Did my first look at Delta as we are 331 nights out from departure (01/10/12). It has been over five years since I have tried to book an award seat exactly 331 days in advance; no luck. Delta just has "medium" award buckets available. In fact, between now and next January, there are only three days with low buckets for business class seats. Economy is much better but only for four to five months out. Delta is easy to Europe or Asia because of all the options. With only one flight a day to Buenos Aires, this is not a good Delta itinerary for miles.

Coach is much better in both availability and price. As coach configuration is 2-3-2, coach is a reasonable option.

Has anyone else tried to get their air yet? Do other airlines hold off in making inventory available? At least with Delta, you can (almost) always get award seats paying a higher amount of miles. This really helped us out for Kangaroo. Given the short distance involved in flying to Buenos Aires, I would prefer not to pay 200,000 miles per person.

Next call, maybe from Kangaroo when both directions are available, is to see Amex 2-for-1 pricing; not often a good deal.

Can't comment about Delta , but with Continental the conventional wisdom that you get better FF seat availability 331 days prior does not apply. Many times they make FF seats available much later. For example, for our WINES cruise in August, a few months ago FF seat availability for Newark-London was almost non existent. I kept checking almost every day. Then , a couple of weeks ago they showed availability in all their flights to London (they have about 5 flights a day)!

We used Gary Leff and hasn't always found the best routes/seats immediately upon availability. I agree with Maria.

Marc, I've been keeping an eye on AA availability & they aren't opening up Milesaaver business/first awards at 331 days out, only the AAnytime awards, which are double the miles.

I need the Milesaaver awards, don't have enough for the AAnytime ones. In fact, right now I only have enough for business one way. Has anyone ever purchased miles? It would cost me $1000 for enough miles to get RT business.

I've purchased miles occasionally to top up the account as needed for awards.

Actually right now (through 2/28) AA is giving bonus miles with miles purchased.

Buy the Miles You Need to Get There
And Earn Bonus Miles!
With American Airlines AAdvantage® miles, you can get to extraordinary destinations this year. What are your travel resolutions for 2011? Take a vacation, visit friends or family and immerse yourself in a new culture.

Simply purchase the miles you need to reach your next award and start planning the trip of your dreams. Plus, when you purchase miles through February 28, 2011, you’ll earn up to 15,000 bonus miles!


The More You Buy, The More You Earn!

Purchase Bonus
2,000 500
6,000 2,000
12,000 4,000
40,000 15,000

The link is https://buy.points.com/AAdvantage/i...BuyFeb11&c=AASoloBuyV4DomEngBuyFeb11

We've certainly purchased Delta Skymiles, but only when they were giving huge bonuses--once I think they even doubled the purchased miles. Of course then you have to try to get award tickets with those miles, which we know is a challenge, especially with Delta :( .

----------

Eugene

If you are interested in Delta and have Membership Rewards miles; if you make a "first" transfer, you can get 50% bonus. In addition, if you transfer 50,000 MR you get 25,000 Delta MQM; a good deal. Alas, my membership rewards from FUN have still not been receeived. :(

Alas, my membership rewards from FUN have still not been receeived.

Nothing here either :mecry: :mecry:

Peter, I saw that AA promotion. The 40,000 miles costs $1000 and you actually get 55,000 miles. Not too bad. I'll just keep checking until the Milesaaver seats open up.

Lauri - AA has only opened up Milesaaver awards through 12/31. I've got an alert set for you - I'll get an email when one opens up for the 10th.

That's very cool Andrea!

We were able to snag two round trip coach tickets for 60,000 miles each; we are very pleased.

Now we have enough miles left that we might be able to use miles for GRAND PRIX. :)

Nice job Marc! Since I have mucho AA miles I'll be flying in F on the 777. Only have the outbound ticketed right now since they haven't loaded milesaaver award seats for the return yet.

I've got the outbound booked in business. Now I've just got to come up with the miles to get home!

Booked the outbound a couple of weeks ago. Today I booked the return. Only business option with saver miles on AA was via MIA then on to LAX so booked those flights. Had to pay some taxes, not much $60.00 or so each. We leave 1/30/2012 at 9:45pm.

I'm coming back via Miami too.
A miles fairy paid me a visit and I am ever so grateful!

Ken and I are coming back via Miami also. I think we will all be taking that route home.

Booked my flights this evening RDU-ATL-EZE and return using my Delta Skymiles.

Great everyone seeems to be able to use miles that sure helps!!

We have to get on this soon. Haven't done it yet.

Beth, are you flying down on 10th and returning on the 30th? If so, we will see you ATL-EZE.

Marc, I am flying down on the 10th and returning the 31st. See you on board. :hello1: I'm in 30F.

I decided to take the longer flight and will be flying through JFK back to BOS.

Ngaire I was watching the direct back to DFW for Lauri & thought you & Ken had grabbed the milesaaver awards!

I will be on the Delta flight from ATL using ff miles. There is a non-stop from Houston to BA, but I didn't have enough Continental miles. That flight's price has actually dropped in the last 2 weeks, but still not cheap. The cruise price is enough to make me gag so why make it higher with an air expense. Now to call Hyatt and see if those 2 free nights are available at their BA property.

Andrea,

I have been watching the AA flights from EZE to LAX or SNA via DFW very closely. My conclusion has been AA was not going to open up the milesaver awards for the flight from BA to DFW. I think Ken and Ngaire came to the same conclusion. One could get the flight to DFW if using the anytime level. That was twice the milessaver as you probably know. One aspect of the MIA flight is it leaves earlier so less time spent at ESE lounge.

Betty, will be good to see you again. Been a long time since LAMB.

Ralph, yes it has been way too long. Since I am having to cancel most of my 2011 planned trips, I will be so ready for this cruise/expedition. Acquiring cold weather clothing is my next big challenge. Looking forward to meeting Brayden besides seeing you again. I have a high school reunion this year. One of the questions on the form is Best Adventure. I listed a past one (Egypt) and ZODIAC as the future. I already know that's exactly what it will be.

You do not need much in the way of cold weather clothing. The water proof pants are the most important. I got mine for ARCTIC at REI for around 60 to 75. I am sure Ngaire can provide good info in this area. You may have most of what you need. It gets toward the cold side in Houston in the winter. The one item I am going to take I did not take on ARCTIC is a balaclava to keep my ears warm. It is actually quite warm on the ship. On arctic it was shirt sleeve weather. Brayden wore basketball shorts many days when playing hearts. Oh to be a teenager again.

We picked up water proof pants today at Sports Authority for $30. I think we are ok with every thing else. Now, we just have to wait ten months.

It's the waiting that gets you

Well, Beth and I are set. We have our possum gear...

Andi, I am a Possum Queen in name only. I didn't actually purchase any possum products, just looked around as you and Crystal made your possum purchases!!

Then I will be the ONLY true possum queen on Zodiac and will take my honored position. As an aside, here it is March 27th...full spring...and we had weather in the 20s today. I have been putting my possum goodies to very good use.

Andi you will be deserving of your "queen" status, possum girl - I'd be your maiden in waiting hoping for a possum toss here and there - :hug: :hug:

Joanna, You are just royalty from another kingdom! I can't believe I had to give up my place at Kate and Will's wedding to go on ROAR. I would have thought they would have rescheduled to accommodate our vacation. These young people just have no manners!

AHHHHH the wedding time for rejoicing - I often play, from you tube, "Make Me A Channel of Your Peace" Westminster Abbey Choir" from the funeral IF you have never heard it PLAY IT! - the words are haunting and so moving...one of William's Mums favorite hymns

Make me a channel of your peace.

It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

In giving to all men that we receive

And in dying that we are born to eternal life

Oh master, grant that I may never seek

So much to be consoled as to console

To be understood as to understand

To be loved, as to love with all my soul.

I have heard this before, but just listened again... just beautiful

We are on LAN (through British Air) from JFK to Lima and Lima to EZE on 1/7 arriving on 1/8 and returning on a direct AA flight at 9:30 pm to JFK on 1/30.

Gary and Doug did miracles. Since it is a codeshare, we were able to use fewer miles with BA than AA. Gary also found us a 40% bump up for converting AMEX to BA miles through month end too. So, for any of you who haven't yet booked, and didn't know, I hope this helps.

Yeah! We are going!

Yes, we sure are!

Gary Leff is wonderful. He just knows what he is doing & does it.
I hate paying bills, but I never hate paying him for what he does.
A professional is always worth the price.

Doug

couldn't agree more doug! Best money we have spent in a long time.

Have not used him myself but he worked wonders for friends that were trying to get to So Africa from Maui in Sept. using United miles. They were thrilled when Gary got it done in a day.

Andi and Doug , does it not really feel good to have the air handled. I know I always anxious until I get it done.

Now we all just need to figure out what hotel that Ngaire recommends.

Less , than a month to Amarula time.

Ralph:
It does! takes that fear away that the ship will sail without you.
Re: Hotels. Currently, we are looking at the Hyatt. Good deals & GREAT credit card rewards.
But there is lots of time between now & then.

Doug

Andrea N says 4 Seasons and Hyatt are the best. I remember that Michelle had wonderful treatment at the 4 Seasons. We are staying so many days, we may split time in hotels and hop from hotel to hotel with free points.

We have two nights booked at Hilton. With cost of trip, decided to go with the free (points) option. With executive floor, we will also get breakfast, snacks, and drinks to limit cost further. Of course, I am looking forward to good beef at Argentine restaurants. ;)

Hi Marc, How do you use free nites at Hilton on exec floor?

As a Diamond, I am guaranteed access to Executive Lounge even if no rooms on floor are available. I think anyone can use points and request a paid upgrade to excutive floor; I don't know cost. Of course, it is only space available.

Thanks, Marc

air booked. 115000 ff miles for 2 business class. thank you amx for a great offer on BA/AA. Onto the hotels Keep the good offers flowing. We also used Gary. Worth every penny

We also used Gary. Worth every penny [/QB][/QUOTE]

How does this work?
Does he only deal with Americans?
Does he charge a flat rate?
Does he do hotels?

Andy/Doug can you e-mail me with the info?
Thanks,Pat

No hotels; flat rate. He knows all the tricks. Aren't you American? LOL

Doug will send you info...he does all the work...

Pat - Here is the link to Gary's website, where he explains his service:

http://bookyouraward.com/

He is remarkable at looking for and finding alternatives that the airlines might not offer on their websites or that the customer service people might not think of.

Cheers, Fred

Thank you all, I will look into Gary.....I'm getting to old for all this handling of miles, either that or just getting lazier.

Way I feel Pat - loved the "chase" in the old days now I view it as hard miserable work!!!

it is so stressful...... getting those tickets booked you feel like you won the lottery!

I have posted this before, but I used Gary for a cruise earlier, for TUT. Emailed him, after trying to do it for weeks on USAir with my points, and they kept saying nothing available. Honestly I don't think these "partner" airlines can "talk" to each other via computer for award travel. Whatever, I was up against a wall, so I emailed Gary. Within an hour, I had email from him offering several biz class itineraries to Athens and back from wherever we were to disembark. For 100K miles. Then he said he could get me FIRST for only 25K more miles. I was thrilled, and booked. So when the cruise was canceled, Regent booked me back home in same class, and reimbursed me in cash for a F class ticket shortly after the cruise was canceled. Gary charges by the trip, for up to 2 people. He is simply the best, in my book, if you have trouble booking on your own and can't get what you want. If he can't do it, I don't think anyone can!

I consider myself fairly expert in using miles on One World carriers, but his is a small price to pay for the hours I've spent watching, analyzing, and hoping seats will open up. I might have to use him in the future!

And beyond his outstanding ability to find available seats, he actually knows what the airlines are like to fly on. (read his blog)
He found us our Biz seats for 80,000 each as compared with the AA charge of 100,000 each. (& I think we would have been on the same plane, anyway!)
He then told us we could do 1st class for 100,000 each. So, I asked him about the 1st class service on the flights. He was honest, because he knew. We are going Biz & saving those 40,000 miles for another trip.
The man is a wonderful resource!

Doug

Oh, and he found a way to get 2,500 Hilton points. Just log on with your number & pin. But I think that this will vanish quickly.

http://bit.ly/eHmhCZ

Doug

Thanks Doug!

Thanks Doug. Needed that after emptying 230,000 points out of my HHonors account.

Glad to help.
Lord knows that you all have helped us many times over.

Grab them points!

Doug

Thanks, Doug. Nice way to start the day!

Cheers, Anne

you are so very welcome, Anne.
After all the places we've been to together, sharing is only natural!

Doug

Shoot, you snooze you lose, a lesson I don't seem to learn well. Finally found my HHonors card, and this offer has expired.

Well, we have now booked two free nights at the Hilton and one night at the Intercontinental. Too bad we used up our Hyatt points! We're thinking of booking our other three nights at a boutique hotel just for a change of pace...we'll feel like nomads, but will see different areas of Buenos Aires. Is this a bad idea?

NOMADS have fun - go fot it sounds like it'd be interesting :D