|
We have had many people ask us about using their accumulated airline miles in conjunction with a vacation to Hawaii, Europe, Mexico, to the Caribbean - or elsewhere. The short answer is Yes - a more detailed answer follows.
Airline miles are rewards extended to YOU directly from the airlines. Some credit cards offer double miles - some miles are granted as a special bonus for certain purchases. Truth of the matter - airline miles are subject to a large number of rules and regulations. In general - travel agencies - including GBTC - do not get involved in the processing of these miles for tickets. There are several reasons for this; 1) we do not have access to the database which records and verifies your miles, 2) we do not have the authority to settle disputes or even to explain the current rules, 3) we do not have the ability to trade your miles for a seat on a certain flight. The airline issuing your miles - and their affiliated or ‘code sharing’ partners - do. Each airline has a special department dedicated to working with you toward finding a reward flight to your chosen destination - and trading your accumulated miles for a ticket with a valid and reserved seat.
So how can GBTC help? We help by; 1) pointing you in the right direction with a proven plan, 2) suggesting exciting destinations where your airline does fly, 3) by working with you to find suitable resorts, hotels, [or cruises] - once you have your free tickets in the works. In general - there are plenty of resort properties to accommodate you at a particular destination -- almost always more rooms are available on a certain date than are low cost flights. Our charter, bulk fare and other discount seating on air carriers is often limited to a certain number of seats on any given day or flight. It is quite possible that your accumulated air miles could secure a seat -- where our supply shows none available.
The first step for You is to discuss your trip with us - let us help you decide where you might want to go. We will ‘test price’ the flight portion of your trip through our usual suppliers to give you an idea of what your airfare would cost othersize. We will check availability at a specific resort - or offer our expert suggestions. At this point - once we know what is available - You need to contact your airline and ask if your accumulated miles can be used on a certain set of dates to and from a certain destination. Most airlines will allow you to put your seat{s} on hold ... but, the hold time allowance varies greatly between carriers.
Once you have secured your free tickets for a set of dates that works for you - we will complete the booking at the resort or hotel you reserved earlier**. Everything about this process sounds a bit confusing at first - but remember two things ... 1) free tickets are usually more difficult to obtain than resorts ... and ... 2) with the proper setup - we can book your resort -after- you have confirmed your flights. ** Most of our suppliers allow us to put a complementary hold on your room - for the remainder of a day or until the next morning.
So - in a list form it looks like this:
A) Call GBTC to inquire about a specific resort, hotel or cruise.
B) Call the Airline to ask about trading your miles - or where else you might could go.
C) Call GBTC to alter your destination and make your initial reservation.
D) Call the Airline - order your free ticket - confirm everything about the tickets.
E) Call GBTC to book your resort.. Don’t forget to be within the ‘hold’ limitation.
The process may sound a bit involved -- but this is the only way that works. GBTC has booked many great vacations for our clients who used their bonus air miles for the flight. Many of the resorts we offer will happily extend current specials [such as one person half price] for ‘hotel only’ guests - as airfare is usually not tightly connected to the hotel offerings.
Give us a call - or contact us by email ... we will be happy to help you use your air miles.
PLEASE NOTE. This method works for anybody - any airline - regardless of the city you will be traveling from or to. One of the things we have arranged with all of our suppliers is the ability to sell ‘land only’ packages. In fact - we have sold quite a number of them. .
|
