Dang I have the wrong FF mileage program

OK so I am looking to go to HNL this august from LAX. We have 122k US airways miles and about 60k United miles in 2 separate accounts ( his and hers). I see all kinds of availability on United but not enough miles, called USAirways no availability, none. Even though they are supposedly "partners" I can't use my miles I have with US airways to get 3 tix to hnl and then get 1 united tx with united miles.

So I am glad we recently switched to United miles but that doesn't help me today. It took almost 3 years to earn enough miles to qualify for 3 tix to Hawaii and I can't get them. BOGUS,

You don't necessarily have the wrong program as much as the wrong timing. It is very late to be trying to get FF tickets for August. We have good luck getting them, but we always book 329-331 days ahead. You can keep trying as sometimes they have cancellations.

For United, you could always purchase the required miles, although depending on how many you need, it might be cheaper to just pay for the tickets. If you only need to 'top up' the account, you can purchase online, then call United and tell them the confirmation number for your purchase so they can book for you.

turkel said:

OK so I am looking to go to HNL this august from LAX. We have 122k US airways miles and about 60k United miles in 2 separate accounts ( his and hers). I see all kinds of availability on United but not enough miles, called USAirways no availability, none. Even though they are supposedly "partners" I can't use my miles I have with US airways to get 3 tix to hnl and then get 1 united tx with united miles.

So I am glad we recently switched to United miles but that doesn't help me today. It took almost 3 years to earn enough miles to qualify for 3 tix to Hawaii and I can't get them. BOGUS,

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UA gives US a few FF seats on all their flights since they are partners (and vice versa). Did you call US and specifically ask for seats on UA? Can you split up & go diff. days to make it easier? If you start looking 330 days in advance you'll have the best luck. Also, call every day because seats are released randomly from 330 days out to the day before the flt.

US is also a partner, or codeshare partner, with Hawaiian & America West IIRC. Might ask US about this when you call. Go to the US website and see some options. http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/aboutus/partnersfleet/default.aspx

philemer said:

UA gives US a few FF seats on all their flights since they are partners (and vice versa). Did you call US and specifically ask for seats on UA? Can you split up & go diff. days to make it easier? If you start looking 330 days in advance you'll have the best luck. Also, call every day because seats are released randomly from 330 days out to the day before the flt.

US is also a partner, or codeshare partner, with Hawaiian & America West IIRC. Might ask US about this when you call. Go to the US website and see some options. http://www.usairways.com/awa/content/aboutus/partnersfleet/default.aspx

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Yes I called and specifically asked for UA,not available, so then I asked about other airline partners. All where no go. They did say to try back in 3 days or I could pay $688 X 4=2752 for the flights today On United's website there are plenty of seats available at 35000miles but alass I would have to buy about 83000miles to get all four of us there:hysterical:
I know about the 330day rule but again I didn't have the miles then or the exchange Sometimes planning a vacation can be alot of work unless of course you don't care what it costs to get there

Using FF miles is always a challenge. I book mine 331 days out and it is incredibly nerve-wracking each and every time. Heck, even booking my timeshare at 12 months out (Starwood) or 11 months out (DVC) makes me nervous.

The good news is that you can use those miles to plan your next trip at 331 days out! So all is not lost. If you can foresee where you might want to go, you can make it your goal to have the right amount of miles in your account when you need them. If you don't have a mileage-earning credit card already, I'd recommend you get one (or two! They come with bonus miles!) for the airline or program of your choice.

There is a place called the Coupon Connection on Flyertalk where such arcane trades as the OP might want do take place. Caveat is they are generally amongst experienced flyers who know how to keep their story straight

Flyer A has UA miles and needs to go X on US. Flyer B has US miles and needs to go Y on UA. Shake, stir and "gifts" arrive....

Personally, I would charge a bit of a premium taking US miles, but find the right trader and you never know.

Other than swaps, my best advice is to watch for award releases carefully and be willing to split your party up to get there. You just might do it. Strange things can happen in the last 60 days

Pat

Update

So I called us airways today and if I go 1 day earlier I can get 3 FF tix, but the same fare is not available for FF miles on United for my DH ticket. It is available for purchase though at $702

So do I book the free tix (they are on hold), pay for a room for 1 night and pay $700 for my DH tix or go as planned paying for flights and a car for 4 at $1858?

Who knew planning could be so stressful:ignore:

Grab the 3 FF tix and hold off on DH's ticket. Prices may come down. Check orbitz, hotwire & expedia daily. Bid on Priceline every few days (if possible) until you get an acceptable price.

I just checked a few random dates in Aug., LAX>HNL, and ATA shows rates under $500 (orbitz.com).
Phil

Great news

I got all 4 tickets. 3 with US air on United and one with United. It was a little dicey and 2 days of constant searching but I am now confirmed for 3 and have the last on hold. I have to wait to confirm my DH flight until the miles (1000) I had to buy clear. I could have waited till his next flight posted but as I was unwilling to travel on separate flights and this particular flight did not show up online as available for FF seats I decided the $65 for 1000 miles was worth the expence. Especially since had I had to purchase the ticket it was $700plus.

I am sure seating will be an issue since my husband will be ticketed sep. and last but heh we are flying for FREE

Now to find a cheap room for Sun the 19th of August. Our flight gets in at 7:30 pm (10:30our time)so we will just need a place to sleep rather not pay $350 for less than 15hrs of a room. Got the car too. A pretty good deal with Hertz I think $202 for a week in a midsize

turkel said:

Now to find a cheap room for Sun the 19th of August. Our flight gets in at 7:30 pm (10:30our time)so we will just need a place to sleep rather not pay $350 for less than 15hrs of a room. Got the car too. A pretty good deal with Hertz I think $202 for a week in a midsize

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Congrats on getting the tickets. Maybe think about Priceline or Hotwire for the one night hotel. Check out biddingfortravel and see what's been the going rate for airport.