Using Frequent Flier Miles

[Debby7]

I finally have enough miles for a free ticket ! Now, How do I make sure that I can use them for the flights I want ? How do I know when to call ? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! (Forgot to mention-they are for USAirways)

 

[Beverly Lynn]

my suggestion to you is to call as soon as you know what dates and flight you want. especially if its to a popular destination like MCO. book it 330-340 days out. keep in mind it will go thru a few schedule changes so what you booked might not necessarily be what you end up with. but if its not what you want they can make the change to the flight you do want.

 

[travelcoupons]

Also keep in mind that if the dates you want are not available now, they could be available later. I have checked on dates and found no availability. I've called back months later, an those same dates are available. The main thing is , you need to be really flexible and be willing to take any date close to what you are looking for, I also normally end up flying into Tampa on FF miles, as availability for MCO is usually not very good when I want to go.

 

[JandD Mom]

We are going to WDW Oct/Nov this year. Exactly 330 days out from the day of my RETURN, I called USAir and booked the seats. Got all 4 tickets with ff miles and, as a bonus, that is low season for usair so it was only 20,000 miles a ticket.

I made changes to the reservations and flights a few times (that is one of the perks of a frequent flier ticket -- unlimited ability to make changes between the same 2 cities).

The rates went down a lot, and we decided to go to Paris next year(and I Was just short on having enough miles). So I bought seats for 2 of us, and paid a fee (I think $40 per ticket) to redeposit the miles. It cost me something like $300, but saved me $600 I would have paid for the flight to paris. So it was very cost effective for us.

So now the 4 of us are still going on the same flights, but 2 of us are paid passengers, and 2 are on free tickets. And then DH and I are flying to Paris, business class, for free next year!

Hope that helps.

 

[Scotch]

The earliest that the airlines allow bookings is typically 330 or 331 days out. I recently booked my FF tickets for next a trip next year on AA and UA and both genearlly release 331 days out. (I called on the 331st day and got my seats.) Both airlines allow you to book the outbound on the 331st day and then "hold" your researvations for a month to allow you to book the return segment. This way you don't have to wait 330/331 days from the date of your RETURN segment and risk not having first choice on the route/times for your outbound. Call US Airways and ask about their policy so you know ahead of time. Some airlines allow a free stopover on each leg so you might be able to turn your FF tickets into tickets for two or more trips.

 

[disneydawn]

SCOTCH... What do you mean about the free stopover and turning your FF tickets into two more free tickets? Please explain. I have FF miles on Northwest...I wonder if they do this. Thanks!!

 

[ducklite]

One thing I suggest is that if you can fly to where ver you are going for under about $250, just pay for it, and use the FF ticket for the expensive trips. For example:

I'm flying on a first class ticket next year EWR to LAS, the coach ticket is around $380, I didn't even price the FC ticket, but it has to be up around $1500, I'm using 40,000 points. A couple years ago I flew PHL to SEA on a FF ticket, the coach fare was $500, it cost me 20,000 points.

A month ago I flew EWR to YYC First class. The ticket would have cost over $2800, a coach seat was around $800. Good use of 40,000 points, as opposed to using them on 2 coach seats to MCO that would have cost under $400 total.

Figure that points are worth about 10 cents each, and go from there...

Anne