US-Aus 2009 Business class
Apr 21, 2008 | 11:56 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
US-Aus 2009 Business class
Planning a trip to Australia next March. 2 adults and a 1 child under 2 years.
Would like to bump up to business each way. We have UA NW and DL FF accounts. How do you recommend we go about this (can we consolidate mileage accounts?) and are children under 2 allowed in business clas on international flights. As far a seating pref we're trying to avoid the coffin style seating and UA's new business class with rear facing seats. Thanks for your advice.
Would like to bump up to business each way. We have UA NW and DL FF accounts. How do you recommend we go about this (can we consolidate mileage accounts?) and are children under 2 allowed in business clas on international flights. As far a seating pref we're trying to avoid the coffin style seating and UA's new business class with rear facing seats. Thanks for your advice.
Apr 21, 2008 | 12:21 pm
#2
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE, AY Gold, Accor Plat, various CC hotel status
Posts: 2,981
Welcome to FT!
You can't consolidate miles between different FF programs without massive devaluations (and often not even that). If the DL/NW merger goes ahead your miles in both programs will be likely combined, but that may be too late for you.
Some basic questions:
Would you like to redeem awards, or buy economy and upgrade, or may be a combination of both? How many miles do you have? How flexible are you with dates? Do you have status with any airlines?
You can't consolidate miles between different FF programs without massive devaluations (and often not even that). If the DL/NW merger goes ahead your miles in both programs will be likely combined, but that may be too late for you.
Some basic questions:
Would you like to redeem awards, or buy economy and upgrade, or may be a combination of both? How many miles do you have? How flexible are you with dates? Do you have status with any airlines?
Apr 21, 2008 | 12:42 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Greater DC
Programs: UA plus
Posts: 12,947
Just a heads up that assuming the child will not have their own seat and go as a lap child, a warning that you'll be expected to pay a % of the standard business rate for them to travel. I think it might be 10% but am not sure of the exact rate.
Apr 21, 2008 | 3:47 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3
Flexible with dates and no status.
Apr 21, 2008 | 4:04 pm
#5
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Home
Programs: AA, Delta, UA & thanks to FTers for my PC Gold!
Posts: 7,674
Meaning you will have to buy 3 tickets, let it be economy or business. It seems you prefer to fly business. Keep in mind, the ticket (in business) for your child will not be cheap. What's your budget?
Using miles to upgrade your (bought) economy tickets to business is kind of possible, if the fare is upgradeable (in other words, more expensive) and seats available (without elite status, chances are slim between US-Australia). I don't think you currently have enough miles to upgrade 3 round-trip tickets though.
Apr 21, 2008 | 5:08 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: Amanjunkie
Posts: 752
your best option is to buy business tickets
you do not have sufficient miles in your accounts for upgrades
you also have no status with the airlines
your chances of upgrading are slim to non-existant, especially on that route
you do not have sufficient miles in your accounts for upgrades
you also have no status with the airlines
your chances of upgrading are slim to non-existant, especially on that route
Apr 21, 2008 | 5:18 pm
#7
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,825
USA to Australia in business class will cost 120,000 UA miles.
I don't remember what DL charges for business class award to OZ, but it should be more than 100,000 miles to be sure.
So, you don't have enough miles for business class award on any of the programs you listed.
One way upgrade from economy to business cost 30,000 miles on United and you will have to buy at least H class ticket which should cost $3,000 or so!
(I've only checked some dates in March, so you might be able to find cheaper fare).
I don't remember what DL charges for business class award to OZ, but it should be more than 100,000 miles to be sure.
So, you don't have enough miles for business class award on any of the programs you listed.
One way upgrade from economy to business cost 30,000 miles on United and you will have to buy at least H class ticket which should cost $3,000 or so!
(I've only checked some dates in March, so you might be able to find cheaper fare).
Apr 21, 2008 | 10:59 pm
#8
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,103
If you had enough miles to do an award search on UA you would find zero seats available for any of the next 331 days in business class. While a few lucky souls have been able to find saver award seats in C on UA, it is very hit or miss. You would have a better shot doing a *A award on NZ.
Upgrade availability is pretty similar to saver business class - almost nonexistant.
And yes, UA will charge you 10% of the unrestricted fare for a lap child. Not cheap, but you have no choice (we grudingly paid it).
Upgrade availability is pretty similar to saver business class - almost nonexistant.
And yes, UA will charge you 10% of the unrestricted fare for a lap child. Not cheap, but you have no choice (we grudingly paid it).
Apr 24, 2008 | 6:52 am
#9
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Stamford, CT
Posts: 68
I would also suggest keeping an eye here -> for any introductory J fares..
http://www.vaustralia.com/bookings/specials/index.htm
http://www.vaustralia.com/bookings/specials/index.htm