PRG, PIT, SFO, and luggage
Aug 22, 2013 | 5:50 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2011
Posts: 368
PRG, PIT, SFO, and luggage
Normally, I book things myself after reading FT, but this one is complicated: one-way and two checked bags. My stuff (two checked bags + max carry on) is in EDI and eventually needs to make it to SFO/SJC.
BA: 54k
AA: 97k
UA: 31k
US: 69k
DL: 26k
US AMEX MR: 55k
UK AMEX MR: 22k (can transfer to US at currency conversion rate ~1.5 each)
Chase UR: fresh out and the Ink Bold bonus won't be ready in time.
Out of efficiently transferable hotel points.
Dirt status, US credit card.
Start option 1: Start in EDI September 16 or later.
Start option 2: Fly from PRG September 15 or later. Work has me in PRG on business but won't pay for excess baggage (or even the airfare I'm saving them by doing a one-way towards my ticket). Cost to get baggage to PRG: 36 pounds = $56 via jet2.com.
Stopover: must be in PIT on September 20 midday. Strong preference for arriving in PIT on 18th or 19th. Another option is PRG-LAN//PIT-SFO but only if arrival in the LAN/DTW area is on the 16th or earlier.
Destination: SFO/SJC before September 23.
Any suggestions on doing this in one redemption? Seems unlikely. Next question is how to optimize each. Unfortunately, PIT isn't an AA international gateway.
Normally, I'd go for economy, but business might be worthwhile due to extra checked bag. oneworld business is ideal since I have the miles, but I haven't found any reasonable flights through AA or BA for the PRG or EDI to PIT segment.
*A has business and economy on the 17th and 18th (that AC can see). There are even US/UA-dominated tickets that avoid fuel surcharges if redeemed through AC or SQ. But it seems that starting with LH out of Prague means a $200 baggage fee if I fly in economy. And it seems the only way I can afford *A business is by MR transfer to AC or SQ (where I currently have nothing). These cost 70k and 65k respectively, compared to 50k via UA (though I'd need to come up with 19k UA miles).
Thanks CPRich. I ended up doing *A economy because the fuel surcharge was lower.
BA: 54k
AA: 97k
UA: 31k
US: 69k
DL: 26k
US AMEX MR: 55k
UK AMEX MR: 22k (can transfer to US at currency conversion rate ~1.5 each)
Chase UR: fresh out and the Ink Bold bonus won't be ready in time.
Out of efficiently transferable hotel points.
Dirt status, US credit card.
Start option 1: Start in EDI September 16 or later.
Start option 2: Fly from PRG September 15 or later. Work has me in PRG on business but won't pay for excess baggage (or even the airfare I'm saving them by doing a one-way towards my ticket). Cost to get baggage to PRG: 36 pounds = $56 via jet2.com.
Stopover: must be in PIT on September 20 midday. Strong preference for arriving in PIT on 18th or 19th. Another option is PRG-LAN//PIT-SFO but only if arrival in the LAN/DTW area is on the 16th or earlier.
Destination: SFO/SJC before September 23.
Any suggestions on doing this in one redemption? Seems unlikely. Next question is how to optimize each. Unfortunately, PIT isn't an AA international gateway.
Normally, I'd go for economy, but business might be worthwhile due to extra checked bag. oneworld business is ideal since I have the miles, but I haven't found any reasonable flights through AA or BA for the PRG or EDI to PIT segment.
*A has business and economy on the 17th and 18th (that AC can see). There are even US/UA-dominated tickets that avoid fuel surcharges if redeemed through AC or SQ. But it seems that starting with LH out of Prague means a $200 baggage fee if I fly in economy. And it seems the only way I can afford *A business is by MR transfer to AC or SQ (where I currently have nothing). These cost 70k and 65k respectively, compared to 50k via UA (though I'd need to come up with 19k UA miles).
Thanks CPRich. I ended up doing *A economy because the fuel surcharge was lower.
Last edited by inY; Aug 23, 2013 at 1:23 pm
Aug 22, 2013 | 8:07 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Pittsburgh
Programs: MR LT Titanium, AA LT PLT, UA SLV, Avis PreferredPlus, HH Gold, Hertz PC, National Executive, etc.
Posts: 31,670
American:
Flight 1: EDI/PIT
From:Edinburgh - EDI
To:Pittsburgh Intl Apt - PIT
Flight Date:Wednesday, September 18, 2013 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20 all available)
Miles Used:30,000
Flight 2: PIT/SFO
From:Pittsburgh Intl Apt - PIT
To:San Francisco International - SFO and Area
Flight Date:Saturday, September 21, 2013 (20, 21, 24, 25 and later)
Miles Used:12,500
Taxes and Carrier-Imposed Fees:
up to $10 USD per person per award
BA 2931 7:35 AM EDI 9:05 AM LGW
BA 2167 11:20 AM LGW 3:40 PM TPA
1115 5:35 PM TPA 6:50 PM MIA
3542 8:05 PM MIA 10:50 PM PIT
1625 1:10 PM PIT 3:05 PM DFW
2463 4:50 PM DFW 6:05 PM LAX
2591 6:45 PM LAX 7:50 PM SJC
Your Trip Cost:
42,500 miles
+$431.30 USD
(yes, I'm bored)
Flight 1: EDI/PIT
From:Edinburgh - EDI
To:Pittsburgh Intl Apt - PIT
Flight Date:Wednesday, September 18, 2013 (16, 17, 18, 19, 20 all available)
Miles Used:30,000
Flight 2: PIT/SFO
From:Pittsburgh Intl Apt - PIT
To:San Francisco International - SFO and Area
Flight Date:Saturday, September 21, 2013 (20, 21, 24, 25 and later)
Miles Used:12,500
Taxes and Carrier-Imposed Fees:
up to $10 USD per person per award
BA 2931 7:35 AM EDI 9:05 AM LGW
BA 2167 11:20 AM LGW 3:40 PM TPA
1115 5:35 PM TPA 6:50 PM MIA
3542 8:05 PM MIA 10:50 PM PIT
1625 1:10 PM PIT 3:05 PM DFW
2463 4:50 PM DFW 6:05 PM LAX
2591 6:45 PM LAX 7:50 PM SJC
Your Trip Cost:
42,500 miles
+$431.30 USD
(yes, I'm bored)