Feb 2, 2016, 3:13 pm
Last edit by: WineCountryUA
Many of the questions about the validity of itineraries containing open jaws or stopovers can be found in the wiki at: Consolidated Rules for Open Jaw and Stopover Award Flights. Please read that prior to posting questions.
United air travel award rules
MP Star Alliance air travel award rules
Previous thread -Consolidated "Is My UA Award Itinerary Valid?" Thread [2014]
United air travel award rules
MP Star Alliance air travel award rules
Previous thread -Consolidated "Is My UA Award Itinerary Valid?" Thread [2014]
Consolidated "Is My UA Award Itinerary Valid?" Thread [2015/2016]
Feb 24, 2015, 3:27 am
#61
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: NYC
Programs: UA-1K MM, AA-Gold, DL-Silver, AS-MVP
Posts: 2,508
Hi all,
I have been playing a lot with the online award booking tool but some trips just don't price out, so I would like to ask a few questions here.
Planning to originate from HKG (2 pax), joining us ex-SIN are 2 more pax, and we're looking to do:
[HKG] - SIN (transfer for 2 of us coming from HKG, origin for the other 2) - AKL or MEL or SYD (transfer)- ZQN (stopover) - [open jaw] CHC - AKL (transfer) - PPT (destination) - AKL (transfer) - SIN (transfer for 2 going to HKG, end of trip for 2 originating there) - HKG (end of trip for the other 2)
1. Is the above routing legal? It has at most 1 open jaw, 1 stopover, 5 transfers and total 8 segments. Should price out to 35k miles, i.e. a SE Asia - Oceania round-trip with AUS/NZ stopover. I have price out simpler itineraries online before between SE Asia and Oceania and NZ/AUS and it priced out to 35k.
2. A <24 hour layover in AKL/MEL/SYD is possible, right?
3. If so, can we do <24h layovers in several places or any limit? I.e. could we do <24 hours in MEL on the way there and <24 hours in AKL on the way back?
4. The trip originating in SIN for 2 pax is paid out of one account and the trip out of HKG is paid out of 2 accounts, so 3 accounts in total. Will/should the agent be able to handle all in one go and charge the miles out of different accounts respectively, or do we need to call separately for every single passenger? Or separately once for the ex-SIN itinerary and once for ex-HKG?
Thanks so much in advance for any advice.
I have been playing a lot with the online award booking tool but some trips just don't price out, so I would like to ask a few questions here.
Planning to originate from HKG (2 pax), joining us ex-SIN are 2 more pax, and we're looking to do:
[HKG] - SIN (transfer for 2 of us coming from HKG, origin for the other 2) - AKL or MEL or SYD (transfer)- ZQN (stopover) - [open jaw] CHC - AKL (transfer) - PPT (destination) - AKL (transfer) - SIN (transfer for 2 going to HKG, end of trip for 2 originating there) - HKG (end of trip for the other 2)
1. Is the above routing legal? It has at most 1 open jaw, 1 stopover, 5 transfers and total 8 segments. Should price out to 35k miles, i.e. a SE Asia - Oceania round-trip with AUS/NZ stopover. I have price out simpler itineraries online before between SE Asia and Oceania and NZ/AUS and it priced out to 35k.
2. A <24 hour layover in AKL/MEL/SYD is possible, right?
3. If so, can we do <24h layovers in several places or any limit? I.e. could we do <24 hours in MEL on the way there and <24 hours in AKL on the way back?
4. The trip originating in SIN for 2 pax is paid out of one account and the trip out of HKG is paid out of 2 accounts, so 3 accounts in total. Will/should the agent be able to handle all in one go and charge the miles out of different accounts respectively, or do we need to call separately for every single passenger? Or separately once for the ex-SIN itinerary and once for ex-HKG?
Thanks so much in advance for any advice.
[HKG]-SIN-AKL-ZQN/stopover/open-jaw/CHC-AKL-PPT/destination/PPT-AKL-SIN-[HKG]
You can't have both destination and open-jaw. You can redeem: SIN-AKL-ZQN(stopover)-CHC//PPT-AKL-SIN, and redeem or pay for your own CHC-PPT.
I don't see any issues with <24h stops, I once had an award with three <24h stops.
And #4, also probably won't work. You have 1 account redeeming 2 tickets [OK], and you would like to use 2 accounts to redeem 1 ticket (?!?), you can't redeem from 2 accounts, you'll have to transfer points from one account to another (and incur whatever transfer fees). A competent agent should be able to issue 3 tickets from whatever accounts at once, likely different PNR.
Feb 24, 2015, 8:18 pm
#62
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mr Worldwide
Programs: UA 1K, BA Gold, Hyatt Plat., Marriott Plat.
Posts: 126
Trying to find out if Asia-EU-S. America is going to be valid (e.g. bkk-fra-gru) on a single reward.
I normally fly to Asia a couples time a year and have no problem routing through Europe from N America. But is S. America any different?
Thanks in advance!
I normally fly to Asia a couples time a year and have no problem routing through Europe from N America. But is S. America any different?
Thanks in advance!
Feb 24, 2015, 8:33 pm
#63
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: DUS
Posts: 318
Good luck finding availability for 3 passengers on SQ/NZ. I suspect it is not legal routing, you have:
[HKG]-SIN-AKL-ZQN/stopover/open-jaw/CHC-AKL-PPT/destination/PPT-AKL-SIN-[HKG]
You can't have both destination and open-jaw. You can redeem: SIN-AKL-ZQN(stopover)-CHC//PPT-AKL-SIN, and redeem or pay for your own CHC-PPT.
I don't see any issues with <24h stops, I once had an award with three <24h stops.
And #4, also probably won't work. You have 1 account redeeming 2 tickets [OK], and you would like to use 2 accounts to redeem 1 ticket (?!?), you can't redeem from 2 accounts, you'll have to transfer points from one account to another (and incur whatever transfer fees). A competent agent should be able to issue 3 tickets from whatever accounts at once, likely different PNR.
[HKG]-SIN-AKL-ZQN/stopover/open-jaw/CHC-AKL-PPT/destination/PPT-AKL-SIN-[HKG]
You can't have both destination and open-jaw. You can redeem: SIN-AKL-ZQN(stopover)-CHC//PPT-AKL-SIN, and redeem or pay for your own CHC-PPT.
I don't see any issues with <24h stops, I once had an award with three <24h stops.
And #4, also probably won't work. You have 1 account redeeming 2 tickets [OK], and you would like to use 2 accounts to redeem 1 ticket (?!?), you can't redeem from 2 accounts, you'll have to transfer points from one account to another (and incur whatever transfer fees). A competent agent should be able to issue 3 tickets from whatever accounts at once, likely different PNR.
We're booking when the schedule opens, so availability should be okay for four passengers in Y on SQ/NZ if planned well.
No other issues besides open-jawing a stopover, especially are 5 transfers and total 8 segements fine?
Does anyone else have any input on whether a stopover can be open-jawed? I think I have priced out itineraries of this kind online before that were simpler where I open-jawed stopovers (e.g. similar but simpler trip as mentioned, but open-jaw stopover between PER and MEL). In the worst case, I will just not open-jaw it and fly into and out of ZQN or CHC.
Re: <24 hour stops, awesome! Thank you.
Re: miles from different accounts. Just to clarify: we are 4 passengers total and each needs 35k for the trip. There is 2 accounts with 35k+ each who would start and end the trip in HKG and 1 account with 70k+ for two more passengers who would start and end in SIN (same trip as the other two, except missing the HKG-SIN/SIN-HKG segements).
Feb 24, 2015, 11:11 pm
#64
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
Looking at an award roundtrip USA-Cambodia, with an OJ at dest. and stopover in Phuket on the way back. Here is what I have found:
SFO-ICN-REP (destination)
PNH-BKK-HKT (stopover)
HKT-HKG (under 24hr stop)
HKG-ICN-SFO
Anyone see any problems w/my proposed routing?
SFO-ICN-REP (destination)
PNH-BKK-HKT (stopover)
HKT-HKG (under 24hr stop)
HKG-ICN-SFO
Anyone see any problems w/my proposed routing?
Feb 24, 2015, 11:56 pm
#65
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,455
The routing's fine, but you have five segments on your return, which could be an issue. That award technically has a four segment max each way.
Feb 25, 2015, 11:40 am
#66
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: SF, CA, US
Programs: AA Plat Pro, UA MM Gold, HHonors Silver, Marriott Bonvoy Plat, IHG Ambassador
Posts: 1,236
Feb 26, 2015, 7:07 am
#67
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 1,018
Routing validity question
I think I posted this question in the wrong thread.
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Hello FT!
Great forum!
Please can the experts weigh in if one of these routings are valid for a UA round-trip award ticket?
Routing #1
DFW-IAH-NRT-HKG
few days later:
BKK-DPS - stopover
Few days later:
CGK-BKK - destination
Few days later
BKK-NRT-IAH-DFW
I am concerned that the first open-jaw at HKG will not be valid.
Routing # 2:
DFW-IAH-NRT-HKG
Few days later:
DPS/CGK - BKK
Few days later:
BKK-NRT-IAH-DFW
Not sure if I can stopover and open jaw at HKG.
The only reason I want to stop few days in HKG is because I would like to go to REP from there (via KA award ticket). However, that creates a problem especially with the routing # 1 .
Other option is to do:
USA-DPS (stopover)
CGK-BKK (destination) (visit REP from BKK using PG)
BKK-USA
Downside to this is that the hotel rates at REP go way higher on the dates I am looking at if I do the REP visit at the end. .
Any thoughts will be appreciated.
Hello FT!
Great forum!
Please can the experts weigh in if one of these routings are valid for a UA round-trip award ticket?
Routing #1
DFW-IAH-NRT-HKG
few days later:
BKK-DPS - stopover
Few days later:
CGK-BKK - destination
Few days later
BKK-NRT-IAH-DFW
I am concerned that the first open-jaw at HKG will not be valid.
Routing # 2:
DFW-IAH-NRT-HKG
Few days later:
DPS/CGK - BKK
Few days later:
BKK-NRT-IAH-DFW
Not sure if I can stopover and open jaw at HKG.
The only reason I want to stop few days in HKG is because I would like to go to REP from there (via KA award ticket). However, that creates a problem especially with the routing # 1 .
Other option is to do:
USA-DPS (stopover)
CGK-BKK (destination) (visit REP from BKK using PG)
BKK-USA
Downside to this is that the hotel rates at REP go way higher on the dates I am looking at if I do the REP visit at the end. .
Feb 26, 2015, 8:05 am
#68
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: CMH
Programs: UA 1K, 1MM, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 745
What are you using to search awards?
I've been trying to find availability for award travel to SCL and EZE in August using the award search on united.com but am seeing really weird results. The initial page will show tons of Saver 1st awards (green) but when I go to select them it errors out and says it can't complete the search. Is this just a temp glitch in the site or should I be searching elsewhere?
Feb 26, 2015, 9:07 am
#69
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 54
Hi All,
Sorry if this seems like a repeat. I have recently booked an award flight to Japan via Europe. I now have a family member who wants to join us on part of the trip (on a paid ticket). I have the potential to be in synch with this member if I change my award flight. I wondered if this is a valid itinerary. (Assuming the 2 oceans rule is okay)
DFW-YYZ-HND Destination
HND-ICN-FRA-ZRH Stopover
ZRH-EWR-DFW
DFW-YYZ (22 hour layover in YYZ)
HND-ICN (22 hour layover in ICN)
I get confused sometimes because of connection vs segment. I thought connections are points between the origin and destination. But some seems to use connection and segment interchangeably.
Sorry if this seems like a repeat. I have recently booked an award flight to Japan via Europe. I now have a family member who wants to join us on part of the trip (on a paid ticket). I have the potential to be in synch with this member if I change my award flight. I wondered if this is a valid itinerary. (Assuming the 2 oceans rule is okay)
DFW-YYZ-HND Destination
HND-ICN-FRA-ZRH Stopover
ZRH-EWR-DFW
DFW-YYZ (22 hour layover in YYZ)
HND-ICN (22 hour layover in ICN)
I get confused sometimes because of connection vs segment. I thought connections are points between the origin and destination. But some seems to use connection and segment interchangeably.
Feb 27, 2015, 8:30 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 54
Hi All,
Sorry if this seems like a repeat. I have recently booked an award flight to Japan via Europe. I now have a family member who wants to join us on part of the trip (on a paid ticket). I have the potential to be in synch with this member if I change my award flight. I wondered if this is a valid itinerary. (Assuming the 2 oceans rule is okay)
DFW-YYZ-HND Destination
HND-ICN-FRA-ZRH Stopover
ZRH-EWR-DFW
DFW-YYZ (22 hour layover in YYZ)
HND-ICN (22 hour layover in ICN)
I get confused sometimes because of connection vs segment. I thought connections are points between the origin and destination. But some seems to use connection and segment interchangeably.
Sorry if this seems like a repeat. I have recently booked an award flight to Japan via Europe. I now have a family member who wants to join us on part of the trip (on a paid ticket). I have the potential to be in synch with this member if I change my award flight. I wondered if this is a valid itinerary. (Assuming the 2 oceans rule is okay)
DFW-YYZ-HND Destination
HND-ICN-FRA-ZRH Stopover
ZRH-EWR-DFW
DFW-YYZ (22 hour layover in YYZ)
HND-ICN (22 hour layover in ICN)
I get confused sometimes because of connection vs segment. I thought connections are points between the origin and destination. But some seems to use connection and segment interchangeably.
DFW-YYZ (22 hour layover)
YYZ-HND (Destination)
HND-GMP (22 hour layover)
ICN-FRA-ZRH (Stopover)
ZRH-EWR-DFW
I was able to cross 2 oceans in this itinerary.
Feb 27, 2015, 9:41 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,926
Feb 27, 2015, 10:49 am
#72
Join Date: Feb 2011
Programs: UA, A3, TK, Marriott, IHG, Hertz
Posts: 280
I tried to look at the wiki for that but I couldn't find it.
Can I make a stopover on a more award miles expensive location and be charged by the destination?
Example: Middle East to Europe is 50K round trip on X.
Middle East to Central Asia is 40K round trip on X.
so, TLV-FRA-TLV would be priced at 50K. but will TLV-FRA(Stopover)-MLE-FRA-TLV would be priced at 40K as the destination is MLE? or would be charged 50K as I'm doing a stop over in Europe?
Thanks,
Can I make a stopover on a more award miles expensive location and be charged by the destination?
Example: Middle East to Europe is 50K round trip on X.
Middle East to Central Asia is 40K round trip on X.
so, TLV-FRA-TLV would be priced at 50K. but will TLV-FRA(Stopover)-MLE-FRA-TLV would be priced at 40K as the destination is MLE? or would be charged 50K as I'm doing a stop over in Europe?
Thanks,
Feb 27, 2015, 3:08 pm
#73
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: DFW
Programs: Mileage Plus
Posts: 54
I had to call in as a change. The agent seemed to have some difficulty, but in the end was able to do it. I didn't hear anything regarding auto-priced or not. I just called in and said I want to change these flights. She entered everything and told me the extra I needed to pay (extra airport fee and the change fee).
I originally had
DFW-FRA-ICN
GMP-HND-HKD
NRT-ZRH
ZRH-EWR-DFW
But we are trying to synch with a family member for part of the trip, so I called in to see if I could change my itinerary. It worked.
I originally had
DFW-FRA-ICN
GMP-HND-HKD
NRT-ZRH
ZRH-EWR-DFW
But we are trying to synch with a family member for part of the trip, so I called in to see if I could change my itinerary. It worked.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Feb 27, 2015 at 9:51 pm Reason: repaired quote
Mar 9, 2015, 8:58 am
#74
Join Date: Mar 2015
Programs: UA, SW, US, DL
Posts: 109
I am trying the following itinerary on ua.com and keep getting the error. Is it because my itinerary is invalid? I am aiming for 1 stopover and 2 open jaws on a RT.
IAH-PEK
HKG-DEL
CCU-IAH
I checked the availability of each one-way on the exact dates. But I error out when I try the above multiple destination itinerary. What am I missing here? Any help to point me in the right direction is appreciated.
IAH-PEK
HKG-DEL
CCU-IAH
I checked the availability of each one-way on the exact dates. But I error out when I try the above multiple destination itinerary. What am I missing here? Any help to point me in the right direction is appreciated.
Mar 9, 2015, 9:04 am
#75
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
I am trying the following itinerary on ua.com and keep getting the error. Is it because my itinerary is invalid? I am aiming for 1 stopover and 2 open jaws on a RT.
IAH-PEK
HKG-DEL
CCU-IAH
I checked the availability of each one-way on the exact dates. But I error out when I try the above multiple destination itinerary. What am I missing here? Any help to point me in the right direction is appreciated.
IAH-PEK
HKG-DEL
CCU-IAH
I checked the availability of each one-way on the exact dates. But I error out when I try the above multiple destination itinerary. What am I missing here? Any help to point me in the right direction is appreciated.