Reward Flight Search
Jul 30, 2011 | 8:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2007
Programs: UA General
Posts: 334
Reward Flight Search
Hello,
I am interested in constructing a roundtrip itinerary with a stopover (let's say, A is my home airport, B is the stopover location, C is the destination). To make it easier for me to know what date(s) would work, I did a few one way searches for A to B, B to C, then C back to A and found the dates I want. However, when I punched in the details for a multiple destination itinerary (A-B-C-A), the same dates are showing me no availability. Can anyone explain this? I did not change any other criteria.
I am interested in constructing a roundtrip itinerary with a stopover (let's say, A is my home airport, B is the stopover location, C is the destination). To make it easier for me to know what date(s) would work, I did a few one way searches for A to B, B to C, then C back to A and found the dates I want. However, when I punched in the details for a multiple destination itinerary (A-B-C-A), the same dates are showing me no availability. Can anyone explain this? I did not change any other criteria.
Jul 30, 2011 | 8:31 pm
#2
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,240
The multi city reward searches were only added recently, and have been unpredictable for me. I would suggest calling with the flight numbers you found in the one way searches, and have them book them over the phone.
Jul 31, 2011 | 2:37 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
You get fewer results in the multi city searches.
If it's not one of the more logical results (e.g., most efficient connections with availability), it may not show up, particularly for the second and subsequent flights.
Not sure why that is, considering CO's programmers are the FINEST people in the business, but as has been pointed out, calling is usually your best option in this situation.
If it's not one of the more logical results (e.g., most efficient connections with availability), it may not show up, particularly for the second and subsequent flights.
Not sure why that is, considering CO's programmers are the FINEST people in the business, but as has been pointed out, calling is usually your best option in this situation.
Jul 31, 2011 | 3:41 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Anchorage, AK
Programs: CO - Onepass Gold--> UA - MileagePlus Gold --> Silver --> AS - MileagePlan MVPGold --> MVPG75k!
Posts: 814
I have never......ever.....EVER.....had ANY luck (we're talking absolute zero here) with the multi-stop tool in a reward booking.
I mean, let me make it even more clear: I can do a roundtrip search, find the cities it wants me to stop in, then put the EXACT SAME ITINERARIES that THEY came up with into the engine, and have it come back and say, "Your search criteria violates (some) rule."
Very annoying, but then there are LOTS of idiosyncrasies with co.com award booking that are very annoying..... like all of my purchases bringing up the error message, then forcing me to make the booking over the phone, AND pay the phone booking fee.
But yes, your problem seem pretty typical to me.
I mean, let me make it even more clear: I can do a roundtrip search, find the cities it wants me to stop in, then put the EXACT SAME ITINERARIES that THEY came up with into the engine, and have it come back and say, "Your search criteria violates (some) rule."
Very annoying, but then there are LOTS of idiosyncrasies with co.com award booking that are very annoying..... like all of my purchases bringing up the error message, then forcing me to make the booking over the phone, AND pay the phone booking fee.
But yes, your problem seem pretty typical to me.
Jul 31, 2011 | 7:57 am
#5
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Newport, NJ, USA
Posts: 2,114
I have never......ever.....EVER.....had ANY luck (we're talking absolute zero here) with the multi-stop tool in a reward booking.
I mean, let me make it even more clear: I can do a roundtrip search, find the cities it wants me to stop in, then put the EXACT SAME ITINERARIES that THEY came up with into the engine, and have it come back and say, "Your search criteria violates (some) rule."
Very annoying, but then there are LOTS of idiosyncrasies with co.com award booking that are very annoying..... like all of my purchases bringing up the error message, then forcing me to make the booking over the phone, AND pay the phone booking fee.
But yes, your problem seem pretty typical to me.
I mean, let me make it even more clear: I can do a roundtrip search, find the cities it wants me to stop in, then put the EXACT SAME ITINERARIES that THEY came up with into the engine, and have it come back and say, "Your search criteria violates (some) rule."
Very annoying, but then there are LOTS of idiosyncrasies with co.com award booking that are very annoying..... like all of my purchases bringing up the error message, then forcing me to make the booking over the phone, AND pay the phone booking fee.
But yes, your problem seem pretty typical to me.
Jul 31, 2011 | 2:40 pm
#6
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: IAD
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Rewards - LTPP
Posts: 4,242
For some reason a lot of US flights weren't showing up yesterday or earlier today (they seem fine now). Not sure if it was related to the website updates, but if it involved partner metal you might want to check again.
Jul 31, 2011 | 6:17 pm
#7
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,443
Just use the ANA tool to find the availability on the flights you want then call the CO call centre armed with that info.