Christine

Does anyone know of any airlines that have FF seats available for travel to Europe this summer? I have the Amex miles that Howard mentioned in the other FF thread below, so I can transfer them to a number of airlines. I was on the phone with 4 or 5 different airlines for hours yesterday and no one had anything for me!

Does anyone have any advice? FYI, our ideal itinerary would be flying from O'Hare to Barcelona on 6/23, then out of Nice and back to O'Hare on 7/16, though I would be flexible on dates and destinations if it would get us there.

Also, if I could scrape together enough miles for business class, do you think that would help my cause?

Thanks for any help! I do plan to spend much of today on the phone with airlines, but I thought if anyone had booked anything recently, they might be able to give me some hints.

Ed

At this point, Christine, anyone who has just recently found a seat or two to Europe on FF miles has probably taken the last one available on that flight.

I'd guess you'd be better off calling airlines directly.

But, frankly, my even stronger guess is that most of the FF seats for this summer to Europe were probably gone 4-6 months ago. You might start giving some thought to alternative means of getting there this summer, postponing your trip or considering another destination. (Certinly not Hawaii!)

Christine

Thanks Ed! Now I know! We've been saving these miles for this trip forever! I wish I had known that I should have booked this months ago.

After an hour on the phone w/ Delta, who partners w/ Air France, I did get a flight from Chicago to Miami, stopping in Cincinnati (no plane change), then Miami to Paris, Paris to Barcelona. Ick! But if it'll get me there and it's free, I guess I have to do it.

The way back is much better. Nice to Paris to Chicago.

Thanks again.

Judy

Christine, you are fortunate to get the trips so "late" in the season. I started in Sept. 2000, for my trip this Aug. to Scotland and Ireland! We are going from Atlanta to Chicago to Paris to Edinburgh.... and I am trying very hard to get a new first leg, from Atlanta to Paris to Edinburgh and I have to keep on calling back for updates from Delta, as to whether there are "new" FF seats available. They say sometimes they turn up. I am hoping, but at least we have a direct flight from Dublin to Atlanta!

Ed

Well done Christine! A bit of a scenic tour on the way, but it beats walking for sure. Glad you were able to salvage the plans. I'm sure you'll be happy with trip.

guy

It is good that have at least found a ride to Europe with FF..albeit not the perfect one ..It is getting a quite a bit more difficult to redeem them on short notice, and it requires a bit more planning. I just last month....redeemed FF for 5 people to Ireland and was pleasantly surprised to get them on the dates I needed...and all on the same flight. So sometimes I think it is just timing and luck, because this trip was planned at the last minute. Also, even though you already have " a ticket"...you may want to continue to check back with the airlines. Things change almost from day to day or week to week on the seating and availabilty and you may be able to work you way up the food chain and get a better flight still...Good Luck

Christine

Yes, the nice woman at Delta said they cancel reservations that have not been ticketed at midnight (mountain time) and then they open at 6 am, mountain time. So guess who is going to be on the phone every morning at 6 am mountain time?

I'm so naive. I admit it. I thought I was planning ahead, booking in March for June! Now I know!

Way to go on the flights to Ireland!

Anthony

Christine,

Earlier on the France thread I posed a similar subject. As it turns out to get a direct flight during the summer in particular you have to book eleven! months in advance and then there is no assurance you will get the free seat. I believe more travel and reduced allocation of ffm seats is causing this problem.

My problem is truth in advertising. I want airlines to put in their advertising that ffm are mostly good for
off-peak travel and relatively worthless for peak travel times.

As soon as I find away to use my 50M Delta miles-perhaps a trip to Saskatoon next January- I plan to switch to British Airways, a much better carrier.

Judy

Christine, your good fortune was with me....I was inspired to call Delta back 20 min. ago, and voila, I got the leg from Atlanta to Paris to Edinburgh! I am thrilled to do away with the Chicago segment of my trip(not that I don't like Chicago) All I have to do is pop in the Delta tkt office near our house and pay the change fee of 25$ It is well worth it, IMO.... Whew, what a relief! Judy

Christine

I wish we could just log-in here so we all wouldn't have to retype our name and email addy every time we post! It's not *that* much of a hassle, but still!

Wow, Judy! I'm so glad that in some small way I could help since I'm not a seasoned traveler and usually don't have information to offer.

Now if only (a.) your Chicago-Paris flight had been on the same day I was trying to get there and/or (b.) Anthony would give me his unwanted extra FF miles. (I'm actually a bit short in miles but I can buy some through amex.)

Thanks again, folks. (Just read the thread about thanking people!)

Howard

I find this thread a refreshing change of pace from the usual "airlines are terrible" tirades. I've been lucky to have never been shut out when trying to use FF miles. It's nice to hear that others have succeeded as well. (P.S.: I have absolutely no connection to the airline industry!)

jan

I called Delta last week.....could get a return, but couldn't get therd! So I called every day and found something today.......so keep trying and I'll bet you'll get something better. I'd call right after midnight.....they are open 24 hours....you don't have to wait until 6 am......I have a different # for you to try...800-325-2000.....then push 5.

Joyce

Hi! had to leave on a Friday LA to Atlanta,then to Gatwick May 18. on the return we come back on Monday 6/11. It extended the vacation somewhat, and fortunately we were able to take the extra days. So Maybe if you are flexible avoid weekends. J