Jasper2009

I can't speak for all award booking services, but I'd say such a request wouldn't be entirely uncommon.

I've certainly received requests along the lines of "interested in spending Thanksgiving in ICN/HKG/NRT, whatever the lowest mileage cost is" or "want to travel to Western Europe during my summer vacation" and I'd then send the client the top x options along with a short pro and con list for each option.

That being said, if your dates and departure airport are fixed, there may not be all that many different options to choose from, plus finding award availability on a connecting flight within your destination region often is much easier than finding any longhaul award availability. But it certainly wouldn't be uncommon for me to send over a list along the lines of:

- LAX-LHR - British Airways business class - 57.5k miles + ~$500 in taxes/fees/surcharges (various other European destinations can be added at no additional cost)
- LAX-ZRH-LHR - Swiss business class - 70k miles + minimal taxes/fees (no fuel surcharges) (various other destinations European destinations also available at the same price)
- LAX-LHR - Virgin Atlantic business class - 75k miles + minimal taxes/fees (no fuel surcharges)
- LAX-LHR - Virgin Atlantic business class - 55k miles + ~$500 in taxes/fees/surcharges

MarkP24

That makes a lot of sense, and I'm sure people benefit from the service, and it makes your job much simpler

PointsNmiles

I'd say we also get similar requests. Some requests are very focused and some are totally open-ended and the client wants the bulk of the research done for them. That said, it really depends on the client.

MarkP24

As with most service industries

PointsNmiles

Very true.

Flytetyme

pkerr

GeezerCouple

I'm not sure if you've read through even some of the above posts, but if I understand correctly, this is precisely what some (most? all?) of these services do.

Look a few posts above for the post by Jasper2009 for a discussion like this from one member of FT who has such a service.

We read about him here a few years ago, and have used him quite a few times in the past, and have several trips planned in the future with him. He is remarkably helpful, and yes, he'll book the trips using our awards.

Here is a link to his website:
Award Bookings - Luxury Travel Consulting Luxury Travel Consulting

GC

Flytetyme

GeezerCouple

Unless they are doing that for free, that would involve selling the awards points, right?
That is expressly not allowed, AFAIK, and could or would lead to loss of all accumulated points, or other negative consequences.

Others here may have more specific information or experiences.

We've used our own airline points for our spouses (and also kids/grands) to join us on trips, but that is quite different (and is certainly allowed).
My understanding is that we could also use our points to get tickets for family (or friends) even if we didn't accompany them, but again, that would be only if there was no payment.

Keep in mind that you can *purchase* awards points on some programs, so why not do that, and then use a service to help you use them (or help you decide which awards you could purchase for travel where you want to go).
We haven't needed to purchase points *yet*, but as we continue to travel more and more, we are aware that doing so would yield great value for the types of premium air travel we prefer.

Note that there can be limits on the amount of points purchased per year per person, so depending upon where you want to do, and in what class, you might want to start accumulating those points.

Is there a reason why purchasing points yourself, from the airlines - which is fully allowed - would not work for you?

GC

jabez

Do any of these services have more success with specific airlines? I am interested in using one of them for a J trip for me and my wife next fall (although open to Spring) to Italy using Delta miles. In the past I've had no trouble booking tickets like this, but it now seems like Delta's redemption availability (at reasonable rates ) is amazingly high. they have also made it more difficult to search.Thanks

foofiter

In my own service I don't sell anyone my miles or points. This is against the rules and not wise. If caught the owner of the miles loses them and the tickets get cancelled.

I only offer my help redeeming my client's miles for their own flights. Not worth the risk if you ask me.

I have done a lot of Delta bookings but unfortunately it is flat out awful for their own flights most of the time. Delta simply deleted their award charts and are now tying the miles prices closer to the cash prices hence the really high numbers.

JCN9000

Taking my mom to Thailand next January (LAX - BKK) and wondering what would be the best service to use or if anyone has some recommendations for best use of my 560,000 Chase points. Business/First class is preferred.

GeezerCouple

We continue to use Jasper2009 - link to his website is in my post that is copied right above yours.

We've had extraordinary service from him, including with last minute F availability (from the already confirmed J) while we were at a Buddhist Monastery for a couple of nights. Nice to find out that we were all set with the F tickets. IF we had needed to have him contact us first, we'd certainly have lost those two precious CX F seats!

He really does go out of his way to figure out what the best choices are for a person, given any preferences for routing, or type of seating/beds, etc.

(Also, we had the privilege of actually meeting him, twice. So we can verify he's not a "bot" He knew our travel plans, no surprise, and it turned out we have an annual trip to a location he is frequently at. It was just nice to *meet* someone we otherwise only know "online".)

GC

747FC

Hi GC,

Very pleased you have had such good service from a reputable source.

I'm assuming that to use your FF account, he needs all your login information, FF account number, answers to challenge questions, your record locator, your credit card number as well as some as your DOB, Is this true?