Hi folks,

Would this be a valid o/w routing for a Z3-Z4 redemption:

YYZ-TPA(4 day stopover to visit in-laws)-IAH-EZE

There doesn't seem to be availability for direct alternatives for what we want (3 x J seats) around the dates we have in mind, so hoping this would be acceptable.

I know that I might get random responses from the ICC staff, but don't know how to check if this is permissible... any thoughts?

According to the rules: "Back-tracking is not permitted. This means that travel must be made via the most direct route and travel must continue in the same general direction as it started, unless routing restrictions prevent this."


There are other routings and they may class TPA-IAH as backtracking... think you will struggle with this

best of luck

caz312 - yes, I'm aware of the text you cite, but it's not always as straightforward as that (particularly when it comes to challenging clueless ICC staff - hence asking the board for its collective wisdom..)

Myabe I should clarify my rationale up to this point:

Can't get 3xJ on a direct YYZ-EZE routing (AC only release 2xJ at a time), so we have no option but to go indirect.

So I guess the potential sticking point is YYZ-IAH va YYZ-TPA-IAH with a stopover in IAH.

IIRC, availability for YYZ-IAH for the three of us on the dates we're considering was not looking good at all (in any cabin, for the dates I have in mind) - so my assumption was that a less direct routing should be reasonable.

There seems to be a reasonable amount of flexibility for TATL redemptions (e.g. I booked YYZ-ORD-ZRH-LHR in J for 3 people without any trouble last year) - hence my initial thinking this ain't gonna be too unreasonable a request.

Firstly, a lack of availability isn't a reason to justify a longer routing outside of the normal rules. In the case of what you are suggesting, I think it will be a case of agent lottery. Some will be fine with it, others may raise it as an issue. It clearly isn't the most direct routing, but I don't think it is a ridiculous routing either. A little bit further, but hardly LHR-LAX-PHL either!

The only answer that counts though is that from the ICC when you try to book it. I'd certainly give it a go myself.

...and if it doesn't work and you really want to keep the TPA stopover, and don't mind the extra expense, you could book YYZ-TPA-surface sector-IAH-EZE and buy the TPA-IAH seperately.