"Newbie Question" - Award travel to Hawaii
Oct 2, 2011, 4:11 pm
#1
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"Newbie Question" - Award travel to Hawaii
Gang,
I feel like a newbie here... so go gentle.
Thinking of surprising my partner with a trip to Hawaii for November for our anniversary.
I would want to fly PVD to HNL Nov 19 and return KOA/ITO to PVD Nov 29.
Would love to do business/first but feel the points are not worth the product we would get.
Any recommendations from the experts on what I should consider either in coach or business/first to maximize the points?
Thanks,
William
I feel like a newbie here... so go gentle.
Thinking of surprising my partner with a trip to Hawaii for November for our anniversary.
I would want to fly PVD to HNL Nov 19 and return KOA/ITO to PVD Nov 29.
Would love to do business/first but feel the points are not worth the product we would get.
Any recommendations from the experts on what I should consider either in coach or business/first to maximize the points?
Thanks,
William
Oct 2, 2011, 4:29 pm
#2
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Location: PSM
Posts: 69,232
Finding saver/low awards to Hawaii around Thanksgiving week will be an impressive feat; I wish you luck.
As for the best front cabin product, CO for IAH/EWR/DEN-HNL is going to be on the 764 with older BusinessFirst seats and upgraded catering. It isn't phenomenal but it is the best option out there. If you're paying enough to get last-seat inventory I'd probably push for that.
Otherwise, take whatever you can find at the lower rates.
As for the best front cabin product, CO for IAH/EWR/DEN-HNL is going to be on the 764 with older BusinessFirst seats and upgraded catering. It isn't phenomenal but it is the best option out there. If you're paying enough to get last-seat inventory I'd probably push for that.
Otherwise, take whatever you can find at the lower rates.
Oct 2, 2011, 4:43 pm
#3
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I am guessing I will have to settle for economy.... would the CO product be better for that? Assuming I can find an award.
Is it possible to get one way awards on Star Alliance or is that just a feature with United?
Is it possible to get one way awards on Star Alliance or is that just a feature with United?
Oct 2, 2011, 4:50 pm
#4
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Its very much take what you can get at this point
Do a search on Continental.com
There are a few options on Nov.20 PVD-HNL, all requiring travel to Hawaii via CO's 737 service at LAX and have at least 2 stops
On the 30th - you can return from KOA via LA+EWR or via HNL+EWR
You can most certainly get one-ways.
Book on Continental.com (forget United.com - its useless).
As for Star Alliance, it doesnt really come into play much here - since its domestic USA - UA/CO/USAir are only options.
Do a search on Continental.com
There are a few options on Nov.20 PVD-HNL, all requiring travel to Hawaii via CO's 737 service at LAX and have at least 2 stops
On the 30th - you can return from KOA via LA+EWR or via HNL+EWR
You can most certainly get one-ways.
Book on Continental.com (forget United.com - its useless).
As for Star Alliance, it doesnt really come into play much here - since its domestic USA - UA/CO/USAir are only options.
Oct 2, 2011, 4:51 pm
#5
Join Date: Nov 2008
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If you can get UA E+ access,it may be nicer than CO E-.
As SBM12 said, its incredibly hard to find award space up-front on the non-stop from EWR, etc to HNL.
Oct 2, 2011, 4:53 pm
#6
Join Date: Nov 2008
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Oct 2, 2011, 5:34 pm
#7
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Unfortunately I have not kept up on the merger... all my miles are in UA... I do have a CO frequent flyer account... but nothing in it.
Can I transfer online? Or do I have to call?
Sorry for all the silly questions.
Can I transfer online? Or do I have to call?
Sorry for all the silly questions.
Oct 2, 2011, 5:43 pm
#8
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If you have the accounts already then moving the miles between them is rather trivial; just go here: http://www.continental.com/web/en-US...mUnitedEmail=1.
UA E+ will have more legroom than CO while CO is more likely to have power and personal TVs, though movies/TV on CO are paid, not free for those aircraft. Flying on the 737 isn't inherently bad IMO though there are some people who feel differently (quite strongly so).
UA E+ will have more legroom than CO while CO is more likely to have power and personal TVs, though movies/TV on CO are paid, not free for those aircraft. Flying on the 737 isn't inherently bad IMO though there are some people who feel differently (quite strongly so).
Oct 2, 2011, 5:45 pm
#9
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Thank you so very much... I will probably do CO... we can do PVD-EWR-HNL... might book that roundtrip... and then do something interisland.
Now I have to find out whether I can use miles for HNL-KOA/ITO... got to finally use up the miles...
Now I have to find out whether I can use miles for HNL-KOA/ITO... got to finally use up the miles...
Oct 2, 2011, 5:47 pm
#10
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Does anyone know if I get access to the seats reserved for CO elites if I book standard awards? I have no status.
Oct 2, 2011, 6:17 pm
#11
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You can also add inter-island flights on Hawaiian to your CO award reservation.
If you are buying standard awards in coach, its probably worth it more to pay cash - and save your miles for another anniversary (with more advanced planning)
Oct 2, 2011, 6:19 pm
#12
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The ELR seats require paying no matter what while the other "elite" seats do not. The main benefit of the "elite" seats on CO metal is the power outlets; no benefit in pitch or anything else really. As a non-elite you'll board later if in those seats, however, so rather less likely to get at overhead bin space easily.