I need some help.
I want to take my wife and son to Australia and NZ end of this year. Have about 230,000 CO miles, enuf for only two of the three business rt. However (a) it is a real hassle to try to get seats. You call CO and they take your info then contact Quantas. Maybe a few weeks later they call you back and tell you the dates are not available or there is only one seat etc. You then have to start the process over again. it is just not worth it which may be the idea. Is there anyway to go direct to Qantas. I have tried from here by phone but they say NO!! you have to go through CO
(b)It seems that UAl is a better deal with two Bus rt for 150,000 miles as opposed to CO's 210,000 miles
I would rather go UAL but only have about 80,000. Not enough even for one ticket..
Can one trade tickets or miles on different airlines?? Any suggestions as to how I could make this work would be appreciated.

[This message has been edited by kiwi (edited 02-25-99).]

UA: sorry to disappoint you: but two return-business on UA from US to Australia cost 2 * 90'000 miles = 180'000 miles (Saver Award). The Two-Business-Award ends april-30-99 (no travel thereafter). Don't shoot the messenger - please.

Kiwi,

I used Continental in this capacity to obtain China Airlines tickets and found out the following method for success:

1. You must reserve approximately ten months in advance (Which you seem to be about the right timeframe).
2. You MUST give a RANGE of dates (i.e. 2 weeks in which you can leave and 2 weeks in which you can return). Flexibility is the key success factor. My reservation literally took 1 month to complete. I called Continental on a 2 day basis for updates. They can access their system and tell you the status of the tickets. You can also get a supervisor involved to talk to Quantas. This gave us direct answers on availability.
3. You can request dates of availability so that you can choose your flights.
4. Off time vacation (you are going during their summer so this is peak travel).
5. You CANNOT purchase points for partner tickets. However you can transfer points in from hotel, AMEX, DC programs.

It worked for us, since 5 of us are travelling to Hong Kong this summer (2 in FC, 3 in BC).

Let me know if you need more info.

[This message has been edited by gabbysz (edited 02-25-99).]

you can go to New Zealand if you find 10 000 UA miles

for NorthWest off-peak Worldbusiness ticket from North America to South Pacific
75 000 CO miles are needed (3x75 000 = 225 000)
Air New Zealand business class ticket between South Pacific and Auckland,NZ costs 30 000 UA miles (3 x 30 000 = 90 000).




[This message has been edited by 650 (edited 02-25-99).]

Does Northwest fly to Australia? I'm not sure that they do...also does the end of the year qualify as off-peak?

[This message has been edited by gabbysz (edited 02-25-99).]