Award ticket search now shows Star Alliance flights
Dec 6, 2017, 9:10 pm
#32
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: NW London and NW Sydney
Programs: BA Diamond, Hilton Bronze, A3 Diamond, IHG *G
Posts: 6,347
Dec 6, 2017, 11:05 pm
#33
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,375
People have said they can't see any AC or TG but I can see plenty of availability on both. I guess it just depends on dates. I also saw some SQ first class availability, which is said to be quite rare (SIN-HLP, not exactly long haul but...).
One good things is that the system also shows 2-stop options automatically. Although these cost more points and I wouldn't want to book them, it's a good way of learning what other routes are available. For example, I was looking at FCO-BKK with Thai and it showed that they have availability BRU-BKK (with connection) on my dates. Since I'm positioning anyway, that was another option I hadn't thought about.
One thing that surprised me was that inter-Asian routes show up availability with much longer routings than expected. I've seen comments here that these routings would be over the MPM, but they do seem available. For example HAN-HKG (527 miles direct) is available on OZ and/or ET/AI via ICN (2952 miles) for the standard 21k miles in C class. Also I found SIN-ICN-MNL with SQ/OZ (4483 miles vs 1474 miles direct) or SIN-PEK-MNL (4561 miles with CA) for the normal 21k miles. There seem to be many of these long routings available with CA, BR, OZ and NH in particular.
One good things is that the system also shows 2-stop options automatically. Although these cost more points and I wouldn't want to book them, it's a good way of learning what other routes are available. For example, I was looking at FCO-BKK with Thai and it showed that they have availability BRU-BKK (with connection) on my dates. Since I'm positioning anyway, that was another option I hadn't thought about.
One thing that surprised me was that inter-Asian routes show up availability with much longer routings than expected. I've seen comments here that these routings would be over the MPM, but they do seem available. For example HAN-HKG (527 miles direct) is available on OZ and/or ET/AI via ICN (2952 miles) for the standard 21k miles in C class. Also I found SIN-ICN-MNL with SQ/OZ (4483 miles vs 1474 miles direct) or SIN-PEK-MNL (4561 miles with CA) for the normal 21k miles. There seem to be many of these long routings available with CA, BR, OZ and NH in particular.
Last edited by Knobbgb; Dec 6, 2017 at 11:18 pm
Dec 7, 2017, 7:41 am
#35
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Wedged somewhere between BTS and VIE ✈
Programs: Star Alliance Gold (A3 Gold), Oneworld Emerald (BA Gold), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,338
17 hours 45 minutes in the air, in Business Class, for a fraction over 10 Euros (+ 55,000 miles)....amazing!
Dec 7, 2017, 11:21 pm
#38
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: PAS, Paros Greece
Programs: A3 *G
Posts: 1,375
I've never had an issue with it (never tried) but there have been many comments by member here about how this or that routing probably wouldn't be allowed. I can't be bothered going to find them, but you surely must have seen them. It always irked me a little because I've never seen anything in writing to state that any kind of MPM actually exists in the program at all.
Dec 8, 2017, 3:01 am
#39
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
This online award booking on other *A carriers is a great improvement. I hope they'll also extend its functionality to "More options" being available for other than A3 (incl. codeshare) destinations. So far the search results are limited, but thanks for it anyways, A3! We can still call and feed an agent with exact flights for more sophisticated itineraries for just €20 extra. Not a big issue.
What makes me especially happy is no YQ on SK flights. Great!
What makes me especially happy is no YQ on SK flights. Great!
Dec 8, 2017, 6:24 am
#42
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Netherlands
Programs: KL Platinum; A3 Gold
Posts: 28,750
Dec 8, 2017, 12:30 pm
#45
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: AC35K, AS MVP, WS Gold, ITA EP, Marriott Plat, Hyatt-Explorist, IHG Diamond
Posts: 2,019