UA FF tickets

We just got notification that we still had about 100,000+ miles with UA. We will be going to Cancun next April and thought we'd try to use these points. But everytime I try I guess it needs to be the 330 days or so away. I just found one for our flight out but couldn't use the dates for returning. So how is the best way to do this? Do I just wait until 330 days from the returning date? Do they have any change policies? We only have enough for 3 tickets, what if I need a 4th. Whats the best way to inquire that one?

Thank you. I hope this makes sense to someone.

Book what you can get...date changes are free, as long as the rest of the itinerary remains unchanged. Also, you may find more availability 30-60 days out. Be aware that some award costs and award booking fees will increase after October 16, 2006.

How many more miles do you need?

Pat

Call United to do the booking for you when your return date is beyond 330 days. United will hold the outbound flight for you and then you call back in a week or so, when you hit 330 days out for the return flight, and United will grab a return flight and then issue you an electronic ticket for the entire flight. The only downside of doing it this way is that United will charge you a $15 fee per ticket for their help in doing it. But, it is well worth it as you will be able to hold the first flight while you wait for the return flight to come into the 330 day window. I hope this helps.

The last time I did as Tim suggested and was surprised to discover that the agent I spoke with was able to grab return flights for me 2 days before the same date flights showed up on line. It seemed to be a secret benefit to calling in for the FF tix. Pat's suggestion would also work, just stay on top of when the return flights will be available and change your return dates as soon as they are avail. As for the 4th ticket, if you have almost enough miles you could buy miles from UA. If you're not even close, just buy the fourth ticket.

I've been working on an Australia trip and the best I could do was a 72 hour hold....hence my advice, which came from a long-time UA reservationist (one of my wife's clients). The old bird-in-the-hand saying

Pat

When are you going in April? I just finished booking using UA miles for April 14-21 next year. According to the agent, I took the last four award seats on the direct flights from SFO to CUN.

Thanks everyone. I will call UA tomorrow. Lisa we are going April 21-28,2007.

I need 5,000 more miles. Looks like that will cost approx. $178. Probably not a great deal but still better than buy a whole ticket full price?

jewls, you should book the outbound flight right now. The availability opened up last Sat.