hey Pete - Frequent Flyer Miles

[Ken2]

I know you mentioned using/having frequent flyer miles (or maybe someone else).  I thought after three or four trips one might be eligible for a freebee.  Ive bought 4 tickets rt to Colombia and only have 7,000 miles, it takes like 40g for an international trip. Were you using AA?

[Pete E]

... in response to hey Pete - Frequent Flyer Miles, posted by Ken2 on Jan 18, 2003

Sorry for the late response .I intended to look up my FF miles but didn't get around to it.I was told that with American I get a free ticket every 30,000 miles.Since I fly from San Francico I think that is about 1 free trip after 3 paid trips.Its about 3000 from here to Miami + 2000 or so to Cali,about 5000 one way or 10,000 round trip.
I don't know what I actually got credited with.
But,every 4th trip free sort of makes up for Americans normally higher cost.Its the only airline out of San Francisco that will get you there the same day except for a red eye Taca /Laxsa that leaves at midnight and gets there a couple hours before the American flight that leaves at 6.30AM +/-.With that flight you go change planes and go through customs in Bogota.To be avoided big time.I missed my plane with that BS plus the BS of the Avianca connection."Sorry you have no reservation".  "What do you mean no reservation?I Confirmed and completed the first 3 legs of the flight?" Totally unimpressed.Coming back I met a couple in the Bogota airport that had a confirmed Taca/Laxsa reservation and had been there 3 days.He wouldn't even walk over 50 feet to save a $50 departure tax.He just said "just get me the f--k out of here."I think they will never see him on a Taca/Laxsa or Avianca flight again.
I like flying ACES to Cali but I have to stay over in Miami since I can't get to Miami in time to catch it.It also does a stupid get off the plane and search the luggaqge stop in Medellin.I am watching this coming back from Cali.We all get off the plane.We watch them take our luggage off the plane and have a dog sniff it and put it back on.Why they could just do that in Cali before we left I don't know,but they seem about as clever as as some US security guys frisking grandma for a bomb or a weapon when 100% of the terrorists are Arab.If ever there was a case for profiling we have it after 9/11.F- - k political correctness.Be effective,not stupid.
Sorry,I'll get off my soap box.Stupidity,especially the government type always riles me.Maybe its karma for having been a government beauracrat myself.I'm sure some people were very piss-d at me for just following orders.
Back to airlines.My friend flew SF through Houston and got to Bogota the same day.I don't know if its possible to Cali.It used to be very expensive going through Houston when I checked but no more I guess.Seems to make more sense,more direct,but there are so many more flights out of Miami,its the major connection.
My new travel agent is super.Barbara  Garcia,All Around Travel,Bellview Washington.They have an 800 number,couldn't find her card right now.She ismarried to a Colombian,knows the Colombian travel situation well.I got 2 different AA flight out of SF.Christmas after 9/11,$690.Last summer for my wife,$730.It can run up to $1200 sometimes through AA.

Pete

[Pete E]

... in response to Re: hey Pete - Frequent Flyer Miles, posted by Pete E on Jan 21, 2003

So I guess it will take 4 paid trips to get one free one,without getting extra miles somewhere else.We just got offered 10,000 miles for signing up for a credit card so I guess we should do it.Plus extra miles for using the card.
I never stuck with one airline enough before to ever get miles.I always went for the best price at the time.I used to travel to the east coast gwice a month,I was paying myself for my business.I bought other peoples miles.I got bounced one time.This company was selling the miles of its employes.Makes sense to me,they paid for the ticket.But the employee didn't like it and ratted me out.Other than that no problem.I could go last miniute coast to coast for $350.
You still can with Southwest award coupons.They ask no questions at all.Wholesalers sell them for $350.They probably pay $250 or so,if you know the person that has the award it could be $250.I paid $300 3 years ago.

Pete

[mudd]

... in response to hey Pete - Frequent Flyer Miles, posted by Ken2 on Jan 18, 2003

i used to fly american, but when i did, i had 24000 mi and i could only use them for a first claass upgrade.to get a free ticket, you need a lot, and they have many restrictions as to when you can trade them  for a free ticket, unless they have changed their policy.