R2-R8 via R7 - experience?
 

I'm interested in flying HEL-ZRH-BKK(stopover)-HKG with KF/LX/TG in F this Summer. As I've understood before it hasn't been a problem and the points required have been for the normal R2-R8 redemption.

Does anybody have recent experience - is it still ok? :confused: Or has ICC been stricter recently?

I'll answer my own question - there were no problems. Dhanlaxmi took good care of my booking ^

I'm really looking forward to trying F on both LX and TG!

Want to book the following redemption using Miles + Cash: (62,500 miles + £425 per person):

• Tuesday 28/12/10: UA935: LHR - LAX Aircraft: B777-763 Cabin: First
• Tuesday 28/12/10: UA384: LAX - LAS Aircraft: A320 Cabin: First
  
• Monday 03/01/10 UA087 LAS - LAX Aircraft A320 Cabin: Economy (no other availability)
• Monday 03/01/10 UA934 LAX - LHR Aircraft B777-763 Cabin: First

ANA shows availability for all the above flights and I was just wanting to ask some of the experts on here if I am missing a trick anywhere with the options that I'm looking to choose, whether that be the airlines I've chosen, routing etc....?

Could anyone offer some figures for how much the taxes are likely to be for the above flights?

Thanks in advance.

Tax: USDA APHIS Fee $5.00
Tax: US Immigration Fee $7.00
Tax: US Customs Fee $5.50
Tax: United Kingdom Air Passengers Duty £120.00
Tax: United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge £22.97
Tax: US International Arrival Tax $16.10
Tax: UA YQ surcharge £137.00
Tax: US International Departure Tax $16.10
Tax: US September 11th Security Fee $7.50
Tax: US Passenger Facility Charge $4.50

It works out to ~£323.97

NZ's J class would be my first choice to LAX, although UA will have the new F/J product on a reasonable number of aircraft by then. NZ often open up seats close to departure so I would book this itinerary and swap to NZ (for less miles and a bit less cash + the £20pp change fee), if the seats appear. Your choice though.

Thanks for doing the sums Tiger_Lily ^

I think I'll just go with UA for the timebeing and keep an eye out for NZ seats to be released.

I had read on here that it is notoriously difficult to get business/first class on NZ, do you know if there is a best time to look for availability, or is a bt of a lottery?

There's no F on NZ just J. You have to watch availability like a hawk, and I would expect it to appear around 30 days prior to your travel date.

Having said that you are travelling over the xmas holidays and peak travel season to NZ, so don't be disappointed if nothing turns up.

I tried LX F ZRH-LAX last easter for a change and it was really excellent (limo to the plane etc). Way beyond UA but I still loved NZ on the return.

Agree with Tiger lilly about NZ being a more sensible use of miles. I've always managed to get 2 seats 4-8 weeks out LRH-LAX-LHR. Only problem is that there are only a couple of connections to LAS after NZ1 arrives and availability on them may be difficult as they are popular flights.

AC is another option LHR-YYC/YVR - LAX/S as their J is pretty good too but availability is very poor at any time. You go through US immigration in Canada though which is quicker than the LAX lottery which can be 20 mins or 2 hours.

Lastly if you do decide to book J on NZ or AC then change any connecting flights on the booking to Y or they'll charge you F all the way. Don't worry about Y on the LAX-LAS leg its a very short flight and you may even bag the exit rows if you call the airline once its ticketed.

I'm desperately trying to find availability nrt-lhr for dadinlaw during golden week with a baby violently wriggling on my lap (the whole point of his visit).
if there is only availability in business from nrt-bkk
and only an economy seat from bkk-lhr (the longer segment)
is this an eco or bus redemption? And if eco, can it be booked as such?

swift response much appreciated (return in eco is around £2,000 for his dates :eek: ) particularly if anyone can help think of and, ideally, find a creative way for him to reach london, leaving 2nd may.

cheers!

this is a bus redemption

Availability on LX in C via ZRH on 03/05, 05/05 and later dates, nothing on 01/05 or 02/05.

Thank you for checking this with Swiss!

And thanks for your reponse G_G. I think I remember now (baby rolling on floor and not your legs helps clear the head) that it's only when one of the sectors is within a zone that you get the 'free upgrade' - like crossing from New York to LA.

Not any more :(

bah! :td:
Last question (the LX option looks the best at the moment, I'm really grateful for your time FOM)

the miles for this are in my account, could I use someone else's bank card for this or must it be my own? (I just can't remember any of this anymore! :o )

They're pretty fussy about that these days in that the cardholder must be the one they talk to when taking the card details.....or at least not you....if you get my drift.

Sorry, should have made it clearer. If the cardholder is in the room with me (husband or parent) will they accept the booking? Does the payment need to come from the DC account holder?