FF availability tools
 

It's been a few years since I tried to book award travel, but the "new and improved" Delta site is giving me fits. There used to be an availability tool on Northwest's Japan site that was quite useful, and ANA has a tool for checking Star Alliance availability.

What tools do you use for guidance?

asiares.nwa.com and check WorldPerks Award under Search By.

I use Expert Flyer, the Qantas, British Airways, and American Airlines sites (QF and BA cover most Oneworld carriers.) Just last week Alaska Airlines started allowing on-line booking for some of their partners' flights, including AA, Northwest (buh-bye) and Delta inventory, as well as their own. Alaska says they'll add other partners' flights (including British Airways, Air France, Cathay Pacific and Qantas) in the coming months. Works like a champ.

Thank you both very much; I appreciate your help.

how do you use the ANA site to check availability? I could only see flights from IAD (my home airport) to Asia. I'm tempted to get Expert Flyer, but just don't travel enough to make it worthwhile :(

Momliz,

I think you have to join the ANA loyalty program. I did and received a member number, which allowed me to access their Star Alliance availability tool.

It turned out to be really helpful when the customer service reps at USAirways told me there was "no way" I was going to get a ticket to Madrid last May. By using the ANA tool, I found some Lufthansa flights, called the Dividend Miles people again, and hey presto, got the tickets.

I'm sure there are plenty of reasons USAirways may not have had those seats/dates/flights, but it felt good to be able to do some checking on my own and come back with concrete possibilities for them to look into.

Good luck to you in your search.

Thanks very much!

is there an equivalent to the ANA Star Alliance search for Sky Team?

Try asiares.nwa.com for most Skyteam carriers.

Also Expert Flyer has Air France, Czech, Northwest and Delta (Delta is upgrade only).