Feb 23, 2015, 6:35 am
Last edit by: NWIFlyer
With the evolution of the Miles&Bonus program, there are a number of threads on this forum that contain outdated information, plus a further set that - whilst describing the new program - contain conflicting information that has only been crystallised as we all discover how certain aspects of the program either work or are interpreted.
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
It is perhaps therefore unsurprising that many new members find searching through this myriad of threads a little daunting, and consequently they post a question in one of the FAQ threads.
This tends to irk those who've been around for a while who expect the new posters to at least do some basic searching before posting a question that has probably been asked many times before. This also causes the forums to become very congested and less easy to read through with the same question being asked and answered many times.
I am therefore creating a thread, which will be stickied, for anyone to ask any question they like about the M&B program where they are unsure or it's not obvious where they should be posting it.
There is no such thing in this thread as a stupid question, no issue with asking a repeat question, and any answers should be 100% flame-free. I will take a dim view of anyone that abuses a member or provides a less than helpful answer (such as 'do a search') to any question asked in here, because this is being created to benefit all of us so the other threads flow more cleanly. Thank you for your co-operation on this.
It might be that I move questions to more appropriate threads so they receive an answer more quickly, but if I do so I will always add a note to indicate where they originated, and ask that the flame-free answer principle be respected.
NWIFlyer
Moderator
Aegean M&B
Flame-Free Questions on A3 - ask your newbie (and not so newbie) questions here
May 7, 2018, 1:38 am
#1576
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,375
If you happen to be arriving off another Schengen/domestic flight, you can use the LH lounge first, before exiting airside and going to the A gates (so long as your international flight is *A of course). I do this quite regularly. Also, I have (in the past, before the new security area was built) gone through into the B gates with an extra-schengen boarding card. I just told the security staff that I wanted to use the lounges and they were very relaxed about it. If you're beginning your journey in Athens it might still be possible although this was when the lounges were landside (before the consolidated security). Maybe it's worth a try and I'd be interested to know if it's still possible.
May 7, 2018, 11:32 am
#1577
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Battleaxe Alliance
Posts: 22,127
If you happen to be arriving off another Schengen/domestic flight, you can use the LH lounge first, before exiting airside and going to the A gates (so long as your international flight is *A of course). I do this quite regularly. Also, I have (in the past, before the new security area was built) gone through into the B gates with an extra-schengen boarding card. I just told the security staff that I wanted to use the lounges and they were very relaxed about it. If you're beginning your journey in Athens it might still be possible although this was when the lounges were landside (before the consolidated security). Maybe it's worth a try and I'd be interested to know if it's still possible.
May 8, 2018, 5:56 pm
#1578
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: Avis Trump. Costco Exec. SPG PLAT PREM-90. WN A+/CP. AA SLV. Nat EE..
Posts: 456
Okay friends. I'm Silver and am trying to use points to get me in business or first to the Skyteam Megado in October. Routes I'm trying to book are SEA-AMS or MCO-AMS on October 12. Return October 18 or 19 (later if necessary) BCN-MCO. I've got ~93,000 A3 points and somewhat of a boatload of SPG and AXP points.
Anyways, I can't seem to find any allowed routing off of the A3 website to get to AMS "commercial fare family missing" and I've only been able to find a few economy tix coming back to Florida.
I don't mind connecting but would prefer to do so in Europe so I have a long leg home. LH flies a bit to MCO and since fancy for me is B9 mint, I'd love to experience a luxurious route (not valid here but I even tried to route through a DXB on EK for fun but that seems like an illegal routing). Also, I've got a boatload of WN points so I don't mind domestic repositioning to get back to MCO within reason, as a 2.5 hour flight on WN would negate the "luxury" of a nice lay flat TATL.
Main questions, am I misusing the A3 website somehow to search? Does calling result in other/better results? Am I totally wasting my time here? If so, what should I do with my A3 points? Most of my leisure travel is US-Domestic and I sort of hate united so booking a trip with them would mostly only be to keep my A3 points from expiring.
Anyways, I can't seem to find any allowed routing off of the A3 website to get to AMS "commercial fare family missing" and I've only been able to find a few economy tix coming back to Florida.
I don't mind connecting but would prefer to do so in Europe so I have a long leg home. LH flies a bit to MCO and since fancy for me is B9 mint, I'd love to experience a luxurious route (not valid here but I even tried to route through a DXB on EK for fun but that seems like an illegal routing). Also, I've got a boatload of WN points so I don't mind domestic repositioning to get back to MCO within reason, as a 2.5 hour flight on WN would negate the "luxury" of a nice lay flat TATL.
Main questions, am I misusing the A3 website somehow to search? Does calling result in other/better results? Am I totally wasting my time here? If so, what should I do with my A3 points? Most of my leisure travel is US-Domestic and I sort of hate united so booking a trip with them would mostly only be to keep my A3 points from expiring.
May 8, 2018, 9:21 pm
#1579
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: YXY
Posts: 3,506
A3 only allows for one stop on reward bookings,per direction. So you have to find a direct flight to Europe, and then a single connection to AMS. As you are looking for a specific date, and you want to avoid UA, your options are slim.
Have you considered YVR-AMS?
Have you considered YVR-AMS?
May 8, 2018, 9:42 pm
#1580
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: Avis Trump. Costco Exec. SPG PLAT PREM-90. WN A+/CP. AA SLV. Nat EE..
Posts: 456
thanks. I did check YVR but I get the same fare family error.
May 10, 2018, 10:39 am
#1581
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: Avis Trump. Costco Exec. SPG PLAT PREM-90. WN A+/CP. AA SLV. Nat EE..
Posts: 456
Also, if I want to use A3 points for a *A seat upgrade, how do I check for available space before I actually buy a Y ticket? Does availability mirror award ticket availability?
May 13, 2018, 9:20 am
#1585
Moderator: Aegean Miles+Bonus
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: AMS / ATH
Programs: AFKL Plat, A3 Gold
Posts: 7,342
If you arrive before the time of departure of the flight to CFU, they may not even notice and just think that you're scheduled to fly that same day. Because the flight number and time are printed with huge letters - while the date is not. Do they scan the BP at the A3 lounge or just check it visually?
May 13, 2018, 10:29 am
#1586
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: CFU
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 2
If you arrive before the time of departure of the flight to CFU, they may not even notice and just think that you're scheduled to fly that same day. Because the flight number and time are printed with huge letters - while the date is not. Do they scan the BP at the A3 lounge or just check it visually?
This time my return flight is the next day
May 20, 2018, 11:23 am
#1587
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Sunshine State
Programs: Avis Trump. Costco Exec. SPG PLAT PREM-90. WN A+/CP. AA SLV. Nat EE..
Posts: 456
Is A3 award availability direct via their website the same as calling (certain?) call centers? I’m struggling with online availability as it regularly says no availability at all or just Y when other online portals show availability for other alliance partners like SQ or LH.
May 22, 2018, 9:13 am
#1590
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 38