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]
Apr 3, 2014, 9:29 am
#151
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Florida
Programs: Hhonors Lifetime Diamond, AA EXP, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 508
I miss ANA Already.
TT
TT
Apr 3, 2014, 10:36 am
#152
Original Member and FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
Programs: DL PM/MM, AA ExPlat, Hyatt Glob, HH Dia, National ECE, Hertz PC
Posts: 16,579
Apr 3, 2014, 12:11 pm
#153
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 4
So no one is successful yet in getting award tickets using US miles with its OW partners?
Apr 3, 2014, 12:19 pm
#154
formerly FamilyFlyers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Select Hotels, The Travel Collection, American Express PWP
Posts: 86
I want to book from PHL to LHR and although AA and BA websites both show availability, US Air doesn't see it.
My final destination is PRG and it seems that we have the most economical options from LHR but right now we are arriving in FRA on US Air. It's closer but fewer options..
Apr 3, 2014, 12:39 pm
#155
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
I previously posted that I booked a trip using US Miles that includes a return on BA from LHR to JFK.
I want to book from PHL to LHR and although AA and BA websites both show availability, US Air doesn't see it.
My final destination is PRG and it seems that we have the most economical options from LHR but right now we are arriving in FRA on US Air. It's closer but fewer options..
I want to book from PHL to LHR and although AA and BA websites both show availability, US Air doesn't see it.
My final destination is PRG and it seems that we have the most economical options from LHR but right now we are arriving in FRA on US Air. It's closer but fewer options..
Apr 3, 2014, 12:40 pm
#156
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 90
no luck here either....called the German-speaking call center and tried to book on Air Berlin/Niki (AB/HG), Japan Airlines, Cathay Pacific from EU to Taiwan via Japan. Checked availability on ba.com and jal.co.jp but the agent was unable to see any of the seats that showed available to me.
Except for Cathay. CX she saw available (2PAX, First Class NRT-TPE).
She even said Air Berlin/Niki isn't a Oneworld member...OMG
Except for Cathay. CX she saw available (2PAX, First Class NRT-TPE).
She even said Air Berlin/Niki isn't a Oneworld member...OMG
Apr 3, 2014, 12:47 pm
#157
formerly FamilyFlyers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Select Hotels, The Travel Collection, American Express PWP
Posts: 86
CLT-PHL-FRA (all on US)
LHR- JFK (on BA), JFK-CLT (US)
The fees are $212 per person.
If we can arrive in LHR instead we have a better chance of getting to PRG all on the same 60K miles. Otherwise we are going to use UR or MR to book that leg to PRG and a return from VIE to LHR.
LHR- JFK (on BA), JFK-CLT (US)
The fees are $212 per person.
If we can arrive in LHR instead we have a better chance of getting to PRG all on the same 60K miles. Otherwise we are going to use UR or MR to book that leg to PRG and a return from VIE to LHR.
Apr 3, 2014, 12:51 pm
#158
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
CLT-PHL-FRA (all on US)
LHR- JFK (on BA), JFK-CLT (US)
The fees are $212 per person.
If we can arrive in LHR instead we have a better chance of getting to PRG all on the same 60K miles. Otherwise we are going to use UR or MR to book that leg to PRG and a return from VIE to LHR.
LHR- JFK (on BA), JFK-CLT (US)
The fees are $212 per person.
If we can arrive in LHR instead we have a better chance of getting to PRG all on the same 60K miles. Otherwise we are going to use UR or MR to book that leg to PRG and a return from VIE to LHR.
Apr 3, 2014, 12:53 pm
#159
formerly FamilyFlyers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Select Hotels, The Travel Collection, American Express PWP
Posts: 86
That is exactly what I was quoted. I have it on a hold so haven't paid it yet. Maybe I should hurry up and book before they decide to add on some other fees?
I just assumed it was fairly reasonable since I was only flying BA one way.
Apr 3, 2014, 1:10 pm
#160
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
Not sure I exactly know what YQ is other than just the fees?
That is exactly what I was quoted. I have it on a hold so haven't paid it yet. Maybe I should hurry up and book before they decide to add on some other fees?
I just assumed it was fairly reasonable since I was only flying BA one way.
That is exactly what I was quoted. I have it on a hold so haven't paid it yet. Maybe I should hurry up and book before they decide to add on some other fees?
I just assumed it was fairly reasonable since I was only flying BA one way.
Apr 3, 2014, 1:19 pm
#161
formerly FamilyFlyers
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: USA
Programs: Virtuoso, Four Seasons Preferred Partner, Select Hotels, The Travel Collection, American Express PWP
Posts: 86
YQ = fuel surcharge. BA charges this even when booked with many of their partners. I think only LA is an exception. This can be quite high and can make Y redemptions almost worthless. I have a feeling you have not been charged that as aa.com shows LHR-JFK on BA at $400. This is just for one-way without phone booking fees.
Apr 3, 2014, 1:57 pm
#162
Join Date: Apr 2014
Posts: 3
Hello All,
I just called US Airways for awards seats PHL to FCO in Jan of 2015. The sales rep was very polite first off. She ask me what flights I was looking at. They can see BA awards now, but business and first seem not to match AA.com but does match Award Nexus(Premium Econ). I was looking for 2 first or businss seats and US only show 1 seat available for my dates 1/12/15-1/21/15. I am new to all this also, but I think KVS shows seats but in first PHL to LHR and business LHR to FCO
I did tell her about seat showing on AA and she said that it is all new of booking awards meaning with OW.
I also saw a US flight to MAD then IB to FCO, but didn't do enough research on changing airlines in Spain.
I just called US Airways for awards seats PHL to FCO in Jan of 2015. The sales rep was very polite first off. She ask me what flights I was looking at. They can see BA awards now, but business and first seem not to match AA.com but does match Award Nexus(Premium Econ). I was looking for 2 first or businss seats and US only show 1 seat available for my dates 1/12/15-1/21/15. I am new to all this also, but I think KVS shows seats but in first PHL to LHR and business LHR to FCO
I did tell her about seat showing on AA and she said that it is all new of booking awards meaning with OW.
I also saw a US flight to MAD then IB to FCO, but didn't do enough research on changing airlines in Spain.
Last edited by berks315; Apr 3, 2014 at 3:11 pm
Apr 3, 2014, 3:17 pm
#163
Join Date: Oct 2011
Programs: AA Exec Plat, UA , SPG Plat, Marriott Gold, United, Aeroplan, Hyatt Plat
Posts: 144
i called and tried to book cathay flights. i see it available on the british airways website but she says its not available. so there must be a way to see the Oneworld for US accurate? i can book it with AA but not US
Apr 3, 2014, 3:45 pm
#164
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
Apparently BA recently shows a lot of phantom CX...but are you saying the same seats are available to AA?
Apr 3, 2014, 8:33 pm
#165
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: NYC,BCN
Programs: DL-PM, TK-Elite, AA-lifetime gold, SPG-Plat
Posts: 453
success
Today I was able to ticket the following award, all in J, for 30k miles
CGK-KUL-DEL MH (destination)
DEL-NRT JL (stopover)
NRT-HKG (overnight <24 hrs)
HKG-CGK
I was running into the same issues as everyone else all day yesterday, agents were unable to see any MH or JL flights at all in the system. Then last night I finally reached a more capable agent who, after about 45 minutes of going back and forth with the help desk, figured out how to find all oneworld partner flights in the system. I didnt end up booking the ticket with that agent because she quoted me a higher mileage amount. She did tell me what I should tell other agents if I called again and they could not find the oneworld flights in the system. Agents need to search for the flights in the "regular availability system", NOT the "dividend miles availability system" and that they must search for each segment individually, including all connections. Today when I called back, once again agents initially were not able to find any oneworld partner flights in the system, but after I told them how to search as per the other agent's instructions they were able to find them.
CGK-KUL-DEL MH (destination)
DEL-NRT JL (stopover)
NRT-HKG (overnight <24 hrs)
HKG-CGK
I was running into the same issues as everyone else all day yesterday, agents were unable to see any MH or JL flights at all in the system. Then last night I finally reached a more capable agent who, after about 45 minutes of going back and forth with the help desk, figured out how to find all oneworld partner flights in the system. I didnt end up booking the ticket with that agent because she quoted me a higher mileage amount. She did tell me what I should tell other agents if I called again and they could not find the oneworld flights in the system. Agents need to search for the flights in the "regular availability system", NOT the "dividend miles availability system" and that they must search for each segment individually, including all connections. Today when I called back, once again agents initially were not able to find any oneworld partner flights in the system, but after I told them how to search as per the other agent's instructions they were able to find them.