Finnair newbie questions thread (flame-free)
Sep 1, 2017, 8:45 am
#736
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2015
Location: ATL/MCO
Programs: Costco Executive, RaceTrac Sultan of Soda, Chick-fil-A Red
Posts: 5,663
Sep 1, 2017, 9:21 am
#737
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: HEL
Programs: SPG LTP, hotels, OWE, STE+, *G, Octopus
Posts: 5,788
Additionally, you can earn points by staying at hotel partners' properties, however hotel points maximisers such as Kaligo, Rocketmiles and Pointshound would yield more. I am not aware of any hotel partner that would allow transferring in (namely, spg is missing). This is usually an expensive shortcut to transfer credit card points to airline miles not available within that card's scope.
Sep 1, 2017, 2:38 pm
#738
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: MIA
Programs: AY+ Gold
Posts: 248
So yes, now that you mention it, there are two corner cases: HEL<->SFO and HEL<->MIA yield better under AA code than semi-flex AY codes, but only if you have no Finnair Plus tier level. And then the difference is marginal. The same also apply to HEL-MAD, but I'm not sure if it is usable as a connector at all.
So I'll leave that out for the sake of simplicity. Thing is, it is very hard to get semi-flexible (K/P/M/T) booking classes anyhow, so the dilemna is unlikely.
Even more simpler rule: business and full flex in AY codes, the rest in AA codes.
So I'll leave that out for the sake of simplicity. Thing is, it is very hard to get semi-flexible (K/P/M/T) booking classes anyhow, so the dilemna is unlikely.
Even more simpler rule: business and full flex in AY codes, the rest in AA codes.
With AA I get just about double the amount at 16000 some odd points.
Is that really correct? Now the AA fare is $800 more so....
Sep 1, 2017, 11:05 pm
#740
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,157
Sep 3, 2017, 8:49 am
#741
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Hello Finnair fundis...
My partner and I need to fly HEL-IVL-HEL in December. I was able to book HEL-IVL months ago at a reasonable rate. But the IVL-HEL flight I want has been showing only full-fare Y ever since I started monitoring it. So I have held back hoping some cheaper buckets would open up. Now I am wondering if some flights never sell cheaper fare classes. (I have had a fare alert active on Expertflyer and it has never produced anything.)
Should I just bite the bullet and pay EUR364 each (gulp!)? I guess if those tickets are fully refundable and any cheaper fares show up, I could always get a refund and re-book.
My partner and I need to fly HEL-IVL-HEL in December. I was able to book HEL-IVL months ago at a reasonable rate. But the IVL-HEL flight I want has been showing only full-fare Y ever since I started monitoring it. So I have held back hoping some cheaper buckets would open up. Now I am wondering if some flights never sell cheaper fare classes. (I have had a fare alert active on Expertflyer and it has never produced anything.)
Should I just bite the bullet and pay EUR364 each (gulp!)? I guess if those tickets are fully refundable and any cheaper fares show up, I could always get a refund and re-book.
Sep 4, 2017, 10:50 pm
#743
Join Date: Jun 2017
Programs: AY+ Plat
Posts: 40
Another newbie question: I recently made AY+ gold, well ahead of the end of the tracking period (March 2018), which means I'm good until March 2019.
Upgrade vouchers are a new thing for me, so a simple question: do I get another set of European upgrades (or a single long-haul upgrade) when I renew my gold status after March 2018?
Upgrade vouchers are a new thing for me, so a simple question: do I get another set of European upgrades (or a single long-haul upgrade) when I renew my gold status after March 2018?
Sep 4, 2017, 10:55 pm
#744
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 280
Sep 5, 2017, 8:12 am
#746
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: HEL
Programs: AY+ Plat (OWE)
Posts: 493
Skiing holiday season starts in December and some dates are very heavily booked, particularly towards the end of month.
I can see dates with the fare you quoted above (EUR 364 each) but AY has 2 or even 3 flights out of IVL on some dates.
Can you adjust your itinenary slightly in case there is availability on another day? Saving 150-200€ on ticket price can easily buy you a very comfortable hotel night in HEL if you can leave a day earlier, not an optimal solution, but still...
I can see dates with the fare you quoted above (EUR 364 each) but AY has 2 or even 3 flights out of IVL on some dates.
Can you adjust your itinenary slightly in case there is availability on another day? Saving 150-200€ on ticket price can easily buy you a very comfortable hotel night in HEL if you can leave a day earlier, not an optimal solution, but still...
Sep 7, 2017, 3:08 am
#748
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 114
I'm a bit confused on the Business Campaign fare. For changes before/after departure, it says 'Not allowed/2000 HKD'. I need to change my flight to an earlier date, so I take it they won't let me, but if I was moving it to a later date, I could do it and pay 2000 HKD?
Sep 7, 2017, 6:14 am
#749
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,178
I assume it says "2000HKD/Not allowed"
This would mean changes are allowed until departure at fee 2000HKD and not allowed at all after.
You can try yourself, as these changes can be made from Manage My Booking. There should be change flights button, that takes you to a date search tool, with prices for every date possible.
This would mean changes are allowed until departure at fee 2000HKD and not allowed at all after.
You can try yourself, as these changes can be made from Manage My Booking. There should be change flights button, that takes you to a date search tool, with prices for every date possible.
Sep 7, 2017, 9:47 am
#750
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: CPT
Programs: BA BD SA
Posts: 4,467
Skiing holiday season starts in December and some dates are very heavily booked, particularly towards the end of month.
I can see dates with the fare you quoted above (EUR 364 each) but AY has 2 or even 3 flights out of IVL on some dates.
Can you adjust your itinenary slightly in case there is availability on another day? Saving 150-200€ on ticket price can easily buy you a very comfortable hotel night in HEL if you can leave a day earlier, not an optimal solution, but still...
I can see dates with the fare you quoted above (EUR 364 each) but AY has 2 or even 3 flights out of IVL on some dates.
Can you adjust your itinenary slightly in case there is availability on another day? Saving 150-200€ on ticket price can easily buy you a very comfortable hotel night in HEL if you can leave a day earlier, not an optimal solution, but still...
Changing the date would have undesirable knock-on effects on the rest of my trip, so I really would rather not. (Besides my only option would be a later flight and I have nothing I particularly want to do in Ivalo during that time.
)