One of the things I really enjoy doing is responding to reader questions and it looks like I haven’t really opened things up in a structured way since a major Q&A thread in September. So here’s your chance.
I will my best to cover many of your questions. Some I may answer right away, others that I answer will take me a few weeks.
Please leave requests in the comments section. I might answer some there while others will warrant standalone posts if they seem like topics that would help many readers.
As my boss once wrote making a similar request on his blog, “The only promise is that of weak monotonicity, namely that your mention won’t lower the chance of the topic being covered.” In other words, I won’t promise to cover everything, though I’ll read and ponder everything that’s written here in the comments.
I’d love to hear from you!
If you could change your career to something else, would you ? And what would it be?
We will be traveling from the east coast to Alaska in 2018. We have miles in American Airlines and Chase UR. What is the best way to book if we want/need Alaska Airlines flights? Through AA or should we begin accumulating Alaska miles and book on their website? Thanks in advance for your guidance.
Why is my Citi transfer to Flying Blue taking so long? I thought they were instant.
Any new info on the new SQ or EK First Class products or when they might start?
Thanks for this, Gary. You’ve provided useful answers to the following kinds of questions before, but the game keeps changing. So could you provide answers or (simply links to previous answers, if they’re still basically valid) to the following:
1. What are the current Chase, Citi and Amex rules about whether and how you can apply for a new credit card from a given credit card company if you’ve previously had that card, and still get the bonus points/miles for initial spending? (E.g., if even getting a new bonus is possible, how long you have to wait, or which personal and business cards seem to fall outside the Chase 5/24 rule). Please also include USA Bank and Barclay (or state what their apparent practices are, if the rules are unclear), if possible.
2. What would you say are the best sweet spots for frequent flyer programs in terms of redeeming miles for international business and first class flights ? (E.g., using rewards on airline A’s program for travel on airline A or partner airline B, for travel from X to Y.)
Thanks!
I would like to try to use British Airways Avios to fly one way from Lima Peru to LAX but the BA website does not display any options. Is it possible? Thanks.
What compensation is reasonable if your transcon or hawaii J award seats are downgraded from lie-flats to recliners? Especially on redeyes.
I understand that Alaska is dissolving their relationship with AA so wouldn’t count on using AADvantage
@Stannis from the airline’s perspective you aren’t generally due anything, they are providing you transportation on the flight and cabin ticketed. when you complain they may provide compensation as a “goodwill gesture” in amounts varying based on flight and your status, order of magnitude perhaps $100.
if this change happens in advance you may want to change flights and the airline is likely to be accommodating. i like alerts I get set from award wallet on this and also that I can set with expert flyer.
@Stuart Israel – things you cannot book on the BA.com site can still generally be booked by phone, I made a booking this morning by phone when BA couldn’t return JL options online.
Although my husband and I are experienced Award travelers to Europe and Asia we have put off our dream trip to Australia & New Zealand because securing FC or Biz seats has seemed so challenging. Is flying through Asia the trick? We live in San Diego but often fly out of LAX. We have lots of Virgin Atlantic, American & Delta miles and also Amex MM, Chase Ultimate, SPG and Citi TY. After flying Singapore Suites last October we are totally spoiled. If you were us and you wanted the best seats our miles could secure which route/airline would you go for. Obviously, attainability is a factor. We are thinking of 2019 (flexible schedule) so we have plenty of time to plan. Ideally we would like to book one way each way. Thank you!
@Steve start by reviewing http://viewfromthewing.com/2017/03/20/20-things-know-signing-rewards-credit-cards/ and http://viewfromthewing.com/2017/06/25/17-favorite-frequent-flyer-award-booking-values/
Cheers,
Gary
What’s the best way to dispute an award ticket fuel surcharge that shouldn’t have been levied?
@Kevin nothing new since the SQ configuration got leaked and also the EK configuration, I would expect we won’t have detail on either until late this year
@Steve how long as your transfer taken? Chase and Amex to Flying Blue are instant, I’ve *read* that Citi to Air France is instant but don’t recall doing one with my own account
@Carol – American will have access to Alaska Airlines saver awards. Chase transfers to British Airways which has access by phone to Alaska saver awards. The reason to start focusing on Alaska itself would be if you intend to spend more miles for additional availability beyond the saver level.
@Sean – I generally do what I want to be doing every day, I’m very lucky to be happy with the choices I’ve made
@tiffany this requires more information
@Wendy either fly via Asia, book last minute [Virgin Australia space in business class generally opens within a week of travel for instance] or just set alerts for when space happens to open — Australia is one of the toughest mainstream destinations for award travel.
What do you think the best credit card is for RV owners who pay off their entire balance each month? We have and use the Fidelity VISA card, but am interested in your views about reward cards for travel. We use campgrounds, etc.
Gary, first off – thanks for doing this.
My question is around SPG starpoints. Is there a more efficient way to accumulate these points oustide of sign-up bonuses, everyday spend, and hotel stays?
Thank you
Gary, why did my wife leave me?
Hi Gary, I have a seven figure stash of SPG points and with the merger with Marriott not sure when to start making some speculative transfers, I mostly use the points for transfers to SQ,OZ, KE and JL. Wondering what your overall strategy is at this point on both the earn and burn side of things with SPG points.
Hi there-
Is it possible to book Emirates First class using JAL miles on a one way award? For the 50k oneway redemption on the MXP-NYC route.
Thanks
Gary, Many thanks for your guidance and for taking questions. I have Advantage points, Starwood, Marriott, and Chase all in the three figures (100,000 plus) range. I am trying to find two first class tickets to Bali in March, April or May of 2018 and can’t seem to find available award seats. Any recommendations on how to “discover” these tickets and best airlines? Gracias.
Thanks for opening up this opportunity Gary. I’ve been trying to get this question answered…I started this miles & points hobby last September & have been reading your blog & a few others daily! My wife & I have combined about 350,000 Chase UR points, 105,000 SPG points, 20,000 Amex & 20,000 Citi TY points. We have maxed 5/24 & are trying not to sign up for any other cards unless they are absolutely generous offers. We are expecting our first child in 2 months and we are planning to bring her back to see her grandparents for the first time late next year or early 2019. Our ‘dream’ would be able to fly RT in either business or first class from either EWR or JFK (we are in northern NJ) to Malaysia (either KUL or PEN). Please advise which airlines and how (which website) best to do this. Our plan is to have our child be a lap child, but still debating if this is a good/safe idea. Thank you very much in advance for your time & attention!
What is the best way to get from the U.S. to Europe, one way in business class on miles?
I’m kind of just hoping that there is a saver date on AA around the time I want to travel but it’s such a risk.
Are there any mileage programs that permit routing USA – Asia roundtrip via Europe including a stopover there? Like united used to? Tha ms
How much of a hassle is it to book partner awards with Etihad miles? I have plenty of TYP, and they are going to be devalued soon. I am not sure I’ll be flying SQ in the next 3 years, so hesitate to transfer to them, I was thinking of Etihad and booking an Iberia flight. I’ve heard that you might have to HUCA several times.
Thanks in advance!!
Is there any way to get from CPT to YYY on a single ticket without flying through Montreal?
Which airlines, planes and routes are best to join the mIle high club?
Before you ban me, may I remind you that you post sex article once a week.
When flying the JFK to YVR (and return) Cathay Pacific flights on an AAdvantage Award would a lap child be free? The information on American’s website would lead me to believe that the lap child would be free but I’d say it’s too vague to be conclusive. Could you confirm?
Hi Gary,
Long time reader, first time commenting. I appreciate all the useful info and tips you provide.
I’ve noticed that Aeroplan does not abide by the DOT 24-hour flex cancellation rule, even when travel is more than one week out. AC itself does, and Aeroplan issues their tickets on AC ticket stock. Even when travel is wholly within USA on UA metal, they refuse to honor the policy. Is there any reason for this, and how do they get away with it?
Thanks in advance!
Any chance you could do a segment explaining “Married Segments” and the best ways to utilize miles with the difficulty they represent?
I have a Flying Blue account that’s unused, but almost a year old. I’d like to transfer in Amex points to get tickets for a friend. Any suggestions to avoid having my account frozen?
Gary,
I will be soon reaching Egypt Air Plus Silver, does it equal to United Premier Silver? and if so, how can I make sure that happens when I fly? I know the two airlines are part of Star Alliance. Thanks! Faisal
@Gary, thanks for this.
Is there any way *ever* to book anything other than a basic room with IHG points? I have looked at many hotels around the World and all I see are the low-rent rooms for points. Any clues?
PS: Gentlemen always drink Krug. 🙂
Booking OneWorld award tickets that don’t show on AA? I know the BA website hack? Any other tricks? Specifically thinking of Etihad, Cathay, Quantas
AA Concierge Key. What is the current thinking on what it takes a high-spending individual traveler to get this versus the head of a corporate travel department? Whether it actually means anything if one doesn’t use upgrades we might discuss but I am curious.
In booking a round the world trip is it best to go west first or east? (Flying out of NC)?
Is it possible to open the cabin door on an airplane? (One of my major fears and everyone always says its ALMOST impossible – see recent Delta fight)
Gary, I wanted to pitch you an idea for a post or a series of posts. What is your status with XYZ? When and how did you get it last year and first time ever? Do you plan on keeping it? What CCs you use to help you maintain the status? I like the way you write retrospectives and I think it will be a nice way to know you better! Thanks!
Can you change your website so your answers are indented below the questions. (I know there is a term for that!) Responses 10 posts after the question, by you or by any helpful reader, are difficult to reconcile to the original question even with the @. Thanks
with the Chase BA Visa card 30K spend for the “Travel Together Ticket”
considering whether spending that 10K (from 20-30K)is worth it for just one point per $ v the value of the companion ticket.
do you know if you can apply it to a RTW ticket, and if so, what range the taxes and fees wld be for J or F redemption?
any other ideas extracting best value from the companion redemption?
What’s the difference between a chick pea and a Lima bean?
How come CNN plays in so many airports?
Are the airport guys getting paid off or what?
Hey Gary
I got a boatload of AA miles, some people call me cheap with my miles I prefer the term thrifty.
Is there anyway I can hack AA Biz or First class award from BOS to TYO and get a free stop-over somewhere for a few days IE: Korea, Vancouver, Europe or anywhere else along the way?
Hey Gary, great idea! I’ve sent this question to your FB last month but never really got an answer. It is a question regarding codeshare flights.. if I fly on a CM codeshare flight numbered as G3 flight I imagine that if I put my Smiles frequent flyer number, I’ll get the miles as it was a pure CM flight.. but, what if I insert my Turkish number? It will earn miles on Turkish? Because the flight will be marked as a G3 XXXX although it will be operated by Copa Airlines (CM), that is a partner os Turkish via Star Alliance.
Hi Gary – any recent success booking EY apartment awards using AA miles? I see guest availability on the EY site but AA Australia is unable to see /book them.
Gary, can you compare the Andaz Papagayo vs. Marriott Guanacaste?
Any idea if the airlines will stop the proliferation of animals on planes? It’s getting out of hand….