US Air FF special to Europe

[Laurie]

Only 35k miles for RT to Europe between 1/15 and 2/29.

[JoeMid]

Originally Posted by Laurie

Only 35k miles for RT to Europe between 1/15 and 2/29.

Is there a special for First Class? Is there a deadline?

[Dave M]

First Class: 60,000 versus the normal "Saver" requirement of 80,000.

The "deadline" is for travel between those specified dates. No deadline for booking. However, the challenge will be finding seats at those lower mileage levels. Thus, try today (or ASAP) if you want to take advantage of this opportunity!

[Laurie]

Just a couple weeks ago I managed to find a pair of FF flights to Europe on US Air for April/May dates - by juggling the return city, and the exact travel dates - and I figured out how to find open-jaw flights online. There really were some, for Saturdays and weekdays other than Thursday or Friday. I'm such a newbie at this, but finding them online myself worked much better than trying to find anything thru an agent.

[JoeMid]

Originally Posted by Laurie

Just a couple weeks ago I managed to find a pair of FF flights to Europe on US Air for April/May dates - by juggling the return city, and the exact travel dates - and I figured out how to find open-jaw flights online. There really were some, for Saturdays and weekdays other than Thursday or Friday. I'm such a newbie at this, but finding them online myself worked much better than trying to find anything thru an agent.

So, how did you do this, ANA?

[Laurie]

um, what's ANA?

We're starting our trip in England, and ending in Italy (in a city US Air doesn't fly to), so...

I simply searched reward travel for round trips from different cities (London, Rome, Venice, Milan) and flexible dates (also checked the box for using a couple extra nearby home airports) - until I found a pair of cities and dates that worked for me for the 25k each way - jotted down the flight #'s etc - then called the agent and put the two halves I wanted on hold as one open-jaw. They'll hold for 3 days I think. They emailed me the details, so I could see any extra charges. Then I kept searching as I figured out my trip, and rebooked it when I found something better. They do allow open-jaw FF flights when held or purchased over the phone.

A time or 2 there was a really desirable FF flight, like a return flight from Venice, which showed online but had been grabbed before I could reserve it, apparently the website isn't 100% live. So, we'll come home thru Milan instead - when I was booking mine, Milan seemed most plentiful. We'll just use easyjet and overnite there.

They won't allow you to mix-n-match originating city and returning-home city. They consider the open-jaw scenario "one stop-over".

I'm sure you know this - but search for # of tickets you really need, unless you're willing to pay either cash $ or more FF for some of your tickets. (I didn't know that at first, so my first great find only had 1 ticket at the low miles category.)

Though I was glad to use some FF miles, it wasn't the greatest of deals - I priced the same trip, and it was only $579. So it occurs to me I can use this reward travel search method to locate the least expensive fares, as well.

[JoeMid]

A $579 ticket is not a good use of FF miles, I'd buy that ticket.

[Laurie]

Originally Posted by JoeMid

I'd buy that ticket.

But will you buy it for *me*?

I'm sure there are better ways to maximize the benefits - but I was glad to save almost $1200 at this moment. Miles sit unused in my accts too often, I never do the 330-day-advance thing, and I pay little attention to this in general. I only ended up with so many because America West and USAir merged. One day soon I'll focus on it more - finding those flights was the first time it was actually fun.

I checked, and there are quite a few open dates for the 17.500 segments in Jan and Feb from NC to Milan, Paris, and Rome, with some reasonable total travel times.

[JoeMid]

Originally Posted by Laurie

But will you buy it for *me*?

I'm sure there are better ways to maximize the benefits - but I was glad to save almost $1200 at this moment. Miles sit unused in my accts too often, I never do the 330-day-advance thing, and I pay little attention to this in general. I only ended up with so many because America West and USAir merged. One day soon I'll focus on it more - finding those flights was the first time it was actually fun.

I checked, and there are quite a few open dates for the 17.500 segments in Jan and Feb from NC to Milan, Paris, and Rome, with some reasonable total travel times.

I might.

You are exactly right! Depending on how you use miles it may be more advantageous to just get them used.

The problem with USAir is that they don't load their Transatlantic FF inventory at the 330 day point like most others you never know when they'll load them, so even planners have trouble with them. I've been told they may not be loaded until as late as 2 months out, if then.