First steps: buying the ticket
May 5, 2019 | 8:49 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2019
Posts: 5
First steps: buying the ticket
"Buy Now" is harder than it seems if you are trying to use airline points. When you buy airline tickets, how do use the airline miles directly? Do you just use the company website? What are your favorite travel agencies?
May 5, 2019 | 9:02 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,917
But awards are never guaranteed to be available. And can have some limitations/rules/t&c's. It can be difficult (or easy)
May 6, 2019 | 7:48 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,037
Most airline sites have a check box somewhere in the booking process with a label something like "Use Miles." Check that box. It may not be in the simplified search interface that shows up on the airline's home page. You may have to select an option such as "Advanced Search" to find it.
Specifics of this process vary widely from one airline to another. If you have a specific airline (or a few specific airlines) in mind, and you can't figure out this aspect of their sites, you can find help in the individual airline forums here.
Specifics of this process vary widely from one airline to another. If you have a specific airline (or a few specific airlines) in mind, and you can't figure out this aspect of their sites, you can find help in the individual airline forums here.
May 6, 2019 | 8:07 am
#6
Suspended
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,253
What airline are you looking to book? You will get a lot more helpful information here if you provide that. There are quirks to most carriers, but the bottom line is that you are usually checking a box which limits the search to awards, redemptions, points, miles or some other term, and which then displays what is available for the date, route, and class of service you have selected. Some carriers may offer redemptions with a cash component.
If you provide more information, you will get more useful information.
If you provide more information, you will get more useful information.
May 8, 2019 | 12:28 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: DL Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,777