US Airways Dividend Miles - It's Been One Week Since the SQ Miracle - How did YOU Benefit?

Last Saturday, 7/7/11, SQ unintentionally gave the *A, FT, miles-collecting community a real surprise - a true Christmas in July - when they released all F and J award inventory (previously reserved for Krissflyer redemptions only) to their partners, such as AC, UA and of course, US.

I propose - since I know I'm not the only one who took advantage of this "mishap" - this thread be a place to discuss itineraries, ways we've maximized our miles and of course, discussions (including "oohs" and "ahhhs") on others' itineraries.

I'll start. No need for a specific format, though I think simpler is better. Here's what I did....

Miles Used: 140k (x2)
Tax: $238.xx (x2)
Departing: Mid-February, 2013
Itinerary:
YVR-SFO (UA F)
SFO-ICN-SIN (SQ 777-300 F)
SIN-SYD (SQ 777-300 F) - destination and open-jaw
MEL-SIN (SQ 777-300 F)
SIN-ICN (SQ 333 J) - I know, but the timing of this flight worked better :)
ICN-LAX (OZ 747 F)
LAX-PHX-YVR (US F)

There are three notes to my itinerary:
1) I'm really hopeful that by 02/13, SQ decides to upgrade either the SIN-SYD or MEL-SIN flights to an A380... Can anyone say suites class!!!?!???

2) When deciding on the SIN-LAX/SFO options, I decided on OZ F rather than SQ J (on the A380), because F is F and I have been wanting to try out OZ F for a while now. The downside, was the positioning flight in short-haul, domestic J, but I thought it would be worth it.

3) I find it funny that YVR-SIN would have been 160k in F, but since we're continuing to SYD/MEL, we're only paying 140k :) Gotta love mileage redemption charts, eh?

Alrighty...Comments? Questions? Who's next? Let the fun story-telling begin!

This isn't much compared to you, but...

Switched my XXX-YYZ-FRA on AC J to XXX-JFK-FRA on SQ C. A380, no less, and only paid $5 in taxes. :D

What a nice way to start my semester in Germany. ^

This isn't much compared to you, but...

Switched my XXX-YYZ-FRA on AC J to XXX-JFK-FRA on SQ C. A380, no less, and only paid $5 in taxes. :D

What a nice way to start my semester in Germany. ^

Have a blast! I did a semester in Rome and loved it - I'm sure Germany will be no less awesome. Plus, $5?? How the poop did you pull that one off?

Switched my November legs from SYD - BKK - FRA on TG F to SYD - SIN - MUC on SQ F. 300$ change fee but Amex Plat gave me 200$ back.

Booked SIN-MLE-SIN in J in March for $40x2 and 30k miles x2. Getting to SIN on a one-way UA award SFO-SIN in SQ F (70k miles x2 and $5 x2). Getting home via RGN on my KE F mistake fare.

Switched my November legs from SYD - BKK - FRA on TG F to SYD - SIN - MUC on SQ F. 300$ change fee but Amex Plat gave me 200$ back.

Booked SIN-MLE-SIN in J in March for $40x2 and 30k miles x2. Getting to SIN on a one-way UA award SFO-SIN in SQ F (70k miles x2 and $5 x2). Getting home via RGN on my KE F mistake fare.

^ Lucky duck - wish I got on the RGN fare :(

I hate you all. :D

I was ALREADY in HKG on a *A award when this SQ opportunity came about. HKG-SIN-FRA-JFK in SQ F,F, and J were available for my July 11 return -- but US wouldn't let me change my return from HKG-BKK-FRA-JFK in TG F(2x) and LH J. I still had a great time flying home -- but oh what could have been!!!!

Last Saturday, 7/7/11, SQ unintentionally gave the *A, FT, miles-collecting community a real surprise - a true Christmas in July - when they released all F and J award inventory (previously reserved for Krissflyer redemptions only) to their partners, such as AC, UA and of course, US.

I propose - since I know I'm not the only one who took advantage of this "mishap" - this thread be a place to discuss itineraries, ways we've maximized our miles and of course, discussions (including "oohs" and "ahhhs") on others' itineraries.

I'll start. No need for a specific format, though I think simpler is better. Here's what I did....

Miles Used: 140k (x2)
Tax: $238.xx (x2)
Departing: Mid-February, 2013
Itinerary:
YVR-SFO (UA F)
SFO-ICN-SIN (SQ 777-300 F)
SIN-SYD (SQ 777-300 F) - destination and open-jaw
MEL-SIN (SQ 777-300 F)
SIN-ICN (SQ 333 J) - I know, but the timing of this flight worked better :)
ICN-LAX (OZ 747 F)
LAX-PHX-YVR (US F)

There are three notes to my itinerary:
1) I'm really hopeful that by 02/13, SQ decides to upgrade either the SIN-SYD or MEL-SIN flights to an A380... Can anyone say suites class!!!?!???

2) When deciding on the SIN-LAX/SFO options, I decided on OZ F rather than SQ J (on the A380), because F is F and I have been wanting to try out OZ F for a while now. The downside, was the positioning flight in short-haul, domestic J, but I thought it would be worth it.

3) I find it funny that YVR-SIN would have been 160k in F, but since we're continuing to SYD/MEL, we're only paying 140k :) Gotta love mileage redemption charts, eh?

Alrighty...Comments? Questions? Who's next? Let the fun story-telling begin!


The SQ Flood-Gates couldn't have come at a better time, I and my family recently reloaded our US accounts with more miles from the June 100% bonus.

I used mine for positionings to go against some of the RGN fares I have, apparently I have 8 Long Haul tickets in the next 12 months to use :eek:

Miles Used: 160k
Tax: $142.xx
Departing: Early January, trip finishes Early June
YYZ-SFO (UA 319 F)
SFO-ICN-SIN (SQ 77W F)
SIN-HKG (UA 744 F) Destination
HKG-SIN (SQ 77W F) Stopover
SIN-HKG-SFO (SQ 77W F)
SFO-ORD-YYZ (UA F)

I originally wanted YYZ-JFK-SFO on the PS. F but did the non-stop so I can party with my YYZ friends for one more night then hungover getting on that 7am YYZ-SFO.
Was very lucky to find that SFO-ICN-SIN SQ F just around the New Years travel week!
SIN-HKG, wanted to try the UA 744 F just for the hell of it, but not on a long sector, this was a nice compromise on a new product for myself

HKG-SIN, I booked it on any random date possible where I didn't have other trips but looking back should've booked it on the SIN DO weekend.

SIN-HKG-SFO-ORD-YYZ, was just looking for any dates around that period since I was overloaded with long haul tickets.
Unfortunately I was restricted by the 330 days rules on UA so I couldn't book my trip any later. I didn't even think of booking SIN-DME-IAH, stupid on my part.

I personally would've love the book the 140 to Down Under, but man there was no way I would have so many days off. 160 kinda sucks but you know what, it was an opportunity to try something that most people never have a chance to ride on.


Miles Used: 120K (x2)
Tax: $177.xx (x2)
Departing: Late November
HKG-SIN (SQ 388 J)
SIN-FRA (SQ 77W F)
FRA-FCO (LH 321 J) Destination
FCO-FRA (LH 321 J)
FRA-JFK (SQ 388 C)
JFK-SFO (UA 752 F) Stopover
SFO-ICN (SQ 77W F)
ICN-HKG (OZ 744 C)

Parents were debating on a cruise couple days prior to "SQ Gate", New England around Mid Oct or Mediterrean in Early Dec. I pushed them towards the latter.
Didn't know where to route their Stopover on the way back, they wanted Osaka, or Nagoya but I couldn't route via SQ F if so.
Plus I wanted the DOT's protection just in case, so route them the long way home, but we do have some far-away relatives in SFO.
I wanted to book SFO-SIN via ICN, then SIN-HKG but they refused.
I've had a lot of bad experience on OZ planes where the US ticket number doesnt stick on the OZ side so OZ would cancel their side of the reservation and cause a big mess.
Parents argued it would be last leg so even if its ICN-HKG, its alot easier to fix than a long haul flight.
That being said, my parents are excited to fly SQ F and they've done CX, LH, LX, TG 77W F before too

Had a booking in Asiana F
AVL-CLT-JFK-ICN-NRT
NRT-ICN-JFK-CLT-AVL

Changed the return to Singapore F
NRT-SIN-DME-IAH-CLT-AVL

That's a lot more flying, but in SQ F. I'm thankful to avoid an unwelcome forced overnight in Seoul and a 7-hour layover at JFK. Also I'll get an afternoon/evening 9-hr layover in SIN to visit an old college friend who lives there. Perfect timing for a pub crawl.

$150 change fee plus $24 more in taxes. Couldn't be happier.

Are these seats still available, or did they shut down access to US passengers by now? I have been traveling too much to keep up with Flyer Talk lately!

Are these seats still available, or did they shut down access to US passengers by now? I have been traveling too much to keep up with Flyer Talk lately!

Gone, i'm afraid.

LAX-SFO--UA-F
SFO-HKG--SIN SQ-F
SFO-BOM--SQ-F
BOM-SIN--SQ-F
SIN-HKG-SFO--SQ-F
SFO-LAX UA-F

Taxes $112

MSY-IAH-DME on UA/SQ for my birthday in September with my +1
MSY-SFO-HKG on UA/SQ in January. May add segments or cancel depending on work.

Financed mostly with US trackitback miles and UA bis miles.

It was enormous fun and it was thanks to US that I heard about it so thanks, up till now I have only used the account for cheap first fares on TG but SQ has taken over all this years flights up to HKG via SIN and now they are all in First. No more 772 in business for a while, overnighting up from MEL through BKK and no more herringbone trips down on Cathay (so I will have to do something about those CX tickets too) . Love when these hiccups happen, make a decision and fly by the seat of your pants

None. SQ is overrated. I'm very happy with all of my existing CX F bookings, which is far superior than the beat up SQ 77W F/J.

None. SQ is overrated. I'm very happy with all of my existing CX F bookings, which is far superior than the beat up SQ 77W F/J.

Who says you can't have the best of BOTH worlds? I have a YVR-HKG(stop)-NRT/(destination)/KIX-TPE(stop)-HKG-YVR trip coming up in CX F/J in August (thanks to old BA redemption rules) and, as you can see by the OP, that didn't stop me from jumping all over this deal!

For those curious, no - I had no intention of going to Australia anytime in the next year (or even two). Sure I have it on my "to do list," but wasn't rushing to get there. That said, with an opportunity like this, I couldn't say no. Naturally, my +1 wasn't too disappointed :)

DFW-SFO United Airlines First.. Travel Time: 3h38m Boeing 737-800
SFO-(stop in Seoul)-SIN Singapore Airlines First . Travel Time: 19h40m Boeing 777-300ER
SIN-HKG Singapore Airlines Business .. Travel Time: 3h45m Boeing 777-200
HKG-SIN Singapore Airlines First .. Travel Time: 3h40m Boeing 777-300ER
SIN- DME Singapore Airlines First .. Travel Time: 10h40m Boeing 777-300ER
DME-IAH Singapore Airlines First.. Travel Time: 12h25m Boeing 777-300ER
IAH-DFW United Airlines Economy. Travel Time: 1h16m Airbus A319

120,000 USDM miles plus $128 taxes plus $50 booking fee.

Makes up for not Being able to book LH First in a while ^

I hate you all. :D

I was ALREADY in HKG on a *A award when this SQ opportunity came about. HKG-SIN-FRA-JFK in SQ F,F, and J were available for my July 11 return -- but US wouldn't let me change my return from HKG-BKK-FRA-JFK in TG F(2x) and LH J. I still had a great time flying home -- but oh what could have been!!!!
Sorry Tommy, Would of loved your photo report from that trip!

2/17 CLT-SFO First US
2/18 SFO-SIN First SQ
2/22 SIN-HGK First SQ
2/25 HGK-SFO First SQ
2/26 SFO-CLT First US

120,000 miles and $99

Not very creative, but I'm quite happy with it :) And I may pay a change fee and alter the HGK portion to something else as I just booked to HGK in March as well - and hoping that one sticks too.

2/17 CLT-SFO First US
2/18 SFO-SIN First SQ
2/22 SIN-HGK First SQ
2/25 HGK-SFO First SQ
2/26 SFO-CLT First US

120,000 miles and $99

Is SIN your stopover and HKG your destination? If that is the case, I'm surprised the agent didn't charge you 160,000 miles.

I'm wondering if there is a chance that US Airways will find out and charge the difference at some point.

2/18 SFO-SIN First SQ


Booo! Mrs. ariyo15 and I will be missing you by one day :( We could have faced off in Dom-Pong ;)

Sorry Tommy, Would of loved your photo report from that trip!

Sure, rub it in!!! :D

I'm currently working on my trip report from my actual itinerary...

Question please:

Im new to US air...

On a reward booking: Say SYdney to Europe VV....

How many legs can one do?

I.e. if I went: SYD BKK SIN FRA LHR and VV

Is this allowable? Or is there a max number of legs per outbound and inbound? (as per Krisflyer on SQ).

Also what are the permitted stopovers on such reward bookings?

Thanks in advance!!!

Question please:

Im new to US air...

On a reward booking: Say SYdney to Europe VV....

How many legs can one do?

I.e. if I went: SYD BKK SIN FRA LHR and VV

Is this allowable? Or is there a max number of legs per outbound and inbound? (as per Krisflyer on SQ).

Also what are the permitted stopovers on such reward bookings?

Thanks in advance!!!

Great questions, though you can find these answers elsewhere in the thread. That said, I'll give you an overview...

1) Yes, that is a legal routing
2) Generally, the rule is four legs (which is what you have there) in each direction. Though these rules do exist (or so some say), I myself have never had a problem with 9, 10 or even 11-leg itineraries.
3) As for stopovers, you can have o e destination (ie Singapore) and one Destination (ie London). If you chose to forgo your stopover however, you could instead have an open-jaw (ie SYD-BKK-SIN-FRA//CDG-BKK-SYD).

Is SIN your stopover and HKG your destination? If that is the case, I'm surprised the agent didn't charge you 160,000 miles.

I'm wondering if there is a chance that US Airways will find out and charge the difference at some point.

No - it is the correct fare because HKG is North Asia and that is my destination. SIN is a stopover.

SAV-IAD, IAD-LHR UA First, LHR-SIN SQ A380 Business

SIN-IAH SQ777 First, IAH-SAV

Around the World again, this time with my first flight on the 380 and get to experience SQ First on the return.

Thrilled for the opportunity and get 4 days in Singapore to boot

January 2013

DFW-SFO United Airlines First.. Travel Time: 3h38m Boeing 737-800
SFO-(stop in Seoul)-SIN Singapore Airlines First . Travel Time: 19h40m Boeing 777-300ER
SIN-HKG Singapore Airlines Business .. Travel Time: 3h45m Boeing 777-200
HKG-SIN Singapore Airlines First .. Travel Time: 3h40m Boeing 777-300ER
SIN- DME Singapore Airlines First .. Travel Time: 10h40m Boeing 777-300ER
DME-IAH Singapore Airlines First.. Travel Time: 12h25m Boeing 777-300ER
IAH-DFW United Airlines Economy. Travel Time: 1h16m Airbus A319

120,000 USDM miles plus $128 taxes plus $50 booking fee.

Makes up for not Being able to book LH First in a while ^

No - it is the correct fare because HKG is North Asia and that is my destination. SIN is a stopover.


Damn that is insane. So would I be allowed to fly SIN - JFK (stopover) - GIG (destination) and be charged 150K for South America instead of 160K for US?

But isin't flying thru SIN to get to HKG considered as back tracking?
If so I should be able to do SIN - JFK (stopover) - LHR and pay the price for Europe instead of North America?

Either way its great to see you guys having such long F airtime. Lol.
I've only got about 26 hours in SQ F and 4 hours intra Europe J
And I spent 110K + $90 tax + $50 booking charge


And crap I just realized you did a RTW on 120K miles lol

3) As for stopovers, you can have o e destination (ie Singapore) and one Destination (ie London). If you chose to forgo your stopover however, you could instead have an open-jaw (ie SYD-BKK-SIN-FRA//CDG-BKK-SYD).



Isint it one stopover and one open jaw? Not one of each?

I'm doing SIN - MUC (3 days) - GRZ (dest) // DUB - FRA - SIN

By the looks of it I could have done:
SIN - MUC (3 days) - GRZ (dest) - DUB - FRA - SIN?
Instead of having to make my way from GRZ to DUB on a separate ticket?

Have a blast! I did a semester in Rome and loved it - I'm sure Germany will be no less awesome. Plus, $5?? How the poop did you pull that one off?

Not sure, really...

When I called UA to switch things over, the CSR told me that my taxes were lower with the new flights and that the difference would be refunded to my card. It didn't sound right to me but I didn't argue cause all I really cared about was getting on those flights.

Lo and behold, a few days later, the difference was refunded so there was a charge of exactly $5 in taxes...

But I'm not exactly complaining.

Damn that is insane. So would I be allowed to fly SIN - JFK (stopover) - GIG (destination) and be charged 150K for South America instead of 160K for US?

But isin't flying thru SIN to get to HKG considered as back tracking?
If so I should be able to do SIN - JFK (stopover) - LHR and pay the price for Europe instead of North America?

Either way its great to see you guys having such long F airtime. Lol.
I've only got about 26 hours in SQ F and 4 hours intra Europe J
And I spent 110K + $90 tax + $50 booking charge


And crap I just realized you did a RTW on 120K miles lolI am not sure how it all worked out that way. I believe it is because, in flying SQ, then it made 'sense' to fly to SIN, their hub, to connect and fly on to HKG.

I don't know how FTG did it and managed a RTW. I was trying to do that, for example, flying from SIN to BKK (destination) and then on to FRA or MUN, but it just wouldn't work out for me.

I'm happy with what I have as I have two really nice long segments on SQ and a short one to boot.

How is it that these US -> IntraAsian routes in First are 120,000 miles?

My flights from USA - BKK are 160,000 miles

How is it that these US -> IntraAsian routes in First are 120,000 miles?

My flights from USA - BKK are 160,000 miles BKK is Southern Asia, hence a higher mileage fee.

Managed to score this during the frenzy:

SIN - FRA 77W SQ F
FRA - LHR LH C (destination)

LHR -MUC LH C (stopover)
MUC - SIN 77W SQ F

cost: 110k miles + $263 in taxes... :td: to those nasty UK APD and Germany aviation taxes...
Gave up an originally planned (but not ticketed) itinerary including TG F in their 77W suites, hope the SQ F would be worth it!

I was originally planning to be in Hong Kong from 7/9-7/16, using CX F on the outbound and TG F and United J in the way back. Paid the $150 redeposit and $75 close in booking fee but it was definitely worth it. So my return ended up being HKG-SIN-DME-IAH all in SQ F. It was an amazing experience, and to boot the lovely Wong Chin was working the DME-IAH leg. In a way, it did change my outlook on life a bit

It was an amazing experience, and to boot the lovely Wong Chin was working the DME-IAH leg. In a way, it did change my outlook on life a bit

1) Lucky you to have Wong Chin! Any nice notes ;)
2) "Change your life?" How so??!! Haha.

On a side note, I just found out that my MEL-SIN flight in February has just been upgraded to a 388!!!!! My US-site itinerary already reflects the change into "R" class....!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :D:D:D^^^

I was originally planning to be in Hong Kong from 7/9-7/16, using CX F on the outbound and TG F and United J in the way back. Paid the $150 redeposit and $75 close in booking fee but it was definitely worth it. So my return ended up being HKG-SIN-DME-IAH all in SQ F. It was an amazing experience, and to boot the lovely Wong Chin was working the DME-IAH leg. In a way, it did change my outlook on life a bit

Fingers crossed that I get Wong Chin for my trip in 2 weeks :D

I picked up FRA-JFK in C on the SQ A380 as part of a TLV-NYC itinerary, couldn't believe my luck!

Also I just want to credit Div Miles with showing some common sense about their rules. They ticketed me a 23h45m stop in Frankfurt on my way LIS-TLV (due to lack of availability on a much earlier flight at the time).

After my journey had already commenced, seats did open up, and they overrode their no changes policy and allowed a reticketing (albeit for the usual $150), which meant I actually got home for the weekend. Very impressed.

Alright, who got the double jackpot and book SQ 1/2 SIN-HKG-SFO?
Well if you did between Dec 28, 2012 - Mar 24, 2013.
http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/press_release_news/ne120724.jsp&h=XAQGm7KD2

You just got switched to a Airbus 380 Suites Class!

I hit the Jackpot on HKG-SIN, woohoo!

Alright, who got the double jackpot and book SQ 1/2 SIN-HKG-SFO?
Well if you did between Dec 28, 2012 - Mar 24, 2013.
http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/press_release_news/ne120724.jsp&h=XAQGm7KD2

You just got switched to a Airbus 380 Suites Class!

I hit the Jackpot on HKG-SIN, woohoo!

That's awesome! I'm slightly bummed that SQ1/2 got it over SQ15 (SFO-SIN via ICN), but I guess I don't have too much to complain about. After all, my SQ218 flight from MEL got the upgrade :)

I wonder.... Anyone here get double lucky and book SFO-HKG-SIN-MEL?

Also, frb98mf, sorry to say but it seems as though your flight may have gotten the axe.

Alright, who got the double jackpot and book SQ 1/2 SIN-HKG-SFO?
Well if you did between Dec 28, 2012 - Mar 24, 2013.
http://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/press_release_news/ne120724.jsp&h=XAQGm7KD2

You just got switched to a Airbus 380 Suites Class!

I hit the Jackpot on HKG-SIN, woohoo!

Me too! Happy dance!

Happy Dance from SFO to HKG! :D