www.CostaRicaTicas.com

Here's a WSJ article with ideas old and new on how to successfully use them:
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 50250.html

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"A man accustomed to hear only the echo of his own sentiments, soon bars all the common avenues of delight, and has no part in the general gratification of mankind"--Dr. Johnson
"Amen, brother"-ED

I book about 1 FF flight every 2 months, and I have oddly never not been able to get a seat on the day/time I wanted.

I use Asia Miles, I call them up and tell them what cities and they ask me which airline and flight, and that's it. Its even deathly quick probably averaging out to be a 5 minute phone call each time.

Never had a problem using my AA miles either.

Im presuming its a routing thing, but I must not be flying where everyone else is

I am also an American Airlines FF Miles whore, and I've seldom had a problem using my miles. I've accumulated over 1.4 million miles over the past 20 years, and I've used them all except 100K miles that I currently have on my account. I guess I've been lucky....

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!

No problems here also. Used American, Delta, and United miles, accumulating primarily via credit card purchases, charging everything possible - from packs of gum at CVS (yeah, I'm one of the schmucks!) to property taxes. But I've always booked *way* ahead. They've also been very liberal with schedule changes, but nothing recently - I'm sure things have changed in that regard as these operators try to eek out as much money as possible so they stay afloat.

I had an easier time using miles from Northwest and Alitalia but not much sucess with Delta. Since the merger of Delta and Northwest I have been unlucky at using my miles for award flights or upgrades.
I like the old Northwest system better.

Just got my "rollover" MQM miles from Delta that boost was nice but yeah using them isn't always easy.

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Living well is the best revenge
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwUtj_YnNoY

I am anouther frequent flyer miles *hore on multiple airline with AA being my primary airline. I have had very good luck with AA out of Dallas to multiple South american destinations and Asia. Also collect miles on Delta and Contiental and previously NW before them merging miles with Delta. I have had good luck with Delta and Cont. boking Asia trips at 60000 miles RT through thier partner Korean which has a good schedule form DFW. Unfortunately Cont no longer patners with Korean since joining star alliance.

I have earned over a mllion miles on various airlines over the last seven years since starting the hobby and have good luck using but advance planning in required on some airlnes. Outhers can often be gooked at last minute. Less than 10% of my miles are flight miles and starting to get spoiled always flying for free with exception of deeply discounted tickets. One just has to learn how to play the game. Curious how many other FF miles *hores we have here. rbc100

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In Search of Fine Kittens,
Please... Bring back the Muff

Absolutely true !!! All the majors have frequent flyer programs. They're all the same, but they're all different. Like RBC100 said - you just need to learn how to play the game!

You nailed it RBC100 !!!

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You ALWAYS have an option ....... "NEXT" !!!