Maximum segments?
Jun 26, 2009 | 10:03 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Maximum segments?
Howdy all,
I hope that this hasn't already been discussed, but I couldn't find it anywhere. My understanding is that on a CO reward ticket to somewhere overseas, one can have a layover of up to 24 hours. I haven't been able to find what the maximum number of segments is, I heard 10 somewhere but that might have been for another airline.
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I'm wondering if you could add an absurd number of 22 to 23 hour layovers and spend a day in a bunch of cities, all on one reward ticket. Would they let you do this, and if so, how would you talk the phone agent into ticketing it? Is there a maximum number of flight segments, or could you have a flight each day for weeks?
Thanks!
James
I hope that this hasn't already been discussed, but I couldn't find it anywhere. My understanding is that on a CO reward ticket to somewhere overseas, one can have a layover of up to 24 hours. I haven't been able to find what the maximum number of segments is, I heard 10 somewhere but that might have been for another airline.
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I'm wondering if you could add an absurd number of 22 to 23 hour layovers and spend a day in a bunch of cities, all on one reward ticket. Would they let you do this, and if so, how would you talk the phone agent into ticketing it? Is there a maximum number of flight segments, or could you have a flight each day for weeks?
Thanks!
James
Jun 26, 2009 | 10:16 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Fabulous on one of the US carriers..
Posts: 11,878
Howdy all,
I hope that this hasn't already been discussed, but I couldn't find it anywhere. My understanding is that on a CO reward ticket to somewhere overseas, one can have a layover of up to 24 hours. I haven't been able to find what the maximum number of segments is, I heard 10 somewhere but that might have been for another airline.
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I'm wondering if you could add an absurd number of 22 to 23 hour layovers and spend a day in a bunch of cities, all on one reward ticket. Would they let you do this, and if so, how would you talk the phone agent into ticketing it? Is there a maximum number of flight segments, or could you have a flight each day for weeks?
Thanks!
James
I hope that this hasn't already been discussed, but I couldn't find it anywhere. My understanding is that on a CO reward ticket to somewhere overseas, one can have a layover of up to 24 hours. I haven't been able to find what the maximum number of segments is, I heard 10 somewhere but that might have been for another airline.
Anyways, what I'm getting at is that I'm wondering if you could add an absurd number of 22 to 23 hour layovers and spend a day in a bunch of cities, all on one reward ticket. Would they let you do this, and if so, how would you talk the phone agent into ticketing it? Is there a maximum number of flight segments, or could you have a flight each day for weeks?
Thanks!
James
Jun 26, 2009 | 10:23 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
Well I'm not quite sure exactly what I would do yet...but let's say I wanted to go to Bermuda. I live in Houston, so I could arrange the flight going out like this:
IAH-MSY-MEM-CLT-EWR-BDA
And between each segment I would have a 23 or so hour layover. The idea being that I would visit as many cities as possible without having any of them count as a stopover
IAH-MSY-MEM-CLT-EWR-BDA
And between each segment I would have a 23 or so hour layover. The idea being that I would visit as many cities as possible without having any of them count as a stopover
Jun 26, 2009 | 10:27 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,093
I doubt you can get an agent to build that.
The connections are supposed to be in logical stopping points along the "most direct route." In practice, you can deviate somewhat, but it should be reasonably direct.
But to answer your question, CO can auto-price 12 segments on an itin. An ARNK counts as a segment. Anything beyond that requires manual pricing.
The connections are supposed to be in logical stopping points along the "most direct route." In practice, you can deviate somewhat, but it should be reasonably direct.
But to answer your question, CO can auto-price 12 segments on an itin. An ARNK counts as a segment. Anything beyond that requires manual pricing.
Jun 26, 2009 | 10:38 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: Fabulous on one of the US carriers..
Posts: 11,878
I doubt you can get an agent to build that.
The connections are supposed to be in logical stopping points along the "most direct route." In practice, you can deviate somewhat, but it should be reasonably direct.
But to answer your question, CO can auto-price 12 segments on an itin. An ARNK counts as a segment. Anything beyond that requires manual pricing.
The connections are supposed to be in logical stopping points along the "most direct route." In practice, you can deviate somewhat, but it should be reasonably direct.
But to answer your question, CO can auto-price 12 segments on an itin. An ARNK counts as a segment. Anything beyond that requires manual pricing.
When pricing the last reward trip, I've seen 3x+ connects (multiple airlines) - but always at minimum connect times and always a rarity. We've stopped over at IAH for about 18 hours (on a paid F ticket) but that is all I have to go with. So I guess if OP could find the gaps he/she needed, then it might work out. But it would be hard. And I will indicate I am not the most familiar person with reward rules - so take my comments with a grain of salt.
Jun 26, 2009 | 10:46 pm
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 11
OK, that makes some sense. I'm not familiar with the terms "auto-price" and "manual pricing" though.
Is there away to book reward reservations over email? It seems like it would be a lot easier than dictating a bunch of numbers over the phone, and they might be more inclined to let you get away with it.
Is there away to book reward reservations over email? It seems like it would be a lot easier than dictating a bunch of numbers over the phone, and they might be more inclined to let you get away with it.