Originally Posted by
intltravel90
Hello,
I am looking to book an award ticket from Europe to Delhi in mid-July on AI using UA miles. When I searched last Sunday, there was availability showing in all classes from all of their European gateways on my selected date. Now, LHR only shows First, while MXP and FRA show only Business; CDG doesn't appear at all. This is consistent with AI's own search tool. This would have been oddly coincidental (and unfortunate) for all of them to have filled so quickly. Is it possible that this is a bug? Have others experienced this?
Thanks.
Hi
intltravel90, first of all AI only has a First cabin on its 77Ws which fly to LHR and JFK/EWR routes. MXP, FRA, BHX, FCO, CDG and DME are operated by 787 Dreamliners which are configured only in 2 classes, Business and Economy. Hence, I'd say that if UA website was showing First class on the routes other than London and NYC, then it was a glitch.
Secondly, AI opens up the same number of award seats for both its own members and to Star Alliance partners. Hence, if you can see a seat via AI's own tool, then you can book it by UA miles.
In my experience, AI releases 2 seats in Business and 2 seats in First consistently for its 77W flights. So its possible that the business class awards may have been snapped up and you may only be seeing F award from LHR. AI does not open any award space closer to departure, so that might be that for a given date.
P.S.: This is the availability for 15th July from LHR - Both J and F available!
