afc

I am an US Air FF and tried 2 years ago to use during Winter Break, to Orlando. I called 8 months out and was basically told nothing available. I tried different days but always the same answer. I finally said to an agent is there any suggestion you might make and he searched a little and said if you can leave a couple of days later and also stay a couple of days later and are willing to fly into Tampa instead of Orlando I have 2 seats available. So we did that it worked out fine and we actually stayed in Clearwater for 3 days, had never been to the Gulf Coast. You might aske them for alternative options. It will save you many phone calls.

Intrepid1

There is absolutely nothing "new" about this except for one thing, Beach_dweller...after all this time you finally decided to redeem some miles and you found out what a lot of us have known for years..welcome aboard, Newbie..I know it hurts but basically it's true.

beach_dweller

Intrepid1, did you get that bedside manner from watching House? Just kidding of course. At least I am in good company.

GoTravel,

I'll probably run a smaller marathon than NYC or Chicago. The big marathon experience at MCM was enough togetherness for me. I might try to talk my better half into Dublin in October.

Christine65

I just booked a flight on AA using my husbands FF. I booked them on Monday for travel tomorrow (that's less than a week). I got the flights that I wanted. Only downside is they charged double the points. The person on the phone was extremely helpful and took alot of time to find flights that would work for me.

karens

I think all newcomers to FF miles learn this the hard way.

We've gotten 4 FF tix, PHL to St. Thomas over spring break on USAir. The secret was booking early. If I book 9-10 months out, I almost always get what I want.

I don't think it's unusual for any airline not to have FF seats only one month out. I don't think anything USAir told the original poster was out of line. It's just how the "game" is played, and nothing to do with customer loyalty.

Beachdweller, USAir has flyers who earn 130,000 miles in ONE year (v. your 15).

buongiorno

While I have been frustrated at times trying to redeem my US Air FF miles with US Air, I have had reasonable luck with their code share partners. I was able to book on Lufthansa from the US to Italy with US Air FF miles.

karens

Christine - it is my understanding that any airline will give you a FF seat for double points.

In my opinion, this would only be worth it to me if this was a really expensive flight.

ChrissyJ

Or if you just can't afford a ticket otherwise! If you already have the miles, and don't use them, that's a bigger waste than using them on an inexpensive ticket. This is especially true for people who rack up a majority of their miles on business travel they didn't pay for in the first place.

KathyK

I have enough miles for 5 free tickets on US Air and have not been able to use them as the free flights are never available. Several months ago I gave up on US Air and got the Captial One card, which others have told me will get me a free ticket as long as there is a seat on the plane. I no longer use my US Air card, but hope to someday cash in the free tickets.

Christine65

Ya I know about the double miles but am short on money at the moment. So in this situation it was best for me to use them. May not get used otherwise as we don't fly all that often for vacation--usually drive.

beach_dweller

karens,

I appreciate your comment, and I know you are right about the current status of USAir's FF program.

But to clarify, I have redeemed my FF miles several times over the past 15 years, and until this last time, I had no problems whatsoever getting flights 1-3 months out. (And for this flight I did check in December for a March departure, not just one month out). So I think FF programs have changed quite a bit over the years. But I agree with your implied suggestion that I get with the program, so to speak, and jettison the past.

karens

I see, beachdweller.

I view this from both sides of the fence. While we take several trips a year, it would take me a very long time on my own to earn a free flight. My husband is now a gold (but more often a silver) level FF. He puts up with a lot of hassles flying and I think he deserves the "perks".

While I would like to say we give our loyalty to USAir and deserve something in return, in reality, we live in Phila, a USAir dominated airport, so that is that we fly USAir. If we don't, we don't fly direct and we don't have the option of choosing b/w many different flights. I'm sure USAir knows our loyalty comes more from lack of choice than because we think they are such a wonderful airline. (They are not).

What did irk me was that a new USAir credit card gave the same boarding privilegs to the cardholders that a silver level FF has. I don't think it's fair that someone who signed up for a credit card last week gets the same boarding privileges as my husband, whose racked up 1,000s of miles (and 100s of delayed flights, uncomfortable flights, etc.). (NOTE: I think it's great to earn miles with a credit card - it's just I think people who fly 50,000-100,000 deserve some sort of privledge that a credit card holder should not).

Unfortunately, you need to learn how to play the FF game in order to benefit. I've had many friends say they don't bother any more b/c they can't redeem flights. It's truly not that big of a deal for us to book our vacations 10 months out. (I enjoy travel and the planning; I'm the type who knows where were going this summer - AND next summer). If you're more a "fly by the seat of my pants" type traveler, FF miles are not for you.

beach_dweller

Karens,

well-said.

KarenD

I feel your pain. I have been a loyal customer to Northwest Airlines for several years....only because they fly out of my airport to my usual destination in Europe....NOT because they are a great airline. I could curl your hair with stories of how they screwed me over and over. (Once, separating my seat from my 2 children on a transatlantic flight and shrugging of the "inconvenience" of it. I was on my own to beg passengers to change places with us.)
Anyway, I flew to Europe once a month for a year and a half and racked up plenty of FF miles with a "Platinum" status (does not help much of anything). I then tried to redeem FF miles to upgrade to first class on a transatlantic flight and was told that it was only possible to do if I first bought the most expensive domestic ticket (about $1500). THEN I could use 80,000 miles to upgrade (one way!). Since the cheap domestic tickets were only $500 at that time, I just could not justify wasting the extra 2 flights worth of money to upgrade.
I will say though that I have redeemed Northworst FF miles for several trips within the U.S. and once upgraded on a flight to Hawaii and have never had a problem getting seats for those trips. Delays, cancellations, lost luggage, and nasty airline personnel were another problem. I'm not surprised they are making minus profit.

I did take a final flight to Europe in February last year and got a "cheap" first class ticket for $1600 and so splurged. I was actually quite horrified at how the flight attendants absolutely kiss your ass in first class when they are the nastiest people back in the cattle car section. The difference is disgusting.

If Southwest airlines flew everywhere, I would ALWAYS fly them. Their FF program is absolutely awesome!

buckspc

I just booked a non stop flight from SFO to Bos and return non stop with 25k miles on United. Booked Feb. 25th for a Sept. 26 flight. Only had miles for 1 so purchased a ticket for spouse on same flights for $338. All done on line and had no problems at all. Buck

JanDelaware

I have used US Air miles to upgrade several overseas flights (which really helps on a 9-hour flight!)--and have learned that you have to be careful to have booked your original coach flight in a fare class that is upgradable. All are not!

I always book overseas flights through a travel agent (who can help with cancelled flights, etc.)--and have them check with US Air before anything is finalized to be sure I can upgrade. I've also found that if I travel Mon.-Thurs., it's more likely that seats will be available for upgrade in Business Class.