Wait for Standard or go for EasyPass?
 

Planning a trip to Edinbugh next year. Must be there 19 July 2008 thru 2 August 2008. (Can and would like to add a week at either end if I can.) I can't see seats this far out yet, but poking around the web site leads me to believe that EasyPass BF seats will be available for that time period.

A call to the FF desk yesterday was interesting in that a new strategy was suggested by the CSR. (BTW, have encountered nothing but helpful friendly folks there. Am impressed.) Anyway, the suggestion was to not book the EasyPass now, but to wait out the calendar as Standard would open. EP RT is 250K and Standard is 100K for the RT.

Now, we're really going to go, so should I keep my eye on the EasyPass reward and when the number of vacant seats begins to decline jump on them so I don't miss the BF trip? Hope this makes sense!

And another twist. Might go into LGW or CDG for the additional week, as they are using the 777 on those routes and the number of BF seats is 48 as opposed to 16 seats on the 757 into EDI. So the 77 has 3 times the opportunity as the 75 as I see it, and also twice as many "good" seats as the 75.

I guess while the CSR was helpful and cordial, I wonder if the Standard reward seats will open. Playing around with different dates that are now open makes me just a tad skeptical that a waiting game will work. Still, 200K miles for the two of us instead of 500K surely makes it tempting. And for some reason that puzzles me, reward seats east bound seem to more numerous than west bound from EDI, LGW, and CDG. Look forward to thoughts of you more experienced folks on the forum. Thanks, Spencer

P S Plan to fly out of JAX to EWR then over the pond.

Yes. CO begins to release standard reward seats in meaningful amounts a few months prior to departure. Do not use EasyPass. Ever; unless it is some sort of monumental emergency.

I thought you can book the EP, and hope the standard opens up, and get those miles back????

It is not possible just to convert an EasyPass reward to a standard reward on the same flights. Unless one had sufficient miles in one's account with which to purchase the standard reward, one would have to redeposit the EasyPass reward and purchase the standard reward de novo. It takes several days to two weeks for OnePass redeposits to post, so this can be an issue.

Ah, I see, as I just switched flights on mine. With 800K+, it wasnt an issue for my account.


Now a bigger ?, when is CO going to get rid of the "30 bucks(or whatever) for quick ticketing" for elites???? That is BOGUS!!! NW is 15!!

Yep - with 800k, you can just purchase a new one and wait for the old reward to redeposit.

slcullen;
welcome to FT.
This issue has come up so many times and the answer is always the same.
If you are desparate and all stressed out, then pay up the 500K.
If you can handle the "stress", wait. Easy pass takes longer to show up.
If you are flexible, call CSR and ask for alternative routes. AF via CDG, KL via Amsterdam, Czech airlines via Prague, DL or NW via some other european hub or CO via London or Dublin. You may even consider flying to London/Dublin and then take a separte low-fare to you final destination. Some of the other airlines open up their seats 330 days in advance.
good luck

If you will not use the other partners, and must fly on CO on those non-stops, then just watch the standard BF awards, starting about 5-6 months out.

There's NO REASON to book Sleazy Pass right now. Those will be available until much closer to departure date. Wait until then to decide.

For example if you want to go tomorrow, 8/9/07, BF Sleazy Pass are available on both EWR-EDI flights.

Why are you planning what route you're going to take?

While JAX-EWR-EDI is likely the most convenient, what if JAX-ATL-AMS-EDI is available at Standard, while JAX-EWR-EDI is at EasyPass?

JAX is not exactly a major hub, and neither is EDI. So allowing for two connections greaty expands your options.

Don't forget that once you book ANY standard award (e.g., with partners), you can waitlist for a CO-metal itinerary that may be more convenient.

For example, I'm booked ATH-FCO-LHR-JFK with a F/BF standard award and waitlisted on the CO nonstop ATH-EWR.

Thanks to all for great suggestions and comments. Not committed to CO metal and will look at partners. Nor committed to JAX-EWR-EDI and will look at other pairs. Really helpful and my thanks to all. Spencer

My last, and only non-upgrade, redemption on CO was made 4h19m before scheduled departure. I did not like the $50 fee, but I loved the fact that I was able to make a last minute weekend trip to Buenos Aires with Mrs. ralfp.

On 2nd thought, perhaps that capability wasn't so good; it cost me 100k miles. :D

The fees ($0 two weeks out, $35 four days out, $50 three days or less; all for elites) are listed here: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...ticketing.aspx