Using Miles One Way Now, Return Later?
 

I've got a trip from EWR to DFW in February (Wednesday out, Sunday evening return). There's an outbound partner flight combination I like, for 12,500 miles. But nothing appeals to me for the return trip.

Continental's rules indicate you can book a one-way reward trip, but I couldn't figure out how on the Continental website.

And does it make sense to book the outbound flight now, and wait for something to show up later? I've noticed there are LOTS of 12,500 offers on this trip (with a Sunday evening return) a week or so before.

I've never actually used miles before...but $350 for this trip is a bit much :td:

To book a 1-way with CO miles costs RT mileage (25K) :td: & must be phoned in--not online. U would need to use 25K more to get back on a separate 1-way--forgeddaboudit!
Just grab your desired outbound & an undesirable return flight. If a better flight opens up later, go to an airport to try to get an employee to change it without the change fee. If no-go, surrender to the change fee.
IMHO, $350 ain't bad for this flight.

One of the disadvantages of working non-consecutive overnight shifts is that I wake up at odd hours.

One of the advantages is that I wake up at odd hours.

So yesterday morning, about 5 a.m., I decided to check Continental one more time before taking the advice and buying the ticket at $304 (the current price)...and lo and behold, there was the return flight I most wanted at 12,500 miles. The Delta flights from EWR to DFW were still there at 12,500, too.

So I grabbed 'em, and paid the $7.50 fee gladly :p

Follow-Up: Choosing FF Seats on a Partner Airline
 

Now that I've booked the flight using Continental Miles, how do I choose my seats for the Delta flights? The Continental site says I can't do that from there (or is it just too early for flights 2 months from now?).

In order to select seats you will need to go to the DL website and do it there. There should be a DL confirmation number (PRN) in your reservation which will allow you to bring it up at Delta.com. and then you go from there. If you can not find it you can call CO and ask for it or go directly to DL and ask them.

At $304, I would have paid for the ticket:

25,000 miles + $7.50
vs.
$304 cash + earn 2,800 miles (more if you're Elite)

So you used 25K miles + lost opportunity of 2,800 miles = 27,800.
You spent $7.50 to save $304, a savings of $296.50

Therefore your net redmption rate is $296.50/27,800 = $0.0107 per mile. :td:

Interesting ....is this a "how to make changes without fees" tip? Does it work well?

Id agree unless the OP hardly ever flys or if $$$ is tight by them

For those that hardly fly if they can find a Saver award its Not that bad of a deal

Speaking of the Saver awards.... is that 12500 miles round trip, or for each segment? I'm assuming still segment, but had to ask...

Each segment - 25k round trip.

I don't remember ever seeing other carriers reservation #'s on my co award itin. Sometimes you can call CO to get it, sometimes the agent doesn't know what it is. I'd just skip that step and ask Delta what the # is so you can use it online... Now having said that, DL had an ICC which is a real pain in the A## to deal with, but they also have live chat on their website now which I have found to work great for simple things like this.

I was never able to get seat-selection to work on Delta for that CO rewards flight, but the seats I was assigned are acceptable, so I'm letting it drop. Thanks for the tips, folks!

Lloyd, U can just phone DL to select better seats if U want!