Difficulty using miles
 

We have been frustrated trying to use OnePass miles for a trip NEXT SUMMER to Europe (we're not traveling on a Fri-Sat-Sun). There are 4 of us.

I've been told there are NO seats available on ANY flights anywhere in Europe from Newark during the month we want.

How far in advance must you book? Any tricks of the trade anyone wants to share? Thanks..

Assume that you all want to be on the same plane too, jeeze, thats expecting a lot http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/eek.gif

You might be shooting yourselves in the feet by trying to book this early.

CO may not be kidding you about *no* seats on *any* flights at this time, next year... because such seats may not be inventoried as of yet.

Furthermore, next year there might be a fare sale which makes paying for the tickets far more worth it in the mileage gained than from their expenditure for reward travel.

Likewise, there might be a promotion for reward travel at significantly-reduced mileage levels, such as what happened a few weeks ago.

Any particular reason why there is such a hurry to book *now* for next year? As you can see, it's not giving you any advantages as far as seat availability...

Having heard that there are few seats set aside for frequent flyers on most flights, we simply want to get our request in as early as possible, especially as there are 4 of us, and we want to travel together. Although we've used f.flyer miles on various airlines in the past, we don't exactly make a hobby of it and therefore aren't privy to all the ins and outs. It generally takes us quite a while to rack up enough for really good trips, and we want to fly from Boston, where we'll be visiting family, into Rome next June.

Again, any and all tips gratefully received. What should we look for and be aware of? We want to use the miles we have and not pay for the flight, rather than pay and rack up lots more miles, at this particular time in our lives. Thanks!

Keep in mind that summertime is the busy season for flights to europe, hence the scarcity of award seats. It's a a case why give away what you can sell.

We regularly travel to Europe on reward tickets, but always in the Spring or Fall.

Often we can't get the dates we want, but choose dates within a range that we can work with, and waitlist our preferred flights. Usually things open up in the tome frame of 2 months to 3 weeks.

Sometimes writing a letter will help.

Good luck!

I too have been having problems similar to you. I am looking for four seats next July from Europe to Florida and hoped to confirm these early for the same reasons as yourself. Each time I contact OP I get conflicting advice, but it does seem that there are no seats available between April and August of next year. I even e-mailed OP and got three replies - all giving different advice! The best information suggests that seats are made available as and when "Revenue Operators" decide to release them and there seems to be no rules as to when that is. I have had several FF trips across the Atlantic with other airlines and have found dealing with Continental the least rewarding. Keep pestering them seems all you can do!

I booked a sea-lgw trip for november and had no problem with using miles. It was also a 25000 mile special http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Boomer - did ya get the offer in your monthly eliete statement?

Richard, you can find it on the CO web site under the FF section... P.S. In your profile you list CO SM...That's a Delta term. We can't afford medalions! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Richard, I was notified several ways about the offer. Statement, website, email, flyertalk.

I've had good luck with using miles. The trick is to be flexible and have a few different days that you're willing to fly.