Mar 30, 2014, 12:53 pm
Last edit by: JDiver
WIKI POST: Using US Dividend Miles for oneworld Award Flights
As further details become available, please fill in this wikipost.
As further details become available, please fill in this wikipost.
N.B. Booking opportunities for new Dividend Miles awards of all kinds ended 11:59 PM Wednesday, 25 March 2015. Please continue using this thread for trips booked or in progress through 24 March 2016.
Changes on USDM oneworld award tickets
This is the only official statement about changing issued USDM award tickets:
If I need to make changes to a Dividend Miles award reservation, which program’s rules will apply?
Minor changes such as date/time can be made provided seats are available without requiring a new award to be claimed. More substantive changes such as changes to stopovers or origin/destination may result in the need to reinstate the previously claimed Dividend Miles award, then claiming a new AAdvantage award under the existing AAdvantage program rules.
The old membership rules do 'generally' still appy to USDM tickets.
For awards ticketed / reticketed on 001- ticket stock, go to the AA Refunds site with your ticket number at hand (unsure if it works with 037- stock at this time)to:
- Print a receipt with ticket number (instead of Request a refund)
- See total fees, taxes, etc. attached to your ticket
- See applicable detailed fare rules
- Request a refund (may not be useful for awards)
- Some were able to change their ticket without beeing charged the USD 150.- changing fee.
- No chance to change a ticket after the first flight segment has been flown.
- ...
Old stuff
oneworld member airlines - airberlin, American Airlines, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, LAN, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines (Sibir), SriLankan Airlines, TAM Airlines, US Airways and their affiliates.
Award Chart for oneworld awards using US Dividend Miles:
http://shopping.usairways.com/en-US/...wardtravel.pdf
You can use the American Airlines, British Airways, JAL, or Qantas sites to search for oneworld award inventory. AA and QF also allows you to search for award inventory using a handy 30 day calendar view. However, availability on the calendar is dependent on site coverage (e.g. QF does not include JL or MH, AA does not include CX and others). Also, the calendar view may not be completely accurate on all partners, so use it as a guide but do not rely on it fully.
One of the easiest ways to search for oneworld availability is through the use of an outside tool such as Award Nexus, ExpertFlyer, KVS Tool, or The Wandering Aramean oneworld Search.
Award Nexus has a free community membership for flyertalk members, and award email alert with premium membership. ExpertFlyer has email alerts and direct GDS access to select oneworld award inventories, such as AA, QF, and US. ExpertFlyer can also search J class certificate upgrade inventory. With KVS Tool, you can search QF, BA, JL and CX's search engines, in addition to other alliances, on your PC (Mac / Linux with CrossOver). You can also set up an alert via The Wandering Aramean oneworld Search. This tool will automatically search on QF for your alert once per day with a free account and four times per day with a paid account.
N.B. With all of the above tools, it is best to search one segment at a time. Most oneworld search engines have difficulty marrying segments.
For route searching with itinerary information, use the interactive oneworld map and timetable.
For searching Intra-North America availability, the best tool is AA.com. Unlike the other oneworld engines, AA is pretty good at marrying segments, so you can search origin to destination.
Regarding availability, the strategy that has been most effective for people looking to book award travel on oneworld is to start searching right at 330 days prior to departure. This is generally when availability is at its best. After that, availability tends to be sporadic until starting 8 weeks prior to departure where some airlines open up availability, and will vary all the way up until the day of departure.
If you're having trouble finding availability, it may be best to look at alternate airports (JL, for example, serves SAN, YVR, and BOS, in addition to the larger markets of SFO, LAX, YYZ, ORD, and JFK).
(N.B. Although US was not adding fuel surcharges to awards, there are reports that they have started doing this for awards containing BA flights.) With the exception of BA & IB, no oneworld carriers require you to pay a fuel surcharge for awards. With BA, be aware that you may have to pay both a fuel surcharge as well as the UK Air Passenger Duty departure tax for intercontinental J and F flights out of UK. These fees vary with class of service and length of flight and are determined by BA; the Air Passenger Duty (see specific thread) is due for all UK departures not under 24 hour connecting flights. APD applies to coach tickets, too, but at a reduced rate. The fuel /YQ surcharge with IB is generally considered minimal.
Known Problems / Workaround:
- Dep 00:00AM : Some agents have difficulty finding flights leaving between midnight and 2 AM. This is because the US systems show it leaving the day before. If the agent cannot find it, please ask to look at the day before. > source <
- LA : Flights put on hold will be cancelled after 24h. Workaround: Issue the ticket immediately. > source <
- JL : US Rep cannot find available seats. Workaround: "Always have to remind Rep to open JL reservations on a new screen". > source <
- MH : US Rep cannot find awards in First Class. Workaround: First class needs to be booked in P-cl instead of Z-cl (as on most other OW carriers). > source < booking classes: > KVS <
- All : If you are booking outbound flights at the US Air 335 day window US Air will often allow you to put your reservation on a longer than 3 day hold to capture the return seats once they open up at T+335. There is a report of this for 30 days here, and FT user beofotch was successful in getting a 13 day hold here. Workaround: Huaca until you get an agent who is competent enough to do this. It may help to act naive and ask for your return flight on your preferred date even if it is after T+335 days. Once they get an error from the computer may be a good time to bring it up.
- ...
Fixed Problems:
- CX : US Rep cannot find seats on flight CX 645 HKG-DOH. Workaround: none so far, search for different routing/carrier (CMB/DXB/...?)... > source < > fixed <
> fixed < - CX : US Rep cannot find seats on flight CX 640 DOH-HKG. They admit, the flight exists, but are unable to book <source>. Workaround: none so far, search for different routing/carrier
> fixed < - BA/Comair : US rep could not see / or unable to book intra-South Africa flights in BA flight number operated by Comair despite AA treats Comair a full fledged oneworld member under BA, in the same context as KA under CX. Only one reported success booking - poster reported agent had trouble at first but on consulting a supervisor was told "where to look"; the agent did not give any further information. Most everyone else reported unable to book Comair flights.
> fixed < - IB : Flights will be cancelled after ticket issued. Workaround: None yet... > source <
> fixed <
LUS: USDM oneworld Award Bookings - (Closed to new bookings) [Master FAQ and Help]
Jan 29, 2015, 11:55 pm
#3256
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 21,022
You are probably confusing real taxes and carrier imposed surcharges (~profit)
From UK you pay the Air Passenger Duty (which the UK government do not consider a tax, but a duty)
From UK you pay the Air Passenger Duty (which the UK government do not consider a tax, but a duty)
Jan 30, 2015, 4:00 am
#3257
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: London
Posts: 878
So I had found some nice JL F flights on BA.com and I called to book them. I was worried about the reports here of agents not seeing JL, but what happened was even more frustrating: the agent could see J but not F! Even though BA.com showed no J availability! Does this make sense at all?
Jan 30, 2015, 4:05 am
#3258
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
So I had found some nice JL F flights on BA.com and I called to book them. I was worried about the reports here of agents not seeing JL, but what happened was even more frustrating: the agent could see J but not F! Even though BA.com showed no J availability! Does this make sense at all?
The best tool for JAL flights is their own system. Joining mileage bank is free, although a little clumsy to use.
. I'll try calling US back later.
Jan 30, 2015, 12:23 pm
#3260
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: NYC/PHL/HKG
Posts: 210
Sometimes they need a reminder as to what fare bucket to look—I remember trying to book a Qantas flight in business, and the agent told me there was no availability despite EF showing availability. I subtly threw in the fact that it books into U class, and the agent said "I am aware, but there's no availability..." and then 5 seconds later "looks like a seat just popped up in the inventory!"
Jan 30, 2015, 9:40 pm
#3261
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
Sometimes they need a reminder as to what fare bucket to look—I remember trying to book a Qantas flight in business, and the agent told me there was no availability despite EF showing availability. I subtly threw in the fact that it books into U class, and the agent said "I am aware, but there's no availability..." and then 5 seconds later "looks like a seat just popped up in the inventory!"
I've had similar issues, and others with QF booking awards as well. With friends living near ADL, we booked 'em in J via MEL to LAX to MRY. Back, I saw inventory, when I called the agent said "no, no availability!" When I said I saw two seats LAX-BNE-ADL, she puzzled, looked and said "oh, my, yes, Brizz-bayne! I see it." She only knew to look at SYD, MEL, had no idea Brissie existed on this planet and that QF flew there from LAX.
It's hard with QF as you probably know they release award seats to QFF members nearly a month before they become available to most other airlines' systems - we get the dregs.
(Not nearly as bad as when I called AT&T directory assist in the US trying to get my friends' (fill in names) telephone number in Bonnet a Bay, near Sydney - the response from this international long distance directory assistance brilliant super agent was "I'm afraid I'm going to need more than that; I'm sure there are several Cindys living in Australia!"
Telstra online revealed the number much more easily.We often need to suss these things out and spoon feed agents to get what we want.
Jan 30, 2015, 9:43 pm
#3262
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
That is very misleading; Qantas offers seats for sale ( paid and award ) from 355 days in advance of departure. It is purely an AA / AAdvantage issue that AA only permits award bookings at 330 days prior to departure, not Qantas releasing to its own members early
Jan 31, 2015, 9:34 am
#3263
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Wine Country, Finger Lakes
Programs: LFFRS BOD
Posts: 1,355
My last attempt at booking flights to Den was futile and I did not get any comments as to why when I am booking the award it went from 45k to the final page of 85k when booking all in coach. I didn't call USAir and I ended up using one way miles from JetBlue and SW.
Now I am looking at flying to Roatan(RTB) for next January and of course the availability is not open so I just tried several mock bookings in different months and it has me flying all over the US (3-4 stops)
It is totally ridiculous so when I put in each leg say ROC to PHL sometimes I get a direct flight sometimes it takes me to PIT or BOS .
If I leave from MIA it takes me to ORD(OVERNIGHT) then to DFW to RTB , when I try booking straight from DFW to RTB it routes me again from DFW to CLT (overnight) then to MIA to RTB .It routes me all over the US.
So is there any chance my calling in the desired flights ROC to PHL to MIA to RTB will result in the same award miles of 30k?
Now I am looking at flying to Roatan(RTB) for next January and of course the availability is not open so I just tried several mock bookings in different months and it has me flying all over the US (3-4 stops)
It is totally ridiculous so when I put in each leg say ROC to PHL sometimes I get a direct flight sometimes it takes me to PIT or BOS .
If I leave from MIA it takes me to ORD(OVERNIGHT) then to DFW to RTB , when I try booking straight from DFW to RTB it routes me again from DFW to CLT (overnight) then to MIA to RTB .It routes me all over the US.
So is there any chance my calling in the desired flights ROC to PHL to MIA to RTB will result in the same award miles of 30k?
Jan 31, 2015, 12:48 pm
#3264
Moderator: American AAdvantage
Join Date: May 2000
Location: NorCal - SMF area
Programs: AA LT Plat; HH LT Diamond, Maître-plongeur des Muccis
Posts: 62,948
It can be done; I've secured two Business awards between N. America and Australia several times.
Jan 31, 2015, 1:01 pm
#3265
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,600
There's no accusation in my statement, nor is it misleading; the net effect is those airlines (including AA) trammeled by the 330 day rule are left with the dregs and waiting for inventory to open up.
It can be done; I've secured two Business awards between N. America and Australia several times.
It can be done; I've secured two Business awards between N. America and Australia several times.
AA could book them if it chose to ; it is purely an AA rule limitation not a system limitation or Qantas releasing seats in a manner that would inhibit them being booked
Jan 31, 2015, 1:50 pm
#3266
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Feb 1, 2015, 12:19 pm
#3267
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 57
Could someone please help me with finding a fitting routing OSL - EZE in preferably F (I have 150k Dividend Miles) which gives plenty of flying. I can start anywhere in Europe if OSL is not the best starting point, but have to end up at EZE. Have flown several times in BA F and am ready for trying AA in F if it is better.
I was thinking Europe - USA - Northern South America - EZE
Any suggestions?
I was thinking Europe - USA - Northern South America - EZE
Any suggestions?
Feb 1, 2015, 12:51 pm
#3268
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Could someone please help me with finding a fitting routing OSL - EZE in preferably F (I have 150k Dividend Miles) which gives plenty of flying. I can start anywhere in Europe if OSL is not the best starting point, but have to end up at EZE. Have flown several times in BA F and am ready for trying AA in F if it is better.
I was thinking Europe - USA - Northern South America - EZE
Any suggestions?
I was thinking Europe - USA - Northern South America - EZE
Any suggestions?
http://onw.innosked.com/%28S%28qfpah....aspx?show=MAP
Then you can go on and check, where you find available award seats...
Feb 2, 2015, 5:25 am
#3269
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: DC Area
Programs: AA, DL, UA, US, HA, CC, IHC, HH, SPG, PC, TY, AARP, Partridge in a pear tree...
Posts: 26
Wow. Reading may or may not help‽‽‽
I've pecked around through a bunch of this and lost the trail of breadcrumbs you kind (and DEEPLY researching!) folks have tried to leave for the likes me.
I'll nutshell it and hope someone will cast a line:
Have AA/DM to use and like to plan waaay in advance. 2 adults, 2 kids (9&14).
Looking to visit Spain from IAD or DCA - and would love a lay/stop-over somewhere else.
Presently concentrating on Thanksgiving or Christmas 2015.
Profoundly allergic to fuel charges.
Cannot make heads or tails of OneWorld stuff.
Can offer a copy of my latest book (a collection of short stories) in return.
I'll nutshell it and hope someone will cast a line:
Have AA/DM to use and like to plan waaay in advance. 2 adults, 2 kids (9&14).
Looking to visit Spain from IAD or DCA - and would love a lay/stop-over somewhere else.
Presently concentrating on Thanksgiving or Christmas 2015.
Profoundly allergic to fuel charges.
Cannot make heads or tails of OneWorld stuff.
Can offer a copy of my latest book (a collection of short stories) in return.
Feb 2, 2015, 11:50 am
#3270
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,723
Has anyone successfully recently booked a stopover in IST? It's not technically a hub city, but I figured the agents might permit it if I HUACA.
Would love to do a stopover in IST for a Middle East/North Asia award.
Would love to do a stopover in IST for a Middle East/North Asia award.