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:: Redeeming an Award |
Free travel is a dream come true. But it could turn into a nightmare if you don't pay attention to the program's details. Blackout dates, off-peak periods, origination points, length of stay restrictions, and expiring miles make award travel more difficult to use.
Here are a few tips to help ease award travel planning:
- Plan as early as possible
The longer you take to decide on a flight, the less chance you have to get the one you want. Award seats fill up fast.
Most programs will allow you to hold an award reservation when you call and book through the service center. This can be up to two weeks, depending on which program you are using. Some of the airline programs also allow you to book award tickets online.
You may also want to consider using the double mileage awards. These over-ride capacity controls and black-out dates.
- Be flexible
Have several possible dates and times in mind when you call to reserve your flight, hotel room, car rental, or other award. And consider destinations off the beaten path or an off-season destination. The weather may not be perfect, but you can save yourself the hassles of prime-time crowds and often higher prices.
Plan to fly during midweek, and avoid flights close to holidays. Or, fly into a nearby airport and drive the remaining distance to your destination. By planning travel avoiding peak travel times and circumventing high capacity airports, you can increase your chances of getting the travel award you want.
- Consider alternative redemption options
View nonflight awards (such as rail travel or hotel getaways), companion awards and upgrades as viable alternatives to a free flight. And remember, often you can use your miles for a free stay at a resort hotel, potentially saving as much as if you had used them for an award flight.
- Use partner airlines
Check domestic and international partners for flight availability if you are having trouble getting seats on your program airline. Although origination restrictions, blackout dates, and capacity controls may be more strict, keep in mind that there may not be as many program members claiming this particular award.
- Last but not least
If you've tried everything, and the flight you want is not available, ask to be added to the waiting list. As flights fill up, yield management determines whether revenue seats are being purchased as scheduled. If it looks as if too many seats will go empty on a flight, they will loosen capacity controls for lower fares and award travel.
And, whatever you do, don't submit your vacation request until your award travel is locked-in with a flight confirmation number!
These five guidelines should make it easier for you to turn those miles into that vacation you've been dreaming of. No one ever said it would be easy, but when you're sitting on the beach of some tropical island or lounging by the fire in your favorite ski resort all the effort will certainly seem worthwhile.
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