Flight Intel
- What are the fees and surcharges that travelers needed to pay in order to book their award flight?
- How was the availability of a given route(s) when it came to booking the award flight?
- Are there tricks that program members used in order to optimize their redemption?
- Which specific flights were used for the award ticket? Are some flights better than others?
- How does this award ticket compare to other programs and how does it compare to a ticket bought with cash?
- Are there specific sweet spots in the award tables that one should try to take advantage of?
- Are there exceptions to the award tables where our calculations are not accurate?
- What was your overall experience with a particular award ticket?
- Was it worth cashing your miles in for a given flight?
Madrid (MAD) to New York (JFK) with Avios from Iberia Plus
The direct Madrid to New York round-trip flight with Iberia is only 68,000 avios in buiness during the off-peak season (or 34,000 avios one-way). The one-way fees are EUR 107.
Here's a trip report: http://www.aufnachirgendwo.de/blog/review-iberia-a340-600-business-class-madrid-nach-new-york/ [in German]
29 September, 2016
Seattle (SEA) to San Francisco (SFO) with Avios from [OLD] British Airways Executive Club [Alaska Airlines Partnership]
Here is a step-by-step guide from travelmiles101.com on how to book a Seattle to San Francisco redemption on Alaska Airlines, using British Airways avios. The article also suggests to consider Seattle to Oakland in case there is no availability to San Francisco. The fees for this redemption are USD 5.60 for each leg.
Due to the fact that these flights originate/terminate in the USA, a higher rate actually applies: 15,000 avios for the round trip.
29 September, 2016
Seattle (SEA) to Oakland (OAK) with Avios from [OLD] British Airways Executive Club [Alaska Airlines Partnership]
Here is a step-by-step guide from travelmiles101.com on how to book a Seattle to Oakland redemption on Alaska Airlines, using British Airways avios. The article also suggests to consider Seattle to San Francisco in case there is no availability to Oakland. The fees for this redemption are USD 5.60 for each leg.
Due to the fact that these flights originate/terminate in the USA, a higher rate actually applies: 15,000 avios for the round trip. Nonetheless this still represents a very good redemption.
29 September, 2016
Sydney (SYD) to Bangkok (BKK) with Miles from LifeMiles (Avianca, TACA) / Star Alliance
The article below from the Australian Business Traveller explains how buying LifeMiles and then using them for a business or first class seat on the Sydney-Bangkok route with Thai Airways can save approximately 50% off the same ticket bought with cash.
Source: http://www.ausbt.com.au/avianca-lifemiles-unlocks-low-cost-business-first-class-star-alliance-flights
27 September, 2016
Sydney (SYD) to Vancouver (YVR) with Miles from LifeMiles (Avianca, TACA) / Star Alliance
The objective is to get a business class ticket on the direct Air Canada flight from Sydney to Vancouver with your LifeMiles miles. Availability is a bit scarce but even with you buy all the miles required (for approx. AUD 3,300) it will still be much cheaper than buying the ticket outright (approx. AUD 9,000).
Source: http://www.ausbt.com.au/avianca-lifemiles-unlocks-low-cost-business-first-class-star-alliance-flights
27 September, 2016
Sydney (SYD) to Paris (CDG) with Miles from LifeMiles (Avianca, TACA) / Star Alliance
For the itinerary between Sydney and Paris Air China (through Shanghai PVG) and Air India (connecting in Delhi DEL) are good options if you're looking to find business class seats.
Source: http://www.ausbt.com.au/avianca-lifemiles-unlocks-low-cost-business-first-class-star-alliance-flights
27 September, 2016
Richmond (RIC) to Chicago (ORD) with Avios from [OLD v2] British Airways Executive Club / oneworld
Read this step-by-step guide from travelmiles101.com on how to book American Airline flights with British Airways Avios.The article suggests using the aa.com site to find flights first and then switching to the BA site in order to book. The fees for this flight from Richmond to Chicago are USD 5.60.
14 September, 2016
Frankfurt (FRA) to Chicago (ORD) with Miles from Miles & More (Lufthansa) / Star Alliance
This is a route that is occasionally available as a Mileage Bargain (Meilenschnäppchen) for only 55,000 miles for the round trip in business class. The article from meilenoptimieren.com in the link below describes how you (if you're a Germany resident) can collect the necessary miles for this flight. The fees for this flight on Lufthansa are just under EUR 490.
Source: http://meilenoptimieren.com/lufthansa-business-class-flug-langstrecke-beginnerstrategie/ [in German]
19 August, 2016
New York (JFK) to London (LHR) with Miles from Qantas Classic Awards [QFF]
The fee is only AUD 5 for a one-way business class redemption from New York to London on American Airlines. (No fuel surcharges are added to the redemption cost when using American Airlines).
Source: http://www.pointhacks.com.au/reviews/american-airlines-new-york-london-772-business-class/
17 August, 2016
Sydney (SYD) to Canberra (CBR) with Miles from Qantas Classic Awards [QFF]
The fees on this short flight between Sydney and Canberra are AUD 55 for the round-trip in business class (yes, it's available!). This business class redemption is not great value for your Qantas points, according to pointshack.au.com.
Source: http://www.pointhacks.com.au/reviews/qantas-717-domestic-business-class-review/
5 August, 2016