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]
Oct 23, 2014, 3:24 pm
#2356
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Noone has ever seen it available with anything else than LA kilometers.
Oct 23, 2014, 4:06 pm
#2357
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
Say I have JFK-HKG-SIN // SIN-HKG-JFK booked with US.
What happens if I for whatever reason (e.g. flat tire) miss the the SIN-HKG flight? I know I can't simply pick up the award in HKG (because supposedly after missing the first segment of the return, "they'd" (US?) cancel the remaining segments).
However, because there are many frequencies between SIN-HKG, would CX rebook me on the next or later SIN-HKG flight, preventing me from having the remainder of my award cancelled?
(There's plenty of time between my between my arrival and departure in HKG.)
Or once I miss the original SIN-HKG flight some alarm is tripped, triggering the auto-cancellation of the rest of my award?
What happens if I for whatever reason (e.g. flat tire) miss the the SIN-HKG flight? I know I can't simply pick up the award in HKG (because supposedly after missing the first segment of the return, "they'd" (US?) cancel the remaining segments).
However, because there are many frequencies between SIN-HKG, would CX rebook me on the next or later SIN-HKG flight, preventing me from having the remainder of my award cancelled?
(There's plenty of time between my between my arrival and departure in HKG.)
Or once I miss the original SIN-HKG flight some alarm is tripped, triggering the auto-cancellation of the rest of my award?
Oct 23, 2014, 5:03 pm
#2358
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: SZG/MUC
Posts: 348
You've gotta have a love/hate relationship with USDM...
They make you wait 40 mins while they check the rates department. They suddenly invent a new rule, like a 12-hour stopover isn't valid. Taxes actually increase by removing three segments. My 55-min flight departing at 10am arrives the next day you say? Mmm...let's think about that one.
And then they charge you 120,000 for booking this:
MXP-HKG CX F
HKG-NRT CX J
NRT-SYD JL F
SYD-CBR QF Y
CBR-SYD QF Y
SYD-HKG CX J
HKG-MXP CX F
Thanks USDM! I will never understand you!
They make you wait 40 mins while they check the rates department. They suddenly invent a new rule, like a 12-hour stopover isn't valid. Taxes actually increase by removing three segments. My 55-min flight departing at 10am arrives the next day you say? Mmm...let's think about that one.
And then they charge you 120,000 for booking this:
MXP-HKG CX F
HKG-NRT CX J
NRT-SYD JL F
SYD-CBR QF Y
CBR-SYD QF Y
SYD-HKG CX J
HKG-MXP CX F
Thanks USDM! I will never understand you!
Oct 23, 2014, 5:26 pm
#2359
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
Say I have JFK-HKG-SIN // SIN-HKG-JFK booked with US.
What happens if I for whatever reason (e.g. flat tire) miss the the SIN-HKG flight? I know I can't simply pick up the award in HKG (because supposedly after missing the first segment of the return, "they'd" (US?) cancel the remaining segments).
However, because there are many frequencies between SIN-HKG, would CX rebook me on the next or later SIN-HKG flight, preventing me from having the remainder of my award cancelled?
(There's plenty of time between my between my arrival and departure in HKG.)
Or once I miss the original SIN-HKG flight some alarm is tripped, triggering the auto-cancellation of the rest of my award?
What happens if I for whatever reason (e.g. flat tire) miss the the SIN-HKG flight? I know I can't simply pick up the award in HKG (because supposedly after missing the first segment of the return, "they'd" (US?) cancel the remaining segments).
However, because there are many frequencies between SIN-HKG, would CX rebook me on the next or later SIN-HKG flight, preventing me from having the remainder of my award cancelled?
(There's plenty of time between my between my arrival and departure in HKG.)
Or once I miss the original SIN-HKG flight some alarm is tripped, triggering the auto-cancellation of the rest of my award?
Whether or not an airline would be willing to carry you, or make arrangements for you to connect with the remainder of the ticket is up to them.
Some countries have consumer protection in place (flat tire rules etc, or the ability to use coupons out of sequence). But I'm not sure that applies in either SIN or HKG.
Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!
Oct 24, 2014, 1:18 am
#2360
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: UA Plat, AS Gold75k, WN CP, Starwood Gold
Posts: 106
Happy to have booked honeymoon!
SFO-LAX AA F
LAX-HKG CX J
HKG-KUL MH J
KUL-MLE MH J (Destination)
MLE-DOH QR Y
DOH-BCN QR J (Stopover)
BCN-CLT US J
CLT-SFO US J
120k miles per person + ~$150 in taxes and booking fee
SFO-LAX AA F
LAX-HKG CX J
HKG-KUL MH J
KUL-MLE MH J (Destination)
MLE-DOH QR Y
DOH-BCN QR J (Stopover)
BCN-CLT US J
CLT-SFO US J
120k miles per person + ~$150 in taxes and booking fee
Oct 24, 2014, 12:38 pm
#2361
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
basically if you voluntarily miss any segment, for whatever reason, you should assume the ticket auto-cancels. (voluntary meaning within your control, and not that of the operating airline(s). This would include being late to the airport because you didn't allow sufficient time.)
Whether or not an airline would be willing to carry you, or make arrangements for you to connect with the remainder of the ticket is up to them.
Some countries have consumer protection in place (flat tire rules etc, or the ability to use coupons out of sequence). But I'm not sure that applies in either SIN or HKG.
Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!
Whether or not an airline would be willing to carry you, or make arrangements for you to connect with the remainder of the ticket is up to them.
Some countries have consumer protection in place (flat tire rules etc, or the ability to use coupons out of sequence). But I'm not sure that applies in either SIN or HKG.
Happy to be corrected if I'm wrong!
Perhaps this isn't the right thread (though no sure what would be), but I was hoping someone had first-hand knowledge.
Assuming CX would agree to put me on the next flight, would it be too late at that point? Would the carrier in HKG (assuming it is not CX) give me issues at that point because I missed the first segment? Meaning I'd have to fight at each subsequent leg and be at the mercy of each airline?
(I know, I should just aim not have a flat tire, but I'm curious.)
Oct 24, 2014, 12:49 pm
#2362
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Thanks for the input.
Perhaps this isn't the right thread (though no sure what would be), but I was hoping someone had first-hand knowledge.
Assuming CX would agree to put me on the next flight, would it be too late at that point? Would the carrier in HKG (assuming it is not CX) give me issues at that point because I missed the first segment? Meaning I'd have to fight at each subsequent leg and be at the mercy of each airline?
(I know, I should just aim not have a flat tire, but I'm curious.)
Perhaps this isn't the right thread (though no sure what would be), but I was hoping someone had first-hand knowledge.
Assuming CX would agree to put me on the next flight, would it be too late at that point? Would the carrier in HKG (assuming it is not CX) give me issues at that point because I missed the first segment? Meaning I'd have to fight at each subsequent leg and be at the mercy of each airline?
(I know, I should just aim not have a flat tire, but I'm curious.)
Oct 24, 2014, 1:19 pm
#2363
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: New York City
Posts: 801
If you miss a flight on an award booking; if you are lucky , the airline may put you on a later flight to get to HKG, otherwise it will send you back to US for rebooking. Contacting US, with a partner award not allowing any changes after departiure, you will find yourself buying new tickets and then possibly claiming off of travel insurance if you have it and it covers you for missed departure
Oct 24, 2014, 3:29 pm
#2364
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Earth
Posts: 359
can we mix oneworld with other airline partners award? For example, LAX - PEK on CA then PEK - HKG on CX? or travelling on AA and HA with only 1 award ticket?
Agent indicated that that's not permissible
Agent indicated that that's not permissible
Oct 24, 2014, 4:00 pm
#2365
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
at the top of each award chart it'll give you the airlines you can use for that chart. you can combine those. but you can't combine across different charts.
Oct 24, 2014, 5:32 pm
#2366
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Home: Arlington, VA; Home airports: IAD/DCA/BWI
Programs: Active: AA, UA, DL
Posts: 4,095
General note: In the event something goes wrong, e.g. a partner cancels a flight or reschedules resulting in a misconnect, US is able to rebook on AA flights and override award inventory controls.
Had something happen with JJ and got rebooked on to AA after asking for a re-accommodation.
Had something happen with JJ and got rebooked on to AA after asking for a re-accommodation.
Oct 25, 2014, 2:10 am
#2367
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 13
Looking for ideas...
I need to go to JNB from LHR or somewhere else in Europe. I will use USDM for the flights.
I'd like either to use JNB as a stopover and go somewhere else afterwards or use JNB as my destination and get there via somewhere else.
Are there any interesting options for me? I don't want to see Doha again. I live in Europe so don't want a European stopover. I don't want to go to Australia. Is there any other interesting routing that won't exceed MPM?
I need to go to JNB from LHR or somewhere else in Europe. I will use USDM for the flights.
I'd like either to use JNB as a stopover and go somewhere else afterwards or use JNB as my destination and get there via somewhere else.
Are there any interesting options for me? I don't want to see Doha again. I live in Europe so don't want a European stopover. I don't want to go to Australia. Is there any other interesting routing that won't exceed MPM?
Oct 25, 2014, 8:59 am
#2368
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
You don't have a lot of longhaul options out of JNB on oneworld: BA to LHR, CX to HKG, QF to SYD and QR to DOH. That's it.
You have Comair options regionally... so... Victoria Falls? Windhoek?
You have Comair options regionally... so... Victoria Falls? Windhoek?
Oct 25, 2014, 9:50 am
#2369
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: BOS
Programs: AS MVPG75k
Posts: 353
I have the following on hold at US for 120K miles:
BOS-LHR BA F
LHR-DOH QR F
DOH-HKG CX J (destination - 2 hours)
HKG-KUL CX J
KUL-CDG MH F (stopover - 5 days)
CDG-ORD AA J
ORD-BOS AA F
However, they rejected it because I'm planning to spend less than 24 hours at my 'destination' (HKG). Is that an actual policy or a made-up rule?
Second question, if the agent noted on the reservation that it requires a min 24 hour stay in HKG, is there any use in trying to HUCA?
Thanks for your advice!
BOS-LHR BA F
LHR-DOH QR F
DOH-HKG CX J (destination - 2 hours)
HKG-KUL CX J
KUL-CDG MH F (stopover - 5 days)
CDG-ORD AA J
ORD-BOS AA F
However, they rejected it because I'm planning to spend less than 24 hours at my 'destination' (HKG). Is that an actual policy or a made-up rule?
Second question, if the agent noted on the reservation that it requires a min 24 hour stay in HKG, is there any use in trying to HUCA?
Thanks for your advice!
Oct 25, 2014, 11:40 am
#2370
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,724
I have the following on hold at US for 120K miles:
BOS-LHR BA F
LHR-DOH QR F
DOH-HKG CX J (destination - 2 hours)
HKG-KUL CX J
KUL-CDG MH F (stopover - 5 days)
CDG-ORD AA J
ORD-BOS AA F
However, they rejected it because I'm planning to spend less than 24 hours at my 'destination' (HKG). Is that an actual policy or a made-up rule?
Second question, if the agent noted on the reservation that it requires a min 24 hour stay in HKG, is there any use in trying to HUCA?
Thanks for your advice!
BOS-LHR BA F
LHR-DOH QR F
DOH-HKG CX J (destination - 2 hours)
HKG-KUL CX J
KUL-CDG MH F (stopover - 5 days)
CDG-ORD AA J
ORD-BOS AA F
However, they rejected it because I'm planning to spend less than 24 hours at my 'destination' (HKG). Is that an actual policy or a made-up rule?
Second question, if the agent noted on the reservation that it requires a min 24 hour stay in HKG, is there any use in trying to HUCA?
Thanks for your advice!