Which Airline for award?
 

Which Airline is easier to get awards on? I am trying to look for AUS-HNL using awards for two tickets, and a paid ticket. So far, it looks like American or Continental has the best airfare for the paid ticket. So, which airline should I have the best luck on?

Also, whichever airline I end up using will have an extra 5000, so I would prefer one that is fairly consistent in their awards. (Transfering 60000 Starpoints into 75000 miles, only 70000 needed for the award). My major plans inclue NYC, Vancouver, and Europe in a few years.

Are American and Continetal mostly the same in this area?

You are going to have a very hard time getting an award with CO! I belive AA is easier.

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Viele Grüße

Oliver

You are going to have a very hard time getting an award with CO! I belive AA is easier.

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Viele Grüße

Oliver

I think you have made your point.

Al

I'm not looking for more competition for upgrades and awards from AUS, but consider UA. Fares on UA area often higher (which is why I keep status on CO going so that I have an option when UA is asking something just ridiculous). Why pay more for UA? On the balance I think I come out with miles that are worth more in award travel.

It all depends on the route, but in my opinion and experience, UA awards are much more available than those on CO. The rules are certainly more flexible (no Sat night stay required for many of the cheapest awards).

The most important factor: UA miles can get me to many more places than CO or AA. The UA route structure opens up flights across the Pacific, the Atlantic, and to Latin America. I think that makes miles on UA essentially more valuable because they can potentially take me to many more places.

All the major airlines have a few token flights to the major continents, but look into flight frequency and size of aircraft. For example, TWA used to be the #1 transatlantic airline. No longer. Most of the flights that they do have are on smaller aircraft.

For the places that you mention, I'm sure that AA will have a more abundant schedule. But I rate CO as a superior outfit to AA overall. I think you are doing the right thing to think through where you will be going in a few years, and who is likely to give you the best overall value for your time and money.