Newbie Question - Using DM & MP on *A
Aug 25, 2004 | 12:57 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2
Newbie Question - Using DM & MP on *A
We are attempting to use up our existing Dividend Miles mileage, but don't have enough for both of us to fly FC to our chosen destination (IAD-LAS) in December. Using *A, what is the easiest way to buy 2 FC tix together on the same flight (any airline) using Dividend Miles and Mileage Plus? We have enough miles in EACH account for one FC.
Aug 25, 2004 | 2:07 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: port broad reach
Programs: NorthSails | Starboard | ION
Posts: 6,525
Welcome to FT, Tina.
Just call the awards desk of each program to find what your options are (taking notes, of course). Hopefully each programs will have available for award at least one FC seat for a flight in common with the other... Generally, you will be able to make and hold a reservation for some time before having to ticket it (72 hrs for UA, don't know about US), so that gives you a bit of time to get it all together.
It's like putting together a puzzle. Can't think of any other alternatives.
Edited to add that flights on UA to LAS do not have F (it's TED
), though you could route thru SFO/LAX and at least get F in that segment...
Just call the awards desk of each program to find what your options are (taking notes, of course). Hopefully each programs will have available for award at least one FC seat for a flight in common with the other... Generally, you will be able to make and hold a reservation for some time before having to ticket it (72 hrs for UA, don't know about US), so that gives you a bit of time to get it all together.
It's like putting together a puzzle. Can't think of any other alternatives.
Edited to add that flights on UA to LAS do not have F (it's TED
), though you could route thru SFO/LAX and at least get F in that segment...
Last edited by WindFlyer; Aug 25, 2004 at 2:13 pm
Aug 25, 2004 | 4:57 pm
#4
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Los Angeles, USA
Programs: UA Plat-2MM, Marriott Life Titanium, Hyatt something
Posts: 1,897
For your purposes, I think the availability seen by US and UA will be the same. There are some exceptions to common availability in Star Alliance, but I don't think they apply to anything you are doing. So call either program and search for an itinerary with two seats available, reserve one and immediately call the other program and reserve the other seat before someone else grabs it.
Or, search UA award flights using the UA website (or US using the US site) until you find something you want, again with two seats. Then call each program to book.
F is often allocated a single award seat so you can waste a large amount of time if you book one F seat without checking that there is a second F seat available.
Also, check business class as an alternative to F. Domestic three-class aircraft tend to have more award availability.
Going IAD-LAS, as noted, is served by Ted with coach only on the nonstop flights. It may not be worth changing planes just to experience domestic first or business class.
Finally, in the event US ceases operations before you use your ticket, there is no guarantee that a US-issued ticket will be honored even if it is issued for another airline that is operating. Same for UA-issued in the event UA ceases. The tickets may be honored and I would guess on domestic routes they probably will be if they operating carrier is flying , but that is just a guess.
Charles
Or, search UA award flights using the UA website (or US using the US site) until you find something you want, again with two seats. Then call each program to book.
F is often allocated a single award seat so you can waste a large amount of time if you book one F seat without checking that there is a second F seat available.
Also, check business class as an alternative to F. Domestic three-class aircraft tend to have more award availability.
Going IAD-LAS, as noted, is served by Ted with coach only on the nonstop flights. It may not be worth changing planes just to experience domestic first or business class.
Finally, in the event US ceases operations before you use your ticket, there is no guarantee that a US-issued ticket will be honored even if it is issued for another airline that is operating. Same for UA-issued in the event UA ceases. The tickets may be honored and I would guess on domestic routes they probably will be if they operating carrier is flying , but that is just a guess.
Charles