Originally Posted by
DougDons
Also, can someone point me in the right direction of threads discussing the basics of booking award travel? I haven't been able to find anything, or maybe I just wasn't looking hard enough
I don't plan to book anything soon and haven't even thought about where I want to go. From reading other posts, there appears to be a number of variables when using miles, but I am just looking for basic info so when the time comes to use those hard earned miles, I'll know how to best use them.
Thanks!
I don't think there is a consolidated thread on award ticketing, and it also depends, for now, on which website you choose. Also, some of the nuances (*net blocking, ANA trick, KVS, ExpertFlyer, expert mode) are a little out there for now, but you can search for threads on those to help.
But here are some high-level thoughts from a mainly CO perspective:
1. You can transfer miles between CO and UA. Helpful, as each site has slightly different rules/award availability, etc.
2. Booking a stopover within the US costs 10K extra miles. It is free for international routes.
3. Open-jaws (A-B, C-A) are permitted. A real-life example: EWR-LHR. CDG-EWR. You take the train between London and Paris. (Some nuances about open-jaw having to be the shortest segment of the whole trip).
4. Fees can be found on the company websites. But CO lets you change dates for free up to 21 days in advance.
5. Almost never settle for EasyPass.
6. You can waitlist for direct flights on CO metal on co.com if the only SaverPass flights are one-stop connections, or have or bad timings.
7. Flights need to be worth at least 2 cents per mile used. (So, for example,
I would not use miles for a $300 flight).
8. Many here consider only using miles to fly in First for international - which is the best use of the miles from that perspective.