Mileage redemption doesn't happen until 11/1/02 + 180 days, or somewhere around April 29, 30, or May 1 - depending on how they count the 180 days. At least that's how the language in the link above reads.

I'm like Tiarocci. Used to fly US all the time, have a balance of 150,000 Dividend miles, and want to get 'em out as fast as possible. On the day the open this up, I will be on the phone trying to get J/F tickets to Hawaii for my miles.

One other note: I can't find any language in the announcement about pooling miles. i.e., taking your 30K and adding 20K United miles for a 50K award. I'm guessing that you can't do this, even though you could for a brief time with AA and US miles.