I need to be in Japan (nrt) 12/1 - 8 and my dates are not really flexible, possibly could leave 11/30, or return 12/9. Given my DL status I called to see if the upgrade to BizE was available, and on the 1st the waitlist is closed even though there are 7 seats for sale. UA is in roughly the same condition and things look a little better on CO using miles to upgrade. The reduction in number of flights along with the slight pickup in travel has really reduced the upgrade availability on international flights it seems.

My question is what other ways can be used to get the biz seat w/o paying full biz fare? Are consolidator rates that much lower than the airline fares, and do they receive miles? Are there any trustworthy agencies anyone could recommend? Could I use UA or CO miles on any partner airlines to increase the pool of lights?

Thanks in advance for any help - runningshoes

Flights to/from Canada may be cheaper in USD than just from USA (yes in prem. cabins).

You might try 2 tix: ORF-Toronto plus Toronto-Japan.

Also try RTW--say UA + CX ORF-ORD-NRT-HKG-LHR-IAD-ORD.

I think u can use CO miles to upg on NW.


Try 1stAirNet (a consolidator that bugs me with email)

JL

runningshoes:

Do you have OnePass miles? If so, I may have a few good ideas for ya' as far as a reasonable upgraded ticket goes.

Jon hi - I've got about 35m with CO, and will transfer from AMEX the remaining 15m required. I called CO and reserved (hold for 72 hours) flights that have the upgrade available, r/t fare is about $1,350 and 50m for the upgrade. Does that sound about right?

Thanks - runningshoes

[dupe]

[This message has been edited by JonNYC (edited 11-11-2001).]

First off, make absolutely sure that the CO fare you were quoted is upgradeable-- the fare code must begin with a K or an H-- that fare sounds about right.

Second, are they willing to issue the upgrades on the spot? Or, would they be wait-listing you-- wait-listing isn't fatal, but it will require a little more research on the current state of the BF cabin-- I'd be happy to help you research same as I'm pretty familiar with that route in BF. No sense in paying double the fare on CO if the upgrades aren't close to 100% certainty.

Now, here comes the possibly money-saving work-around. As jamiel alluded to, you can use OP miles to fly on a NW ticket, booked through Continental. Not fly NW planes with CO flight numbers (which you can do to, but at the same fare,) but rather NW metal, NW flight numbers OR CO metal, NW flight numbers. BTW, you can still earn OP status miles regardless of how you book it.

So, right before you commit, check the price/availability of NW WBC upgrade seats and see if there is any savings-- you may find that the lowest available, NW upgradeable fare is lower than the CO fare offered.

The most desirable flights you are looking for would be NW6009 EWR-NRT, NW6008 NRT-EWR. CO metal, NW flight numbers, BF on 777. Second choice would be the JFK-NRT NW flights on NW metal.

All this having been said, I don't imagine that in this particular case the NW M fare will be substantially less $$ than the CO reservation that you have-- and availability seems to be a major issue on the dates you are travelling, SO, it might be best not to do to much research thereby insuring that you get the upgrade on CO, if it's currently available.



[This message has been edited by JonNYC (edited 11-11-2001).]

Jon and Jamiel - thanks for the help and the tips. I'm going to work through the different options today and Monday and see what happens. The NW option may be a good one as it could help with availability of upgrades on the specific dates I need.

In the meantime, DL may open up a few seats and make me happy - double miles on top of the 100% plat bonus

Thanks again - runningshoes