US Airways Dividend Miles (Pre-FlightFund Merger) - Catch 22 to Australia

How do you get around the "catch 22" in booking miles for travel on USAir (Quantas) business class from US to Australia? USAir will allow you to book 330 days in advance, and you want to return three weeks later. When you try to book, you can get a flight out (from the US to Australia), but the return is beyond the 330 days, so you have to wait to book the entire trip until 330 days from the return date. By the time you can book the return, nothing is available for the flight out.

Book something for the return, just to hold the outbound. Then call back in three weeks and change the return to what you really want.

You don't have to book the return when you book the outbound. You book the outbound and tell them when you want to return. They hold the reservation until 330 days from your return date. They will usually hold it for a few days more. There is nothing to prevent you from telling them your return will be later than you really plan it to be. ;)

The first time I tried, I couldn't get a return date when I wanted it and I lost the reservation. You would be wise to start selecting a return a few days early and be prepared to be a bit flexible.

Since the question is on redemption of USAirways miles, I'll move this post to the USAirways forum.

Regards,
Gary
aka gleff
MilesBuzz and Delta moderator