Frequent flyer ticket info--does this sound right to you?

[danacath]

My DH recently called NWA on my behalf, trying to redeem my FF ticket for a KC-MCO flight over the New Year holiday week. He tried asking for a flight at any time of day on the acceptable date from 3 different airports, but the tickets were already sold out on every single flight. When DH questioned the airline employee about this, he was assured that 5% of the seats on all flights are, indeed, reserved for FF tickets, but that only a limited number of these seats are made available at any given time. The employee said that more tickets for these flights will be released at a later date, but that no one knows exactly when. Is this really the way it works? I would hate to be holding out for a FF ticket that never materializes and then be stuck paying a pricey last-minute airfare. We've had bad luck getting FF tickets before, too. Is there some "strategy" that we're missing out on??

 

[DebbieB]

FF tickets can be very difficult to book, especially to popular destinations and during peak times. I tried to get PIT-Las Vegas a couple of years ago in October and went through a whole month of date combinations (wanted to stay 5 nights) and could not get it, it was about 5 months in advance. So I booked it for last fall by calling right around 11 months when the schedule came out and got it. If a flight has empty seats, they may add more FF seats at a later date. New Years week is going to be tough.

 

[GoldenOldie]

That's why I like Delta. SkyMiles members can go online and view flights that are available for Award Tickets which is what they call frequent flyer tickets. Then if you see what you want, you can book them online, too. Very nice setup.

 

[macs4us]

I just booked a ticket from ONT to STC for my mom with my NWA miles ($2000.00 flight - great use of miles). If you look under WorldPerks you will find a section for Award Travel Reservations where you can check flights on your own, and book online immediately. You definitely want to keep trying, because they are raising the number of miles you need for a ticket. You can also save up to 3,000 miles by booking award travel online before April 30, 2002. Check out this page for more info: http://www.nwa.com/features/ATR.shtml

Good luck!!!

Amy

 

[tonilea]

I don't know if this helps, but you might consider flying into Tampa. We have flown into both MCO and TPA. Tampa was easy to navigate and once you get onto I4 a "straight shot" to the World. I have noticed other posters mentioning that they had to use their FF miles out of Tampa.

Good Luck

 

[shamrock30]

Yes, that does sound right. I would call back once every few days, if I were you. There is never a guarantee that you will get your free ticket though, and it is especially difficult around a major holiday. Can you be flexible with your dates at all? Sometimes changing your vacation by a day or two can make all the difference. Also, if you are paying for one ticket and attempting to use miles for another, tell the reservationist that. It can make a difference.

 

[danacath]

Just had to reply and share my good news! I got my FF flight booked tonight for the dates I wanted!! I'm actually departing from Lincoln, NE and returning to Omaha, NE. This is the only way that I could get the FF ticket to work. These airports are much closer to my home than Kansas City, so the situation is even better than I had hoped for. Persistence really does pay off! I also wanted to throw in my 2 cents worth of advice for any FF ticket-seekers out there. If you live near 2 airports, you may want to try leaving from one and returning to the other. This worked for me--it may work for you, too! WDW, here I come!!! (again!)

 

[Liz]

Wonderful news! Congrats!!!

 

[travelbug]

Congratulations, danacath! I just know you'll have a wonderful time at WDW!