Advice: First class to Germany on points?
Jul 13, 2013, 11:44 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 50
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
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
Jul 13, 2013, 12:30 pm
#2
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 2,704
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
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
Jul 13, 2013, 2:25 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,386
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
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
Jul 13, 2013, 3:45 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: DFW
Programs: Marriott Lifetime Titanium, HH Gold, AA Lifetime Gold, United Silver, BA Gold
Posts: 864
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
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
I would totally avoid them for TATL and use the Avios only for domestic flights.
Jul 13, 2013, 4:32 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: MCO
Posts: 867
As of last year, SQ was blocking partner redemptions for the suites and also first class on some planes.
Jul 13, 2013, 5:01 pm
#8
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Indianapolis
Programs: Hilton-Diamond Lifetime Platinum AA UA, WN-CP, SPG Gold.
Posts: 7,377
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
angelo Hotel Munich Leuchtenbergring
FC keep opening and closing, but we did find a spot. out of IND/MUC
Jul 14, 2013, 2:49 am
#9
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: West Coast, USA
Programs: Skywards Platinum
Posts: 3,747
As of last year, SQ was blocking partner redemptions for the suites and also first class on some planes.
He isn't attempting a partner redemption. MR transfers to KrisFlyer.
Jul 14, 2013, 8:09 am
#10
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,642
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.
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.
Jul 15, 2013, 7:13 am
#12
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 50
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).
Jul 15, 2013, 7:25 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 357
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/
Edit: articles a bit dated but here's some info.
http://boardingarea.com/onemileatati...el-surcharges/
Last edited by 22calbr; Jul 15, 2013 at 7:35 pm Reason: added link
Jul 15, 2013, 7:38 pm
#14
Join Date: May 2008
Location: BOS/SIN
Programs: SQ
Posts: 2,704
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/
Edit: articles a bit dated but here's some info.
http://boardingarea.com/onemileatati...el-surcharges/
Jul 16, 2013, 7:37 am
#15
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,151
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?