US Airways point sale this month (Star Alliance)

[Little Evil]

Hello All,

 

Last thing I want to do is to promote an airline, but this is actually a decent deal. US Airways is running another one of their 2 fo 1 sale on miles right now if anyone needs to top off. Why is this relevant in a Pattaya forum considering US Airways doesn't fly to BKK? US Airways is Star Alliance, so Thai Airways, Air China, United, and a few others are in the same group. I just topped off my account and had enough to upgrade to business for my next trip. Looking forward to having a bed/seat for the long leg this trip. The only hitch is having to book the award travel with an agent instead of online. the US Airways Dividend Miles website doesn't route BKK. When you call, agents act dumb (or are really dumb) about being able to use miles on other airlines. I had to call three times before I got someone willing and compitent enough to book my flight. Just had to be persistent and polite, and have all the answers ready for them. I used United's website to get the flight numbers and booked the Untied award flight via US Airways. I am psyched! I had 80k points from the past four years of debit card use (now defunct BoA debit card) and hunting for point deals. I spent $700 on a 20/20 match for 40k points. I feel like I just bought business from USA for $700 & $120 for booking/taxes/award fee. Can't wait. Will be in BKK/Pattaya from Jan 25!

 

My only warning would be to potentially call US Airways first after opening up a Dividend Miles account to make sure a flight is available. I wouldn't bank on buying the miles unless you can confirm the trip first.

[celticfist]

Agree, they have great deals on miles.. I use them often. My next trip will be in Feb, with THAI First from CDG (B777 with private suites) Europe - SE Asia is 100k miles in First and 90k in Business.

 

I have had some problems too when calling the US number, you should try any of the european numbers. They are based in Ireland (I think?) and are very polite and helpful. Always have your flights ready, and also check availability one more time before you call. I myself use http://beta.awardtravelr.com/. But United is also good!

 

Too bad I hear they are about to merge with AA?

[dc_publius]

So what is the actual deal/total cost?

 

$820 one way in business to get to BKK from anywhere in the USA? Is that what it is? Is that the total price, or do they stick you with another $XXX for taxes, fuel surcharges, luggage surcharge, bullshit surcharge?

[celticfist]

Lets see. The chart for US - SE Asia says 80k Eco, 120k Business and 160k in First. 100k miles when they have sales (like now) is $1750.

 

Besides that, it's taxes of course and something they call Award processing fee which is $25. The best part about it is you don't have to pay fuel charges on US Airways (or maybe all american carriers?). Taxes depends on how many stops and where.

 

My upcoming flights for example, I fly MAD-FRA-CDG-BKK and on my way home BKK-HKG-ICN-FRA-MAD. These routings is my own choosing, I could just as easily go direct with MAD-BKK. Anyway, taxes for this routing was $180. So all in all, $1950 (Miles) + $180 (Taxes) + $50 (Award processing fee, this is $25 for americans) = $2180 in First class to BKK.

 

Let's say you fly JFK-NRT-BKK in Business. that should be about $2100 for miles, $55 taxes and $25 for processing.

 

I think you can be refused entry with a one-way to Thailand. But if you mean flying Biz on the outbound and Eco on the inbound it's no use, even if it's only one leg in Biz they charge the whole trip as such, so you might as well fly Biz all the way.

 

This is really really good deals for flying PREMIUM classes, if you are looking to be cramped in economy for 20 hours there is much cheaper flights out there.

[Little Evil]

Lets see. The chart for US - SE Asia says 80k Eco, 120k Business and 160k in First. 100k miles when they have sales (like now) is $1750.

 

Besides that, it's taxes of course and something they call Award processing fee which is $25. The best part about it is you don't have to pay fuel charges on US Airways (or maybe all american carriers?). Taxes depends on how many stops and where.

 

My upcoming flights for example, I fly MAD-FRA-CDG-BKK and on my way home BKK-HKG-ICN-FRA-MAD. These routings is my own choosing, I could just as easily go direct with MAD-BKK. Anyway, taxes for this routing was $180. So all in all, $1950 (Miles) + $180 (Taxes) + $50 (Award processing fee, this is $25 for americans) = $2180 in First class to BKK.

 

Let's say you fly JFK-NRT-BKK in Business. that should be about $2100 for miles, $55 taxes and $25 for processing.

 

I think you can be refused entry with a one-way to Thailand. But if you mean flying Biz on the outbound and Eco on the inbound it's no use, even if it's only one leg in Biz they charge the whole trip as such, so you might as well fly Biz all the way.

 

This is really really good deals for flying PREMIUM classes, if you are looking to be cramped in economy for 20 hours there is much cheaper flights out there.

 

Yes...the real score on that points sale was for anyone interested in flying business or first class on this type of itinerary. Flat out buying a business round trip from NYC to BKK would cost anywhere between $4-6k USD, depending on airline and how many stops. Those US Airways points are typically 3.5 cents/mile, but this sale makes them 1.75 cents/mile. I think there was a cap on 50k & 50k bonus, so like celticfist said, 100k points would be only $1,750. I just scored my business trip for 120k, which I only needed the additional 40k in points to top my account off. This deal isn't so attractive for buying economy, as you could probably find a cheaper ticket for direct purchase. I can't believe you got Thai first for only 100k. Where is CDG?

[celticfist]

I can't believe you got Thai first for only 100k. Where is CDG?

 

I'm sorry, it was 110k.

 

CDG is Paris Charles Du Gaulle, so Madrid - Frankfurt - Paris - Bangkok. And Bangkok - Hong Kong - Seoul Incheon - Frankfurt - Madrid This is with Thai First, Asiana First, and Lufthansa Business.

 

Europe - SE Asia is very good value! Probably the best in the whole chart.

[Little Evil]

I'm sorry, it was 110k.

 

CDG is Paris Charles Du Gaulle, so Madrid - Frankfurt - Paris - Bangkok. And Bangkok - Hong Kong - Seoul Incheon - Frankfurt - Madrid This is with Thai First, Asiana First, and Lufthansa Business.

 

Europe - SE Asia is very good value! Probably the best in the whole chart.

 

Google tells me that Madrid is only 10,174km away from BKK, so it makes sense that it would take fewer points/miles to travel. Google also tells me one can drive from Madrid to BKK. 13,466km. Approximately 169 hours of car travel (7 days).

[celticfist]

Google tells me that Madrid is only 10,174km away from BKK, so it makes sense that it would take fewer points/miles to travel. Google also tells me one can drive from Madrid to BKK. 13,466km. Approximately 169 hours of car travel (7 days).

 

Hehe, a 7 day joyride thru Iran, Afhganistan, Pakistan and Burma!

 

London - New york is 5540km and still they charge you 15k more for First class compared to SE Asia..