Route for BMI award
 

How strict is the no backtracking rule for award bookings? Ideally, I would like to stop off in YHZ (Halifax) on the return leg of my flights LIM-MAN. I know this can be done LIM-EWR-YHZ-LHR-MAN, but there is only economy available on the YHZ-LHR leg with AC, so would prefer to fly YHZ-EWR-MAN with CO or even YHZ-YYZ-LHR with AC to go business. Is that permitted?

Also, is it permitted to mix business and economy if I'm paying the miles necessary for business?

Chances of Business Class EWR-MAN Award except in last few days are virtually Zero.

Thanks for the reply, but unfortunately it didn't even attempt to answer my question in the slightest.

I tried to keep my post short and sweet to make it easier to read, but I should probably have said I already have business class tickets booked for the route MAN-EWR-LIM-EWR-(stopover)-MAN. Instead of doing the stopover in NYC, I'm now thinking of going to Halifax instead and know that CO fly there LIM-EWR-YHZ. However, provided I'm not stopping in EWR on the return from YHZ-MAN, would I be allowed to transit there, or is this considered backtracking?

As you booked the stopover in EWR anyway, it could be more feasible to book an extra ticket EWR-YHZ-EWR, either with miles or with money.

- You can change the routing of an existing reward ticket (I did it last week). You can also remove legs if required. All these count as a change not a cancellation and rebook.
- You can mix classes for redemption - you pay the highest rate!
- You routing of: lim-ewr-yhz-yyz-lhr-man - Worth a shot, I think you will find an agent who will book it. I doubt many know where Halifax is in relation to Toronto.

BD awards may be partly or completely changed as long as the origin and destination are in the same zones. You may retain some (precious) booked sectors, and change others. If the ICC operator is unhelpful, hang up and call again.

In both the re-routing examples given by the OP (either including EWR-YHZ-EWR or EWR-YHZ-YYZ) the chances are that they won't get through. The first one is requires going through EWR twice, the second one is a fair bit of a backtrack. The 2nd one has a bit more of a chance though.

Thanks for the replies guys. I might try my luck and see what happens. I read on some other thread, although I don't remember where, that backtracking to transit through a city isn't treated as backtracking in the same way, hence the reason flying the ICC tends to allow LON-FRA-NYC, even though that, too, is technically backtracking, flying east to FRA, before flying west. Anyone know if this is indeed the case?

Yes, that's perfectly acceptable

Are these two routes possible?
1. LGA-YYZ-NRT-AKL(stop)-SYD
2. SYD-AKL-PVG(stop)-YYZ-LGA

very unlikely, when you can go NA to SYD direct via LAX/SFO/YVR

If you want to have a stop in NE Asia, you could try JFK-ICN-SYD

I need Johannesburg - Dubai, business one way, how to do it? Can I fly Lufthansa via Frankfurt? or any suggestions on what to try?

You may well be able to do this at the moment as the *A routing lists all have a connection via CAIro. Given the current situation you may well be allowed to route via FRA, although the next most logical route is JNB-IST-DXB

I'm finally in a position to book, so any help appreciated. I've used the ANA tool andall of these flights are showing as available in business, but not sure if I will be allowed. Looking to book 2 one way trips, just not sure on the 2nd trip.

Trip 1
22/4/11 LH965 EDI - FRA
23/4/11 LH 710 FRA - NRT

Trip 2
10/5/11 SQ917 MNL - BKK
stopover
21/5/11 TG916 BKK - LHR
21/5/11 BD062 LHR - EDI

Ideally I'd like to go to KL from MNL, but cant find availability to then get back to EDI

Cheers

Can't see problems with either of those schedules. Get them booked!