Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
Jan 30, 2015, 8:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2008
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Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
I am planning a trip to Japan for 2016. I will have enough miles for a one way saver business class ticket from USA to Japan or vice versa. My plan would be to pay for a premium economy ticket to fly from ORD-NRT. Then after traveling through Japan for 10 days, use miles for a business class ticket to return to ORD via Europe on Lufthansa or Austrian air. Has anybody ever done this?
What would be the best routing to try for if I am able to do this?
The reason I am doing this is so that I can say I flew around the world. And to maximize my time in business class.
What would be the best routing to try for if I am able to do this?
The reason I am doing this is so that I can say I flew around the world. And to maximize my time in business class.
Jan 30, 2015, 10:36 am
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: DCA or IAD (originally DUB)
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Posts: 7,657
Your question would be better answered in the UA forum given that you want to use MP miles.
Also, don't forget effective March 1, the mileage earning rates on UA change so that may be affect the number of miles you have for your travels.
Also, don't forget effective March 1, the mileage earning rates on UA change so that may be affect the number of miles you have for your travels.
Jan 30, 2015, 10:51 am
#3
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Posts: 7,320
Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
The best routing is the one that has availability on the date you're traveling. Routing through Europe is allowed. Remember that the partner award rates are higher than United award rates for premium cabin travel.
I'm not sure why you're limiting yourself to Lufthansa and Austrian. Brussels and Swiss are solid in business as well, as is ANA.
I'm not sure why you're limiting yourself to Lufthansa and Austrian. Brussels and Swiss are solid in business as well, as is ANA.
Last edited by Adam1222; Jan 30, 2015 at 10:57 am
Jan 30, 2015, 11:00 am
#4
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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Posts: 1,194
I'm relatively inexperienced with international business class travel. I'm open minded to Brussels and Swiss too. Just thought it would be fun to do this. Thanks.
I will be using credit card miles for this. Obviously I'll take whatever I can get in business class coming back. I intend to use cranky concierge to sort this out.
I will be using credit card miles for this. Obviously I'll take whatever I can get in business class coming back. I intend to use cranky concierge to sort this out.
Jan 30, 2015, 11:41 am
#5
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
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Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
As 2016 is still some time away use chase etc. to get enough miles for a return ticket. You should have enough time for some sign up bonus windfalls
Jan 30, 2015, 3:42 pm
#8
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Washington, DC
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Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
It's a relatively simple booking for one passenger. might not be worth paying a service
Jan 30, 2015, 4:03 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AA Gold
Posts: 151
Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
Also, don't forget that with international travel purchasing a one way ticket and using miles for a one way return, the ticket you try to buy may be prohibitively expensive. Obviously depends on airline and route, but when I've looked in the past I've found one way international fares to be extremely expensive, more than the round trip ticket in many cases.
Jan 30, 2015, 4:05 pm
#10
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
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Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
CSP 40k + Ink 40k + ...... One way tickets are way too expensive. Or buy round trip and use miles to upgrade
Jan 30, 2015, 4:16 pm
#11
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: SAN
Posts: 487
True, if you just want to transit europe, you may just pick an airline that you want to fly and go, but if you want to actually stop and see europe you may be a bit more limited.
Jan 30, 2015, 5:48 pm
#12
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Join Date: Aug 2008
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I just want to travel straight through. I've been to Europe on other trips. I don't have to change planes in Europe. I could change planes elsewhere. Just seemed like most of the best star alliance airlines Went through Europe.
I have established that it is possible to book a ow premium economy ticket for about 1500-1700. I'm willing to do that to get from ord-nrt.
I have established that it is possible to book a ow premium economy ticket for about 1500-1700. I'm willing to do that to get from ord-nrt.
Jan 30, 2015, 6:11 pm
#13
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I don't understand this.
Jan 30, 2015, 6:23 pm
#14
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Sunny AZ
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Realistic expectation-to use United miles to travel west NRT-Eur-USA in bus. cl.
Chase Saphire Preferred credit card with 40k sign up bonus. Sorry for the confusion