Finnair/AY award/redemption booking/ticket thread
Sep 17, 2022, 7:05 pm
#286
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 901
Award flights question
Since I have zero miles currently, all tied up in booked flights I’m considering purchasing points with the latest promo. When I search for business HEL to US I see 160k points available. I can’t remember if I’ve put in 2 persons if it’s 80k x2 or 160k per person for this one. New to booking with this program but think it’s 80k each one way or not available for points. Correct? Since I cant select and proceed I cant be for sure.
Sep 17, 2022, 7:12 pm
#287
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Helsinki, Finland
Programs: Finnair (AY) Platinum, Air France Silver, Tallink Club One Silver :)
Posts: 1,655
Long-haul award flights in J with Finnair are 80K one way or 160K return. (Flight operated and marketed by AY)
You can find the whole chart at: Use points on Finnair award flights | Finnair Finland
You can find the whole chart at: Use points on Finnair award flights | Finnair Finland
Sep 17, 2022, 7:24 pm
#289
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 901
Sep 17, 2022, 8:11 pm
#290
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Santa Barbara, CA, Park City, UT
Programs: AA EXP, Delta Plat, Marriott Plat,Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, IHG Plat
Posts: 901
Long-haul award flights in J with Finnair are 80K one way or 160K return. (Flight operated and marketed by AY)
You can find the whole chart at: Use points on Finnair award flights | Finnair Finland
You can find the whole chart at: Use points on Finnair award flights | Finnair Finland
Sep 17, 2022, 8:46 pm
#291
Join Date: Jun 2015
Programs: AY+, SK EB
Posts: 2,951
For AA it is 126k points one-way and 210k return. Also taxes & fees might be significantly higher.
Sep 18, 2022, 12:40 am
#292
Ambassador: Finnair
Join Date: May 2003
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Lumo, BA Silver, HHonors Gold
Posts: 4,267
Given availability you are not restricted to AY. But you have to check then the partner award table.
For AA it is 126k points one-way and 210k return. Also taxes & fees might be significantly higher.
For AA it is 126k points one-way and 210k return. Also taxes & fees might be significantly higher.
Sep 21, 2022, 1:27 am
#293
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Hel
Programs: AY Plat
Posts: 259
I'm thinking about using my points to get an award flight HEL-ICN (return) at the beginning of April, however when I look for availability on Finnair website, I see very limited dates for award tickets and no business class availability at all. According to EF all the business class seats are empty (I know this is not a good indication of actual availability). Does it make sense to contact AY CS or is there a better way to search for award flights? Also I wonder if they will release some business class seats later on?
Sep 21, 2022, 2:06 am
#294
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: 14,163
The eternal question...
As for alternative ways to search, there are numerous options mentioned in this thread. Expertflyer, awardnexus qantas.com, ba.com comes to mind.
IMHO, what you see is what you get. There is no "hidden" availability that can be released for you. Finnair is extremely stingy when it comes to longhaul award/upgrade space, especially in business on longhaul operations. Yes, it is possible they release U later on. Is it likely? No, not in my experience.
This is just my 2 cents, and I'm sure someone will soon tell you the opposite (they have all the award space they want and their waitlisted upgrades always clears).
As for alternative ways to search, there are numerous options mentioned in this thread. Expertflyer, awardnexus qantas.com, ba.com comes to mind.
IMHO, what you see is what you get. There is no "hidden" availability that can be released for you. Finnair is extremely stingy when it comes to longhaul award/upgrade space, especially in business on longhaul operations. Yes, it is possible they release U later on. Is it likely? No, not in my experience.
This is just my 2 cents, and I'm sure someone will soon tell you the opposite (they have all the award space they want and their waitlisted upgrades always clears).
Sep 21, 2022, 2:15 am
#295
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Keskellä metsää
Programs: Onko teillä S-etukorttia?
Posts: 916
I'm thinking about using my points to get an award flight HEL-ICN (return) at the beginning of April, however when I look for availability on Finnair website, I see very limited dates for award tickets and no business class availability at all. According to EF all the business class seats are empty (I know this is not a good indication of actual availability). Does it make sense to contact AY CS or is there a better way to search for award flights? Also I wonder if they will release some business class seats later on?
My experiences are that U0 and seemingly empty J, been cleared next day from waitlist. Routes have been LAX and SIN, waitlisted 6 months out.
Dont know if being lumo helps more vs plat.
Sep 21, 2022, 3:30 am
#296
Join Date: Aug 2022
Location: Hel
Programs: AY Plat
Posts: 259
Thanks for the replies, maybe I'll ask WA chat if there's gonna be extra availability. I'm also a bit wary of booking LH flights so far in advance as AY has been recently cancelling/changing them left and right.
Sep 21, 2022, 4:03 am
#297
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: 14,163
Can whatsapp customer service really waitlist you for an award? How is that done? What class is the ticket booked into while you wait for the waitlist to be processed? Who pays for that ticket during the week you wait for waitlist!?
Sep 21, 2022, 4:06 am
#298
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,732
You are booked in X/U, but it is not confirmed, of course, just waitlisted. Points are taken immediately. If the waitlist clears, you pay the taxes and get your e-ticket.
Sep 21, 2022, 4:11 am
#299
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: 14,163
Wow, interesting.
Then it is pointless to use the booking tool and trying to be flexible. Just book with WA on the desired dates. If it doesn't clear, Rinse/repeat.
Then it is pointless to use the booking tool and trying to be flexible. Just book with WA on the desired dates. If it doesn't clear, Rinse/repeat.
Sep 21, 2022, 4:12 am
#300
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Keskellä metsää
Programs: Onko teillä S-etukorttia?
Posts: 916
Jonotuslistalle ei ole mahdollista tehdä lentopalkintoa, jos matkaasi liittyy lentoja, jotka on toisen lentoyhtiön lentämiä. Eli jonoon onnistuu vain Finnairin suorille lennoille (Esimerkiksi HEL-SIN-HEL olisi OK). Sopisiko tuo jonotuslistavaraus HEL-SIN-HEL ja jos kyllä, mille päiville haluaisit tehdä varauksen ja jos matkaan osallistuisi useampi matkustaja, saisinko matkustajien nimet?
What class the ticket is booked, i dont know. I just go to J, kulkematta lähtöruudun kautta. And no ticket was issued when on waitlist (to me atleast).
Points were taken when going to waitlist, taxes and fees came with email link when cleared (2x separate ones).
---edit i was slow to answer...
Last edited by Jorma; Sep 21, 2022 at 4:14 am Reason: Slow :/
