Would this be allowed on redemption.
 

I wasnt sure where to post this so I decided best thing to do was add a new thread as it doesnt really fit into ''successful redemptions''

I want to try the new NZ Biz class and they only fly LAX-LHR but Im comming home from Miami. Could I do MIA-LAX-LHR oneway in biz class or would this not be allowed??? Just want to get my facts right before wrestling with the call center :D

Whether ths is allowable or not, there are no direct *A flights MIA-LAX

MIA-LAX-LHR would involve some serious backtracking!

They will certainly try convince you towards the LH option via FRA.

I would have to go MIA-ORD-LAX-LHR in fact UA/NZ. I have done LH so many times now Im sick of it. I never flew NZ so thats why I wanted to try them and I hear great reports on them. If worse comes to worse AA have a cheapo MIA-LAX for $126 all in oneway. So I could always do that and then take the NZ option.

You are allowed 1 stop over on the award - I don't see why LAX couldn't be argued a stop over if they object over backtracking (it is in the same zone so should be perfectably allowable as a stop over) - do stop overs have a minimum stay (would a couple of hours suffice?)

Zone definition?
 

I have another questions.

Question 1:
SAS(SK) will re-open CPH-SFJ(Kangerlussuaq, Greenland) route from May 2007 and operate during summer period.

Which zone does Greenland belong to? Zone 2(same as Denmark)?

Question 2:
Which zone do Kenya, Tanzania, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea belong to? Zone 5 or Zone 6?


I have checked bmi site, but there is no mention about these countries.

The reason those countries are not mentioned is because before SAA's and SWISS' inauguration into StarAlliance, there were no routes to those countries.
It also helps to explains why some are currently zone 5 whilst their neighbours are zone 6,
e.g. IIRC, Cote I'vore was only accessible on LH with a flight that stopped in Accra. Costs and supply were therefore higher and lower respectivly.

Now that SAA provide greater route options I would expect
Kenya & Tanzania to be Zone 6,
whilst
Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea to be Zone 5

That said, it's still debatable.

Also,
I've always expected Greenland to be Zone 2 (same as Iceland), expecially since there is only one route there. Again, still debatable!

I don't think you can argue that way, there needs to be no backtracking including the stopover. I think generally, if the routing is listed on star alliance website, then it will be allowed. Looks like you can transfer at IAD, FRA, or YYZ. Maybe try AC, as they now have herringbone layout flat bed seat on LHR - YYZ as well?

yeah, I think you are right. I read the bmi guidelines and it says stopovers are allowed at transfer points - so it would be a bit of a stretch to argue that LAX is a transfer point (considering you'd probably have to also transfer via ORD to get there in the first place). And it says stopovers are more than 24 hours.

Aruba
 

Hi -

Another zone question. Anyone know which Aruba is in, since it is not listed? Routing suggestions, ex-LON, most welcome too.

Thanks.

The ANZ flat bed cabin is lovely. I did LHR-HKG recently, and have HKG-AKL and HKG-LHR in the pipeline. If you can find a way to get it, I am sure it will be worth it. :)

If anything, it'll be Zone 4 along with the rest of the Caribbean Sea and South America.

Hmm well youve convinced me , I will try my luck with maybe doing MIA-LAX Via ORD then overnight in LA and then fly LAX-LHR the next day. I might get away with it :)

If they won't let you do that, how about trying singles LHR-FRA-MIA(stop)-xxx-LAX and then LAX-LHR. The outbound is a push, but it's not backtracking, and if it works you get to try NZ oneway.

Or LHR-FRA-MIA-DEN and DEN-LAX-LHR which has a less complicated outbound, but some less-major backtracking.