my first award booking - advice?
Oct 8, 2018, 12:58 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 25
my first award booking - advice?
Hi,
I'll be trying to book 2 biz award tickets from the US (west coast) to israel for next year (september). This will be my first time booking award tickets through MP.
I do have enough miles for both tickets on Business Saver, but would obviously like to minimize the price and have as many options as I can.
Are there any promotions I can look forward to? Does UA sometimes offer discounted (or 2-4-1) award tickets?
Looking at the current calendar, it looks like there are far more (and better) options when looking ~3 months ahead than for ~11 months ahead.
Since the planned flights are in the distant future (11 months), I can afford to hold on and wait for something better to show up.
Is this a wise plan, or should I just book when any flight become available?
Thanks.
I'll be trying to book 2 biz award tickets from the US (west coast) to israel for next year (september). This will be my first time booking award tickets through MP.
I do have enough miles for both tickets on Business Saver, but would obviously like to minimize the price and have as many options as I can.
Are there any promotions I can look forward to? Does UA sometimes offer discounted (or 2-4-1) award tickets?
Looking at the current calendar, it looks like there are far more (and better) options when looking ~3 months ahead than for ~11 months ahead.
Since the planned flights are in the distant future (11 months), I can afford to hold on and wait for something better to show up.
Is this a wise plan, or should I just book when any flight become available?
Thanks.
Oct 8, 2018, 8:38 am
#3
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Los Angeles
Programs: UA Plat 2MM. DL Plat, AS MVP
Posts: 12,752
Op, keep in mind two things:
1) west coast -Israel flights are often relatively inexpensive in J, often hovering between $2900 and $3500 roundtrip
2) whether revenue or award, inventory isn’t release until about 11 months prior on UA. Some carriers release seats before then. I’ve often found Turkish and Air Canada have inventory before UA does, available via MP booking.
1) west coast -Israel flights are often relatively inexpensive in J, often hovering between $2900 and $3500 roundtrip
2) whether revenue or award, inventory isn’t release until about 11 months prior on UA. Some carriers release seats before then. I’ve often found Turkish and Air Canada have inventory before UA does, available via MP booking.
Oct 8, 2018, 9:26 am
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,415
Oct 8, 2018, 9:35 am
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,423
Oct 8, 2018, 11:59 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 25
Thanks everyone for the replies. A couple of followups:
1. We already have a OW, only need the return.
2. How is it possible to book these TK/AC flights using MP miles before the flights are available on the MP system? Are they bookable only with an agent?
Thanks.
Could you please clarify what you mean by "*A partner flights"? Thanks.
Op, keep in mind two things:
1) west coast -Israel flights are often relatively inexpensive in J, often hovering between $2900 and $3500 roundtrip
2) whether revenue or award, inventory isn’t release until about 11 months prior on UA. Some carriers release seats before then. I’ve often found Turkish and Air Canada have inventory before UA does, available via MP booking.
1) west coast -Israel flights are often relatively inexpensive in J, often hovering between $2900 and $3500 roundtrip
2) whether revenue or award, inventory isn’t release until about 11 months prior on UA. Some carriers release seats before then. I’ve often found Turkish and Air Canada have inventory before UA does, available via MP booking.
2. How is it possible to book these TK/AC flights using MP miles before the flights are available on the MP system? Are they bookable only with an agent?
Thanks.
Could you please clarify what you mean by "*A partner flights"? Thanks.
Oct 9, 2018, 12:22 am
#11
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,338
Thanks everyone for the replies. A couple of followups:
1. We already have a OW, only need the return.
2. How is it possible to book these TK/AC flights using MP miles before the flights are available on the MP system? Are they bookable only with an agent?
Thanks.
Could you please clarify what you mean by "*A partner flights"? Thanks.
1. We already have a OW, only need the return.
2. How is it possible to book these TK/AC flights using MP miles before the flights are available on the MP system? Are they bookable only with an agent?
Thanks.
Could you please clarify what you mean by "*A partner flights"? Thanks.
As to *A partner flights...Star Alliance partner flights.... many people would rather use their miles to fly on airlines OTHER than UA.... so...TK/AC etc.... because they feel that - for the same "price" those foreign airlines provide a better experience.
Good luck!