The Definitive "How To Search for Low Tier Business Awards"
Jan 19, 2012, 2:42 pm
#826
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: JFK/LGA/EWR
Posts: 1,296
Turns out when I told my DH and DS we would change planes in Paris, a light bulb went on for them; let's visit Paris (my DS has never been). So originally I thought I would just book from MIA-CDG, then get a flight to VCE; then we are traveling through Italy, and fly home FCO-MIA. BUT reading this thread more, I should be able to just "stopover" in Paris for 3 or 4 nights, and continue to VCE, and it would be the same # of miles?
As a bonus, a stopover sometimes makes the award easier to get in low.
Jan 19, 2012, 5:34 pm
#827
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 12
Jan 19, 2012, 7:39 pm
#828
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: Skyteam: DL SM, One World, Star Alliance
Posts: 16
SEA to Krakow, can't find awards to KRK
On Sep 12 (or 11 or 13) we're going to Krakow, Poland. DL doesn't show KRK as a destination, so I bought ExpertFlyer to search for KL and AF awards. I can get as far as Prague, but Czech Air (OK) shows no award flights onward to KRK.
Would the KVS tool show flights to KRK, or does that require a phone call to the Delta agent and ask them to look for OK flights to finish the trip.
We don't have to route through PRG cause we're going straight to KRK.
We return on Sep 19, and would like to stopover in PRG until Sep 22 (or 21).
We have 400,000 DL points. My wife and I would like to go Business and bring her sister and brother-in-law with us even if they travel coach award.
Is this possible?
Thx
Would the KVS tool show flights to KRK, or does that require a phone call to the Delta agent and ask them to look for OK flights to finish the trip.
We don't have to route through PRG cause we're going straight to KRK.
We return on Sep 19, and would like to stopover in PRG until Sep 22 (or 21).
We have 400,000 DL points. My wife and I would like to go Business and bring her sister and brother-in-law with us even if they travel coach award.
Is this possible?
Thx
Jan 19, 2012, 7:53 pm
#829
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
On Sep 12 (or 11 or 13) we're going to Krakow, Poland. DL doesn't show KRK as a destination, so I bought ExpertFlyer to search for KL and AF awards. I can get as far as Prague, but Czech Air (OK) shows no award flights onward to KRK.
Would the KVS tool show flights to KRK, or does that require a phone call to the Delta agent and ask them to look for OK flights to finish the trip.
Would the KVS tool show flights to KRK, or does that require a phone call to the Delta agent and ask them to look for OK flights to finish the trip.
[KVS Availability Tool 6.9.1/Diamond - Amadeus: Awards/SkyTeam/US-AF]
Code:
PRG Prague Ruzyne CZ [LKPR] KRK Krakow J Paul II Intl PL [EPKK] WED 12 Sep 2012 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ OK 772 PRG 12:10 KRK 13:30 CS+ YS+
Jan 20, 2012, 1:13 am
#832
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
Jan 21, 2012, 7:30 am
#833
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
Help booking 2 low award TPAC tickets
I have been trying for days now to book 2 First?Business Class low level award tickets for my parents from PIT>MNL. I have found low level available on June 11th returning June 28th, but when I click on find flights it only shows medium level awards. So, I have called the PM line and have gotten different stories each time. Only one agent could find a low level, that was in May departing from DTW, if she added the PIT to DTW on then it went to 200K.
I have called 3 times tonight asking to find availability and I am even looking right at the awards calendar when I call, and the agents all say there is no low level awards at all in June, yet I see all kinds of availability. What is going on?
Any suggestions on how to go forward with this?
Thank you
I have called 3 times tonight asking to find availability and I am even looking right at the awards calendar when I call, and the agents all say there is no low level awards at all in June, yet I see all kinds of availability. What is going on?
Any suggestions on how to go forward with this?
Thank you
Jan 21, 2012, 11:32 pm
#834
FlyerTalk Evangelist & Ambassador: China
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: DEN
Programs: DL DM/MM, UA 1K, AA Exp, HH Dia, WOH Glob, IHG Plat, Marriott Gold, NA EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 17,423
I have been trying for days now to book 2 First?Business Class low level award tickets for my parents from PIT>MNL. I have found low level available on June 11th returning June 28th, but when I click on find flights it only shows medium level awards. So, I have called the PM line and have gotten different stories each time. Only one agent could find a low level, that was in May departing from DTW, if she added the PIT to DTW on then it went to 200K.
I have called 3 times tonight asking to find availability and I am even looking right at the awards calendar when I call, and the agents all say there is no low level awards at all in June, yet I see all kinds of availability. What is going on?
Any suggestions on how to go forward with this?
Thank you
I have called 3 times tonight asking to find availability and I am even looking right at the awards calendar when I call, and the agents all say there is no low level awards at all in June, yet I see all kinds of availability. What is going on?
Any suggestions on how to go forward with this?
Thank you
I highly suggest looking at partners, or mix of carriers.
Jan 22, 2012, 3:08 am
#835
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Makati City, Philippines
Programs: Delta Skymiles DM, CX GO, Hilton Honors Diamond
Posts: 1,361
When I call I ask them specifically if they are only checking DL metal or are they also checking partners and they say they have checked everybody! I am so exasperated. I just can not believe that there are zero(0) J awards at low level for the next 5 months!!!! I will take any 2 week trip between now and the end of June. There has to be at least 2 low level awards out there somewhere!!!
Jan 22, 2012, 5:08 am
#836
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: SUX
Programs: BA Silver; HHonors Gold; SPG Gold; Points but dirt with everyone else
Posts: 8,050
When I call I ask them specifically if they are only checking DL metal or are they also checking partners and they say they have checked everybody! I am so exasperated. I just can not believe that there are zero(0) J awards at low level for the next 5 months!!!! I will take any 2 week trip between now and the end of June. There has to be at least 2 low level awards out there somewhere!!!
Jan 22, 2012, 10:52 am
#837
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: OMA
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott. Hilton Diamond, Hertz something...
Posts: 1,265
Help please....
Maybe its because i don't understand the rules. Trying to book 2 seats for ATL - DUB in July. Dates are outbound on the 4th or 5th and return on the 20th. I'm limited by miles (used a lot last year so have ~190,000. Anyway finding economy in the mid price is not a problem (pricing at 90K) but i see that business is showing low awards on the 5th (should be 50k?) and i can get back on the 20th in mid price in economy (should be 45K) so by my math it should price out at 95k - outbound in BE and return in Y.
When i do the search it prices at 150k and both legs are in BE, not a bad deal BUT i don't have the miles and i don't mind doing the return daytime leg in Y. IS it pricing at the mid level because the economy leg is in mid? Any ideas? should i just call international awards desk?
Help!!!!!
Maybe its because i don't understand the rules. Trying to book 2 seats for ATL - DUB in July. Dates are outbound on the 4th or 5th and return on the 20th. I'm limited by miles (used a lot last year so have ~190,000. Anyway finding economy in the mid price is not a problem (pricing at 90K) but i see that business is showing low awards on the 5th (should be 50k?) and i can get back on the 20th in mid price in economy (should be 45K) so by my math it should price out at 95k - outbound in BE and return in Y.
When i do the search it prices at 150k and both legs are in BE, not a bad deal BUT i don't have the miles and i don't mind doing the return daytime leg in Y. IS it pricing at the mid level because the economy leg is in mid? Any ideas? should i just call international awards desk?
Help!!!!!
Jan 22, 2012, 12:36 pm
#838
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
Jan 22, 2012, 12:44 pm
#839
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: OMA
Programs: DL Diamond, Marriott. Hilton Diamond, Hertz something...
Posts: 1,265