Using Miles One Way Now, Return Later?
Dec 13, 2008 | 5:18 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Paramus, NJ, USA
Posts: 52
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
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
Dec 13, 2008 | 5:36 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,789
To book a 1-way with CO miles costs RT mileage (25K) & 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.
& 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.
Dec 19, 2008 | 4:57 am
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Paramus, NJ, USA
Posts: 52
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
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
Dec 19, 2008 | 5:38 am
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Paramus, NJ, USA
Posts: 52
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?).
Dec 19, 2008 | 6:37 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Lansing, MI USA, DL DM
Posts: 922
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.
Dec 19, 2008 | 7:16 am
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
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.
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.
Dec 19, 2008 | 7:17 am
#7
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Cleveland, OH
Programs: UA Priemier Gold
Posts: 70,484
Dec 19, 2008 | 7:28 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Nov 1999
Posts: 24,150
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.
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.
For those that hardly fly if they can find a Saver award its Not that bad of a deal
Dec 19, 2008 | 8:45 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cypress, TX
Programs: CO Plat, Priority Club Plat
Posts: 641
Speaking of the Saver awards.... is that 12500 miles round trip, or for each segment? I'm assuming still segment, but had to ask...
Dec 19, 2008 | 8:47 am
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: ORD / DUB / LHR
Programs: UA 1K MM; BA Silver; Marriott Plat
Posts: 8,240
Each segment - 25k round trip.
Dec 19, 2008 | 9:19 am
#11
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold, Former UA 1K
Posts: 6,366
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.
Jan 5, 2009 | 5:10 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: Paramus, NJ, USA
Posts: 52
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!
Jan 5, 2009 | 6:20 am
#13
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Charleston, SC, USA
Programs: Avis Pref+, Hyatt Explorist, Marriott Life Gold, Honors Silver, IHG Plat via MC.
Posts: 6,789
Lloyd, U can just phone DL to select better seats if U want!