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Travel to Paris Dilemma - free ticket or not?

post #1 of 20
2/3/12 at 1:59pm
Thread Starter 
So here's the deal...

Going to Paris. First time for me and I'm going with my GF. Going for 9-10 days in mid May. I have 2 options.

1) I have a free ticket coming my way with UA. The day is not ideal and neither is the time and the flight is on UA (with a layover in Frankfurt for 3-4 hours) and CON (return - non stop).

2) I pay $800 for the ticket and get the day I want, the time I want and the airline I want (Air France, Luf, etc.). I'd save the free ticket for other future trip(s).

My biggest issues are the day is not ideal and the layover basically kills our first day in Paris.

Thoughts?
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post #2 of 20
2/3/12 at 2:03pm
how often do you fly? would you have another opportunity to use the UA ticket? when does the UA ticket expire?

I have a total of 4 round trip tickets to Europe either through UA or AA affiliates. its been a complete pain in the ass trying to book a flight because of lack of availabilities, inconvenient flying times, and long layovers.
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post #3 of 20
2/3/12 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
It's not a free ticket, per se, it's enough miles to buy a free ticket.

I fly around 3-4 times per year. If not this flight, I would probably be able to use it on domestic flights, etc.
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post #4 of 20
2/3/12 at 7:04pm
Use the miles for something else. If you're only going to be over there for 10 days max, there's no sense in burning a day on layovers. Are you staying in Paris the whole time?
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post #5 of 20
2/3/12 at 7:17pm
Pay da $800...
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post #6 of 20
2/3/12 at 7:29pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tullytra View Post

Use the miles for something else. If you're only going to be over there for 10 days max, there's no sense in burning a day on layovers. Are you staying in Paris the whole time?

+1 See if you can use the miles for hotel, car rental, etc.
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post #7 of 20
2/3/12 at 7:30pm
I would take Air Tahiti. I have taken Air France and Air Tahiti...I far prefer Air Tahiti due to more room in the seats, friendly workers, smaller lines,and often cheaper prices
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post #8 of 20
2/4/12 at 6:28am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by tullytra View Post

Use the miles for something else. If you're only going to be over there for 10 days max, there's no sense in burning a day on layovers. Are you staying in Paris the whole time?

Will be in Paris for 6-7 days and then 2-3 days elsewhere (trying to figure that out now).

Good idea about using miles for hotels - ill see if i can do that.

Going to pay the $800 bc the flight available using my miles is no longer available and now they have an even worse option.

Thanks for the advice!
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post #9 of 20
2/4/12 at 6:49am
Also consider using the miles for an upgrade to business class.
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post #10 of 20
2/4/12 at 8:09am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by poorsod View Post

Also consider using the miles for an upgrade to business class.

I've looked into this and don't think this sort of thing is possible unless you buy an upgradable coach fare - which is ~$3k.
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post #11 of 20
2/4/12 at 2:07pm
It is more expensive than the cheapest non-refundable coach fare, but can good value for the money. When I was younger I didn't care for the extra expense for business class comfort but these days . . .
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post #12 of 20
2/4/12 at 2:14pm
I would use the miles for a few free domestics. And honestly it's rarely worth upgrading to business since you can buy business seats these days for relatively cheap if you book well in advance when there is a sale
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post #13 of 20
2/4/12 at 3:48pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by stevent View Post

I would use the miles for a few free domestics. And honestly it's rarely worth upgrading to business since you can buy business seats these days for relatively cheap if you book well in advance when there is a sale


That can be true. Last year, I bought a first class seat from SFO to HKG on Cathay Pacific for only $3000 and they normally cost $12k.

 

In my opinion, miles are only good for first-class long haul flights.

 

As for OP, you are far better off asking these similar questions on Flyertalk. They know what they're talking about.

 

I also would not use UA for international flights ..but I'm sure you knew it already.

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post #14 of 20
2/4/12 at 8:52pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by rollafan View Post



That can be true. Last year, I bought a first class seat from SFO to HKG on Cathay Pacific for only $3000 and they normally cost $12k.

In my opinion, miles are only good for first-class long haul flights.

As for OP, you are far better off asking these similar questions on Flyertalk. They know what they're talking about.

I also would not use UA for international flights ..but I'm sure you knew it already.

Is UA notorious for bad international flights? I used them to Paris and back last fall without issue. I lucked out and selected a non "Economy-plus" row online, but it turned out to be it anyway without the charge smile.gif
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post #15 of 20
2/4/12 at 10:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by tullytra View Post


Is UA notorious for bad international flights? I used them to Paris and back last fall without issue. I lucked out and selected a non "Economy-plus" row online, but it turned out to be it anyway without the charge smile.gif


UA is not too bad, but if you can choose something other than UA and if the price is right, you are better off something other than UA for international flights (with the exception of REALLY bad airlines..). Do you have any status on UA? If not, you got lucky!! fing02[1].gif

 

I am an UA1K and I have used UA from SFO-PEK as it was the only airline to provide that route. It was either to use my 70,000 miles or use one of my 3 upgrades and I used my upgrade (which was a major ++). However.. the service, lounge, seats were not as good as ... Cathay Pacific, Lufthansa, Singapore, Swiss etc.

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