One point of clarification. On a UA award on UA metal you can change dates, even after departure, with no fee, any number of times. It's a UA award on another *A metal that the above statement is true. I don't know the rules of the other *A programs.

so would the above mean that an AA award on CX metal for example can have date changes after departure? that is a benefit.

Hi ! Yes you can change the CX flight using AA miles. However you cant do that using points of UA or LH when redeeming miles on a carrier other than itself.

When I used Qantas miles to book a ticket with BA I had same problem. Qantas says BA won't let them change the dates. Not sure if that is true or not, but I never needed anyway.

Now moving forward in 2004. AA is the best option reason being is Delta is increasing it Business-First award to 120K no more 100K like it used to be. Another serious problem is that you cant issue a First Award on MX after Mar 31, 2004.

AA - 135K Business using AA & BA is the best option I feel.

I have used *Alliance for my trips to India after Oneworld disappeared from Canada.( more or less) I have had no problms getting award seats on TG to BKK via Pacific and onwards. But TG J to BKK is 100000 points and to India is 185000. So I try get the award to BKK and buy a cheap ticket to India. Works all the time. Also, If so desired you can go TG through Europe and connect with TG to India without any big problems. SQ is harder to get awards (except Y) and LH seats are frequently available. So the choices ( award or otherwise) are better with *alliance.

Just found out breaking news that Mexicana is only breaking its relationship only with UA though it wont be a part of Star Alliance you can still get the 90K BUS and 120K FIRST award to India on LH/TG/SQ using Mexicana points.

S

I thought BA now restricts date changes on award travel issued on AA or others. So if you use BA, you may need to stick to BA flts only. (I am not sure how the connect flts in the US work for this - have not tested this rule personally yet).

Are there any travel agents in Canada/USA that offer "consolidator" business class tickets on either global alliance airlines (OW, or *Alliance), and at the same time one can get full qualifying/status miles credit on the airline's FF plan?

FlyerGoldII,

There are many travel agents that offer discounted business class and first class fares to Asia. They work with consolidators or the airlines directly. 1stair.net is often referenced in these boards.

Most of the TAs are mom and pop outfits that specialize in specific markets. I know the Indian sub-continent TAs servicing the west coast well and they work with Star more than OW. TG (Star partner) has deep discount fares in business and first that get full status miles in its partner programs. The equipment is old but the service is OK. Cathay has deals sometimes but is quite full the next few months (you need HKG specialists for that). BA has official deals for DTW-LHR because of their NWC introduction in the DTT market.

The TA for India from west coast that I was OK with is Pan Air Travel from LAX area (310-915-0088 I believe). I have also had good experience with an agent out of Detroit for East Coast based travel to India (I don't have the info right now).

YOu can spot these usually from ethnic newspapers. Unfortunately, the situation is till buyer beware. I usually cross-check with the local BBB and verify the years in business and complaint history first and then call the airline to make sure that the ticket is Kosher. I insist on credit card payment even if they charge a CC surchage.

You may want to look into Toronto TAs. You probably can get deals on LH (as it is aggressively trying to capture the Indian market). India Abroad from local Indian grocery stores will show you a list of local agents.

Beware of "brokers" that get you award tickets. There is an outfit in Canada that advertises discounted business class and they simply "broker" award tickets and that could get you in trouble.