Getting to Istanbul using miles
Jun 16, 2014 | 4:29 pm
#1
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Getting to Istanbul using miles
I have 65,000 AA Miles and 50,000 US Air miles. Can I combine these miles or use AA for 1 way and US Air for the other way? I want to go business class. Does this have to be done over the phone with an agent or can it be done online? Thanks in advance.
Jun 16, 2014 | 4:33 pm
#2
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No. US still charges the roundtrip redemption rate for a one-way award.
I would not expect AA and US miles to be combined into a single program until sometime in 2015.
No. US still charges the roundtrip redemption rate for a one-way award.
I would not expect AA and US miles to be combined into a single program until sometime in 2015.
Jun 16, 2014 | 6:47 pm
#3
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USAir does NOT allow one way awards and hence your 50K doesn't get you anywhere. Even economy RT is 60K. Offpeak (very select dates) is 35K RT.
Your best bet is to do AA economy RT, which will be 60K RT or 40K RT depending on if you're traveling off peak or not.
Jun 16, 2014 | 6:57 pm
#4
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The other problem is that AA has only two partners that can be used to get to IST on a single award from North America. Both BA and IB will have surcharges; BA's will be higher that IB's, but you cannot book IB award flights at aa.com, so you would also incur AA's telephone-ticketing fee for an award that utilizes IB.
US miles would probably be more useful, as US' more liberal award-routing rules might permit a Middle East transit, allowing use of RJ or QR. AA awards will not permit that.
The other problem is that AA has only two partners that can be used to get to IST on a single award from North America. Both BA and IB will have surcharges; BA's will be higher that IB's, but you cannot book IB award flights at aa.com, so you would also incur AA's telephone-ticketing fee for an award that utilizes IB.
US miles would probably be more useful, as US' more liberal award-routing rules might permit a Middle East transit, allowing use of RJ or QR. AA awards will not permit that.
Jun 16, 2014 | 7:06 pm
#5
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US miles would probably be more useful, as US' more liberal award-routing rules might permit a Middle East transit, allowing use of RJ or QR. AA awards will not permit that.
US miles would probably be more useful, as US' more liberal award-routing rules might permit a Middle East transit, allowing use of RJ or QR. AA awards will not permit that.
Jun 16, 2014 | 7:14 pm
#6
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The OP doesn't have enough US miles (even for economy RT) unless he is traveling in the very restricted off peak window.
That's correct. But since using AA miles for the roundtrip might be expensive due to surcharges (especially if BA had to be used for one or more TATL segments), it might be worthwhile for the OP to consider purchasing (or otherwise acquiring) additional US miles, if US would indeed permit a routing via the Middle East, and if there were availability on such a routing for the OP's desired dates.
And I thought that US' off-peak awards are only valid on an all-US metal itinerary.
Originally Posted by fulthrust7
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US miles would probably be more useful, as US' more liberal award-routing rules might permit a Middle East transit, allowing use of RJ or QR. AA awards will not permit that.
US miles would probably be more useful, as US' more liberal award-routing rules might permit a Middle East transit, allowing use of RJ or QR. AA awards will not permit that.
And I thought that US' off-peak awards are only valid on an all-US metal itinerary.
Jun 16, 2014 | 7:15 pm
#7
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Jun 16, 2014 | 7:36 pm
#8
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And it appears that US miles can be redeemed for travel on TK until July 31, so if the OP can acquire the necessary additional US miles quickly, that might provide additional redemption opportunities.
And it appears that US miles can be redeemed for travel on TK until July 31, so if the OP can acquire the necessary additional US miles quickly, that might provide additional redemption opportunities.