Try to start with the full round trip routing provides too opportunities for disappoint. Get the hard stuff first and then add on.
Aug 16, 2014, 4:24 pm
#20
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: UA Plat, 2MM
Posts: 1,860
In addition to the devaluation of miles required for partner flights under the present Mr Smisek, the number of Award tickets has been greatly reduced. I can get from Bangkok to Chicago on partner airlines, been can not get a flight from Chicago to Philadelphia. I think domestic Award is worse off that international, where at least you can fly other airlines. (I miss USAirways).
I think the destruction of the Award Program is just one more effort on the part of Mr Smisek to devalue UA. I think he is trying to do away with the program.
I think the destruction of the Award Program is just one more effort on the part of Mr Smisek to devalue UA. I think he is trying to do away with the program.
Aug 16, 2014, 9:48 pm
#24
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K, NW forever
Posts: 1,390
I've been looking all year for a trip for 4 to Europe in October. IME O (saver F) inventory opens up in dribs and drabs, and I (saver C) never. I've gotten 3 O seats SFO-FRA and 1 O seat FRA-SFO, all at different times. ExpertFlyer used to be great for this...
Aug 17, 2014, 5:51 am
#26
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: NYC
Programs: AADULtArer
Posts: 5,683
the present rate for many is 0.019cpm
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...es-2014-a.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/unite...es-2014-a.html
If you have read this post, it's too late to get the kettle rate.
Aug 17, 2014, 5:58 am
#27
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BOS, BWI, DCA, IAD
Programs: American, Delta, JetBlue, United
Posts: 2,049
I know most of you have probably experienced the frustration of United's points Devaluation. Unfortunately I still have a bunch of United miles and I am trying to book some international travel to Europe from Houston next Summer.
A few routes have Business first on Star Alliance partners for 70k each way.
But I was hoping to find some United awards for 55k.
Is there any method to United releasing Awards for United flights? I'm looking pretty far out, but I fear if I wait too long there will be nothing (as if there were anything now).
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike
A few routes have Business first on Star Alliance partners for 70k each way.
But I was hoping to find some United awards for 55k.
Is there any method to United releasing Awards for United flights? I'm looking pretty far out, but I fear if I wait too long there will be nothing (as if there were anything now).
Any advice would be appreciated!
Thanks,
Mike
Aug 17, 2014, 6:17 am
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL
Programs: American Airlines
Posts: 30,005
Yes, that would be the plan if we went this route
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Aug 17, 2014 at 10:03 am Reason: repaired formatting
Aug 17, 2014, 9:45 am
#29
Moderator: Budget Travel forum & Credit Card Programs, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: YYJ/YVR and back on Van Isle ....... for now
Programs: UA lifetime MM / *A Gold
Posts: 14,428
Aug 17, 2014, 9:55 am
#30
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Redwood City, CA USA (SFO/SJC)
Programs: 1K 2010, 1P in 2011, Plat for 2012,13,14,15 & 2016. Gold in 17 & 18, Plat since
Posts: 8,826
There are many example of UA/MP rescinding miles/benefits when something is cancelled or changed. This particular paid-for "benefit" is not one of them. Not a single person here has ever had miles purchased through accelerator nullified, far as I know. Clearly it's not a case of United thinking the miles should be nullified, since they do so elsewhere and not for this. Consider it a two-part purchase, with the accelerator miles being completely separate from the flight. You're only returning one of the items, not both.