Using miles!
Aug 26, 2006 | 11:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2005
Location: UK
Programs: Plat FB / Gold Emirates
Posts: 62
Using miles!
Hi
I am trying to use some air miles i have left with Continental, I was offered LAX-Rio for 50k, but there are no seats available, so they have offered me 100k, a kind of 'open' ticket in economy which costs more miles. Is this normal?
I have tried a few times to use my air miles now and I can never get the normal rate, only these open tickets which cost me twice as many air miles.
Help would be appreciated so I can at least feel as if i am not getting done
I am trying to use some air miles i have left with Continental, I was offered LAX-Rio for 50k, but there are no seats available, so they have offered me 100k, a kind of 'open' ticket in economy which costs more miles. Is this normal?
I have tried a few times to use my air miles now and I can never get the normal rate, only these open tickets which cost me twice as many air miles.
Help would be appreciated so I can at least feel as if i am not getting done
Aug 26, 2006 | 2:12 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Somewhere in picturesque New England
Programs: WN Rapid Rewards, DL SkyMiles, UA MileagePlus, HiltonHonors
Posts: 765
Originally Posted by WelshWizard
I am trying to use some air miles i have left with Continental, I was offered LAX-Rio for 50k, but there are no seats available, so they have offered me 100k, a kind of 'open' ticket in economy which costs more miles. Is this normal?
I have tried a few times to use my air miles now and I can never get the normal rate, only these open tickets which cost me twice as many air miles.
Help would be appreciated so I can at least feel as if i am not getting done
I have tried a few times to use my air miles now and I can never get the normal rate, only these open tickets which cost me twice as many air miles.
Help would be appreciated so I can at least feel as if i am not getting done
You might try cobbling together an itinerary on one of CO's airline partners, and the international reward desk might be able to help with this. They can be reached at 801.359.9632
Aug 26, 2006 | 8:59 pm
#3
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: MHT/BOS <--> World
Programs: AA Plat 2.8MM
Posts: 4,629
While CO miles are notoriously hard to use, I sometimes have good uses for them on their partner Skyteam airlines. Trying to find awards on CO's partners may be a little easier; one way is to search on CO partners websites for availability then call CO to see if you can use your miles for those flights. More often than not, they will also be available with CO miles.
Another option for people like you would be to see if airlines like UA or AA that tend to have better award availabitiy do have space for your dates. If they do, then see if you can trade with someone for what you need. For example, right now I need more CO miles than I have so am offering trades on coupon connection for sytemwide upgrades or miles on other airlines. Someone else books the award I need using their CO miles; I upgrade them or book an award on a different airline with the miles I have.
Another option for people like you would be to see if airlines like UA or AA that tend to have better award availabitiy do have space for your dates. If they do, then see if you can trade with someone for what you need. For example, right now I need more CO miles than I have so am offering trades on coupon connection for sytemwide upgrades or miles on other airlines. Someone else books the award I need using their CO miles; I upgrade them or book an award on a different airline with the miles I have.