Atlanta to Rome Premium Award
Sep 9, 2024 | 4:13 pm
#1
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Atlanta to Rome Premium Award
Can I ask for some expert advice… I hate to say it but it has been 8 years since I travelled internationally.
I got a complimentary MSC cruise round trip from Bari, Italy.
I would love to surprise hubby with business/first class from Atlanta to Rome.
I have United miles and an abundance of Ultimate Rewardsni have saved up over the years.
I am not very familiar with international premium products.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to use my miles/points currency to make this happen?
Thank you!
I got a complimentary MSC cruise round trip from Bari, Italy.
I would love to surprise hubby with business/first class from Atlanta to Rome.
I have United miles and an abundance of Ultimate Rewardsni have saved up over the years.
I am not very familiar with international premium products.
Anyone have any suggestions on how to use my miles/points currency to make this happen?
Thank you!
Sep 9, 2024 | 4:24 pm
#2
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Dates of travel would help. Do you only want to fly into Rome, and not into Bari itself? Is MSC offering any special premium-cabin airfares to U.S. residents?
I note that the MSC Bari-Bari cruises are all on 3.5-4.0 star ships. That might be a little underwhelming after flying First Class across the Atlantic.
I note that the MSC Bari-Bari cruises are all on 3.5-4.0 star ships. That might be a little underwhelming after flying First Class across the Atlantic.
Sep 9, 2024 | 4:42 pm
#3
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Dates of travel would help. Do you only want to fly into Rome, and not into Bari itself? Is MSC offering any special premium-cabin airfares to U.S. residents?
I note that the MSC Bari-Bari cruises are all on 3.5-4.0 star ships. That might be a little underwhelming after flying First Class across the Atlantic.
I note that the MSC Bari-Bari cruises are all on 3.5-4.0 star ships. That might be a little underwhelming after flying First Class across the Atlantic.
i was thinking Rome so we could have a few days before and after the cruise… also expected there would bee more options.
Have not gotten anything on cruise options for flights… hoping to use points/mikes.
Travel dates: approx Nay 17 - May 31
Sep 9, 2024 | 5:31 pm
#4
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Sep 9, 2024 | 5:58 pm
#5
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Sep 9, 2024 | 6:07 pm
#6
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Sapphire Reserve means that your UR points are worth $0.015 when used to purchase airfare through the Chase portal. It appears that Delta is the only airline which flies nonstop ATL-FCO, but ithere will be codeshare tickets on their flights sold by other airlines. If you are willing to consider a connection you should be able to use a wide range of airlines. As a starting point I would price itineraries, and see if you have enough UR points to buy them.
Sep 9, 2024 | 6:20 pm
#7
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Sapphire Reserve means that your UR points are worth $0.015 when used to purchase airfare through the Chase portal. It appears that Delta is the only airline which flies nonstop ATL-FCO, but ithere will be codeshare tickets on their flights sold by other airlines. If you are willing to consider a connection you should be able to use a wide range of airlines. As a starting point I would price itineraries, and see if you have enough UR points to buy them.
was not sure if there is some partner transfer options I should look at… no expert on premium products
Sep 9, 2024 | 6:50 pm
#8
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It's a whole new world out there:
These are the current roundtrip prices per person in Business Class using DL miles and AA miles.
Or, you could convert your UR points to BA Avios and redeem for two people in Business on your dates for this bargain redemption (note the cash component):
These are the current roundtrip prices per person in Business Class using DL miles and AA miles.
Or, you could convert your UR points to BA Avios and redeem for two people in Business on your dates for this bargain redemption (note the cash component):
Sep 9, 2024 | 6:55 pm
#9
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I will have to keep looking for sweet spots… I am too frugal to pay that! ;-). Flyertalk taught me well.
Sep 9, 2024 | 7:04 pm
#10
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My suggestion is to start by searching for award space at united.com, since that's where you currently have a lot of miles. Search both roundtrip and one-way. And if you can fly into Rome and back from Bari -- or vice versa -- search that way too. Lufthansa, a United Star Alliance partner, has historically opened up Business Class award space to partner programs a week or two before departure date if they have seats they do not expect to sell for cash. So if you find something acceptable to book now, keep monitoring availability at united.com in case something better should turn up.
Sep 9, 2024 | 7:31 pm
#11
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My suggestion is to start by searching for award space at united.com, since that's where you currently have a lot of miles. Search both roundtrip and one-way. And if you can fly into Rome and back from Bari -- or vice versa -- search that way too. Lufthansa, a United Star Alliance partner, has historically opened up Business Class award space to partner programs a week or two before departure date if they have seats they do not expect to sell for cash. So if you find something acceptable to book now, keep monitoring availability at united.com in case something better should turn up.
Sep 10, 2024 | 5:00 am
#12
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UA has some award inventory around those dates on single connections in Business for 200K miles per PAX each way. That seems high to me. I'm used o finding 88K per person each way for TK, OS and LX in Business.
Do NOT book any connections with puny 55 minutes connection times!!! Also UA's Polaris Lounges at ORD, IAD, and EWR should be enjoyed for a couple hours!
Do NOT book any connections with puny 55 minutes connection times!!! Also UA's Polaris Lounges at ORD, IAD, and EWR should be enjoyed for a couple hours!
Sep 10, 2024 | 7:40 am
#13
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600,000 = $9,000 = $4,500/person. That will not be enough to purchase the DL nonstop flights, but you should be able to find business class connecting flights in that range, and that will give you a comparison point with UA awards.
Sep 10, 2024 | 10:55 am
#14
Join Date: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,751
Don't forget that leaving ATL you have TK and QR with nonstops to Istanbul and Doha where you might connect. Chase points transfer to Avios for QR if it makes sense.
ETA: And, you might consider (as I often do) doing business/first from the US and Prem Select or coach on return. I find a coach return from Europe tolerable enough.
ETA: And, you might consider (as I often do) doing business/first from the US and Prem Select or coach on return. I find a coach return from Europe tolerable enough.