Have you got any alterantives? You've left it too late and it's the start of the holidays in the UK.

Frankfurt is normally used for business and first redemptions to N America, as LH offers a better product than US/UA.

I haven't though, according to BMI iv left it too early. iv been ringing them since autumn time and every time I ring they say there is no availability, and say that apparently some airlines don't release flights until a week or two before and to ring back later. Now im beginning to thing they don't release any flights at all for the London to Orlando / Tampa route as iv been ringing since September time and had the same response and been using the Ana tool for the last couple of months and had the same thing on there too.

Any UK airport ?, I just mean from Frankfort its going to add another 4 hours to the journey, and that's excluding changing planes and waiting etc, the last few times iv took a plane from Heathrow or Gatwick, with a stop off in Detroit for 3 hours then onto Orlando, but there doesn't seem to be anything on this route as far as airmiles are concerned.

Your problem is that no Star Alliance carriers fly London to Orlando/Tampa direct. None fly London/Miami direct either. Virgin Atlantic is your only option using BD miles but these awards use considerably more miles and you're limited to a handful of flights.

You indicate you're not keen on a back track via Europe. If so you are limiting your options considerably. If it was me, I'd much rather transit in Europe in order to get directly into Miami than to transit in Washington/Chicago/Charlotte/Philadelphia on UA or US!!!

I'm sure the flights were there previously - they would have opened up around 330 days previous to the dates needed.

The problem is that (putting it nicely) many of the staff in the bmi call centre in India are useless or can't be bothered (some are excellent though).

My suggestion would be to come and join us in the bmi forum - where Diamond Club users with far more skill than I will sort you out quickly.

Oh I see sorry, I thought you meant that I would have to back track to Europe then ALSO stop off at somewhere like Detroit as well. I cant fly direct into Orlando anyway can I as its not a immigration airport ?.

You can fly in to Orlando - if you can find availability!

LH even fly FRA-Orlando, but there's no availability near your dates.

If your really stuck then you could try FRA or ZRH or IST to JFK the get a connecting flight with US to Florida. If US have no availability then you could buy a Jetblue return flight. I done this last year, it cost me around $120 return. Another option is with UA from LHR or Dub or AMS to ORD or IAD then connect to Florida. Also try US from London (or regional from MAN, BHX and GLA) to PHL and connect from there. The service is rubbish but it will get you there. Personally I'd not bother burning miles for C on US, slum it in Y then try and get LH, LX or TK back. Remember you don't have to use the same routing for the return if you book 2 x one ways. Definately go to the DC forum, we're a very helpful bunch

Thanks for your help guys, I decided in the end to bite the bullet and just buy a ticket, as the date I want to fly is drawing closer.This way it is going to give me more points anyway so I can use them for a trip to Egypt at the end of the year as there seems to be availability every day going there, so all good .

Have a good time ^

Thanks, will do