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 programs 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]
Oct 10, 2014, 8:06 am
#2281
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,725
No, QF1 has only the same 1.5hr layover. Do they even let you go to the lounge? The only way to build EK F lounge in would be to fly a different route into DXB. I built in a day in DXB into my itinerary before taking the 2:15am flight. Hopefully can get the chauffeur to pick me up as well.
I guess I'd have to do MEL-DXB and DXB-LHR on different flights.
Last edited by iluvdoco; Oct 10, 2014 at 8:22 am
Oct 10, 2014, 9:50 am
#2282
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,625
QF1 does indeed stop in Dubai and , if in 1st class, can indeed visit the Emirates 1st class lounge during the connection time
Oct 10, 2014, 10:16 am
#2283
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Oct 13, 2014, 11:12 pm
#2284
Formerly known as jlars77
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Posts: 361
Stopover Clarity
Booking first OW award and have done my best to read up on wiki, USDM thread etc., and just want to confirm my understanding of stopover rules:
PHX - LAX - HKG (dest), HKG - NRT (stopover) - LAX - PHX is allowed vs. trying to book HKG as the stopover. Goal is to fly CX F outbound and JA F inbound.
PHX - LAX - HKG (dest), HKG - NRT (stopover) - LAX - PHX is allowed vs. trying to book HKG as the stopover. Goal is to fly CX F outbound and JA F inbound.
Oct 14, 2014, 4:13 am
#2285
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: NYC
Programs: Gold DL, Silver UA, Hyatt Platinum
Posts: 255
Sorry if this is a newbie question: what happens if the award I want is first class on the outbound and business on the inbound? Does US charge half and half or first or biz rates for the award?
Oct 14, 2014, 4:14 am
#2286
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ALB
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Nexus
Posts: 432
Booking first OW award and have done my best to read up on wiki, USDM thread etc., and just want to confirm my understanding of stopover rules:
PHX - LAX - HKG (dest), HKG - NRT (stopover) - LAX - PHX is allowed vs. trying to book HKG as the stopover. Goal is to fly CX F outbound and JA F inbound.
PHX - LAX - HKG (dest), HKG - NRT (stopover) - LAX - PHX is allowed vs. trying to book HKG as the stopover. Goal is to fly CX F outbound and JA F inbound.
Oct 14, 2014, 4:16 am
#2287
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: ALB
Programs: AA EXP, HHonors Diamond, Nexus
Posts: 432
In the past it was highest rate applied to the whole trip, but recent reports are that they are now pricing it based on class of service each way individually.
Oct 14, 2014, 10:03 am
#2288
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 76
I have a ticket award still with the Star alliance partners, like this:
GRU-FRA-BKK-SYD(destination)-NRT(stopover)-IAD-GRU
But theyīve changed a lot my flights times and cabins, so I donīt want to do it anymore with star alliance and Iīm thinking of change that to some one world routes like:
GRU-LHR-SYD(dest)-NRT(stop)-JFK-GRU or something like this
Is it still possible?
What should I do first? Put on hold the new award, cancel the old one(I donīt have any more miles in my account) and then use in the new route?
Thank you
GRU-FRA-BKK-SYD(destination)-NRT(stopover)-IAD-GRU
But theyīve changed a lot my flights times and cabins, so I donīt want to do it anymore with star alliance and Iīm thinking of change that to some one world routes like:
GRU-LHR-SYD(dest)-NRT(stop)-JFK-GRU or something like this
Is it still possible?
What should I do first? Put on hold the new award, cancel the old one(I donīt have any more miles in my account) and then use in the new route?
Thank you
Oct 14, 2014, 10:19 am
#2289
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,941
Dividend miles math wrong, request for help
Hello, I just used my dividend miles to book a trip.
I originally booked
SEA - ORD - LHR (AA) - (BA) F
return
LHR-JFK-(BA) F JFK-YVR (CX)
I was charged 125,000 miles (correct)
and taxes 1258.53 (Credit card shows $1400 CDN - YIKES but correct)
Then I called as three days later a YVR-LHR in business class opened up.
I was then shown a tax decrease of $120 or something as I moved from F to J, and the agent said there would be a change fee of $150 and gave me a total of $30 ($150 - $120 price difference.
Today the bill shows
$200 USD Change fee (Why is it not $150)
Miles deducted for Business out ---> First back 125,000 miles.
Something doesn't seem right to me. Do I just call USDM reservations?
What should the miles be 1/2 of 100k + 1/2 of 125K?
Is the change fee $150 or is it $200
I originally booked
SEA - ORD - LHR (AA) - (BA) F
return
LHR-JFK-(BA) F JFK-YVR (CX)
I was charged 125,000 miles (correct)
and taxes 1258.53 (Credit card shows $1400 CDN - YIKES but correct)
Then I called as three days later a YVR-LHR in business class opened up.
I was then shown a tax decrease of $120 or something as I moved from F to J, and the agent said there would be a change fee of $150 and gave me a total of $30 ($150 - $120 price difference.
Today the bill shows
$200 USD Change fee (Why is it not $150)
Miles deducted for Business out ---> First back 125,000 miles.
Something doesn't seem right to me. Do I just call USDM reservations?
What should the miles be 1/2 of 100k + 1/2 of 125K?
Is the change fee $150 or is it $200
Oct 14, 2014, 10:35 am
#2290
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
YMMV here, I got three recent tickets priced at 100K when in fact it should be 90K (C out, partial F back). Donīt know if I itīs any point to try to make them change it retroactive?
Oct 14, 2014, 11:32 am
#2291
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 462
I got J outbound and Y inbound (I know, ugh!) to Europe and was only charged 80k a month or so ago. I actually got F on the 3 class lax-jfk then J from JFK-BCN and still only got charged 80k total (50k for J, 30k for Y).
Oct 14, 2014, 12:20 pm
#2292
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Victoria, B.C.
Programs: Hyatt Globalist, AA Gold LT
Posts: 1,941
Hello, I just used my dividend miles to book a trip.
I originally booked
SEA - ORD - LHR (AA) - (BA) F
return
LHR-JFK-(BA) F JFK-YVR (CX)
I was charged 125,000 miles (correct)
and taxes 1258.53 (Credit card shows $1400 CDN - YIKES but correct)
Then I called as three days later a YVR-LHR in business class opened up.
I was then shown a tax decrease of $120 or something as I moved from F to J, and the agent said there would be a change fee of $150 and gave me a total of $30 ($150 - $120 price difference.
Today the bill shows
$200 USD Change fee (Why is it not $150)
I originally booked
SEA - ORD - LHR (AA) - (BA) F
return
LHR-JFK-(BA) F JFK-YVR (CX)
I was charged 125,000 miles (correct)
and taxes 1258.53 (Credit card shows $1400 CDN - YIKES but correct)
Then I called as three days later a YVR-LHR in business class opened up.
I was then shown a tax decrease of $120 or something as I moved from F to J, and the agent said there would be a change fee of $150 and gave me a total of $30 ($150 - $120 price difference.
Today the bill shows
$200 USD Change fee (Why is it not $150)
I was told because its already ticketed and the flights are on PARTNER not US Airways, they couldn't refund the miles. So Business out/First back is 125,000 miles. Oh well
Oct 15, 2014, 2:33 pm
#2293
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 29
Intra-Japan with JAL as part of Round trip award
Ran into a frustrating hiccup today when trying to book 2 tickets for HKG - CTS - HND - HKG in Business class (econ for CTS-HND)with USDM. Was able to hold HKG-CTS on CX and HND - HKG on CX but they could not complete the itinerary because intra-Japan travel on JAL cannot be booked more than 60 days in advance.
I inquired about if we could hold the itinerary now and then reconstruct with missing leg 60 days out and waive the rebooking fee. After inquiring with her supervisor, she said that they could not waive the rebooking fee, despite the issue being between tghem and their OW partners. My question is: has anyone run into this before and is it a HUCA issue or should I just use some avios for the CTS-HND segment?
I inquired about if we could hold the itinerary now and then reconstruct with missing leg 60 days out and waive the rebooking fee. After inquiring with her supervisor, she said that they could not waive the rebooking fee, despite the issue being between tghem and their OW partners. My question is: has anyone run into this before and is it a HUCA issue or should I just use some avios for the CTS-HND segment?
Oct 15, 2014, 2:50 pm
#2294
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
I have a ticket award still with the Star alliance partners, like this:
GRU-FRA-BKK-SYD(destination)-NRT(stopover)-IAD-GRU
But theyīve changed a lot my flights times and cabins, so I donīt want to do it anymore with star alliance and Iīm thinking of change that to some one world routes like:
GRU-LHR-SYD(dest)-NRT(stop)-JFK-GRU or something like this
Is it still possible?
What should I do first? Put on hold the new award, cancel the old one(I donīt have any more miles in my account) and then use in the new route?
Thank you
GRU-FRA-BKK-SYD(destination)-NRT(stopover)-IAD-GRU
But theyīve changed a lot my flights times and cabins, so I donīt want to do it anymore with star alliance and Iīm thinking of change that to some one world routes like:
GRU-LHR-SYD(dest)-NRT(stop)-JFK-GRU or something like this
Is it still possible?
What should I do first? Put on hold the new award, cancel the old one(I donīt have any more miles in my account) and then use in the new route?
Thank you
As long as you're fine with that, what you're proposing will work...
Oct 15, 2014, 4:16 pm
#2295
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 6,385
If you cancel the award, you will be charged a fee to put the miles back in your account, and you'll likely see a big bump in taxes (UK APD), possibly a lot of YQ if you are using BA for segments.
As long as you're fine with that, what you're proposing will work...
As long as you're fine with that, what you're proposing will work...