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I'm pretty lucky with redemptions but I know others who struggle with using their points.
My problem is I don't have enough points.
Credit from this blog:
http://www.frequentflier.com/strateg...k-a-free-trip/
What makes frequent flyer programs rewarding is, naturally, rewards.
But finding an award seat can be like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack.
So difficult has it become, in fact, that significant numbers of consumers have sworn off
mileage programs altogether, vowing never to be tempted again by what they see as the
airlines’ bait-and-switch marketing.
The difficulty is real. On the other hand, every year millions of frequent flyer program
participants do successfully cash in their miles for free trips. So it’s not impossible.
Here are some tactics that will make the process easier.
Book early – Award seats first become available for booking 330 days prior to the
flight’s departure date.
Book late – If a flight still has empty seats within two weeks of departure, the airlines
often make more award seats available.
Consider an upgrade – If award seats are not available at an affordable price, consider
buying a coach ticket and using miles to upgrade to first class.
Look into alternative airports – If you’re having trouble finding award seats from
New York’s JFK Airport, for example, check to see if seats are available from Newark,
La Guardia, or MacArthur Airport on Long Island.
Use contrarian timing – If your dates are flexible, look for seats on low-demand days.
Since Hawaii, for example, is primarily a leisure destination, traffic tends to be heaviest
around weekends, particularly Fridays and Sundays.
By the same token, steer clear of the days immediately before and after holidays.
Call the airline – A reservations agent may be able to find award seats where none are
available on the airline’s own website. You’ll pay a service charge if the agent is successful
in making your booking, but it’s well worth $20 or so if it makes the difference between
getting to your destination and staying home.
None of the above guarantees success, however.
For that, you’ll have to redeem more miles for a less restricted award.
As distasteful as the prospect of cashing in twice as many miles may be,
it might be your only option, especially if you don’t have the flexibility to
work around the airlines’ capacity controls.
My problem is I don't have enough points.
Credit from this blog:
http://www.frequentflier.com/strateg...k-a-free-trip/
What makes frequent flyer programs rewarding is, naturally, rewards.
But finding an award seat can be like searching for the proverbial needle in the haystack.
So difficult has it become, in fact, that significant numbers of consumers have sworn off
mileage programs altogether, vowing never to be tempted again by what they see as the
airlines’ bait-and-switch marketing.
The difficulty is real. On the other hand, every year millions of frequent flyer program
participants do successfully cash in their miles for free trips. So it’s not impossible.
Here are some tactics that will make the process easier.
Book early – Award seats first become available for booking 330 days prior to the
flight’s departure date.
Book late – If a flight still has empty seats within two weeks of departure, the airlines
often make more award seats available.
Consider an upgrade – If award seats are not available at an affordable price, consider
buying a coach ticket and using miles to upgrade to first class.
Look into alternative airports – If you’re having trouble finding award seats from
New York’s JFK Airport, for example, check to see if seats are available from Newark,
La Guardia, or MacArthur Airport on Long Island.
Use contrarian timing – If your dates are flexible, look for seats on low-demand days.
Since Hawaii, for example, is primarily a leisure destination, traffic tends to be heaviest
around weekends, particularly Fridays and Sundays.
By the same token, steer clear of the days immediately before and after holidays.
Call the airline – A reservations agent may be able to find award seats where none are
available on the airline’s own website. You’ll pay a service charge if the agent is successful
in making your booking, but it’s well worth $20 or so if it makes the difference between
getting to your destination and staying home.
None of the above guarantees success, however.
For that, you’ll have to redeem more miles for a less restricted award.
As distasteful as the prospect of cashing in twice as many miles may be,
it might be your only option, especially if you don’t have the flexibility to
work around the airlines’ capacity controls.
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