New to the game!
Mar 25, 2001 | 4:52 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2001
Posts: 3
New to the game!
I'm sorry if I am posting this request in the wrong place, but I don't know where to find this info. We are new to the frequent flyer miles programs, and don't know how to go about getting free flights. I thought it was an automatic thing once enough miles accumulated, but I gather from these boards, that upgrades are more likely. Can anyone direct me in how best to get a free flight?
we have enough miles ammassed to fly from East Coast to Hawaii, and would like to do that next year...but need to know how?!!
we have enough miles ammassed to fly from East Coast to Hawaii, and would like to do that next year...but need to know how?!!
Mar 25, 2001 | 5:05 pm
#2
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: New York
Posts: 41
Hi, and Welcome,
If you have the miles for your flight, you should call the Airline Mileage Program Rewards Number, e.g. Northwest WorldPerks Rewards Desk, Continental One Pass Rewards Desk.
Once you are on the phone with the agent, they will be able to guide you through the process to use your miles towards flight awards.
I think, and I may be wrong, there are some programs which allow you to book reward travel online, however, I do not know much about that!.
Good Luck,
AK
If you have the miles for your flight, you should call the Airline Mileage Program Rewards Number, e.g. Northwest WorldPerks Rewards Desk, Continental One Pass Rewards Desk.
Once you are on the phone with the agent, they will be able to guide you through the process to use your miles towards flight awards.
I think, and I may be wrong, there are some programs which allow you to book reward travel online, however, I do not know much about that!.
Good Luck,
AK
Mar 25, 2001 | 6:55 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Massachusetts, USA; AA 2.996MM & Plat Pro, DL 1MM, GM & Flying Colonel
Posts: 25,032
bolto1,
There are two reasons why these boards sometimes seem to emphasize upgrades.
One is that the value of an upgrade from economy to business class, in terms of what it would cost in $$ versus the number of miles used, is often much higher than the value of a free award ticket.
The other is that most frequent flyer programs award their most frequent flyers upgrades in a variety of ways, over and above using miles for that purpose. That subject generates its own discussions also.
If you want free flights, though, you should get free flights. Just call the airline.
There are two reasons why these boards sometimes seem to emphasize upgrades.
One is that the value of an upgrade from economy to business class, in terms of what it would cost in $$ versus the number of miles used, is often much higher than the value of a free award ticket.
The other is that most frequent flyer programs award their most frequent flyers upgrades in a variety of ways, over and above using miles for that purpose. That subject generates its own discussions also.
If you want free flights, though, you should get free flights. Just call the airline.
Mar 25, 2001 | 7:14 pm
#4
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Benicia CA
Programs: Alaska MVP Gold 75K, AA 3.8MM, UA 1.1MM, enjoying the retired life
Posts: 31,849
Wouldn't be a bad idea to post on the particular airline board that you have the miles with. Some airlines, like United, will let you book domestic award travel on their web site.
Mar 25, 2001 | 7:34 pm
#5
In Memoriam
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Easton, CT, USA
Programs: ua prem exec, Former hilton diamond
Posts: 31,801
The choice is yours, miles, upgrades, or any of the other options that may or may not include flying. As others above have said, upgrades are of more value to most people here, which is why they are discussed more here then free flights.
For example, My Wife and I have hundreds of thousands of miles, but we too usually use them for upgrades. Most of the time we are flying for very little money if it's personal (where it's better to receive then give), and we certainly wouldn't use our miles for free travel for business (nor are we required to, any miles we get are ours to use as we see fit), so more often then not we will use them to upgrade.
But we don't have to. If we wanted to take a free flight we can do that too, just call and let them know when you want to go and they will take care of the rest.
One thing you need to know, Hawaii fills up the award seats very early, so as soon as you are sure of the dates, if it's less then 330 days away (one year minus one week) start calling to get the seats, they may be gone if you wait at all. Once you book, they will deduct the miles from your "bank" of miles. By the way, you will not earn miles for award flights either.
For example, My Wife and I have hundreds of thousands of miles, but we too usually use them for upgrades. Most of the time we are flying for very little money if it's personal (where it's better to receive then give), and we certainly wouldn't use our miles for free travel for business (nor are we required to, any miles we get are ours to use as we see fit), so more often then not we will use them to upgrade.
But we don't have to. If we wanted to take a free flight we can do that too, just call and let them know when you want to go and they will take care of the rest.
One thing you need to know, Hawaii fills up the award seats very early, so as soon as you are sure of the dates, if it's less then 330 days away (one year minus one week) start calling to get the seats, they may be gone if you wait at all. Once you book, they will deduct the miles from your "bank" of miles. By the way, you will not earn miles for award flights either.