Originally Posted by RealHJ

You are absolutely right. It all depends on the context and one's individual travel patterns and needs.

I am sorry for going OT here and even making that remark. I really didn't mean to hijack the thread like this..

In my specific case, with SkyTeam to go to Asia or Europe from HNL I have DL flights to FUK, KIX, NGO, NRT (3x daily), KE (2x daily) to ICN and 1x daily to NRT, MU (3x weekly) to PVG, and CI daily to TPE via NRT. All but CI are true lie flat (and MU 33E aircraft super spacious business class compares to first class suites of others and is one of the best business class products hands down; it sure makes for very restful HNL-PVG-FRA and return flights) and provide for easy onwards connections. With *A, it's much more limited. NH has a limited network and reach and doesn't fly from HNL to FUK or NGO or KIX, and its NRT and HND flights have inferior US domestic style recliners. UA only has 1x daily flight to NRT. OZ has only 1 x daily to ICN, and it has a horrible in flight product (angled lie flats with a footrest that you need to exert constant pressure on to keep down, which means that your leg muscles ache and it's impossible to sleep as you cannot relax your body, and service and food on OZ, same as the seating, is also way below par to KE). And that is pretty much it. *A has both a much weaker network and a vastly inferior product (mostly 1980's style recliners, and UA's rather uncomfortable 4 seats clumped together and very narrow lie flat).

*A has SE Asia and PEK well covered, and Japan also fairly well with NH (though it's award availability is another issue, now with the >3 months out block enforced by pretty much everyone but LifeMiles, where the cost is nearly 3x that of UA, for example), but inbetween it's so-so...though the addition of BR has helped a lot. Still, more often than not what is a direct flight on ST is a one or two connections one on *A, at least on routes that I need. But I stress again, that it all depends a lot on one's individual travel needs and patterns.

But anyway, let's keep the thread on topic. My apologies for making this OT remark here initially.

Originally Posted by TProphet

The typical advice that you will get is to save miles (or even buy miles!) to take snooty first class travel on airlines that are perceived to be better, like Lufthansa and Singapore, to destinations firmly on the beaten path.

Yawn.

I have different advice. Spend miles as quickly as possible because they are one of the world's most rapidly depreciating currencies, and use them to visit unusual places that would cost a fortune to visit otherwise. Aegean has generous award availability from a pretty reasonable number of European connecting cities, and there is no better value in Europe than Greece right now. However, a lot of the service is on small aircraft with no premium cabin. Want to see the famous Pyramids? Egyptair can get you there with plenty of availability and you'll practically have them to yourself. Steer clear of protest areas and you'll be fine. Or why not a trip to unbelievable Lijiang? You can get there on Air China and availability isn't a problem.

Sure, premium cabins are expensive, but is the value of a trip to you an artificial price that no one really pays for a first class seat? I value things based on what I'd actually be able to afford to spend. No way that I could afford a ticket to Adak under normal circumstances, but my Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan miles got me there one summer for one of the most amazing trips of my life. And most recently, I used a laughably small number of American Airlines points to fly to Yerevan. Sure, I had to fly from an alternate, less convenient airport (Dusseldorf) and I had to connect in Moscow, but this became a roadtrip so epic I could include it in a travel book.

Use your miles now and go somewhere amazing. It's really not all that complicated. All you need is a phone, the right agent, and your imagination.

Originally Posted by synd

I don't think your answer regarding the CO termninals is entirely accurate.



While those for US airways will definitively be considered as co-terminals





those two will not. US air does not fly there and therefore does not have the need to categorize them as such. I had a problem a while back with CDG & ORY. Had to go through the French call center to get it worked out, because as best as i can recall no matter how many times i hanged up and called back the us call center they would not accept it.

Recently had the same issue with NRT and HND... in the end didn't have to fight for it as i found an alternate routing but it got refused twice.

Originally Posted by RealHJ

*A has SE Asia and PEK well covered, and Japan also fairly well with NH (though it's award availability is another issue, now with the >3 months out block enforced by pretty much everyone but LifeMiles, where the cost is nearly 3x that of UA, for example)

Originally Posted by TProphet

The typical advice that you will get is to save miles (or even buy miles!) to take snooty first class travel on airlines that are perceived to be better, like Lufthansa and Singapore, to destinations firmly on the beaten path.

Originally Posted by nicksname

Definitely a case of HUACA. AS long as the domestic flight is 2-class, the itinerary should be charge at the business class redemption level. If the agent says otherwise, HUACA (or politely ask for the manager) and the next agent should hopefully be clued up about it.

Originally Posted by LHR/MEL/Europe FF

as stated above... unless the change is very recent then no - totally incorrect.

international biz connecting to domestic TWO class within the USA gets first class for no extra charge.

note this does not apply to domestic flights in other countries (for example China). If you connect off international biz class you cannot fly first class domestic unless you price the entire ticket as F.

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward

?????

Like I said, just booked NH C longhaul for a date in June. SEA-NRT-SEA and SJC-NRT-SEA are wide open on NH in C.

Originally Posted by goodo

No prob at all, I don't mind hijacking threads lol. I had no idea ST had so much out of HNL, no wonder you prefer it. That being said, if all there is is 1 seat that goes at 331 days out, award wise there's got to be better options

goodo

Originally Posted by cardinalkid1891

Is US really blocking LH seats both intra-Europe and long-haul? I have a very simple one stop itinerary and can't book any of the LH segments. I've called several agents and none can see the seat. In economy or business.

Originally Posted by RealHJ

Try booking NH HNL-NRT or HNL-HND. The US agents say that the flights "do not exist" and cannot see even the flight, not even speaking of seat availability.

Originally Posted by eponymous_coward

Flight: NH1062
Operated by AIR JAPAN

Flight: NH1052
Operated by AIR JAPAN

Known problem with US not seeing NQ flights- NH is fine, though. I ran into this myself in my booking on a return from HKG, and didn't want to have to book NH to HND and spend a night in Tokyo, so went ahead and booked OZ through ICN, complete with "horrible" C seats on the A333. (It was that or an 8 hour layover at SFO and UA Y- to SEA, or BR and equally slanty recliners through TPE.)

Originally Posted by inthemix

at 120k per person I think it was a great parting deal.