OK, I got 120K United Miles, Now What?

[Daddee]

I went on the United site, and using the award travel feature and their flexible dates option, I found I can fly out to BKK on China Air for 70,000 miles and 20 bucks, first class sfo to peking, then business class peking to bkk.

 

Return I can only find coach flights, best deal for 32,500 miles and 57 bucks...

 

This is doing 21 days starting in Sept...

 

First time trying to use miles, would love some feedback, and also how is China Air First and Business Class?

[FROST MEDIC999]

I went on the United site, and using the award travel feature and their flexible dates option, I found I can fly out to BKK on China Air for 70,000 miles and 20 bucks, first class sfo to peking, then business class peking to bkk.

 

Return I can only find coach flights, best deal for 32,500 miles and 57 bucks...

 

This is doing 21 days starting in Sept...

 

First time trying to use miles, would love some feedback, and also how is China Air First and Business Class?

Hello Matey first China Air is OK and not really that Bad I have used then twice and it beats any day being in Cattle

 

Regarding your Points and upgrade I would Book up the going to bit sharpish then when doing it see if you book Cattle back and ask can you use points to upgrade a class

 

Airlines are Bloody complex Mate and release only a few upgrade seats then sometimes as things draw closer to departure relase or allow an upgrade as a FF.

 

I have Booked and upgrade before with an Airline paid the Fucking UK Duty then had cattle coming back and nearer the time then via my Booking been allowed to upgrade firther on points which at the time was not showing.

 

Sorry my reply is all over the Shop and understand you maybe want to just pay a Token amount

 

Best bet ring them see what they say and if comes to push Fly and the front out ( you will get more Points ) come back Cattle and those points you save Book up again for another cheap Trip

 

Ghosty

[Daddee]

Thanks Ghosty...

 

I was told the route, west coast usa to BKK, is very tough to get upgrades on if you buy the coach ticket... I know I can do this and hopefully upgrade and it will save a lot of points, but I am very tempted to pull the trigger on this option, the idea of flying first class on the 12 hour flight to peking, then business on the 5.5 hour flight to bkk is very alluring!!!

 

cannot pull the trigger yet, due to some amazingly wonderful developments in my life; I now have the privilege to be a full time father to my 14 year old son for the first time in his life... I will be able to take trips during his summer break, and xmas break, and anytime I can find a suitable friend/ family member who wants to come stay at our ski resort home with hot tub to watch over him... this sept trip is going to require a family member, so I am starting to put my fingers out, heh heh...

 

it may be christmas before I can go... will look at options then too, good to start planning that one now I am sure.

[Brianrich1]

I'm not sure where you live in the states but I would use my points to fly from the west coast to Asia. I live on the east coast so I would pay for my flight out west and leave from there. It could save you a lot of points. You don't get any point for award flights either.

[999Baht]

Awesome mate!

I really need to get myself a FF card with at least one of the carriers. 

I'm doing 6 trips this year so it seems like a waste that I have not wracked up some miles. 

[FROST MEDIC999]

Thanks Ghosty...

 

I was told the route, west coast usa to BKK, is very tough to get upgrades on if you buy the coach ticket... I know I can do this and hopefully upgrade and it will save a lot of points, but I am very tempted to pull the trigger on this option, the idea of flying first class on the 12 hour flight to peking, then business on the 5.5 hour flight to bkk is very alluring!!!

 

cannot pull the trigger yet, due to some amazingly wonderful developments in my life; I now have the privilege to be a full time father to my 14 year old son for the first time in his life... I will be able to take trips during his summer break, and xmas break, and anytime I can find a suitable friend/ family member who wants to come stay at our ski resort home with hot tub to watch over him... this sept trip is going to require a family member, so I am starting to put my fingers out, heh heh...

 

it may be christmas before I can go... will look at options then too, good to start planning that one now I am sure.

 

 

Well done Matey I bet you are over the Moon You could always bring him out with you to Pats let him see a bit of the World then do as I did with my Daughter sneak out when he is settled for the Night 5555

 

We are sort of Friends aren't we ? and I love Hot Tubs, and as you know I have Medical training so any accidents your Son may have in my charge I could cover up oops I mean treat. Hang on I just re read you said Responsible that means sadly I am out of the running 55555

 

Ghosty

[FROST MEDIC999]

Awesome mate!

I really need to get myself a FF card with at least one of the carriers. 

I'm doing 6 trips this year so it seems like a waste that I have not wracked up some miles. 

Mate YES YOU BLOODY DO and it is a waste you coming as much as you do. Have a look now see whom you Fly with the most and join up on line. Even if the Flights are a little more sticking with one Airline really does pay off HONEST

[Daddee]

I'm not sure where you live in the states but I would use my points to fly from the west coast to Asia. I live on the east coast so I would pay for my flight out west and leave from there. It could save you a lot of points. You don't get any point for award flights either.

reno nevada, fly through SFO usually, but always looking at SEA and LAX too.

 

ya, I know, no points... but I have a united mileage visa now, and am using it for all purchases... will get the other one the sapphire one for my business soon...

 

I got 50,000 miles for spending 2K on my new card...  got 5000 for adding my ex wife, who's also my business partner...  that plus the mileage from my three coach trips since last sept mean my next trip is basically free, and first / business class for at least the outbound legs...

 

just have to figure out what to do with my boy, haha!  of course he is number one, thailand is a close second in priorities...

 

[DP Gumbypgh]

I'm not sure where you live in the states but I would use my points to fly from the west coast to Asia. I live on the east coast so I would pay for my flight out west and leave from there. It could save you a lot of points. You don't get any point for award flights either.

I think it is same no of points to fly to Asia from anywhere in continental United States so paying for own flight east to west doesn't make any sense unless no frequent flyer seats are available on that leg.

[999Baht]

Mate YES YOU BLOODY DO and it is a waste you coming as much as you do. Have a look now see whom you Fly with the most and join up on line. Even if the Flights are a little more sticking with one Airline really does pay off HONEST

I looked into getting one with Qantas but they wanted money for it. 

I guess in the long run I will save a lot. 

Plus I think you can get credit cards to get from FF points etc. 

OK I have the day off today and will make it one of my "missions" today.

[Daddee]

Well done Matey I bet you are over the Moon You could always bring him out with you to Pats let him see a bit of the World then do as I did with my Daughter sneak out when he is settled for the Night 5555

 

We are sort of Friends aren't we ? and I love Hot Tubs, and as you know I have Medical training so any accidents your Son may have in my charge I could cover up oops I mean treat. Hang on I just re read you said Responsible that means sadly I am out of the running 55555

 

Ghosty

 

the house is gorgeous, we are moving in on august 1st, it's a mile from the lake and Casinos at South Lake Tahoe, and a 5 minute drive to the chairlifts of Heavenly Valley....

 

I don't think I will have any problem finding someone to take care of my boy, lol.

 

ya, my ex just came into some money, and gifted me enough to pay off ALL my debt, so I am feeling pretty good right now... not to mention my two kids' education fund are now totally handled... pressure off, 100%!!!

 

my ex is my best friend, I am very very very lucky, and don't have a single secret from her, she is rooting for me to spend as much time in Thailand as possible... she's one in a million, but I married her when she was 24 and she changed, then divorced me...  at 41 I was already quite clear who I was, and still am a dirty filthy kinky guy... haha...   18 years later our friendship is better than it has ever been.  

 

I had that other young wife I just let go (also 24 when I married her, ha!), from africa, and we all used to live together for a while, my ex and kids, her mom and my new wife... when the economy tanked and I couldn't afford two homes for a while... that was fun... 

 

my life has never been boring or ordinary, that's for sure.

[Daddee]

I looked into getting one with Qantas but they wanted money for it. 

I guess in the long run I will save a lot. 

Plus I think you can get credit cards to get from FF points etc. 

OK I have the day off today and will make it one of my "missions" today.

that's what I did 999, got some advice from a couple of pros here on the forum...  footypjman I think was one...  

star alliance is a whole slew of airlines, if you can get points there, that is the way to go maybe... I know using the united site I was able to book a 1st class seat from sfo to peking and a business class seat from peking to bkk for a pittance of cash and about half my points...  first leg was china air, second was thai air...  

 

haven't booked it yet, but that was what i could have done today for Dec 11 I think...

 

totally worth learning how to work these credit cards and mileage deals...

[Toolman192]

Wow,  Anyone want to donate miles?  

[999Baht]

that's what I did 999, got some advice from a couple of pros here on the forum...  footypjman I think was one...  

star alliance is a whole slew of airlines, if you can get points there, that is the way to go maybe... I know using the united site I was able to book a 1st class seat from sfo to peking and a business class seat from peking to bkk for a pittance of cash and about half my points...  first leg was china air, second was thai air...  

 

haven't booked it yet, but that was what i could have done today for Dec 11 I think...

 

totally worth learning how to work these credit cards and mileage deals...

Cheers mate...nothing like an almost free holiday to put a smile on your face. 

I really should have gotten onto this a lot sooner. 

[Daddee]

yep 999, it pays to play the mileage game if you're a frequent flyer...  I bet most of the folks you see in 1st and business class didn't pay full fare for those seats...

[mighty836]

that's what I did 999, got some advice from a couple of pros here on the forum...  footypjman I think was one...  

star alliance is a whole slew of airlines, if you can get points there, that is the way to go maybe... I know using the united site I was able to book a 1st class seat from sfo to peking and a business class seat from peking to bkk for a pittance of cash and about half my points...  first leg was china air, second was thai air...  

 

haven't booked it yet, but that was what i could have done today for Dec 11 I think...

 

totally worth learning how to work these credit cards and mileage deals...

Daddee, there is a fourm called Flyertalk. They tons of info on Miles and credit cards and points, which ones are the best deals and stuff like that. PM me and ill see if i can dig up the info. I signed up for Citi AA cards and spent 1500 on each and recieved 75k from each card. Total 150k from both. 

[Daddee]

Daddee, there is a fourm called Flyertalk. They tons of info on Miles and credit cards and points, which ones are the best deals and stuff like that. PM me and ill see if i can dig up the info. I signed up for Citi AA cards and spent 1500 on each and recieved 75k from each card. Total 150k from both. 

excellent!  will pm you now!

 

thanks!

 

dd

[Little Evil]

I personally won't go the upgrade route.  120k United miles are enough to go round trip in business just about anywhere (parts of Africa, oddly excluded), with just paying taxes and fees.  United's website is a great start, as they will show codeshare/Star Alliance member airlines automatically when selecting "award travel".  However, EVA, being somewhat new to Star Alliance, is still in the works.  They were showing up according to footypjman, but it was later disabled for reasons unknown.  Other alternative booking methods are using ANA's Star Alliance tool on their website (requires sign up for ANA FF) to check award travel routes on their planes, or websites like the following award travel search engine and I came across (http://beta.awardtravelr.com). Lastly, in my award travel conversations with footypjman, he suggested using a booking service if I had trouble finding a specific itinerary.  Yes, it is fee driven at $150USD, but if you have practically free points already, what's $150 for a business class trip?  [email protected]  (credit goes to fpjm).  They just got me EVA business (specifically new product) from east coast to BKK with my flight dates and choice of airlines, even though I couldn't find it myself (and I'm pretty resourceful). 

 

Alternatively, remember that domestic flights can go as low as 25k round trip and coach from CA to BKK is only 60k, so you could also end up taking a series of domestic trips or bring a buddy for free on your BKK trip.  

[Crash]

daddee, you probably mean Air China which is part of Star Alliance including United. China Air is a different carrier and belongs to the Skyteam group.

[bgtp]

Daddee, there is a fourm called Flyertalk. They tons of info on Miles and credit cards and points, which ones are the best deals and stuff like that. PM me and ill see if i can dig up the info. I signed up for Citi AA cards and spent 1500 on each and recieved 75k from each card. Total 150k from both. 

Lots of good tips on flyertalk. Things on how to search by segment to build an award at the lowest mileage level, etc. Something tells me there's a lot of mongers of flyertalk as well. I see a lot of posts mentioning 'business class to BKK' on there.

[casinoclub]

If you got 120K, you should be able to get Biz RT.

I flew Air China FC out of LAX. It's OK. It's first class so no complain, but nothing to write home about.

The short haul Biz class is nothing special. If I were you, I would fly Thai Air IN TO and OUT OF of BKK. What service.

These are what I book with my united miles.

[Daddee]

daddee, you probably mean Air China which is part of Star Alliance including United. China Air is a different carrier and belongs to the Skyteam group.

yes, correct! 

If you got 120K, you should be able to get Biz RT.

 

I flew Air China FC out of LAX. It's OK. It's first class so no complain, but nothing to write home about.

 

The short haul Biz class is nothing special. If I were you, I would fly Thai Air IN TO and OUT OF of BKK. What service.

 

These are what I book with my united miles.

awesome!!!  thx!!!

[Daddee]

I personally won't go the upgrade route.  120k United miles are enough to go round trip in business just about anywhere (parts of Africa, oddly excluded), with just paying taxes and fees.  United's website is a great start, as they will show codeshare/Star Alliance member airlines automatically when selecting "award travel".  However, EVA, being somewhat new to Star Alliance, is still in the works.  They were showing up according to footypjman, but it was later disabled for reasons unknown.  Other alternative booking methods are using ANA's Star Alliance tool on their website (requires sign up for ANA FF) to check award travel routes on their planes, or websites like the following award travel search engine and I came across (http://beta.awardtravelr.com). Lastly, in my award travel conversations with footypjman, he suggested using a booking service if I had trouble finding a specific itinerary.  Yes, it is fee driven at $150USD, but if you have practically free points already, what's $150 for a business class trip?  [email protected]  (credit goes to fpjm).  They just got me EVA business (specifically new product) from east coast to BKK with my flight dates and choice of airlines, even though I couldn't find it myself (and I'm pretty resourceful). 

 

Alternatively, remember that domestic flights can go as low as 25k round trip and coach from CA to BKK is only 60k, so you could also end up taking a series of domestic trips or bring a buddy for free on your BKK trip.  

thx!!!

[Luv2Phuket]

Sorry I'm late to weigh in -- especially since there are a couple of references to me in the above posts!  Ironically, I was in Reno and had no time to log on!  LOL

 

I have booked on EVA twice in biz class using United miles.  Both times, I looked up the EVA flight numbers, then called United to book.  One caveat is that I did this BEFORE EVA joined Star Alliance.  Prior to that, they were a booking partner for United, so miles could be used to book them.

 

Here is another thread that discusses EVA biz class, which is comparable to Cathay's seat-wise: http://www.pattaya-addicts.com/forum/topic/158716-eva-air-pleasantly-surprised/

 

One other tip that I just learned: the letters are pronounced individually as "E-V-A"; not "Eva" (like a woman's name)

 

As noted above, the miles could be used for 2 economy tickets, but -- having flown business class -- I can't imagine voluntarily doing that.  More bang for your buck to use double the miles for a $6,000 ticket than half the miles for a $1500 ticket.

 

As Little Evil mentions, I have referred a number of people to pointspros.com -- they got me booked when I couldn't find anything, so well worth the $150 IMHO.  I would suggest checking EVA flight numbers on their website and calling United to see if you can book them first.

 

Feel free to PM me with any questions this post may have raised -- don't wanna "thread jack" this one!  5555555

[Daddee]

no problem footy, i am on the way to a virtually free trip, thanks to following your advice!!  holler at me next time you're in reno/tahoe, drinks on me!!!

 

sapphire card next!!!