Originally Posted by
dingo
I'm skeptical of these services, overall, but readily admit that I don't have the time or expertise to book award flight at something less than the 'got you by the ahems'.
And I tend to wait to book but I've got points currencies up the wazoo...AMEX, Ultimate Rewards, AA, and multiple hotel programs..each in the 7 figures.
So I'm looking for three biz class w/ lie flat seats from CLT to BRU with one connection at most for late May. We've all got to be on the same flights. Before I waste the time of / engage a booking service...is there even any point? Is it too close in and too many seats?
It's pretty late, but OTOH, some of the airlines release extra premium awards seats (if available) within the last 2 weeks or so. (Twice, we've been prepared to fly J, and approx 2 weeks before travel date, the awards agent we used got us F seats. Once was on the same airline; once was on a different, and preferred, airline. In the latter case, we just re-banked the points for a small fee. WELL worth it, both times.)
At least some of the services don't charge unless they are able to get you satisfactory seats.
Thus far, we've *always* been able to get something satisfactory, although we usually book far in advance, and also usually have some flexibility on the actual dates, or even the exact routing.
Good luck.
GC