Looking to use UR to get flight from SEA to KOA
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 26
Looking to use UR to get flight from SEA to KOA
I've been working on this for a while and can't seem to find the flight I want.
On awardhacker SQ and BA both have great redemptions using AS for non-stop flights to KOA from SEA. I can't find AS as an option for a coach flight on either. Both accept transfer from UR.
I have accounts with both and can't find a single non-stop flight flown by AS. I have tried dozens of dates as tests and nothing comes up. I then called BA twice and was on hold for over an hour both times and never got through. I have also signed up with Expert Flyer and couldn't find any AS awards there either.
I am new to this game, am I missing something?
On awardhacker SQ and BA both have great redemptions using AS for non-stop flights to KOA from SEA. I can't find AS as an option for a coach flight on either. Both accept transfer from UR.
I have accounts with both and can't find a single non-stop flight flown by AS. I have tried dozens of dates as tests and nothing comes up. I then called BA twice and was on hold for over an hour both times and never got through. I have also signed up with Expert Flyer and couldn't find any AS awards there either.
I am new to this game, am I missing something?
#2
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: SEA
Programs: UA 1P 1MM, Marriott Platinum, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 621
Are you able to see other AS flights, just not the nonstops? If so, maybe AS isn’t making them available for partner awards? I checked AA award redemption as it’s another AS partner, and regardless of the dates I tried, it only gave me options with stops for SEA-KOA, no nonstops.
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,588
If there are no award seats, consider using UR points at 1.5x if you have CSR or CSP.
So it would cost you 6,667 points for every $100 in airfare. And you earn miles when you fly.
So it would cost you 6,667 points for every $100 in airfare. And you earn miles when you fly.
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 26
Are you able to see other AS flights, just not the nonstops? If so, maybe AS isn’t making them available for partner awards? I checked AA award redemption as it’s another AS partner, and regardless of the dates I tried, it only gave me options with stops for SEA-KOA, no nonstops.
Also, if the award flight isn't showing up on BA or SQ's websites, is there a chance they are available by phone?
We do have CSR, so yes this is an option. Would save me about 20% on points if I could do it through awards. But would rather pay extra for non-stop. We have 2 young children and don't want to deal with a stopover.
Last edited by beckoa; Jan 11, 2019 at 11:49 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,588
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Not here; there!
Programs: AA Lifetime Gold
Posts: 29,520
Really not seeing any AS, but I have mostly been looking at non-stops. I'm guessing awardtracker isn't 100%? I don't think it's a matter of the flights only being available sometimes. I haven't found it once and have searched a lot.
Also, if the award flight isn't showing up on BA or SQ's websites, is there a chance they are available by phone?
Also, if the award flight isn't showing up on BA or SQ's websites, is there a chance they are available by phone?
#7
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 26
SEA is are only option, I would like to use awards but can use UR with CSR in a pinch.
About $600.
Last edited by beckoa; Jan 11, 2019 at 11:49 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
It shows theoretical routes that may be possible. But you need to look at the ffp web sites for the details of what is possible.
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,588
OK, so you can buy the $600 ticket for 40K UR points each. The cheapest mileage seats I see are 35K Alaska miles roundtrip if you can find award seats.
Since you'll earn miles when you (1) buy the ticket and (2) fly the flights, you're earn more in miles than the 5K difference.
Just buy the tickets using UR on the dates you want and be done with it.
Since you'll earn miles when you (1) buy the ticket and (2) fly the flights, you're earn more in miles than the 5K difference.
Just buy the tickets using UR on the dates you want and be done with it.
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 26
OK, so you can buy the $600 ticket for 40K UR points each. The cheapest mileage seats I see are 35K Alaska miles roundtrip if you can find award seats.
Since you'll earn miles when you (1) buy the ticket and (2) fly the flights, you're earn more in miles than the 5K difference.
Just buy the tickets using UR on the dates you want and be done with it.
Since you'll earn miles when you (1) buy the ticket and (2) fly the flights, you're earn more in miles than the 5K difference.
Just buy the tickets using UR on the dates you want and be done with it.
I will probably do exactly like you said, but like I said I am new to the game and trying to figure it all out. I am also trying to get to Australia later in the year with business class using MR. The process seems much easier as ANA's site has a lot of partner award availability.
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
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Posts: 21,588
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 20,987
25K BA avios and 24K SQ points and 35K AS ff miles all have different award values as the what flights they can get. They are not 1:1
At the $600 on AS you can credit to any AS or any AS ff partner: AS BA, SQ, so earn some ff currency back.
To most burning X thousand ff miles/avios/points would not be good value for a $600 flights.
What ffp's are you a signed up member of?
#13
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 26
If using BA avios you need to phone BA, Same for SQ, AS etc
25K BA avios and 24K SQ points and 35K AS ff miles all have different award values as the what flights they can get. They are not 1:1
At the $600 on AS you can credit to any AS or any AS ff partner: AS BA, SQ, so earn some ff currency back.
To most burning X thousand ff miles/avios/points would not be good value for a $600 flights.
What ffp's are you a signed up member of?
25K BA avios and 24K SQ points and 35K AS ff miles all have different award values as the what flights they can get. They are not 1:1
At the $600 on AS you can credit to any AS or any AS ff partner: AS BA, SQ, so earn some ff currency back.
To most burning X thousand ff miles/avios/points would not be good value for a $600 flights.
What ffp's are you a signed up member of?
Do you mean I should save miles for more expensive flights?
I have accounts setup with: ANA, AS, SQ, BA, and UA. I only have organic miles with AS. I have some UR saved up and holding on to MR for trip to Australia later in the year.
Last edited by beckoa; Jan 11, 2019 at 11:50 pm Reason: merged consecutive posts