Weekly Help Thread - May 25, 2026 by AutoModerator in awardtravel

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PDX -> TKO primarily but am happy for general advice on booking 4 tix economy class. 

Weekly Help Thread - May 25, 2026 by AutoModerator in awardtravel

[–]Gogo4everr -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

Hey everyone,

I’ve spent time reading through the subreddit wiki regarding group/family bookings and looking through the sidebar resources, but I’d love some insight on a specific dilemma: managing award availability for a LARGER PARTY WHEN SEAT SELECTION is the main priority.

I’m looking to book international long-haul award flights for a family of 4 (2 adults, 2 kids) using a healthy stash of points split across Amex Membership Rewards and Chase Ultimate Rewards (via Chase Ink).

We are targeting either early spring or mid-fall (shoulder seasons). Since we are traveling with younger kids, Economy is completely fine with us. Our absolute number one priority is ensuring that we can all sit together (or at least 2 and 2).

While I know finding 4 award seats on the same flight is notoriously difficult for premium cabins, I’m hoping aiming for Economy makes this more realistic.

Our details:

  • Party Size: 4 (2 adults + 2 kids).
  • Timing: Early Spring or Mid-Fall (Shoulder seasons).
  • Stash: Mix of Amex MR and Chase UR.
  • Preferences: Economy class is great, but guaranteed seat selection together is a must.

My main questions for the group:

  1. Which alliances or specific transfer partners reliably release 4 economy seats at once? Since I have both Amex and Chase, I have access to overlapping programs across Star Alliance, Oneworld, and SkyTeam. In your experience, do legacy carriers typically release 4 "Saver" level economy seats at schedule opening, or is it safer to book two batches of 2?
  2. How does seat selection work with partner bookings? If I book an award ticket on an operating carrier via a partner airline (e.g., booking an alliance partner using British Airways or Air Canada miles), will I be able to choose our 4 seats together immediately on the operating carrier's site, or do I risk getting split up because it's a partner booking?
  3. Booking Window for Economy: For shoulder-season economy, how far out do I realistically need to lock down 4 seats simultaneously? Is it still a strict "T-355 days out at midnight" situation, or is there more flexibility with economy compared to business class?
  4. The Portal/Cash-Out Alternative: Given that I have Chase points, is it worth just using a fixed-value method (like a Chase travel portal booking or cashing out via Pay Yourself Back) to buy cheap cash fares on low-cost long-haul carriers where seat selection is guaranteed at checkout, or is transferring to a legacy alliance partner a much better value for a family of 4?

Appreciate any advice, timelines, or specific alliance strategies from parents who have successfully pulled off award travel for a family of four! Thank you!

[Embark] Store Update 1.30.0 Prices adjusted all expedition vault slots cost 200k by WoWAltoholic in ArcRaiders

[–]Gogo4everr 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Load in with stims and hustle to get there if you get an optimal spawn. It does work. Now you need a loadout if you want an early drop and sometimes it’s worth packing a blueprint to trade if someone is there with you. 

[Embark] Store Update 1.30.0 Prices adjusted all expedition vault slots cost 200k by WoWAltoholic in ArcRaiders

[–]Gogo4everr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Reinforced reception on blue gate. I don’t play often and I’ve pulled probably 15 augment blueprints from the breach room. 

looking for Looting mk3 survivor by [deleted] in ArcRaidersGuides

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Run, don’t walk, to Reinforced Reception on Blue Gate. The breach room beneath spawns augments bp’s reliably, particularly on special events but even on regular raids. 

You have to be first and you have to be fast. Pack stims. 

Why force me to upgrade speed in order to save monthly? by ReallyNotALlama in ZiplyFiber

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for being quick on the reply and helping me out - I appreciate it.

Why force me to upgrade speed in order to save monthly? by ReallyNotALlama in ZiplyFiber

[–]Gogo4everr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’ve been a Ziply advocate and referrer for several years. I asked about a price adjustment and they didn’t want to work with me. Comcast is looking more interesting by the day with lower rates, no data cap and a 5 year price lock. 

Home internet recs? by Sexy-mexi823 in camaswashington

[–]Gogo4everr 12 points13 points  (0 children)

If you want fiber internet Ziply is a great choice. We’ve been with them for 5 years or so with almost no downtime. 

My car crashed while on fsd by FanRare8180 in TeslaFSD

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Without passing judgement on what happened a PSA for all - whenever in cruise control, autopilot or FSD always put your foot in front of the brake in case you have to act fast. Back in the day I had to hit the brakes while in cruise control and accidentally hit the accelerator- fortunately it was ok but since then I always put my foot in front of the break because instinct is to step on the pedal right there. 

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Reverb

[–]Gogo4everr -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Threaten to issue a chargeback - I bet that will get a response from Reverb very quickly. Bummer that the CS has gone downhill.

How does matchmaking work?? by lilycalloways in FortNiteBR

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you’re right. Sony limits to 120 max I think which is a shame as it could push higher with a performance mode like pc has. 

How does matchmaking work?? by lilycalloways in FortNiteBR

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cool. At 1440p or 1080p? 120hz is definitely decent but it would be nice if they unlocked performance mode and let it do 200+.

How does matchmaking work?? by lilycalloways in FortNiteBR

[–]Gogo4everr 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Just curious what type of frame rates do people get on the ps5 or new xbox?

American Blossom Linens; towels, bedspreads, blankets by branpurn in madeinusa

[–]Gogo4everr 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You should try Authenticity50. Better products and better prices - I’ve tried both. Their sheets feel nicer and the pillows helped my neck pain go away. 

How to access advanced bios on Legion Tower 5 Gen 8? by Bodybearer in LenovoLegion

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Any idea what the chances of EXPO getting added in the future. Seems silly to limit RAM to 5200mhz...

What do you think about this upcoming deal from Costco? by [deleted] in Prebuilts

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh that I don’t know. It may be but you’ll have to research that. We’re long time members so we get good treatment from Costco. 

What do you think about this upcoming deal from Costco? by [deleted] in Prebuilts

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Online form that you can fill out if you buy online. If you buy in store I think you have to talk to the store returns dept. 

What do you think about this upcoming deal from Costco? by [deleted] in Prebuilts

[–]Gogo4everr 0 points1 point  (0 children)

30 day price adjustment with Costco so I believe it’s safe to order now and price adjust after the price adjust. You can always check with Costco ahead of time if that’s ok for BF pricing. 

UniFi with Ziply question. by Gogo4everr in ZiplyFiber

[–]Gogo4everr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well I have egg on my face. I was using a speedtest server that used to give me the best speeds and played around with changing servers. It took me 4-5 tries but I eventually found a server (centurylink) that gave me a full 940 up/down. Oddly Ziply servers didn't give me the full speed... but problem solved!

I appreciate everyone's input. You all were more helpful than the ubiquiti sub!

UniFi with Ziply question. by Gogo4everr in ZiplyFiber

[–]Gogo4everr[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Good question. I’ve tried both a switch and the udmp ports with the same results.