Best strategy for DTW-PEK?
May 29, 2013 | 8:42 pm
#1
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Best strategy for DTW-PEK?
What's the best option to get from DTW-PEK? I have 70K miles with US, and 10K miles with BA. I guess I could use the US miles on UA for EWR-PEK, but I'd have to get from DTW to EWR first. Any idea what would be the best plan/best airline that has the lowest cost and highest availability? I know the AA/US merger will have an effect on my US miles, but how soon?
May 29, 2013 | 9:01 pm
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Why wouldn't you be able to fly DTW-EWR as part of your EWR-PEK award for no additional mileage?
Just check united.com for availability on all Star Alliance carriers. Any itinerary that comes up as "Saver" should be bookable with your US miles by giving US a call.
I'm not sure if US would allow a TATL routing for DTW-PEK, but if that is allowed, then DTW-FRA-PEK on LH might be another option.
Why wouldn't you be able to fly DTW-EWR as part of your EWR-PEK award for no additional mileage?
Just check united.com for availability on all Star Alliance carriers. Any itinerary that comes up as "Saver" should be bookable with your US miles by giving US a call.
I'm not sure if US would allow a TATL routing for DTW-PEK, but if that is allowed, then DTW-FRA-PEK on LH might be another option.
May 29, 2013 | 9:02 pm
#3
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US allows TATL routings to North Asia.
May 29, 2013 | 9:41 pm
#4
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DTW-EWR-PEK wouldn't use extra miles? I just didn't know if US would let me do that on an award travel using UA. I'm not sure when I want to make the trip yet, do you think I should make the trip on UA before the end of the year when the merger finalizes?
May 29, 2013 | 10:38 pm
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No extra miles for the DTW-EWR-DTW connecting segments when redeeming US miles.
Once US miles become redeemable on AA, you could fly DTW-ORD-PEK on AA metal. Of course, no one can predict with certainty when and how redemption levels might change.
Originally Posted by agp423
DTW-EWR-PEK wouldn't use extra miles? I just didn't know if US would let me do that on an award travel using UA. I'm not sure when I want to make the trip yet, do you think I should make the trip on UA before the end of the year when the merger finalizes?
Once US miles become redeemable on AA, you could fly DTW-ORD-PEK on AA metal. Of course, no one can predict with certainty when and how redemption levels might change.
May 30, 2013 | 10:22 am
#6
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I know that UA has very little surcharges for international flights, how about AA? I'm looking on the AA mile redemption sites, and it says that DTW-ORD-PEK flights are subject to a $2.50 - $700.00 surcharge each way.
May 30, 2013 | 12:59 pm
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AA only charges surcharges for award travel on BA and IB metal; avoid those two carriers, and you will pay no surcharges.
Taxes should be the same, regardless of whose miles you redeem, or which carriers you fly, unless you end up with an itinerary that has some surcharges; surcharges can trigger some additional U.S. taxes, since an award ticket with surcharges is no longer considered a "free" ticket. This, of course, will not be an issue for you on a DTW-ORD-PEK itinerary on AA metal.
Originally Posted by agp423
I know that UA has very little surcharges for international flights, how about AA? I'm looking on the AA mile redemption sites, and it says that DTW-ORD-PEK flights are subject to a $2.50 - $700.00 surcharge each way.
Taxes should be the same, regardless of whose miles you redeem, or which carriers you fly, unless you end up with an itinerary that has some surcharges; surcharges can trigger some additional U.S. taxes, since an award ticket with surcharges is no longer considered a "free" ticket. This, of course, will not be an issue for you on a DTW-ORD-PEK itinerary on AA metal.
May 30, 2013 | 8:16 pm
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No.
You can't redeem US miles directly with UA. US miles can only be redeemed at usairways.com, or by calling US Airways.
Originally Posted by agp423
One more question... Can I use my US miles to book on UA while using a relative's UA account? (I want to use her Platinum status)
You can't redeem US miles directly with UA. US miles can only be redeemed at usairways.com, or by calling US Airways.
May 31, 2013 | 12:52 am
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You can only book award travel with US miles two ways: on usairways.com, or by calling US Airways. If usairways.com does not support a particular type of redemption, then you must call.
I have no idea whether usairways.com does or does not support award redemptions on UA metal. If it does not, then you must call US Airways, not United.
Originally Posted by agp423
I thought you can only call since you are redeeming US miles on UA? You can do it online now?
I have no idea whether usairways.com does or does not support award redemptions on UA metal. If it does not, then you must call US Airways, not United.
May 31, 2013 | 9:21 am
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You can only book award travel with US miles two ways: on usairways.com, or by calling US Airways. If usairways.com does not support a particular type of redemption, then you must call.
I have no idea whether usairways.com does or does not support award redemptions on UA metal. If it does not, then you must call US Airways, not United.
I have no idea whether usairways.com does or does not support award redemptions on UA metal. If it does not, then you must call US Airways, not United.
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/us-ai...ad-merged.html
Last edited by eponymous_coward; May 31, 2013 at 9:28 am
May 31, 2013 | 1:39 pm
#14
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Is the relative the person who is travelling? You cannot use her account if you are the one travelling, but she can if she is. Once the ticket is booked she can add her MileagePlus number to the reservation. It would be a really bad idea to add her number to your ticket to try and game the system for elite benefits. Status benefits are reserved to the person travelling (and sometimes to spouses/companions), not to any random person they designate.
