Award flights on points. Newbie questions!

[davidge]

I’ve never used points for a flight, or even an upgrade, so have some basic questions.

Background:

my nephew came over from Australia to travel around the U.K. and Europe. He came on a one way flight. He’s now had to go into hospital and been diagnosed with a condition that will mean careful monitoring, meds and a disciplined way of life until he gets used to it. As a result he’ll be going back home earlier than planned, as soon as he’s stable enough, so it will be peak time for flights.

I have enough EVA points to get him to Singapore which will save him about £1k. Now the questions:

I can transfer my points to him if he registers for EVA FF. Has anybody done this and are there any restrictions or issues I need to be aware of?

I’ve looked at some dates to see availability and I can book Singapore Air LHR-SIN on some dates. It says it won’t be confirmed until details are entered and will then say if confirmed or waitlisted. Does anyone know if they tell you before you commit to using the points? He’ll be paying for a flight from SIN to BNE so it is essential that the award flight is confirmed to make the connection. I don’t want him to book, lose the points, then find he’s only waitlisted.

Anything else to be aware of?

 

Apologies for rambling on a bit and I hope that all makes sense.

Thanks

[Woodacre]

In my experience any of the buy miles or transfer miles options have prohibitively high fees.  I've never seen where you select an offered scheduled flight, pay with miles, but its then standby?

I would encourage you to use your miles. My United miles earned over many years have been devalued multiple times in last few years and I was very happy I used about half of them previous to the most recent devaluation.

[Btc755]

15 hours ago, davidge said:

I’ve never used points for a flight, or even an upgrade, so have some basic questions.

Background:

my nephew came over from Australia to travel around the U.K. and Europe. He came on a one way flight. He’s now had to go into hospital and been diagnosed with a condition that will mean careful monitoring, meds and a disciplined way of life until he gets used to it. As a result he’ll be going back home earlier than planned, as soon as he’s stable enough, so it will be peak time for flights.

I have enough EVA points to get him to Singapore which will save him about £1k. Now the questions:

I can transfer my points to him if he registers for EVA FF. Has anybody done this and are there any restrictions or issues I need to be aware of?

I’ve looked at some dates to see availability and I can book Singapore Air LHR-SIN on some dates. It says it won’t be confirmed until details are entered and will then say if confirmed or waitlisted. Does anyone know if they tell you before you commit to using the points? He’ll be paying for a flight from SIN to BNE so it is essential that the award flight is confirmed to make the connection. I don’t want him to book, lose the points, then find he’s only waitlisted.

Anything else to be aware of?

 

Apologies for rambling on a bit and I hope that all makes sense.

Thanks

Sorry to hear about your nephew, hopefully everything will be okay.

I fly using points quite frequently, but I am not that familiar with the EVA ff program.  I flew on them one time, but booked it using United miles.  

Yes, your nephew would need to first register for an EVA ff account.  Then you would need to fill out a nomination form to allow you to have the ability to transfer (at no charge) miles to your nephew’s account.  

Also one quirk is you need to transfer the exact miles needed for the flight, if your nephew gets some bonus miles for signing up, they can’t be combined with your points.  Also make sure his name on his ff account exactly matches his passport including his middle name.

https://www.evaair.com/en-global/infinity-mileagelands/mileage-award-program/transfer-return-miles/

I don’t have an EVA ff account, so I can’t look up flights available.  But, yes there are cases where there are flights that can be booked immediately & others you are waitlisted for…which may or may not become available at some point.  Here is a guide to booking a ticket from a miles & points blog.  Also read some of the comments below the article.

https://onemileatatime.com/guides/redeem-miles-eva-air-business-class/

Good luck hope it works out for you.

Edited July 11, 2024 by Btc755

[cockblocker43]

You should be able to book the flight for him using your miles. Most airlines will allow you to book a flight for someone using your miles.

Ive done this with United and American airlines using miles.

Unfortunately some quick research after my post shows Eva doesn't allow this.

 

Edited July 11, 2024 by cockblocker43

[Bonkabit]

 

Star Alliance Member Airlines

Our member airlines include many of the world’s top aviation companies as well as smaller, more regional carriers. Together, they offer easy connections to almost any destination in the world. Each airline maintains its own individual style and cultural identity, bringing the richness of diversity and multiculturalism to the Alliance. At the same time each airline shares a common dedication to the highest standards of safety and customer service.

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Normally you can use points earned on an airline in Star Alliance to buy travel on another carrier in the same scheme.

I have had no problems doing this with Thai, Singapore and Lufthansa as members of Star Alliance.

[Dingo Brax]

15 hours ago, davidge said:

I’ve never used points for a flight, or even an upgrade, so have some basic questions.

Background:

my nephew came over from Australia to travel around the U.K. and Europe. He came on a one way flight. He’s now had to go into hospital and been diagnosed with a condition that will mean careful monitoring, meds and a disciplined way of life until he gets used to it. As a result he’ll be going back home earlier than planned, as soon as he’s stable enough, so it will be peak time for flights.

I have enough EVA points to get him to Singapore which will save him about £1k. Now the questions:

I can transfer my points to him if he registers for EVA FF. Has anybody done this and are there any restrictions or issues I need to be aware of?

I’ve looked at some dates to see availability and I can book Singapore Air LHR-SIN on some dates. It says it won’t be confirmed until details are entered and will then say if confirmed or waitlisted. Does anyone know if they tell you before you commit to using the points? He’ll be paying for a flight from SIN to BNE so it is essential that the award flight is confirmed to make the connection. I don’t want him to book, lose the points, then find he’s only waitlisted.

Anything else to be aware of?

 

Apologies for rambling on a bit and I hope that all makes sense.

Thanks

Instead of transferring points to his brand new account, can you not just book an award ticket in his name? I have been using another Star Alliance carrier's frequent flier program to book award tickets for quite a few friends in the last couple of years without issue. Perfectly legal in terms of my frequent flier program RULES as well.

[Btc755]

4 minutes ago, Bonkabit said:

 

Star Alliance Member Airlines

Our member airlines include many of the world’s top aviation companies as well as smaller, more regional carriers. Together, they offer easy connections to almost any destination in the world. Each airline maintains its own individual style and cultural identity, bringing the richness of diversity and multiculturalism to the Alliance. At the same time each airline shares a common dedication to the highest standards of safety and customer service.

Click on a logo to learn more about each one:

• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Normally you can use points earned on an airline in Star Alliance to buy travel on another carrier in the same scheme.

I have had no problems doing this with Thai, Singapore and Lufthansa as members of Star Alliance.

Yes, but the flights booked using EVA miles on EVA flights are much cheaper than flights using EVA miles on Star Alliance flights.  It is totally different from United where they are the same whether you fly on United or another Star Alliance airline.

[Btc755]

12 minutes ago, Dingo Brax said:

Instead of transferring points to his brand new account, can you not just book an award ticket in his name? I have been using another Star Alliance carrier's frequent flier program to book award tickets for quite a few friends in the last couple of years without issue. Perfectly legal in terms of my frequent flier program RULES as well.

EVA has different terms, click on the links from my previous post.

Edited July 11, 2024 by Btc755

[briguy]

Here's a good general article on the topic of redeeming miles for other people:

https://onemileatatime.com/guides/redeem-airline-miles-for-others/

[davidge]

Thanks for replies so far and links. A few points.

I’m unlikely to use the points myself, unless I book 1 night in a Bangkok hotel just to use them. 

Unless I’m misreading the EVA website and the articles, I can’t book flights for him using my account, I can only transfer the miles to him.

The Star Alliance award section of the website is dreadful. It frequently doesn’t load properly so you can’t actually enter airports. I’ve had to refresh the page 3 or 4 times to get it to work. Same problem on 3 different browsers.

It’s easy to find availability on 1-stop flights between LHR and SIN but a lot fewer dates with availability on SIN direct. My sister has flown over to take him home so I need to get him on the same flight really - although he’s 28 so not a kid!

Once my points from this week’s flights appear in my account I will have enough for one leg of the journey to BNE but I don’t know if it will end up simpler to just pay for flights even though fares are ridiculous. Hopefully, if both flights are on SIN they will check his luggage through and avoid the extra hassle at SIN???

 

He’s still in hospital at the moment so it will be a few weeks before he can fly, I’d have thought. The specialist is based at a different hospital and only visits 3 times a week which has slowed things down.

 

Thanks again.

[ricktoronto]

21 hours ago, davidge said:

 

I can transfer my points to him if he registers for EVA FF. Has anybody done this and are there any restrictions or issues I need to be aware of?

He’ll be paying for a flight from SIN to BNE so it is essential that the award flight is confirmed to make the connection. I don’t want him to book, lose the points, then find he’s only waitlisted.

You normally redeem the points for the ticket in their name.

They are booked, reserved tickets not standby tickets. They're practically the same as a full fare ticket. 

Even with the same airline or the same alliance buying two separate tickets is not buying a connecting flight and the second airline can and will treat a late connection as a no show. The same airline or alliance might protect your son but two different airlines won't. 

It's two separate round trips you're contemplating and the connecting "to" airline won't be aware of the incoming flight and won't wait or provide a later flight.

Note if you went to a travel agent and actually bought a single round trip that happens to be on two different airlines, even in a different alliance, you would be protected because it is a single itinerary with a single e-ticket number.

Edited July 11, 2024 by ricktoronto

[momo5]

1 hour ago, ricktoronto said:

You normally redeem the points for the ticket in their name.

They are booked, reserved tickets not standby tickets. They're practically the same as a full fare ticket. 

Even with the same airline or the same alliance buying two separate tickets is not buying a connecting flight and the second airline can and will treat a late connection as a no show. The same airline or alliance might protect your son but two different airlines won't. 

It's two separate round trips you're contemplating and the connecting "to" airline won't be aware of the incoming flight and won't wait or provide a later flight.

Note if you went to a travel agent and actually bought a single round trip that happens to be on two different airlines, even in a different alliance, you would be protected because it is a single itinerary with a single e-ticket number.

Need to be careful with this; without a codeshare or interline agreement, the airlines will still treat the tickets as separate … one would need to manage an IRROP through the agent in such a circumstance.  Also, if the agent is ignoring MCTs, then the airlines will likely fall back on that as an excuse not to do anything.  Haven’t used a travel agent in many years for airfare, but I would expect a lot depends on how good the agent is.  
 

@davidge, as previously noted, booking separate tickets resulting in separate PNRs doesn’t involve a connection (as used in the industry) but rather a self-transfer and this can be replete with headaches if you don’t plan ahead.  May or may not be able to check in through to the final destination.  May or may not be able to check luggage through to the final destination.  What you can and cannot do will depend on the airline(s) involved and what sort of agreements they have in place, as well as the experience and helpfulness of the agent upon check in.  If unsure, best to plan enough time for the self transfer to involve reclaiming bags, checking in again and dealing with security again. 

Edited July 11, 2024 by momo5

[davidge]

Just now, momo5 said:

Need to be careful with this; without a codeshare or interline agreement, the airlines will still treat the tickets as separate … one would need to manage an IRROP through the agent in such a circumstance.  Also, if the agent is ignoring MCTs, then the airlines will likely fall back on that as an excuse not to do anything.  Haven’t used a travel agent in many years for airfare, but I would expect a lot depends on how good the agent is.  
 

@davidge, as previously noted, booking separate tickets resulting in separate PNRs doesn’t involve a connection (as used in the industry) but rather a self-transfer and this can be replete with headaches if you don’t plan ahead.  May or may not be able to check in through to the final destination.  May or may not be able to check luggage through to the final destination.  What you can and cannot do will depend on the airline(s) involved and what sort of agreements they have in place, as well as the experience and helpfulness of the agent upon check in.  If unsure, best to plan enough time for the self transfer to involve remaining bags, checking in again and dealing with security again. 

Thanks. Yes, I was thinking that which is why I asked elsewhere on the forum about the speed of getting through SIN.

TBH, EVA make it so difficult I think it will end up easier just to pay the fare.

Before I even transfer the points I have to register for online service which involves printing off a form to complete and sign. They then suggest faxing it (seriously, fax???) though I think I could scan and send online. That could take some time to be processed even before I then try to transfer the points.

[Btc755]

5 hours ago, davidge said:

Thanks for replies so far and links. A few points.

I’m unlikely to use the points myself, unless I book 1 night in a Bangkok hotel just to use them. 

Unless I’m misreading the EVA website and the articles, I can’t book flights for him using my account, I can only transfer the miles to him.

The Star Alliance award section of the website is dreadful. It frequently doesn’t load properly so you can’t actually enter airports. I’ve had to refresh the page 3 or 4 times to get it to work. Same problem on 3 different browsers.

It’s easy to find availability on 1-stop flights between LHR and SIN but a lot fewer dates with availability on SIN direct. My sister has flown over to take him home so I need to get him on the same flight really - although he’s 28 so not a kid!

Once my points from this week’s flights appear in my account I will have enough for one leg of the journey to BNE but I don’t know if it will end up simpler to just pay for flights even though fares are ridiculous. Hopefully, if both flights are on SIN they will check his luggage through and avoid the extra hassle at SIN???

 

He’s still in hospital at the moment so it will be a few weeks before he can fly, I’d have thought. The specialist is based at a different hospital and only visits 3 times a week which has slowed things down.

 

Thanks again.

You are correct, on EVA, based on the link I sent you have to fill out the nomination form.  Other people are describing how to do it on other airlines that have different RULES.  I believe you can email the form to them instead of faxing it.

It is usually up to the discretion of the check in agent at the airport if they can check the bag all the way to final destination assuming it is 2 flights on the same airline.  If your sister explained the situation with her son, perhaps they would be more inclined to do it or maybe it would be easier for her to use her free baggage allowance & check in his carry on to BNE.

[KyleReading]

On 10/07/2024 at 23:46, Woodacre said:

In my experience any of the buy miles or transfer miles options have prohibitively high fees.  I've never seen where you select an offered scheduled flight, pay with miles, but its then standby?

Correct once miles are utilised on a booking its "confirmed status" not waitlisted

[bgtp]

6 hours ago, KyleReading said:

Correct once miles are utilised on a booking its "confirmed status" not waitlisted

EVA has an award waitlist option. Miles are deducted, taxes and fees paid, and a ticket is issued with waitlist status. If someone needed to fly on or near a particular date, it’d be a good idea to have backup plan.