I don't fly that much - what is C and F? Y is just basic coach class - correct?

C and J = Business class
F = First class

I find AA to be the best program for my award redemptions. I find CO to be the worst. I have better luck with United than with NW/DL but no program has been as much of a pain as CO's.

So for my award redemption needs out of US programs, I'd rank in order from best to worst as follows: AA, UA, NW, DL and then CO.

I"ve had free tickets on United, Continental, NW, Delta. I've tried to redeem my miles on all of them, with limited success at the saver 25,000 mile level. United has been the worst, Continental and NW have been mixed (though often coach is not available for saver awards, first class saver awards have been so though not ideal since it has more miles, it's a nice option and you get somehting out of spending more miles 45,000 total domestically), and Delta was OK, no better nor worse.

I traded my American miles for Hilton points and use the points very easily, worth the $25 transaction fee.

If the airlines don't fix this problem, their cash cow (selling miles) is going to be a thing of the past. Signs of weakness in this is already showing with the number of frequent flier credit cards with free annual fees at least for the first or second year....

Couldn't agree more .Thought Delta used to be ahead of NW just a year ago.
I have never seen such a rapid decline of seat availability in just less then a years time :eek: Thanks for the feedback

Boo Hiss ^ I know longer use that option at all through AA
It is one of my pet peeves.

UA redemption works well for me
 

I've got both UA and AA miles, and have checked availability with both. In my highly selective sample, looking solely for F awards, UA works best for Europe; AA works best for Latin America, and both are good in Asia. AA works well for Africa, with a combination of AA across the Atlantic, then BA onwards.

United has a lot of European partners. It is possible to string together a trip with 4 stops, as long as two are under 24 hours. LH F is excellent and Swiss is coming on board. If I use AA, I have to fly AA across the water, since BA can't be used for awards from the US. Then I have to use London as my hub, rather than being able to hop and skip across Europe using LH via FRA and MUC, SAS via CPH, OS via VIE, and more. It has been a great surprise to learn how many European cities have nonstop service using Star carriers.

Further, UA F is 100K for European redemption. It is 125K using AA miles. Making UA even more attractive this year is the benefit it has extended to top tier members, allowing changes with no fee until the day of travel.

Thanks for the info.......earn em and burn em ;)

This may be old tired news
 

Excellent points regarding your savvy and informed redemption options.
I would like to suggest to you an excellent way around the AA Trans Atlantic caveat in first due to over inflated redemption costs on First Class European travel on AA.

Fly San Diego to Denver or Chicago on whomever you choose on award or revenue (mile based award rather then destination based)
Fly British Airways Business Class in a flat bed to Europe for 60 k through the Cathay Pacific/One World Asia miles program.
Redemption partners to earn miles in the program include Starwood and Hyatt and others.
You can't simply beat an SPG Night and Flights award for utilizing this outstanding redemption combination opportunity. ^ ^ ^

My 100 K award on BA in First to CPT was also an excellent value through AA but must be redeemed well in advance like Australia awards
Have heard LH is doing a great job in first these days.I need to check them out.
My cousins raved about them
Cheers

I've booked over a half million miles of awards on LH, SQ, and recently with NZ, booked using UA MP miles.

They only have limited inventory with their partner's seats, yet still was able to accomodate requests for 3 passengers together, for instance.

Regarding USA domestic: During fall '05 I unfortunately had to spend 40K for 2-3 awards on UA versus the typical 25K...that was the only period of time I had this unfortunate circumstance. But remember UA was basically "alone" for domestic travel west of the Mississippi River. In the past you had the option to use UA miles for Delta (more options to route a trip). Soon they will get US/HP to help out immensely.

For those just starting out I'd also say the AS program is okay as you have the chance to find seats on AS, AA, NW, maybe CO and DL as well?

Edited to add: UA does not charge "expedite" fees for cashing in an award very close to travel. I've ticketed awards 3 hours before departure - no expedite fee. AA and AS both have this fee (I believe $60/ticket). UA does not charge this to anyone, even a zero-status member.

It sounds like Uniteds * A partners may be coughing up seats for redemption
better then UA?

If you are top tier (Super Elite) in Air Canada's Aeroplan, they must give you a seat on AC metal provided the flight is not oversold, even if there is no reward inventory available. That is the best deal in the business as far as access to airline rewards. For non top tier, the opinions on availability range from abysmal to OK provided you plan months in advance . . .

My experience of redeeming miles with United has been the best domestically. Other that that I have redeemed miles for India, Eurpoe and the Carribean on AA,DL,and NW. I finally was able to get decent connections - only after calling over 20 times at least...but I did manage to find something. Boith DL and NW agents have been very helpful and creative. :)

I have found AA and UA to have the best availability for domestic flights. For international flights I tend to try to redeem UA, US and LH miles for *A awards which are usually not a problem. One thing that I have noticed recently is that the taxes on award tickets are crazy with LH. I was just looking for an international business class award and the LH taxes where close to $200.

Worst by far has to be CO Nonepass! I swore never to give them a $ of my money after I could never claim an award with my miles. That was 9 years ago and I haven't looked back.

I couldn't agree more - CO N(OnePass) is absolutely the WORST for all award travl - international/domestic, economy/biz/first...horrible..!

I like US for one reason
 

I can redeem without fees-- even for a flight tomorrow.

Sometimes trouble with other carrier's *A availability.

But, to have miles in the bank that I can use on a whim with a pretty broad (east cost and some transcon) network without fees is nice.

Some other carriers may have this too-- AA I think charges $100 (this could be waived for elites?) for ticks under 21 days.