Advice: First class to Germany on points?
 

Hey guys, looking for some help here. I have about 160k MR and 100k UR points, trying to plan a trip to Oktoberfest from JFK this year. Trying to figure out my best option for 2 first class tics JFK-MUC or JFK-FRA. Any ideas? I almost transferred all my MR to Avios during the 35% promotion, but I'm glad I didn't now - I can't find any BA awards.

I would love to try and get an SQ A380 suite, but it looks like there's a waitlist - and I don't want to commit to transferring to KrisFlyer without knowing I have a flight.

Any other good options? Paying with all points (plus taxes, obviously) would be nice, but fare + upgrade is fine too.

Thanks

UR to UA will be able to book some kind of LH flight T-14 most likely. You'll need a few more UR before you can book that. It would be helpful to not just limit yourself to JFK flights, but also allowing reasonable alternatives like BOS, WAS, CHI, etc.

That's only 1 ticket though.

I'm not sure I'd pay the BA surcharges, although some will. They most likely will open up some availability between now and October

Given there's a fairly significant event OP is trying to travel for, I wouldn't count on it.

You willing to fly in C and/or connect rather than the nonstop? That opens up options and reduces your mileage costs.

First class to Germany on points?
 

EWR also decent option for LH flights

BA surcharges will be huge.
I would totally avoid them for TATL and use the Avios only for domestic flights.

As of last year, SQ was blocking partner redemptions for the suites and also first class on some planes.

UA has a place for me and my wife this year, and staying at
angelo Hotel Munich Leuchtenbergring

FC keep opening and closing, but we did find a spot. out of IND/MUC

He isn't attempting a partner redemption. MR transfers to KrisFlyer.

Not sure of your schedule but if you have time you can expand your options by flying to other EU cities and flying LCC to Munich. My trip to Octoberfest last year started with flights to the UK, took in a football match, then on to MUC from Manchester on Monarch airlines.

Bottom line is that you may be able to bundle a cheap LCC fare with a TATL award and avoid fees that will pay for a LCC fare.. or you may be able to add some other activity that would be fun.

Thanks for the responses everyone. I am certainly not opposed to a connecting, was planning on it actually.

Correct, looks like it would be about 220k KrisFlyer points, which should be do-able within the next month or two, but again, there's a waitlist and it seems like I need to have the points in the account to get on it (it just sits there when I click to book).

I think I read somewhere tatl flights on air Berlin will not be charged fuel surcharges while redeeming with avios.

Edit: articles a bit dated but here's some info.

http://boardingarea.com/onemileatati...el-surcharges/

But AB doesn't have F, and has a J product that isn't any better than United.

What's the best way to snag a RT in LH F, if you're going for longer than a week or so? Even if you book the outbound in F, it'll be tough to get any availability on the return before travel begins (correct me if I'm wrong, but if UA is like US, you can't make changes after start of travel). Is booking the trip as separate OW tickets the best way to accomplish this, or is there another program/trick here?

UA is not like US. ;)

A-ha. That is very good to know. Thank you :)

So to confirm, I can change when I'm already en route? In this case, would best course of action be to either book the return on LH C (or UA F), and then call to reticket the return while I'm traveling?

Right.

How much does it cost to change a rt itin for someone without UA status?

True, THEORETICALLY, you can change a UA award ticket (if you pay--unless fee waived for status, etc.) but, it all depends on availability.

I tried this a couple of times a while ago and didn't have much luck. No availability for when I wanted to change to, so was stuck with original dates.

In other words, don't count on being able to change dates on route.

Still looking, Lufthansa might be an option, just trying to get the best value out of my points.

I stayed there last year for Oktoberfest, it was very nice. Nothing over the top, but the front desk folks were extremely helpful and the place was well kept. I am sure you will like it.

Dan

Guys, any ideas here? I can't find ANYTHING available. Looking to go out Sep 27th and return Oct 6. I would even be open to buying the economy ticket and upgrading with points.

Thanks!

Beyond what was already mentioned within this thread? No, other than to just be patient.

I’d echo the thoughts of others and say that you just need to get TATL, and you can get yourself to MUC or closer by LCC and then to your final destination by train. I would hold out almost no hope that award space to MUC direct opens up. If you’ve never been to Oktoberfest, it’s a pretty substantial event.

I went to Oktoberfest last year, and while my travel was not on an award, for cost considerations I flew into HAM and took the train (6 hours IIRC) to MUC the following day. I flew out of MUC on the return.

Thanks everyone, ended up booking biz class in SQ - excited to try them out.