You won't get the precise data. DC don't seem to work to MPM rules either, so I'm afraid trial, error and common sense are what is needed. The opinions from most of us are through either personal experience, or experience seen via the board.

RNO may well be ok, PHX could be too. You'd have to try it to find out definitively. Ultimately this thread is here to help guide what is and isn't likely. Some routings are clearly out (See NYC-GRU-ZRH earlier), but others are subjective.

Thanks, I got two seats in C no problem, complete with stopover in Singapore and plenty of choice on SQ into DPS.

Apologies if this has been covered a thousand times before, but I would like to book 2 pax 1 way SFO>LON in first with Virgin. The DC T&C seem to suggest that you can only book one way tix with Star Alliance airlines, and not partners, is that correct?

Correct. You can only book a round trip on VS. You can alternatively look at UA direct from SFO-LON, or via Europe on LH/LX etc where you could book a one way award for a much lower amount of points than on VS.

Or book via YVR on AC - same seat type as Virgin Upper Class.

But good luck finding any availability

I think you can change SFO for most things TATL and say good luck at the moment. Seems to be very little availability full stop.

Is Z3 to Z9 via Z8 possible?
E.g. JFK-AKL via NRT?

RNO via SFO is absolutely OK. Done it loads of times on redemptions, and never had a problem booking it.

Thanks to the suggestion to look for UA First availability in my quest to attend a friends wedding in Albuquerque, I've come up with the following thats showing availability on KVS:

BRU-IAD-ABQ
UA951 BRU 12:10 IAD 14:23 777 0 FS+ CS- YS+
-> UA783 IAD 17:45 ABQ 20:00 319 0 FS- CS- YS+

(Prepared to rough it for the second leg)

And even the return was good:
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- -------------
UA 782 ABQ 10:10 IAD 15:52 319 0 FS- CS- YS+
-> UA 950 IAD 17:59 BRU 07:30 +1 777 0 FS+ CS- YS+

Now, I live a stones throw from LBA so what I’d like to know is whether the following would be permitted and any ideas what it’ll set me back in miles and dreaded taxes?

LBA-BRU-IAD-ABQ

If not, I guess there are options but no doubt will end up costing more….
Thanks in advance.

LBA-BRU etc etc should be fine. Many people start at regional airports and connect to the US via FRA & ZRH for example.

This should be valid.
Also, for your IAD-ABQ and back, put that into Continental's search engine on your dates, you may be able to find F space on US or CO, or UA with a connection in ORD/DEN/IAH/etc.

KVS/ANA is bad at handling more than 1 connection and its useful to search segment by segment

No problem with the itinerary at all. This is z1-z3, so will be (in F): 45K*2.5=112500 miles + taxes for miles only (or 62500 miles + £350 + taxes for cash+ miles).

Taxes would be in the region of £330 if traveling to/from LBA before November (after November, add another £30). If you start your redemption in Belgium, however, you would avoid the UK APD and therefore reduce taxes by about £90 (£120 after November).

Does anyone know if Europe (zone 2) - BKK - KTM is still do-able as a zone 2 - 10 award? The Star Alliance planner doesn't throw up this or any other routing. And yes - I do intend to go all the way. Just will have a little stopover in BKK on the way back. ;)

What happens if I need to buy miles to complete a redemption? Do I have to call ICC, check availability/routing, go away and buy the miles, then call back and hope it is still available? Sounds too high risk to me.

. Yes, as long as you fly it, no probs.

I am afraid so. The ICC won't book until sufficient miles are in your account. Do a preliminary search on ANA re availability.