How to ensure FF bookings
Sep 20, 2004 | 11:50 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 2
How to ensure FF bookings
Please pardon me if this post is in the incorrect forum.
I'm looking to use FF miles to fly Kauai to LHR and return, with stopover on return in LAX; departing next August 31 and returning to LAX on Sept. 27 but not returning to Kauai until Dec 15.
I could fly AA or United, and prefer business class. How can I ensure a business seat? The dilemma is that I can 't book the full ticket until 330 days from the return, and so that leaves many months for other flyers to book the outbound flight, and the popular lhr-lax return flight. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Daniel
I'm looking to use FF miles to fly Kauai to LHR and return, with stopover on return in LAX; departing next August 31 and returning to LAX on Sept. 27 but not returning to Kauai until Dec 15.
I could fly AA or United, and prefer business class. How can I ensure a business seat? The dilemma is that I can 't book the full ticket until 330 days from the return, and so that leaves many months for other flyers to book the outbound flight, and the popular lhr-lax return flight. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Daniel
Sep 20, 2004 | 7:09 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Richmond, VA, USA
Programs: Starwood Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 122
Originally Posted by danielbear
Please pardon me if this post is in the incorrect forum.
I'm looking to use FF miles to fly Kauai to LHR and return, with stopover on return in LAX; departing next August 31 and returning to LAX on Sept. 27 but not returning to Kauai until Dec 15.
I could fly AA or United, and prefer business class. How can I ensure a business seat? The dilemma is that I can 't book the full ticket until 330 days from the return, and so that leaves many months for other flyers to book the outbound flight, and the popular lhr-lax return flight. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Daniel
I'm looking to use FF miles to fly Kauai to LHR and return, with stopover on return in LAX; departing next August 31 and returning to LAX on Sept. 27 but not returning to Kauai until Dec 15.
I could fly AA or United, and prefer business class. How can I ensure a business seat? The dilemma is that I can 't book the full ticket until 330 days from the return, and so that leaves many months for other flyers to book the outbound flight, and the popular lhr-lax return flight. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated! Thanks.
Daniel
Last edited by jakeman; Sep 20, 2004 at 7:16 pm
Sep 20, 2004 | 7:31 pm
#3
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Phoenix
Programs: UA1k;HH Gold;MR Gold
Posts: 6,112
I dont know if I would want to be acquiring USAirways miles to buy a ticket a yr from now - just my feeling
Another alternative would be to book an earlier end of the flight and then pay 100 change fee wehen that is within 330 days
Another alternative would be to book an earlier end of the flight and then pay 100 change fee wehen that is within 330 days
Sep 20, 2004 | 10:09 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Intermountain West
Programs: Too many to list
Posts: 12,743
Book your outbound at 330 days, with UA. They WILL hold that reservation for 14 days. At 14 days you call back and make your inbound reservation (ya, I know you're not coming back in 14 days). 
With UA there is NO fee to change the date or time of your flight on award travel. The only time yoy pay a fee is if you change city pairs. So, when you get to 330 days out from your REAL return flt. you call and change the date. Simple. I've done it. No fees.
BTW, UA now charges a small fee if you CALL and make your award reservations. Fee is waived if you book online. Not a good idea in your case.
Phil
With UA there is NO fee to change the date or time of your flight on award travel. The only time yoy pay a fee is if you change city pairs. So, when you get to 330 days out from your REAL return flt. you call and change the date. Simple. I've done it. No fees. BTW, UA now charges a small fee if you CALL and make your award reservations. Fee is waived if you book online. Not a good idea in your case.
Phil
Sep 26, 2004 | 8:07 pm
#9
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Northwest NJ
Programs: Starwood Platinum,Marriott Platinum, United Silver
Posts: 2,313
Originally Posted by danielbear
Thank you all very much for the informative and kind answers. I will dilligently follow your good advice and, with luck, will be able to secure frequent flyer tickets for my honeymoon.
Sincerely,
Daniel
Sincerely,
Daniel
She must really be something! Best of luck!