Is is harder to find Award flights post-covid on Star Alliance?
Feb 27, 2023, 11:45 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 316
Is is harder to find Award flights post-covid on Star Alliance?
A luxury problem but I have two awards flights booked and have an additional two that I need to book this year, but it's almost impossible to find award flight, I mean period. This have always been the case but is it harder than usual?
I'm a SAS Gold member and have almost 7 figure bonus points and I just want to fly somewhere
- I have a flight to Kenya on Wednesday that I have re-scheduled 2 times already (perviously due to covid) but this time due to work obligations (didn't know that in 2020 when I booked)
Just asking here. Mostly SK, LX, LH and TG (Prefer Asia)
Has it become harder to find award on Star Alliance flight?
I'm a SAS Gold member and have almost 7 figure bonus points and I just want to fly somewhere
- I have a flight to Kenya on Wednesday that I have re-scheduled 2 times already (perviously due to covid) but this time due to work obligations (didn't know that in 2020 when I booked) Just asking here. Mostly SK, LX, LH and TG (Prefer Asia)
Has it become harder to find award on Star Alliance flight?
Feb 27, 2023, 11:56 am
#2
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Aurora, CO
Programs: Statusless and proud
Posts: 7,582
A luxury problem but I have two awards flights booked and have an additional two that I need to book this year, but it's almost impossible to find award flight, I mean period. This have always been the case but is it harder than usual?
I'm a SAS Gold member and have almost 7 figure bonus points and I just want to fly somewhere - I have a flight to Kenya on Wednesday that I have re-scheduled 2 times already (perviously due to covid) but this time due to work obligations (didn't know that in 2020 when I booked)
Just asking here. Mostly SK, LX, LH and TG (Prefer Asia)
Has it become harder to find award on Star Alliance flight?
I'm a SAS Gold member and have almost 7 figure bonus points and I just want to fly somewhere
- I have a flight to Kenya on Wednesday that I have re-scheduled 2 times already (perviously due to covid) but this time due to work obligations (didn't know that in 2020 when I booked)Just asking here. Mostly SK, LX, LH and TG (Prefer Asia)
Has it become harder to find award on Star Alliance flight?
Feb 27, 2023, 9:00 pm
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Stoke on Trent, UK (MAN ), BUE, BKK, DBV
Programs: LH HON***,UA,BA.EK Gold,AV.
Posts: 11,637
A luxury problem but I have two awards flights booked and have an additional two that I need to book this year, but it's almost impossible to find award flight, I mean period. This have always been the case but is it harder than usual?
I'm a SAS Gold member and have almost 7 figure bonus points and I just want to fly somewhere - I have a flight to Kenya on Wednesday that I have re-scheduled 2 times already (perviously due to covid) but this time due to work obligations (didn't know that in 2020 when I booked)
Just asking here. Mostly SK, LX, LH and TG (Prefer Asia)
Has it become harder to find award on Star Alliance flight?
I'm a SAS Gold member and have almost 7 figure bonus points and I just want to fly somewhere
- I have a flight to Kenya on Wednesday that I have re-scheduled 2 times already (perviously due to covid) but this time due to work obligations (didn't know that in 2020 when I booked)Just asking here. Mostly SK, LX, LH and TG (Prefer Asia)
Has it become harder to find award on Star Alliance flight?
Feb 27, 2023, 9:10 pm
#4
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
So how do people make use of miles these days if they don't want to die with 100Ks of miles in in their accounts? I can't imagine burning them for the merchandise that is offered. Does one get decent value (i.e., >1.5 cpm) using miles for hotels?
What recent successes pulling down good award travel with UA miles. Better/worse opportunities according to time of year?
What recent successes pulling down good award travel with UA miles. Better/worse opportunities according to time of year?
Last edited by itsme; Feb 27, 2023 at 9:32 pm
Mar 7, 2023, 12:29 pm
#5
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Houston
Programs: UA, Hyatt Globolist, Marriott Pla, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 45
It is definitely scarce than before. I can find availables seats to Oceania, South America during christmas season last two years at very resonable mileage cost. Now it all costs 100K+ one way... Need to be very patient to locate the saver seats...
Mar 7, 2023, 1:51 pm
#6
Join Date: Jun 2004
Programs: united airlines
Posts: 4,967
Does status (1MM, Gold) make much (any?) difference in what they offer you in award travel inventory? Will MP or reservationists try to get you an award ticket on another *A carrier when your own search doesn't show any UA flights?
Mar 9, 2023, 9:58 am
#7
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Houston
Programs: UA, Hyatt Globolist, Marriott Pla, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 45
Not sure whether higher status will make a diffience there as I don't have it ( I think it may make a difference?). I only have UA credit card so can see additional XN and IN seat. I am not specifically look for UA flights to the final destinations. But overall to compare covid era and post covid period , it is much more difficult these days to see some saver seats.
Mar 13, 2023, 12:49 am
#8
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: PHX
Programs: AS 75K; UA 1MM; Hyatt Globalist; Marriott LTP; Hilton Diamond (Aspire)
Posts: 56,453
Credit cards do not give IN access. You can see it (as can anyone else using Expert Mode), but you can't book it.