Frequent Miler on the Air
Tips for booking Positioning Flights | Frequent Miler on the Air Ep253 | 5-3-24
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Avoid checking bags on positioning flights to prevent delays and complications.
- Book freely cancelable alternative positioning flights as backups.
- Position well in advance of your main flight to ensure a smooth travel experience.
- Set a reminder to cancel backup flights to keep travel plans flexible.
Deep dives
Avoid Checking Bags
Avoid checking bags on positioning flights to prevent delays, lost luggage, or complications in case you need to change plans.
Book Freely Cancelable Alternative Positioning Flights
Book freely cancelable alternative positioning flights as backups, selecting flights later than your primary choice and ensuring you can cancel for free in case your primary flight goes smoothly.
Position Well in Advance
Position well in advance of your main flight to avoid last-minute rush and ensure a smooth travel experience.
Set Reminder to Cancel Backup Flights
Set a reminder to cancel backup flights once boarding your primary flight to avoid unnecessary charges and keep your travel plans flexible.
Consider Booking Fully Cancelable Itineraries as Backup
Consider booking fully cancelable itineraries as backups if you're unable to book separate positioning flights, enabling you to have alternative travel plans that can be easily canceled.
Use Lounges for Comfort During Layovers
Utilize lounge access for comfort and convenience during layovers, especially when spending time at airports waiting for connecting flights or delays.
Booking Backup Flights with Flexible Programs
When faced with the need for backup flights, it is crucial to consider programs that offer flexible cancellation policies up to departure. Programs like American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, United, and Hawaiian provide options for free cancellations close to departure, ensuring a backup flight can be easily adjusted if needed. By booking award flights with these programs, travelers can cancel up to 10 minutes before departure, avoiding voucher constraints and ensuring a smooth backup plan.
Strategies for Mitigating Risks During Travel
In situations where travel plans involve tight layovers or critical flight connections, implementing strategic measures can help mitigate risks. By booking backup positioning flights strategically, travelers can ensure smoother transitions between flights, such as booking a flight that lands before the next one departs. Opting for first-class seats can facilitate easier boarding and quicker disembarkation, reducing the stress of potential delays or terminal changes. Additionally, compact luggage, advance knowledge of terminal logistics, and leveraging airline relationships for itinerary adjustments can enhance the overall travel experience, providing a safety net for unexpected travel disruptions.
Sometimes you book an award ticket that requires you to do some positioning in order to catch that flight - for instance if the flight doesn't depart from your home airport. There are a few best practices to keep in mind when booking these "positioning flights", which we'll discuss in today's Frequent Miler on the Air episode.
(01:08) - One reader writes in: "If you have Platinum Honors, I would rank the BofA Premium Rewards Elite card the highest for Priority Access by far. The airline credit offset is very easy to use and you get them all at once so there's no obnoxious coupon book"... (Mail Bag)
(03:20) - BOA Premium Rewards (not elite) card (Card Talk)
Learn more about this card: https://frequentmiler.com/boaPR/#Goto
Revisit Frequent Miler on the Air Episode 204 here: https://frequentmiler.com/how-would-we-spend-1-million-dollars/
(04:57) - Bank of America Premium Rewards Elite card (Card Talk)
Learn more about this card: https://frequentmiler.com/BOAPremiumRewardsElite/#Goto
(11:17) - Cardless launching two Avianca LifeMiles cards (Card Talk)
(12:35) - Marriott Homes & Villas 50K (Mattress Running the Numbers)
(16:12) - Transfer bonuses (Award Talk)
(21:29) - United increases prices on partner biz class awards within Europe & Asia (Award Talk)
(24:06) - Nick: able to change Aeroplan award (Award Talk)
(29:50) - Daily Getaways (Award Talk)
Main Event: Tips for booking Positioning Flights(32:26) - Award discovery tools like PointsYeah DayDream Explorer tool and Seats.Aero make it easy to find awards such as "business class for 4 from "North America" to "Europe"
(36:22) - Avoid checking bags!
(37:37) - Departure positioning tips: what NOT to do
Read Greg’s mad dash story (What NOT to do) here: https://frequentmiler.com/my-award-alert-flight-change-and-a-risky-layover/
(40:33) - Day before is best
(41:36) - Non-stop is best (less chance of delay)
(41:56) - If not night before.... book primary positioning flight with long airport layover
(43:15) - Useful to have lounge access for layover
(46:02) - Book freely cancelable alternate positioning flight
(49:20) - If back-up positioning flight isn’t an option, consider booking back-up for entire one-way trip
(50:18) - Best options for free last-minute cancelations
(56:48) - Back to Greg’s story. How he somewhat protected myself:
(1:08:29) - Are there any certificates (like companion certificates) that disappear when you cancel the card? (Question of the Week)
Visit here to get updated on in-depth points and miles content like this, and don’t forget to like and follow us on social media. You’ll find all other Frequent Miler on the Air episodes here.
Music Credit – Beach Walk by Unicorn Heads
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
