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 28, 2014, 10:22 pm
#2401
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
I have use the "Accept changes" option 3 times without any issue, so wouldn't be too concerned about using it ( and used it at the weekend for a booking with some flight time changes )
Oct 28, 2014, 10:52 pm
#2402
Moderator: American AAdvantage & Marriott Bonvoy
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: American ExPlat; Marriott/SPG Lifetime Plat; Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 8,116
I've had multiple changes to Star Alliance partner award reservations since the changeover. In all but one case I accepted the changes online and they seem to have processed just fine -- the reservations have come and go without incident.
Oct 29, 2014, 1:41 am
#2403
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 261
Hi All - it is getting close to the time where I need to book for my flights next year
I'm travelling from Australia to Europe
I"m getting concerned about lack of Availability so pretty keen to lock in the outbound leg ASAP with the plan being to book a dummy return which I can change later. I'm aware there is a US$150 per pax to do so.
However what changes can be made?
My plan is to get from Perth to LHR outbound. I don't want to exit LHR so was planning a return leg to perth (Open Jaw) from say Paris or Vienna.
If I book a dummy return say the day after I arrive into London - I appreciate I am able to change dates, I just wonder what else I can change?
* Open jaw city (ie change from Paris to Vienna)to change where the op
* Travel class? If the only dummy return I can make is in economy - can i change it to business class with the $150 fee?
As an example
I book an outbound from Perth to London on 20th October arriving 21st October (All as I want in Business)
I then book a return dummy returning open jaw from Paris on 22nd October that is a mix of Economy and Business.
2 weeks later when the days pass - I call up and assuming availability want to change it so the return leg is now out of Vienna/Zurich etc and all in business on the 4th November?
Is that how it works? Or is it date only changes? I want to make sure I am prepared before committing to the $150 fee
I'm travelling from Australia to Europe
I"m getting concerned about lack of Availability so pretty keen to lock in the outbound leg ASAP with the plan being to book a dummy return which I can change later. I'm aware there is a US$150 per pax to do so.
However what changes can be made?
My plan is to get from Perth to LHR outbound. I don't want to exit LHR so was planning a return leg to perth (Open Jaw) from say Paris or Vienna.
If I book a dummy return say the day after I arrive into London - I appreciate I am able to change dates, I just wonder what else I can change?
* Open jaw city (ie change from Paris to Vienna)to change where the op
* Travel class? If the only dummy return I can make is in economy - can i change it to business class with the $150 fee?
As an example
I book an outbound from Perth to London on 20th October arriving 21st October (All as I want in Business)
I then book a return dummy returning open jaw from Paris on 22nd October that is a mix of Economy and Business.
2 weeks later when the days pass - I call up and assuming availability want to change it so the return leg is now out of Vienna/Zurich etc and all in business on the 4th November?
Is that how it works? Or is it date only changes? I want to make sure I am prepared before committing to the $150 fee
Oct 29, 2014, 7:32 am
#2404
Formerly known as jlars77
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Posts: 361
JAL Award Space Gone
Looking on ba.com for LAX - NRT Sep/Oct 2015 and not a single flight is coming up...not even economy. Award space had recently been relatively plentiful 330 days out, anyone know of award policy changes? I'm hoping it's just a technical issue...but doubt it. CX space is still good via HKG.
Oct 29, 2014, 9:24 am
#2405
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
[KVS Availability Tool 7.5.2/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code:
LAX Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
TYO Tokyo Metro JP = NRT HND
TUE 01 Sep 2015 | 1 Seat
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------
JL 61 LAX 13:20 NRT 16:55 +1 FS2 CS0 WS4 YS4
Code:
LAX Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
TYO Tokyo Metro JP = NRT HND
WED 02 Sep 2015 | 1 Seat
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------
JL 61 LAX 13:20 NRT 16:55 +1 FS1 CS0 WS4 YS4
Oct 29, 2014, 10:37 am
#2406
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 12,242
Looking on ba.com for LAX - NRT Sep/Oct 2015 and not a single flight is coming up...not even economy. Award space had recently been relatively plentiful 330 days out, anyone know of award policy changes? I'm hoping it's just a technical issue...but doubt it. CX space is still good via HKG.
)
Oct 29, 2014, 11:27 am
#2407
Formerly known as jlars77
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Posts: 361
September looks OK:
[KVS Availability Tool 7.5.2/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.5.2/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.5.2/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code:
LAX Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
TYO Tokyo Metro JP = NRT HND
TUE 01 Sep 2015 | 1 Seat
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------
JL 61 LAX 13:20 NRT 16:55 +1 FS2 CS0 WS4 YS4
Code:
LAX Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
TYO Tokyo Metro JP = NRT HND
WED 02 Sep 2015 | 1 Seat
Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability
--------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------
JL 61 LAX 13:20 NRT 16:55 +1 FS1 CS0 WS4 YS4
Oct 29, 2014, 5:37 pm
#2408
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Boston MA
Programs: US SP, JetBlue Mosaic, AMEX Plat
Posts: 101
General question given the announcement about the AA/USDM merger earlier this week:
I plan to book a trip now solely to leverage US Airways as it exists today: Some liberal routing rules, one stopover or open jaw, and of course the HUACA method of getting value from the award.
If I book and ticket in the next month, all confirmed flights for late-2015 after the merger of the AA and USDM programs.... and something happens (schedule change, delay, mechanical, etc.) then I shouldn't really have an issue since I am ticketed on all OW carriers, right?
Just looking for re-affirmation before I do this.
I plan to book a trip now solely to leverage US Airways as it exists today: Some liberal routing rules, one stopover or open jaw, and of course the HUACA method of getting value from the award.
If I book and ticket in the next month, all confirmed flights for late-2015 after the merger of the AA and USDM programs.... and something happens (schedule change, delay, mechanical, etc.) then I shouldn't really have an issue since I am ticketed on all OW carriers, right?
Just looking for re-affirmation before I do this.
Oct 29, 2014, 5:44 pm
#2409
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,407
Oct 29, 2014, 8:49 pm
#2410
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 216
It's been a while since I tried to book US Airways award tickets. Do they still have problem with seeing JL award seats lately ? Thanks.
Oct 30, 2014, 5:00 am
#2411
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
Have been searching using the BA tool to try and find 2 seats in business class to get from either Frankfurt or Berlin back to Melbourne around the 24th/25th/26th of April next year, struggling to find much looking through DOH, KUL, HKG, SIN, etc. Would love some help if anyone out there can find anything. Missing Star Alliances availability...
Oct 30, 2014, 6:46 am
#2412
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FLL
Programs: US CP, AA Plat, DL Silver, EY Gold, Kimpton IC, SPG Plat
Posts: 409
Have been searching using the BA tool to try and find 2 seats in business class to get from either Frankfurt or Berlin back to Melbourne around the 24th/25th/26th of April next year, struggling to find much looking through DOH, KUL, HKG, SIN, etc. Would love some help if anyone out there can find anything. Missing Star Alliances availability...
Code:
FRA Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF] MEL Melbourne Metro / Tullamarine VI AU = MEL AVV [YMML] FRI 24 Apr 2015 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ MH 5 FRA 12:30 KUL 06:25 +1 FS/ CS5 WS/ YS6 -> MH 129 KUL 11:30 +1 MEL 21:25 +1 FS/ CS+ WS/ YS+
Code:
FRA Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF] MEL Melbourne Metro / Tullamarine VI AU = MEL AVV [YMML] SUN 26 Apr 2015 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ MH 5 FRA 12:30 KUL 06:25 +1 FS/ CS1 WS/ YS2 -> MH 129 KUL 11:30 +1 MEL 21:25 +1 FS/ CS+ WS/ YS+ BA 901 FRA 07:30 LHR 08:15 CS9 YS9 -> QF 10 LHR 13:30 MEL 20:55 +1 FS+ CS- WS- YS+ BA 903 FRA 10:55 LHR 11:40 CS9 YS9 -> QF 10 LHR 13:30 MEL 20:55 +1 FS+ CS- WS- YS+
Oct 30, 2014, 11:38 am
#2413
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: FLL
Programs: US CP, AA Plat, DL Silver, EY Gold, Kimpton IC, SPG Plat
Posts: 409
Is it possible to book premium economy JL seats with USDM or do I have to use Avios?
Thanks
Thanks
Oct 30, 2014, 1:31 pm
#2414
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
[KVS Availability Tool 7.5.2/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.5.2/Diamond - Awards/BA-OneWorld]
Code:
FRA Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF] MEL Melbourne Metro / Tullamarine VI AU = MEL AVV [YMML] FRI 24 Apr 2015 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ MH 5 FRA 12:30 KUL 06:25 +1 FS/ CS5 WS/ YS6 -> MH 129 KUL 11:30 +1 MEL 21:25 +1 FS/ CS+ WS/ YS+
Code:
FRA Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF] MEL Melbourne Metro / Tullamarine VI AU = MEL AVV [YMML] SUN 26 Apr 2015 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive St Award Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------------ MH 5 FRA 12:30 KUL 06:25 +1 FS/ CS1 WS/ YS2 -> MH 129 KUL 11:30 +1 MEL 21:25 +1 FS/ CS+ WS/ YS+ BA 901 FRA 07:30 LHR 08:15 CS9 YS9 -> QF 10 LHR 13:30 MEL 20:55 +1 FS+ CS- WS- YS+ BA 903 FRA 10:55 LHR 11:40 CS9 YS9 -> QF 10 LHR 13:30 MEL 20:55 +1 FS+ CS- WS- YS+
Oct 30, 2014, 3:05 pm
#2415
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,407