I have had 55k miles sitting in my account which I just can't seem to use. I think CO is the worst about using miles of any airline! Everytime I log on or call all they have is 50k domestic trips available. Even if I call a year ahead! What else can I do with the miles? I belong to pretty much every other FF Plan and also Marriott and Hilton. I just don't see the point in using 50K miles to book a $293 economy ticket. Thanks in advance for all recommendations.

CO agents do not volunteer partner information. You need to ask.

Ask about partners NW, DL and AS for domestic flights.

Understand how you feel... the only thing to think about is that HHonors is ending transfers of miles to points at the end of August. So you don't have much time to do that. The up side is that you could get at least 3 free nights at a cat 5 hotel with the points you have. To me, thats worth a whole lot more than that $239 ticket they want the 50K for.

You could transfer your OnePass miles into the UA Mileage Plus program by laundering them through Amtrak. Miles tranfer 1:1:1 in 5,000 increments with a cap of 25,000 miles transfered per year. So you could transfer 25,000 miles now, and 25,000 more at the beginning of 2004. And I think you'll find UA redemption options much better that CO's.

Welcome to FlyerTalk.

[This message has been edited by cAAl (edited 07-31-2003).]

Had looked at the Amtrak alternative but the problem is that I do not belong to UA Program since I accrue all my Star Alliance Miles on my LH Senator card. Thanks for the tip anyway!

Welcome to FT

1.) I would recommend sending miles over Amtrak- as it stands now, you can send 25K per calendar year (total) out to UA or HH. If you have any interest in train travel, I would also consider an Amtrak award. I took the Coast Starlight (LA-Seattle) a month ago and had a great time, Sleeper car for 2, all sit-down meals (and NA drinks, snacks, and a wine tasting) included for 15K points.

2.) If you're used to other airlines (as Yoda would say) "unlearn you must." With other airlines you should call ahead of time as far as possible. With CO, they love to add seats w/in 30 days. A pain when you're planning ahead for the trip of a lifetime; not as bad if you're just looking for a quick getaway. In the spring (shoulder season) I was pleasantly surprised by the moderate amount of availability from EWR to a number of European cities I was able to find on co.com within 30 days of travel.

3.) Go for the previously mentioned partner awards.

there's your problem as others have mentioned. you need to call a week ahead.

You are right CO has become the worst airline for rewards. They will not put a first class (trans-con) reward for 45K at any time( a day, week, biweekly, monthly, 331 days in advance) from Southern Cal. Not out of LAX, ONT, SAN. I used to love their service, but in my opinion they have become "creeps". They want you to fly them but when it comes for them to reciprocate they stiff you, SHAME ON YOU CONTINENTAL I HAVE NO INTENTION OF SPENDING ANOTHER DOLLAR ON YOUR AIRLINE.

Tons of standard rewards to Hawai`i opened up with NW's new flights to OGG from SEA and expanded service from MSP to HNL.

If you use the Japanese version of nwa.com, you'll be able to search for standard rewards on both Continental and Northwest more easily: www.nwa.com/jp -- click on Award Travel Reservations under WorldPerks and plug in your date and city pairs.

Partner rewards are def. the way to go. Continental gets my vote any day any time as the crummiest reward redempt. airline out there.

ALOHA

You could do Europe on NW/KLM for Christmas

You might need to call to check for availability on some flights too. I was checking for Hawaii First tickets and the website would not come back with any options for the dates I specified.

I called OnePass, and was able to reserve flights with something like an 8 hour layover in IAH on the way back. Took that at the lower First Level (75K), and will keep checking back to see if an earlier flight might open up.

Worst case, I get to explore the PC for 8 hours...

The usefulness of CO miles is only as good as award availability on NW and DL.

I've been trying to use some of my Alaska Airlines miles on a free flight on Continental and have not found one qualifying day yet on some of the routes I have inquired upon. I am more or less stuck with CO on one of the routes since they are pretty much the only airline to get there in a one-stop situation. I finally asked the Alaska Airline person if she had ever found an award on Continental and she replied that she hadn't, but she had heard of some being issued. Amazing.