Online vs. Phone Reservation
Dec 3, 2017 | 11:33 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: American, United
Posts: 3
Online vs. Phone Reservation
Newbie here - apologies if I am in the wrong place. We are taking the kiddos (11, 12, 16) to Europe for spring break. I have 153k AA miles and my wife has 199k miles. We live in AZ. Our plan is to fly into LHR on MAR 7 (PHX to LAX to LHR) for 112,500 miles + $28. Then return from Milan MAR 20 (MXP to JFK to ORD to PHX) for 150,000 miles + $278 (taxes). Do we book online (two one-ways using my miles outbound and my wife's inbound) or do a phone reservation (phone fee?)? Any way to use the $100 flight discount we both have to cover the taxes or do something else useful? We are doing one carry-on each. Thanks so much for any advice.
Dec 3, 2017 | 11:38 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Bainbridge Island WA
Posts: 9,473
Do you actually see the award tickets available for your time frame? Finding 5 award tickets I think is pretty rare...especially this late in the game. I always book 330 days out.... one way....then wait for the return to become available and either add it on to the existing reservation or book another OW.
Dec 3, 2017 | 12:52 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: RDU <|> MMX
Programs: AA EXP 2MM, SK EBS
Posts: 15,073
Newbie here - apologies if I am in the wrong place. We are taking the kiddos (11, 12, 16) to Europe for spring break. I have 153k AA miles and my wife has 199k miles. We live in AZ. Our plan is to fly into LHR on MAR 7 (PHX to LAX to LHR) for 112,500 miles + $28. Then return from Milan MAR 20 (MXP to JFK to ORD to PHX) for 150,000 miles + $278 (taxes). Do we book online (two one-ways using my miles outbound and my wife's inbound) or do a phone reservation (phone fee?)? Any way to use the $100 flight discount we both have to cover the taxes or do something else useful? We are doing one carry-on each. Thanks so much for any advice.
Do you actually see the award tickets available for your time frame? Finding 5 award tickets I think is pretty rare...especially this late in the game. I always book 330 days out.... one way....then wait for the return to become available and either add it on to the existing reservation or book another OW.
Dec 3, 2017 | 1:42 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Nov 2016
Programs: American, United
Posts: 3
Thanks for the advice. We have found pretty good award flights for departure and return. Not flying BA because of the surcharges reduces the options significantly. I will book the two one-ways separately.
Thanks for your help!
Thanks for your help!