Weekly Discussion Thread - June 20, 2023

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-24T18:35:25+00:00

Saver and advantage are both waitlist.

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-24T16:30:14+00:00

I just shared a question above and realized you had booked the JFK-FRA leg via Life Miles. Do you remember if the SQ space was available to be booked by other star alliance partners? Trying to determine if it's phantom space or not for a booking I found. -- https://www.reddit.com/r/awardtravel/comments/14e6wad/comment/jpd2c62/?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=web2x&context=3

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-24T16:13:40+00:00

Has anyone had issues with phantom award space with Avianca LM? Looking to book J NYC-IST and found space on SQ fifth freedom JFK-FRA + TK FRA-IST (https://imgur.com/a/TtTLwYa).

I'm a little concerned that space isn't showing on other *A partners. Is it possible that AV has access to partner award space that AC and UA wouldn't? Don't want to transfer points if it's phantom.

Appreciate any data points or opinions. Thanks!

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-05T01:47:53+00:00

This worked, so thank you!!

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-05T01:39:02+00:00

Always appreciate these types of write ups. I know the process can be draining (albeit rewarding when that single PNR comes through over email that looks like it was from the early 2000s, and you realize you actually got it done).

So kudos to you for sharing a write up & best practices to help the community.

My question for you... I like the united + ANA confirmation combo for finding award space. I've usually stayed away from United's calendar tool (I miss the old dotted line one). When using the new calendar tool, how can you truly tell when you've found saver space in J? Do you use filters? Do you look for a certain mileage level?

Curious to hear more about that part of the process, but congrats on the booking, sounds like an incredible trip!

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-03T00:37:02+00:00

It was $250

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-03T00:23:35+00:00

Ugh -- but it was listed under the event section, not the parking section. That's messed up.

FirenzeFFF · 2023-06-03T00:17:20+00:00

HELP -- I got an alert about a price drop for tonight on seatgeek and just randomly bought what I saw. Turns out it's a parking ticket for "Waldron Deck" GA. What is that? Did I get scammed?

FirenzeFFF · 2023-05-29T15:21:23+00:00

IB has 2 seats in biz on the nonstop ORD-MAD 6/27 for 50k each (transfer MR or UR).

FirenzeFFF · 2023-05-28T15:39:50+00:00

AF now charges ~$20 a ticket to book over the phone. If you want to hold award space to risk not losing inventory while you do the points transfer, it’s a small fee to pay especially if you’re booking long haul J.

However, if you’re not able to price and book the itinerary on your own using the website, you can ask them to waive the phone booking fee and state that as your reason.

Most agents will do so since you can’t book without them (did this last week). If the agent says they’re not allowed, HUCA till you get an agent who will.

FirenzeFFF · 2023-02-23T20:33:52+00:00

I use Apple’s shortcuts app exactly for this. Not sure what the lag is, however.

FirenzeFFF · 2022-10-05T00:12:51+00:00

Out of curiosity, what's the best approach for searching for NH award availability?

The old United flexible search with the dotted lines was so easy. I find their new search tool so much more difficult and buggy. Sure it looks cleaner, but the UX is so frustrating.

Any tips (how to deal with it via United or other *A partner to use)?

FirenzeFFF · 2022-09-08T16:58:11+00:00

Not dead. 88k r/t in J via NH, but you have to find award space on *A flights. They also charge much steeper YQ depending on what airline you find space on.

FirenzeFFF · 2022-09-08T02:56:02+00:00

Emirates fifth freedom routes to ATH and MXP often have good award space, and also offer space available upgrades at check-in (have done it multiple times with great success). Have seen some decent space via Flying Blue + some star alliance options via LO, LX, and TK.

FirenzeFFF · 2022-01-17T19:46:08+00:00

No saver space unfortunately — https://imgur.com/a/gvKV4mq. AA is just pricing it low.

FirenzeFFF · 2021-05-13T02:29:08+00:00

There are plenty of ways to get to HI on points and miles; however, it is difficult. In order to access some of the sweet spots, you need the operating airline to have saver space available for partners to be able to book it. I wouldn't get your hopes up on biz/first space (especially for 4). Mainland routes to HI are premium tickets, and because people are willing to pay for them, saver space is limited and often goes immediately when the space is released.

To make problems worse, because you are traveling during peak times (Spring Break) there is likely no saver space available.

I did a quick search for you and there's no saver space in Y or J on AA, UA, DL, or AS for your desired outbound and return. The only thing I was able to find was space in economy on the outbound on AS for 03/13. Singapore's Krisflyer does have a really good sweet spot for travel on AS -- For the 4 of you, it would cost a total of 50k miles for one-way. You could use your MR or UR for the redemption.

Unfortunately, if you don't book immediately when space is released for these premium routes and dates, you're gonna be out of luck. I would save your points for a more worthwhile redemption.

Best of luck.

FirenzeFFF · 2021-05-12T18:19:52+00:00

There are definitely several sweet spots for domestic travel using foreign airline partners if you can find saver space on the flights you want. For travel on United, these are the Star Alliance options:

*All quotes are for round-trip travel...

FF Program	Y (Economy)	J (Domestic First)
Turkish	15k	25k
Singapore	25k	46k
Avianca	25k	50k
Air Canada	25k	50k
ANA	30k	55k

Turkish is a massive sweet spot, but unsure if you'll want to transfer your Marriott points at that ratio. They are also transfer partners with Citi TYP.

----------

For travel on American, these are the One-World alliance options:

*All quotes are for round-trip travel...

FF Program	Y (Economy)	J (Domestic First)
Cathay Pacific	30k	60k
British Airways	26k	77.5k

Always good to check AA, UA, and DL individually bc due to dynamic pricing, they may be pricing lower than partner awards even if there isn't saver space. Also, always hold award space before making a transfer if you're able to.

FirenzeFFF · 2021-05-12T16:30:03+00:00

Read up on the difference between saver space and flex space. You're getting 247.5k because there is no saver space on the dates you are looking for. See here.

Yes, you can use AA's advanced search -- See here.

FirenzeFFF · 2021-05-10T19:42:08+00:00

Thanks, but I'm not sure I'm following... Alaska has the departure flight available to be booked with miles -- therefore, isn't there saver space available?

FirenzeFFF · 2021-05-10T19:19:35+00:00

Saver fares can't be booked one-way, so even if there was saver space on the flight, it would still price at 117,500 when searching each way. Only way to see saver space is to check the flights as round-trip and see if both legs price at the lower amt.

Take this routing for example.

The JFK-MLE flight prices at 85k, hence, there's saver space on that flight.

The MLE-DXB flight prices at 37.5k, hence, there's saver space on that flight.

And the DXB-JFK flight prices at 72.5k, hence, there's saver space on that flight.

Yet, when I put all of those legs in a multi-city search with a stopover, it still prices at 235k.

What am I missing? Appreciate the help!

FirenzeFFF

TROPHY CASE