US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Newbie Needs Help - USAIR DM to New Zealand??

Be gentle, I am new to flyertalk. Here is my situation:
-- I am a US AIR Dividend Miles member and have AMEX Rewards
-- Between the 2, I have 200,000 miles
-- I am military returning from deployment next year
-- I am looking for 2 adult and 1 child, all in business class
-- I am flying from CLT (or RDU) to AKL in May 2005.

My questions:

-- Who would I fly on into AKL? I ask because USAIR partners with Qantas, but United partners with Air New Zealand.
-- How many miles would it cost me for each ticket? I think it is 90,000 for each ticket for a total of 270,000. But Qantas lists it as 105,000 each on thier site. Which is right?
-- Can anyone give me some tips on getting 40,000 easy miles on either USAIR or AMEX?

Thanks for the help. Any tips on getting business class to New Zealand would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Welcome to Flyertalk, jz3111971! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Since you're asking about the best way to redeem USAirways Dividend Miles, you'll probably find the best answers in the USAirways forum (http://www.flyertalk.com/forumcgi/forumdisplay.cgi?action=topics&forum=US+Airways&number=51&DaysPrune=5&LastLogin=). I'm going to move this thread over there.

But before I do let me add my two cents in case it helps.

USAirways miles can be redeemed on United. However, United no longer flies its own metal to New Zealand. So you can't redeem for a United award.

USAirways miles can't be claimed for awards on Air New Zealand until US joins the Star Alliance.

In the meantime, the only way to redeem for flights to New Zealand is with an award on Qantas. Here's the USAirways award chart for Qantas partner awards:
http://www.usairways.com/dividendmiles/redeemingmiles/partnerawards/qantas.htm

Business class is 105,000 miles and coach is 80,000 miles.

Three C seats would cost 315,000 miles (subject to finding 3 seats on the same flight).

Regards,
Gary
aka gleff
MilesBuzz and Delta moderator

I'm interested in the AirNZ angle. Any word on when USAir joins *Alliance?

Hello, jz! And welcome to FT.

Coupla tips on scoring some US and Amex miles.

US - Get a DM Visa Platinum card. For a limited time, they are offering a 10,000 point bonus just for sign up. After that, 1 DM per $ charged or 2 DMs per $ charged at US.

Amex - periodically they offer bonus miles on transfer to an airline program. I have scored 25% extra miles when transferring to DL and CO. Have never seen it offerred with US, but who knows? Moral of the story is don't ever transfer MR points before you need them or you might lose out on a bonus.

You might end up buying one ticket to AKL and scoring the other two for miles.

One very very important piece of advice: Be on the phone the second inventory opens up for you flight, usually 330 days before your trip. You may even have to book a flight out and a same day return - I know this sounds crazy but hear me out. Then say wait two weeks and change the return flight to the date you want when inventory opens up.

Good luck and thanks for serving our country and protecting our freedom.

bttt