Exploiting Code-Sharing

‍We flew three round-trips from Orlando to Seattle in 2006. Using your advice we booked First Class with Alaska Airlines, but gave the airline our Delta Sky Miles account number. By doing that we retained our Silver elite status on Delta and saved over $500 per person. I was amazed that the same code-share flights cost so much more on Delta. We also found better First Class fares on America West from Orlando to San Diego than on Delta. Although we will probably lose our elite status with Delta after next year, we are saving substantial amounts by changing carriers. Your newsletter has prompted me to do more checking than I used to. My husband is 6' 2" and all legs.He just refuses to fly unless we can have the leg room that First Class offers. –

Borderline Cases

I note that Northwest and KLM are offering some cheaper fares to Europe from Toronto than they are out of Detroit or Buffalo. Can you explain why?

What you saw was probably a case of demand and itinerary, as fare are not always lower from Canada. For instance, Toronto-Amsterdam on KLM prices at $3,200 round-trip, about $1,000 more than the carrier’s non-stop from Detroit. Alitalia offers the lowest fares from Canada, but my survey found that its fares were lower from the US most of the time.– Matthew

Savvy Reader Mileage Run

My usual year-end business trip to Australia is not going to happen this year, leaving me 25,000 miles short of United 1K status. So here is what I did: Purchased upgradeable fare from Houston to Narita $925 (UA via ORD), then paid $499 for the double EQM promo (https://secure.unitedmileageplus.com/MP0609SM1.jsp),for a total cost of $1,424. The mileage accrued from IAHORD-NRT came to 7,199 each way plus the double EQM for a total of 28,796. Cost per mile: $1,424 ÷ 28,796 miles = 5¢/mile. And I have a one-way upgrade to Business confirmed and I’m waitlisted with good prospects on the return. Not bad, huh? – Mike Lawch

Not bad? Mike, you want a job here? – Matthew

International (Resident) First Class Flyers

The majority of upgrade techniques you offer are based on originating travel in the US. Can you give me some tips on upgrading from outside the US? - Martin Hanly (Dubai resident but from Ireland).

Most of the mileage deals (about one-third or more of the ticketing strategies we discuss) are reciprocal. The cost, in miles, that it takes to fly from the US to a given city is usually the same that it takes to fly from that city to the US. In other words, most award charts are based on “zones” or “flight distance.” For example,it takes 25,000 miles to upgrade to Business Class Chicago London round-trip on British Airways; likewise it takes 25,000 miles to upgrade London-Chicago.Fares, however, are often not the same. In this case,the upgradeable fare at the moment is $300 more for London departures. But fares always change. The point: Sure, upgradeable fares will differ from time to time, but this is a great way to upgrade—no matter which continent you live on. – Matthew

Another Mexicana Success Story

Since there was no availability on the day that I wanted from Chicago to Shanghai, I had to book a separate ticket to Seattle to catch a Seattle-Shanghai flight with Asiana,which I was able to get through Mexicana's mileage purchase strategy. My wife and I are flying First Class for less than a song. The miles for the ticket cost $1,696. Please note that I was lucky and booked before the mile price changed and I was able to take advantage of the 4K bonus miles for new customers. Of course, the taxes were extra (ifI recall correctly, $208) but these would have been applicable to any ticket. One other point: I ideally wanted to fly Singapore Air, but availability on award tickets is tight due to their extremely good reputation. Nonetheless, I am still flying First! You uncovered gold mine—thanks again. – Conrad Von Peterffy, Chicago, IL