Is RA worth it?

[billt4sf]

. Now all NA based flights show up 4-8weeks before the flight. No good for planning!!! .

Mikey can you be a little more specific about this statement? I'm not sure what you mean. I use EVA a lot, and it might come in useful to know what you're getting at.

- Bill

 

[mikeycanuk]

If you have frequent flyer points on a Star Alliance carrier you can redeem for EVA, United, Air Canada, Turkish Airways etc. A year ago EVA had lots and lots of J (business) and Y (economy) reward space available for North America-Asia. Then all of a sudden NOTHING, there was much discussion online until it became clear EVA award space I believe shows up 7,8 or 9 weeks before departure. EVA award space within Asia is still bookable 355 days out, it just departing NA that shows up so late.

We ended up using Turkish Airlines from Toronto to Jakarta on points.

If you use EVA a lot how do you book tickets? Through UA (United)?

 

[billt4sf]

If you have frequent flyer points on a Star Alliance carrier you can redeem for EVA, United, Air Canada, Turkish Airways etc. A year ago EVA had lots and lots of J (business) and Y (economy) reward space available for North America-Asia. Then all of a sudden NOTHING, there was much discussion online until it became clear EVA award space I believe shows up 7,8 or 9 weeks before departure. EVA award space within Asia is still bookable 355 days out, it just departing NA that shows up so late.

We ended up using Turkish Airlines from Toronto to Jakarta on points.

If you use EVA a lot how do you book tickets? Through UA (United)?

Thanks for that! I am hoping to build up enough miles to be useful, but have not done so yet. I really appreciate the info!!

I book through their website, Homepage - EVA Air | America - should I do it from United? Hmmm.....

- Bill

 

[Shasta_man]

Yes. Komodo and RA are close competitors.

 

[delmolino]

I'd also look into American AAdvantage and Alaska programs as you could use with Cathay Pacific. I have my wife's and mine award tickets with Cathay, currently arriving in Jakarta and departing from Bali, still trying to convince my non diving wife to go to RA, looking very unlikely she will agree on this one. Bear in mind though, that this "miles game" has become increasingly hard to play.

 

[highdesert]

should I do it from United? Hmmm..... - Bill

If you're using Star Alliance miles from the US, I think it's easier to book through United. But, that means that 1) you'll probably end up on United for the long haul flight (not fun) and 2) since United starts booking awards seats a year out, you may not find many route choices left, if any at all.

 

[matts1w]

I fly to the US from Jakarta twice a year, and lately American through Tokyo to Dallas has been BY FAR the best prices and times to get back to the US east coast and midwest. You must keep in mind their TV screens in economy are awful and load up your iPad. The long haul flight has a 2 seat>5 seat>2 seat configuration. Get in a two seat row with you significant other and it really isn't any worse than the any others.

 

[mikeycanuk]

Asia is easier via rewards than Australia, but neither is impossible. Flew J LAX-SYD in July on points via United.

It takes time for the points game and Americans have it easier as there are so many points cards out there. This is a good place to start One Mile at a Time - TIPS, TRICKS, AND TRAVEL WITH LUCKY

Bill - look into codeshare flights and using Google travel. In the end it is still easier to get points via credit card sign ups. (I love Amex)

And the points can get devalued, Aeroplan just did it. But I'm not affected (whew) but was inevitable due to easy free miles. Just burned over 600K from Toronto to Bali return in biz/first (3 of us) And $2100 in "taxes". Still those tickets are worth around $45k Canadian so not bad, still got lots of miles left.

Starting with Avios and SPG are useful too. Diversify. My Yyz-CGK points tickets are on the Xmas season, just have to know how to play the game.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[WetPup]

I also play the frequent flyer game. A little too obsessively sometimes.

If you can manage it, the best option for Star Alliance is Singapore Airlines from Houston through to Jakarta (obviously via Singapore). Your biggest problem is likely to be award availability on Singapore, because it is by far the best option, and all the frequent flyers know it!

I regularly do Australia-HKG-SFO-onwards on Cathay (One World), and that's my preferred option so as to avoid LAX, but getting either a Cathay or Singapore Airlines flight from the US to Asia is worth the few extra dollars or miles for an award seat. The service and comfort they provide on the long haul sectors are worth the money.

 

[billt4sf]

Jeeez, so many options. Right now I am happy with SFO-Taiwan-Bali via EVA. But I guess I should actually look at the points and awards thing carefully. Sounds like fun NOT!

I got one for you guys -- I recently learned that, for vendors that accept PayPal (many) I can charge it through PayPal onto my credit card -- which gives points. I have a Barclaycard (MasterCard), which gives up to 4% in points.

Maybe I should start a thread "Airline points -- are they really worth it?"

Can we go back to talking about diving now? ha ha ha

- Bill