Tips for cashing in airline miles

I have to laugh at the "if you are within 6 months of traveling" ... Over the past 4 years I have booked a FF ticket 4 times (out of Charlotte) to Europe. Each time I've gone online at midnight the first day seats come available (330 days roughly), and every time the days I want (for saver award) haven't been available-- these have been for flights in May, September and October- never over a holiday. This has been case on US Airways, Delta, and AA. While eventually I was able to get a seat, every time I've got stuck with horrid 3-leg, 20-plus hour journeys.

I never have a problem booking saver awards with United - last trip we flew home first class (we cruised over) - it ruined me - will be booking first class saver awards for next trip!

The origin airport really seems to affect availability of saver-level tickets. Being in a major market certainly seems to help. Last year I snagged a saver ticket for a non-stop United flight from Washington Dulles to Rome on May 24. Booked it in April. Total taxes about $7. I'm sure I used up all my luck on that one.

This year I need to fly back from Europe, preferably from somewhere not too far from Barcelona, in mid-August. I foresee trouble ahead. I suspect by June "not too far" will take on a rather expansive meaning.

Agree with Shelley -- I book flights as soon as they open up, at 330 days out, so I can get non-stop saver fares from SFO on United. If I wait, the only saver choices have connections. Non-stop is my luxury..

I agree to get them as soon as you can find them. The saver level tickets can be a bargain and go fast. I am an old US Airways Chairman's Preferred and now an AA Platinum flyer. I have accumulated a ton of miles over the years and had a generally high success rate in getting tickets to Europe. To me, the key is flexibility. Look as far out in time as you can and book when you find something that suits you. You can also get two one-way tickets if that works for your schedule. For booking reward flights on OneWorld alliance partners using AA miles (AA is in this alliance), I recommend using the British Airways web site. They pick up other carriers such as Air Berlin, Iberia, etc. that the AA website doesn't show. Once you see a flight, call AA and book it over the phone. They will waive the phone reservation fee since you can't book it on-line with the AA website.

I think it depends on the airline and how they feel their seats will sell on the flights we all want to get on which drives how many saver seats they open up and when.

I almost have never had any problem booking United saver seats to Europe in business first. And I usually book closer in than 90 days as I find many opening up close in while the max days out never have them. Unfortunately, since UA has no non-stops from Denver to Europe, I am stuck with at least one connection unless I can snag a Lufthansa seat which does happen often. And being a higher level frequent flyer with UA means I can book a full cost mile ticket and then cancel with no fees and I get all my miles back. I use this option when a saver seat opens up and I have already booked a full mile ticket.

And FYI, United just came in last in a consumer satisfaction survey. A position they apparently hold quite often.

Well, United wasn't dead last--that honor fell to Frontier--but they were the lowest among "traditional carriers", so certainly not good news for them. Note that the Ultra Low Cost Carriers were not studied, so no Spirit, Allegiant, or their ilk.

No problem getting saver tix but we book waaay far out. As for buying miles, I needed a one way tix for DH, miles were at 50% bonus, so it came to 600 but with the flexibility to change dates, which you don't have with a low fare ticket. I would have preferred getting him a new credit card and flying for near nothing, but didn't have time to dawdle.