Sky Miles question

[ncbyrne]

Any tips on getting non-stop direct flights using Frequent Flyer Miles (Amex Skymiles) for free tickets? We'll be flying out of Newark (EWR) into Orlando (MCO), but don't want to be routed all over the country first, or endure long layovers if I don't have to. I've got plenty of time for tips, we're not going until May 2004.

 

[safetymom]

If you are referring to using them on Delta I think most of their MCO flights connect through ATL. Call the airline and see when the earliest you can book award tickets. If you are preferred with the airline you can wait longer to order your award tickets and there is no blackout dates.

 

[GoldenOldie]

Once you enter the booking window for flights (330 days out) you can log onto the Delta web site, then log into your SkyMiles account and check the available flights for using your SkyMiles. You can even book the award ticket online.

 

[lsyorke]

I have found that to get a flight from EWR-MCO non stop will almost always require the higher level of skymiles 50,000 vs 25,000. I have never been able to take advantage of the 25,000 skymiles tickets! Nice to see someone else from union county!!

 

[CarolA]

To get the lower milage requirement seats book at 330 days, take what you can get and ask to waitlist for what you really want. For popular routes I do this and normally wind up with what i wanted.

The blackout rule is not quite true. You have to use more miles on "blackout days' even if you are an elite flyer since they won't usually give you skysaver, just the more expensive skychoice.

 

[prncess674]

You may want to possibly think about splitting up your party if you have more than 2. If there is a total of 4 you may be better off trying to get 2 tickets on one flight and 2 tickets on a second flight. This theory is good if you can't get all the tickets on one flight and you don't want to spend double the miles.

I am also just trying to clarify a point here on what card you have exactly. If you have a standard AMEX card and earn AMEX REWARDS points you will first have to transfer your REWARDS points into Delta Skymiles. If you have a DELTA branded AMEX then the miles are automatically deposited monthly to your Skymiles account.

If you are using AMEX Rewards then you can transfer points into several airline FF programs. Specifically you could transfer points to Continental and fly non stop to MCO with CO. CO charges 25,000 miles per roundtrip per person in coach. Award availability can be checked online.

If you are using AMEX Rewards points you could check all participating airlines and check which ones have availability on your desired dates and then transfer your Rewards points to that airline.

If you have any questions please ask away. I know that wading through the Frequent Flyer mileage game can be confusing.