Originally Posted by Igor718

Hi guys.

Info wanted to share with you and see if you agree. Also I think this will be helpful to first time miles redemption flyers.

So ... I have accumulated miles with BA, CO and AA airlines. Sitting here and thinking of going to Istanbul Turkey, somewhere else in Europe and maybe Thailand on Cathay Pacific (can't wait to fly their first class).

I just called 3 major airlines .... Continental, AA and British Air.

Results:
Continental seems to be the best one out of them all...much more pleasant on phone too. While American and British can't give me anything to Istanbul in June or July (i know close date), Continental does have flight for almost every day.

So .... +1 to Continental and their alliance.

Asked about flights to Thailand. Called BA and AA. Results....

Both had flights. BUT, AA on Cathay Pacific would be 134K miles in first class plus $80.
British Air however would be 150K miles going first there and coming back half first, half business. PLUS .... $400.

Takeaways:
I learned that the best thing to do is never to put all my eggs into one basket. I will focus on 2 major airlines for miles (Continental and AA). British on the other hand sucked for me. One positive is the 2 4 1 ticket.

Until today, with 3 AMEX and 1Chase cards offering 75, 75, 75 and 50 points ... I know that most will go into Continental. .... and some to British just because of 50% bonus going on right now.

I'll stop my rambling here and ask you .... what has been your story when redeeming your miles??? Who's the easiest to deal with and with more availability?