Sticker Shock! (RDMs needed for award trips today vs the past)
Oct 7, 2019, 6:35 pm
#16
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ABE/PHL
Programs: CO Pt Infinite (1k life)/ 1MM - NW/DL Silver life/1 MM
Posts: 1,308
OK, so, a couple of things here.
You list ABE/PHL as an origin. Assuming that's accurate, don't just try searches from ABE and PHL; also EWR, IAD, CLE, ORD -- anywhere that's reasonably nearby. You can figure out how to get to the gateway after you find space.
Know the route map. Search all UA destinations in Europe. Search partner destinations that offer nonstop flights. Search Tuesday, search Wednesday.
You list ABE/PHL as an origin. Assuming that's accurate, don't just try searches from ABE and PHL; also EWR, IAD, CLE, ORD -- anywhere that's reasonably nearby. You can figure out how to get to the gateway after you find space.
Know the route map. Search all UA destinations in Europe. Search partner destinations that offer nonstop flights. Search Tuesday, search Wednesday.
Timeframe is mid spring to whenever. Want to jump while the dollar/Euro is at a palatable rate. Last I went over (2008) it was $1.55 US. Gag.
Oct 7, 2019, 6:50 pm
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 21,606
If you can scrape together another 60K miles (360K total: 70K J + 110K F times 2), you could look for F availability in one direction -- preferably the return, so you can get full use of the First Class Lounge / Terminal. LH will sometimes (not always) open F availability within 14 days of departure.
Oct 7, 2019, 7:09 pm
#19
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: Houston
Programs: UA 1K and Million Miler, *A Gold, Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hertz Five Star,
Posts: 1,301
Oct 7, 2019, 7:14 pm
#20
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: ABE/PHL
Programs: CO Pt Infinite (1k life)/ 1MM - NW/DL Silver life/1 MM
Posts: 1,308
Oct 7, 2019, 8:26 pm
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: LAX
Posts: 10,920
Availability is much worse but iirc in 2008 economy collapsed..
Oct 7, 2019, 8:31 pm
#22
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,684
The economy was just fine in 2012 in my screenshot above. Saver space open every day.
Saver space EWR-HNL in J is a true unicorn today. So the actual rate went from 80K to 200K+ in 7 years.
Oct 8, 2019, 7:11 am
#24
Moderator: United Airlines
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA LT Plat 2MM, Hyatt Discoverist, Marriott LT Gold, Hilton Silver, IHG Plat
Posts: 67,134
Oct 8, 2019, 7:46 am
#25
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
Programs: DL PM, UA Gold, WN, Global Entry; +others wherever miles/points are found
Posts: 14,528
I think we have a winner.
If you can scrape together another 60K miles (360K total: 70K J + 110K F times 2), you could look for F availability in one direction -- preferably the return, so you can get full use of the First Class Lounge / Terminal. LH will sometimes (not always) open F availability within 14 days of departure.
If you can scrape together another 60K miles (360K total: 70K J + 110K F times 2), you could look for F availability in one direction -- preferably the return, so you can get full use of the First Class Lounge / Terminal. LH will sometimes (not always) open F availability within 14 days of departure.
UA also opens quite a bit of own-metal saver award space within 14 days - although whether stepping down from OS/LX is really worth 10k miles is another story entirely
Oct 8, 2019, 8:06 am
#26
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: JAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, AA Gold MM, Marriott LTT, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,770
I was looking EWR to either of CDG/BRU/AMS. I hadn't thought of JFK as I was starting as UA only.
I started looking at partners and see that I can do FRA or ZRH from EWR, connect to wherever, for 140k RT. I have 300k available and two of us so that would fit me in. Nice thing is I can ride a 748, I haven't been on a 747 since the -800's entered service.
Timeframe is mid spring to whenever. Want to jump while the dollar/Euro is at a palatable rate. Last I went over (2008) it was $1.55 US. Gag.
I started looking at partners and see that I can do FRA or ZRH from EWR, connect to wherever, for 140k RT. I have 300k available and two of us so that would fit me in. Nice thing is I can ride a 748, I haven't been on a 747 since the -800's entered service.
Timeframe is mid spring to whenever. Want to jump while the dollar/Euro is at a palatable rate. Last I went over (2008) it was $1.55 US. Gag.
Oct 8, 2019, 8:24 am
#27
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Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: MSP
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Posts: 14,528
That's a good point - there are still plenty of insane deals on paid PE.. the RIC fare is still sub $1,300.. SFO-FCO is under $1,100. It is a good option to consider.
Oct 8, 2019, 8:26 am
#28
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: CLE
Programs: UA GS+LT UC, AA EXP+LT PLT, Fairmont LT PLT, Marriott PLT, Hilton DIA, Hyatt Glob, Avis CHM
Posts: 4,684
Oct 8, 2019, 12:24 pm
#29
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Location: Houston
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Oct 8, 2019, 1:21 pm
#30
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Chicago
Posts: 1,175
To sharpen the point - if considering actual airport pairs, there are very few nonstop routes that are not monopoly or duopoly, or with third airline only one or two departures. Of significance, ORD-LAX - very rare case. Competition is a dirty word in the airline industry.