Star Alliance and Australia - best way to use my miles
Sep 26, 2013, 2:46 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
Star Alliance and Australia - best way to use my miles
Headed to SYD next month, from CA, SAN or LAX. I have 103k miles on UA and 191k on usair. The 103k/UA miles expire end of this month.
Recommendations?
Ideally I'd fly business class on a non-US airline but not finding that option on star alliance. Plus It's looking like it's 150k for standard business class, so I'm 50k short.
Am I missing something or should I resort to fly coach with the UA/103k miles, and use the usair for return trip? Hopefully you'all see something I am missing.
Thank You
Recommendations?
Ideally I'd fly business class on a non-US airline but not finding that option on star alliance. Plus It's looking like it's 150k for standard business class, so I'm 50k short.
Am I missing something or should I resort to fly coach with the UA/103k miles, and use the usair for return trip? Hopefully you'all see something I am missing.
Thank You
Sep 26, 2013, 4:05 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Los Angeles / Basel
Programs: UA 1K MM, AA EXP, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 26,982
routing through ICN on Asiana or PEK/PVG on Air China is easiest, but I would do LAX/SFO/YVR-AKL-SYD if you are going coach--Air New Zealand is my favorite behind the curtain.
Sep 26, 2013, 5:04 am
#4
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Guatemala
Programs: CM PP DL GM
Posts: 406
Headed to SYD next month, from CA, SAN or LAX. I have 103k miles on UA and 191k on usair. The 103k/UA miles expire end of this month.
Recommendations?
Ideally I'd fly business class on a non-US airline but not finding that option on star alliance. Plus It's looking like it's 150k for standard business class, so I'm 50k short.
Am I missing something or should I resort to fly coach with the UA/103k miles, and use the usair for return trip? Hopefully you'all see something I am missing.
Thank You
Recommendations?
Ideally I'd fly business class on a non-US airline but not finding that option on star alliance. Plus It's looking like it's 150k for standard business class, so I'm 50k short.
Am I missing something or should I resort to fly coach with the UA/103k miles, and use the usair for return trip? Hopefully you'all see something I am missing.
Thank You
SIN is the best option because of Singapore Airlines the problem is getting the SIA segments to workout. BKK is great option too and TG has space most of the time in their flight to SYD in F and C. The last resort would CA via PEK which has a good service better then UAL direct to SYD.
I am doing a trip there at the end of the year with OZ LAX-ICN F TG ICN-BKK C and TG BKK-SYD in F for 80K one way the thing is to find the space
Sep 26, 2013, 6:14 am
#5
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: SEA
Programs: UA Plat, AS MVP, HH Gold, MR Gold
Posts: 1,848
It's also worth noting that any minor activity on your UA account (crediting an MP dining transaction, donating 1000 miles, etc.) will extend your expiration date another 18 months. So, there is no need to take a crummy deal to use the UA miles now. There are threads devoted to doing this.
That said, if you are able to find the space, going on any of the suggested itineraries in premium cabins is a pretty good use of miles.
That said, if you are able to find the space, going on any of the suggested itineraries in premium cabins is a pretty good use of miles.
Sep 26, 2013, 11:27 am
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: ORD, HKG
Programs: UA*G, AA Emerald, HHonors Diamond, Hyatt globalist
Posts: 10,320
If you are looking for C, avoid OZ and TG.
OZ only use angle seat to SYD from ICN, and TG only has angle seat on all their planes except 380 and 2 class 77W.
OZ only use angle seat to SYD from ICN, and TG only has angle seat on all their planes except 380 and 2 class 77W.
Sep 29, 2013, 10:29 pm
#8
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
It's also worth noting that any minor activity on your UA account (crediting an MP dining transaction, donating 1000 miles, etc.) will extend your expiration date another 18 months. So, there is no need to take a crummy deal to use the UA miles now. There are threads devoted to doing this.
Oct 12, 2013, 8:52 pm
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2013
Posts: 3
update
update on my flight. Found a friend with a boat load of AA miles, was able to book Qantas direct LAX-SYD, albeit coach. For the return, ~4 months out, took a few phone calls but was able to upgrade to business class SYD-MLB-LAX. Hoping a future phone call to AA Gold will land me in biz class for the outbound as well