Experienced travelers savvy in the ways of finding cheap travel deals such as cheap airplane tickets, discount hotel rooms and cheap vacation packages often become frustrated when trying to redeem frequent flier miles for free tickets. Not only are they faced with blackout dates and limited availability, often there are fees for everything from fuel surcharges to last minute bookings.
There are a number of Internet companies specializing in providing advice on how to secure seats using the least number of miles. Such companies also offer tips on how to increase mileage balances for future awards.
Such services prove most useful to clients looking for international seats, especially in first and business class. The fees experts charge frequently offset the savings that can be realized when exchanging points/miles for a free domestic coach ticket.
The following are a few Internet based mileage expert companies that have established records of helping their clients get the most value from their frequent flier miles:
BookYourAward charges $150 per person and specializes in helping people who are willing to book free travel well in advance. They steer customers to different airlines depending on where they want to fly. American Airlines miles are best for flying to South America. Delta is preferred for awards to destinations like Australia and Polynesia, due in large part to the airlines partnerships with Air France, Air Tahiti Nui, and Virgin Australia, all of which accept Delta miles.
The companys knowledge of how to transfer miles among airlines affiliated with legacy airline programs can prove invaluable when the airline you have your miles with has no free seats available.
American Express points can be transferred to any airline whose frequent flier account accepts American Express Membership Rewards. While American Express says that this cannot be done, BookYourAward knows how to make this possible.
SavvyTravel charges a fee of $75 per hour or a flat fee of $250 to access a clients awards account and offer recommendations on maximizing miles going forward. This service is ideal for travelers looking for a personal travel concierge. If desired, they will recommend where to stay, what to do, and how to best deal with airports.
SavvyTravel views award inventory as dynamic and recommends checking every day for desired flights. Airlines frequently release unsold seats for award reservation a few days prior to a flight.
Awardexpert charges the first person in a party $150 and each additional travel $100 for the same itinerary. This site is ideal for procrastinators. Its strength is uncovering last minute tickets. It encourages its customers to be flexible, noting that by taking an extra connection or two or traveling to a nearby city, a significant amount of miles can be saved.
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