Feb 3, 2014, 1:11 pm
Last edit by: PointsNmiles
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Members with 90 posts and 90 days on FlyerTalk can edit this Wikipost to update.
This list is not an endorsement of any particular award booking service.
Please do your research and read this thread.
Members with 90 posts and 90 days on FlyerTalk can edit this Wikipost to update.
This list is not an endorsement of any particular award booking service.
Please do your research and read this thread.
Please refer to the FT Disclaimers for disclaimer of responsibility for use of these services, etc.
Please feel free add other services and options you are aware of to this wiki.
Also, please post any personal experiences you may have with any of these services in this thread.
Reviews which appear to have been solicited by the service providers based upon content and posting history will be deleted. If you are a brand new or a member with a low post count and wish that your post not be deleted, please be sure to include the following details in your review: program(s), number of miles or points and the desired destinations and hotels. Please also include the itinerary booked by the service including the airlines, routing and hotels, the number of points needed to book that trip and the fee charged.
Award booking services (alphabetical):
- Award Advocate - Domestic $100 p/p International $125 p/p, no additional charge for last minute. Changes $50. Also 10% discount for families traveling with children and active military
- Award Booking Service - $25 up front search fee plus $150/ticket & $49 per 30-minute skype consultations (ask anything!)
- Award Butler - Award Search: $79 for up to two passengers; flight info provided but does not include booking. Booking starting at $149 for first two passengers.
- Award Chaser - Search fee starting at $79. Itinerary only - no booking provided
- Award Expert - (MatthewLAX on FT, Live and Let's Fly blog) $150 first passenger, $100 each additional passenger; $250 per person for RTW; $50/ticket booking fee.
- Award Flight Assist - Specialising in Australian frequent flyer programs; from AU$199 for the first passenger, additional charges for complex itineraries and more passengers
- Award Planners - One way $129, additional person $99; Round trip $199, additional person $99; Multi City $249 additional person $149
- Award Travel Consulting - Award Search: $125/person; Booking ticket: $75/itinerary; changes: new trip
- Awardmagic - $179 per person OW/RT plus one stop or $279 per person for three or more destinations
- BoundlessMiles - (Dominik Żmuda/Travelling the World): Booking: starting at $50 per passenger; Changes: half of award flight service fee paid
- CabinChief - Bookings are $49 per pax
- CatchUsFlying - $125 CAD/person for round-trip, $225 CAD/person for complex round-the-world. Consulting available at $75CAD/hour. (loganre17) on FT
- Chatflights - Use app to chat in real time with real travel hackers to book travel for points or cash. Booking fee $295 pp coach and business, $395 pp first class.
- Cranky Concierge - $75 per person each way domestic; $95 per person each way international
- First Class and Beyond - "Concierge-style" bookings. Fee is based on the value of the retail ticket, $250/person minimum.
- Flightfox - Consultative flight searching; fees start at $100 (requires credit card authorization up front)
- Flyermiles - (Graham / YOWgary) $150 + 50 per additional person, $250 for RTW awards. Offers detailed information on how to book your own award.
- iflywithmiles.com - (Mike/Melissa): 150 USD first person, 85 for additional person on same itin. Change fees vary.
- JJ Award Travel - FT Member since 2012 - No upfront fees. Basic one-way or round-trip air award travel consisting of a total of 8 legs or less for the entire itinerary: $250 for the first person and $125 for each additional person. Complex one-way or round-trip air award travel consisting of a total of 9 or more legs per direction is additional. FT members get a 10% discount.
- Loophole Travel - Award Travel Coaching $150 for first passenger and $100 for each additional passenger. Points Earning and MS Coaching also available.
- Luxury Travel Consulting - (Jasper2009 on Flyertalk): $150 per person per ticket
- Miles Help - Domestic: $100 OW; $140 RT/complex. International: $150 OW; $200 RT/complex. $50 each additional person
- Miles Momma Booking Services - Airline Booking: $200 up to 2 passengers. $75 additional passengers. $50 non-refundable up front. Changes $50
- MileValue Award Booking Service - (Scott Grimmer): Booking: $125 per person per award; $15 up front. Full payment required for successful search even if not booked. Change fee not currently listed; previously $79
- PMM Travel Consulting - (Miguel R. Quinones/AwardWallet Blog): Booking: $125 per passenger for the first two, $99 for each additional. Additional charges for complex itineraries. Credit card advice and travel planning services.
- Point.me - merger of services formerly provided by PointsPro (Ben Schlappig/One Mile At a Time) and Juice Miles
- Reward Flyer - Domestic: $50 first person; $25 each additional person. International: $100 first person; $50 each additional person
- SFO777.com - (SFO777 on FT) Booking: $200 first passenger, $100 each additional passenger; change fees vary
- Travel Codex - Per person pricing: $50 for North America award / $100 for International award.
- The Flying Mustache - $100 per ticket; additional fees for more than eight segments. Change fees vary
- The Short Final - $100 per person. $100 upfront deposit that is fully refundable if no itinerary found.
- Travel Is The Point - USA, Canada/Mexico & the Caribbean – starting at $50 per person. All Other International Destinations – starting at $100 per person.
- zainman - FT member since 2009. Booking: $200 first passenger, $100 each additional passenger; change fees vary, consultant services for $ as well
- Zero Hassle Rewards - $100 per person. Discounts for domestic and one-way
Award booking services - a list and some reviews
Feb 17, 2016, 6:11 pm
#436
formerly PHLGrump
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: PHL
Posts: 99
This might be asking too much so if it is, feel free to delete mods.
Can anyone throw AwardBandit.com up on the Wiki? I've gotten some inquiries from folks regarding my service and I'd rather have my M.O. on a singular page.
$150 for one passenger; $200 for 2+ passengers.
Thanks!
-Dominic
Can anyone throw AwardBandit.com up on the Wiki? I've gotten some inquiries from folks regarding my service and I'd rather have my M.O. on a singular page.
$150 for one passenger; $200 for 2+ passengers.
Thanks!
-Dominic
Feb 17, 2016, 7:22 pm
#437
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
Feb 19, 2016, 4:13 pm
#438
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 13
I'm reasonably new to the game and apologies in advance if I'm not in the correct post for my specific concern, but I've got a question about award bookings in general: do these services need access to my specific FF accounts/credit card numbers, or is it more along the lines of 'I (the booking service) find flights that meet your needs and put them on hold, you (the client) call the airline and make the reservation yourself'?
Naturally, I'd rather not be giving out sensitive information haphazardly to strangers over the internet and I'm assuming this has a pretty straightforward answer, just wanted to know before getting started. Thanks for the help!
Naturally, I'd rather not be giving out sensitive information haphazardly to strangers over the internet and I'm assuming this has a pretty straightforward answer, just wanted to know before getting started. Thanks for the help!
Feb 19, 2016, 4:41 pm
#439
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
I'm reasonably new to the game and apologies in advance if I'm not in the correct post for my specific concern, but I've got a question about award bookings in general: do these services need access to my specific FF accounts/credit card numbers, or is it more along the lines of 'I (the booking service) find flights that meet your needs and put them on hold, you (the client) call the airline and make the reservation yourself'?
Naturally, I'd rather not be giving out sensitive information haphazardly to strangers over the internet and I'm assuming this has a pretty straightforward answer, just wanted to know before getting started. Thanks for the help!
Naturally, I'd rather not be giving out sensitive information haphazardly to strangers over the internet and I'm assuming this has a pretty straightforward answer, just wanted to know before getting started. Thanks for the help!
New to using Award Booking Services and want to have realistic expectations... I know that services provided will vary, but in general how do the services respond to the following questions:
Do Award Booking services provide support when things go wrong i.e. winter storms, cancelled flights, missed flight?
Will the Award Booking services need very propriety info from me (ex: Amex Membership Rewards login)? Will I need to be on the phone when the booking involves use of a credit card?
Thanks.
Do Award Booking services provide support when things go wrong i.e. winter storms, cancelled flights, missed flight?
Will the Award Booking services need very propriety info from me (ex: Amex Membership Rewards login)? Will I need to be on the phone when the booking involves use of a credit card?
Thanks.
New to using Award Booking Services and want to have realistic expectations... I know that services provided will vary, but in general how do the services respond to the following questions:
Do Award Booking services provide support when things go wrong i.e. winter storms, cancelled flights, missed flight?
The service I used said they would but everything went fine but they gave me suggestions on what do do if certain things happened.
Will the Award Booking services need very propriety info from me (ex: Amex Membership Rewards login)? Yes.. they'll need login info so they can book your flights using your points.
Will I need to be on the phone when the booking involves use of a credit card?
No. .
Thanks.
Do Award Booking services provide support when things go wrong i.e. winter storms, cancelled flights, missed flight?
The service I used said they would but everything went fine but they gave me suggestions on what do do if certain things happened.
Will the Award Booking services need very propriety info from me (ex: Amex Membership Rewards login)? Yes.. they'll need login info so they can book your flights using your points.
Will I need to be on the phone when the booking involves use of a credit card?
No. .
Thanks.
Will the Award Booking services need very propriety info from me (ex: Amex Membership Rewards login)? Will I need to be on the phone when the booking involves use of a credit card?
To answer your question about proprietary info, yes, if you're having the award service do the booking - then you'll need to provide them with your credentials and CC info to make the booking for you. I was not required to be on the phone when I had an award booking service use my CC info (to pay for taxes/fees), FWIW.
This issue of giving up such data bothers me too. I suppose I can change the PW on related sites immediately but not the CC numbers unless I report it lost.
I am reluctant to give up data on the basis of someone " hanging out a shingle"
Of award booker.
That is why it is of utmost importance that names are named.
I am reluctant to give up data on the basis of someone " hanging out a shingle"
Of award booker.
That is why it is of utmost importance that names are named.
The person I have used asked, and I allowed him to use the card I had on file. In another case, he added his credit card to my profile with a note "award booker" or "awar consultant". I paid him back afterwards. He didn't seem concerned, but I deleted his card info as soon as I was booked so I wouldn't accidentally charge a ticket to his card. I guess he (like me) doesn't mind getting the miles for the purchases. :-)
How is giving your credit card number to an award booker any different than giving it to any other merchant?
PCI compliance issues aside, if the business is trustworthy enough for you to use them, then they should be trustworthy enough to use your credit card information responsibly and delete it when they are finished with it. Many POS systems allow businesses to retrieve credit card details after you are gone, and the very nature of some credit card transactions (such as ones where your full number is imprinted on carbon paper) means that your credit card information remains accessible to the business after you finish the transaction.
PCI compliance issues aside, if the business is trustworthy enough for you to use them, then they should be trustworthy enough to use your credit card information responsibly and delete it when they are finished with it. Many POS systems allow businesses to retrieve credit card details after you are gone, and the very nature of some credit card transactions (such as ones where your full number is imprinted on carbon paper) means that your credit card information remains accessible to the business after you finish the transaction.
there are some valid points in what you say. Of course I make sure the websites on which I part with my CC etc has been verified as to the " https" , reputation, physical address, etc. Even thenI do pray.
In the award booking sector, reputations have not yet solidified, forget about physical address or company registration, many have declined to give out phone numbers. Those who ask for payment upfront with no avenues for redress take the cake.
yes I have used a booker once.....since then the first or second contacts with a couple have left me disappointed.
In the award booking sector, reputations have not yet solidified, forget about physical address or company registration, many have declined to give out phone numbers. Those who ask for payment upfront with no avenues for redress take the cake.
yes I have used a booker once.....since then the first or second contacts with a couple have left me disappointed.
Feb 19, 2016, 11:16 pm
#440
formerly PHLGrump
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: PHL
Posts: 99
I'm reasonably new to the game and apologies in advance if I'm not in the correct post for my specific concern, but I've got a question about award bookings in general: do these services need access to my specific FF accounts/credit card numbers, or is it more along the lines of 'I (the booking service) find flights that meet your needs and put them on hold, you (the client) call the airline and make the reservation yourself'?
Naturally, I'd rather not be giving out sensitive information haphazardly to strangers over the internet and I'm assuming this has a pretty straightforward answer, just wanted to know before getting started. Thanks for the help!
Naturally, I'd rather not be giving out sensitive information haphazardly to strangers over the internet and I'm assuming this has a pretty straightforward answer, just wanted to know before getting started. Thanks for the help!
I currently offer phone booking as part of the package. This is how I operate:
-I give you high-level details of itinerary and we agree on payment.
-You pay.
-I call airlines and set up bookings under your FF number. You can then call back, reference the record locator and pay taxes and phone booking fees on your own.
-In the event you want to avoid paying the phone fee, I record a video using Screencast (so you can see my screen) showing exactly how to book the awards online. Typical phone booking charges are $30+ so I charge $15 extra to record the video.
Any other questions, feel free to PM me.
Feb 20, 2016, 5:48 pm
#441
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 13
Thanks for the quick responses and invaluable information TWA884 and dcperilli. Specifically for TWA 884, is all of the information you referenced found within this specific thread or found elsewhere? I made a good-faith effort to search out the answer to my question through the search bar, but you gave me much more than my initial search brought up.
Feb 21, 2016, 12:30 am
#442
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
Thanks for the quick responses and invaluable information TWA884 and dcperilli. Specifically for TWA 884, is all of the information you referenced found within this specific thread or found elsewhere? I made a good-faith effort to search out the answer to my question through the search bar, but you gave me much more than my initial search brought up.
to the right of the original author will take you back to the original post.Cheers.
Feb 21, 2016, 6:54 pm
#443
Join Date: Dec 2015
Posts: 13
Ended up going through the entire thread this afternoon-made for a very intriguing read! Thanks again for pointing me in the right direction, much appreciated.
Feb 22, 2016, 6:57 am
#444
Join Date: Nov 2010
Programs: Enough
Posts: 961
Just to contribute to the conversation re: credit card security, I will explain how Awarding Canada keeps your information secure.
Most of our clients are using Aeroplan points. For these transactions, once I have built the itinerary with an Aeroplan agent, I will conference call the client into the conversation. Aeroplan has recently updated their credit card system, where the client simply types in their information using their phone. Aeroplan nor I hear your credit card information. Rarely, the system doesn't work (because of the conference call). If this happens, I give the client two options: I can take down the number and process the payment (which I record on a piece of paper which is promptly shredded in a 12-sheet cross-cutter), or I can end the conference call and allow the client to enter their information themselves. When I take down credit card information, I do not record the security code (CVV). I take a similar approach when I deal with other frequent flyer programs.
I never preserve a client's credit card information, and everything is securely destroyed.
Most of our clients are using Aeroplan points. For these transactions, once I have built the itinerary with an Aeroplan agent, I will conference call the client into the conversation. Aeroplan has recently updated their credit card system, where the client simply types in their information using their phone. Aeroplan nor I hear your credit card information. Rarely, the system doesn't work (because of the conference call). If this happens, I give the client two options: I can take down the number and process the payment (which I record on a piece of paper which is promptly shredded in a 12-sheet cross-cutter), or I can end the conference call and allow the client to enter their information themselves. When I take down credit card information, I do not record the security code (CVV). I take a similar approach when I deal with other frequent flyer programs.
I never preserve a client's credit card information, and everything is securely destroyed.
Last edited by durberville; Feb 22, 2016 at 7:03 am
Feb 23, 2016, 4:48 pm
#445
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: BOS
Posts: 256
I want to give shout out to MilesConcierge for the excellent service he provided.
I think of myself as a very savvy traveler and when it comes to paid fares I really can help to score a deal (I did pretty good in making money on FlightFox back in 2013) but when it comes to awards, I know my weakness, I'm not very good at finding award space.
Enter MilesConcierge, he did a fantastic job of not finding one but two separate trips and for the dates I needed. Giving me plenty of options (I really didn't know where I wanted to go) and different airlines. He found two business class seats on Tahiti air, talk about impossible. This didn't work out (thank you Citi for converting my card and not depositing my points!) but he understood and told me he will try again once I had my points.
Even after I booked the trip, he still looked after me to make me aware of more convenient flight. He called AA (three times!!!) to reserve me a ticket because they couldn't see the availability. He also answered all my questions providing excellent customer service. I will be one happy flyer in CX First to HKG.
I will use him again because I believe that he is really passionate about what he does and this is not just a job.
I think of myself as a very savvy traveler and when it comes to paid fares I really can help to score a deal (I did pretty good in making money on FlightFox back in 2013) but when it comes to awards, I know my weakness, I'm not very good at finding award space.
Enter MilesConcierge, he did a fantastic job of not finding one but two separate trips and for the dates I needed. Giving me plenty of options (I really didn't know where I wanted to go) and different airlines. He found two business class seats on Tahiti air, talk about impossible. This didn't work out (thank you Citi for converting my card and not depositing my points!) but he understood and told me he will try again once I had my points.
Even after I booked the trip, he still looked after me to make me aware of more convenient flight. He called AA (three times!!!) to reserve me a ticket because they couldn't see the availability. He also answered all my questions providing excellent customer service. I will be one happy flyer in CX First to HKG.
I will use him again because I believe that he is really passionate about what he does and this is not just a job.
Mar 8, 2016, 1:55 pm
#446
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
Reminder:
Award booking services reviews that appear to be solicited, based upon content and posting history, will be deleted.
TWA884
Moderator
TWA884
Moderator
Mar 10, 2016, 12:12 pm
#447
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: oneword Emerald
Posts: 20,634
I've received several private inquiries after I posted the above reminder. Let me share one of my responses in order to minimize confusion:
Originally Posted by TWA884
FlyerTalk doe not allow promotional messages for commercial products; we do permit members to post reviews of products and services.
I have repeatedly made it clear that reviews of Award booking services must be unsolicited and must include sufficient details in order for the reader to form his or her own opinion concerning the value of the services rendered.
I am particularly vigilant when I read reviews without supporting particulars posted by members with scant or no posting history, especially when they have registered to FlyerTalk on the same day that the review is posted.
On the other hand, I have left standing detailed reviews by newly registered members; it all depends on the contents.
The review which I deleted was posted by a member with only one prior post and consisted of the following:
I'm sorry, but that that review does not meet my standard by any stretch of one's imagination. I am not interested in seeing the documents; I want the readers of the thread to be aware of how difficult it was to find suitable awards and how complicated it was to book the itinerary.
Hope this helps.
I have repeatedly made it clear that reviews of Award booking services must be unsolicited and must include sufficient details in order for the reader to form his or her own opinion concerning the value of the services rendered.
I am particularly vigilant when I read reviews without supporting particulars posted by members with scant or no posting history, especially when they have registered to FlyerTalk on the same day that the review is posted.
On the other hand, I have left standing detailed reviews by newly registered members; it all depends on the contents.
The review which I deleted was posted by a member with only one prior post and consisted of the following:
+1 for <redacted> at <redacted>. He was able to find some great deals and went above and beyond to book those flights. I'll definitely use his services again.
Hope this helps.
Apr 4, 2016, 2:56 pm
#448
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 50
I would like to share my very positive experiences with two of the Award Travel Booking sites and one of the Business Class Ticket booking sites:
1) AwardBandit: Dominic Perilli and Adam Vesey
These two guys spent a lot of time trying to find available award travel for myself and a friend traveling Delta One from the U.S. into Italy (FCO, FLR, BLQ, MXP, PSA). This was being searched for pretty last minute, one week from actual departure date.
As I said, they spent a lot of time on an almost hopeless itinerary with regards to award travel. They did find some options for me, that I had not been able to find myself, but I ended up finding an upgradeable M class ticket, that was a better solution for the travel.
Both of these guys were very helpful, knowledgeable, and didn't give up. They have even followed up with me after my trip was over to see how it went. Despite the fact that I did not purchase through them.
http://theshortfinal.com/about-this-blog/
2) MilesConcierge: Daniel Topler-Garcia
Daniel also was looking at options for me. He was also very helpful and knowledgeable. As a result of his searches he suggested that I purchase a trip versus trying to use miles as it was not the most efficient use of my miles.
http://www.milesconcierge.com/#introduction
3) Cook Travel: Mary Ann Cicio
Mary Ann was very helpful in trying to find me Business Class tickets at an affordable price. She found me several options but I was wanting to fly Delta which was not affordable for a Business Class ticket within less than 2 weeks before the flight date. She built several itineraries for me and I appreciate the time that she spent trying to find something reasonable.
http://www.cooktravel.net/
I found each of these businesses based on information in Flyer Talk. I would recommend all three of them based on my personal experiences with them.
Thank you, Beth
1) AwardBandit: Dominic Perilli and Adam Vesey
These two guys spent a lot of time trying to find available award travel for myself and a friend traveling Delta One from the U.S. into Italy (FCO, FLR, BLQ, MXP, PSA). This was being searched for pretty last minute, one week from actual departure date.
As I said, they spent a lot of time on an almost hopeless itinerary with regards to award travel. They did find some options for me, that I had not been able to find myself, but I ended up finding an upgradeable M class ticket, that was a better solution for the travel.
Both of these guys were very helpful, knowledgeable, and didn't give up. They have even followed up with me after my trip was over to see how it went. Despite the fact that I did not purchase through them.
http://theshortfinal.com/about-this-blog/
2) MilesConcierge: Daniel Topler-Garcia
Daniel also was looking at options for me. He was also very helpful and knowledgeable. As a result of his searches he suggested that I purchase a trip versus trying to use miles as it was not the most efficient use of my miles.
http://www.milesconcierge.com/#introduction
3) Cook Travel: Mary Ann Cicio
Mary Ann was very helpful in trying to find me Business Class tickets at an affordable price. She found me several options but I was wanting to fly Delta which was not affordable for a Business Class ticket within less than 2 weeks before the flight date. She built several itineraries for me and I appreciate the time that she spent trying to find something reasonable.
http://www.cooktravel.net/
I found each of these businesses based on information in Flyer Talk. I would recommend all three of them based on my personal experiences with them.
Thank you, Beth
Apr 4, 2016, 8:49 pm
#449
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: FB Platinum, AA Plat/2MM, SPG Plat/LT Gold
Posts: 379
AwardAdvocate.com
I have no experience with StarAlliance awards so wanted to hire an award booker to help with LH FC awards to Europe this summer. Read this thread as well as reviews on TPG, a BoardingArea blog (http://mommypoints.boardingarea.com/...ward-advocate/) and decided to reach out to Kam at AwardAdvocate. He got back to me very quickly, then we spoke on the phone to go over what I was looking for in terms of cabins, routing and within 24 hours had a proposed itinerary and a methodology for getting the miles to LH.
Before booking, our plans changed, and he was incredibly helpful/patient while I worked out our new dates. Also great with answering questions I had along the way. Not only did I get the award I wanted, but also learned about LH/Star Alliance award booking in the process. Easy going and was accessible start to finish. Highly recommend!
www.awardadvocate.com
Before booking, our plans changed, and he was incredibly helpful/patient while I worked out our new dates. Also great with answering questions I had along the way. Not only did I get the award I wanted, but also learned about LH/Star Alliance award booking in the process. Easy going and was accessible start to finish. Highly recommend!
www.awardadvocate.com
Apr 11, 2016, 12:24 pm
#450
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 213
Any of these services that someone can recommended that would would look at my Credit Cards and all my miles and points and more consult on how to move forward based on my travel wants then a service that actually books the ticket for me. Not at that point yet.