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]
Dec 20, 2014, 12:21 pm
#2821
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
I'm planning JFK-HKG-DOH-JRO(Killimanjaro) and return JRO-DOH-PHL. Is this a possible routing? Would HUCA help or this is just impossible?
I got turned down because they said JFK-DOH has to be transatl, but quite many people have been done rtw using USDM.
I got turned down because they said JFK-DOH has to be transatl, but quite many people have been done rtw using USDM.
Dec 20, 2014, 1:43 pm
#2822
Formerly known as jlars77
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Posts: 361
Travel to/from Africa must operate via the Atlantic. You could try heading east with HKG as the destination and sneak in JRO as a stopover under a N Asia award...but it technically doesn't qualify either (but might be a less visible violaton).
Dec 20, 2014, 1:49 pm
#2823
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Travel to/from Europe, Middle East, and Africa must operate via the Atlantic ocean
You could for example book JFK-HKG (destination) - DOH (stopover) - JFK for the award price USA-North Asia... Then just buy a separate Ticket DOH-JRO-DOH...
Dec 20, 2014, 1:58 pm
#2824
Join Date: Nov 2006
Programs: Marriott Platinum, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum
Posts: 3,722
Dec 20, 2014, 2:15 pm
#2825
Join Date: Nov 2008
Programs: SPG Gold, Hilton Diamon, IHG Spire
Posts: 374
Any ideas on which transatl flight is available to DOH on 12/24 or 12/25? I tried but it looks like Qatar has no availability from EU or anything West of DOH.
Dec 20, 2014, 4:37 pm
#2826
Formerly known as jlars77
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Posts: 361
F in BA via LHR both days but around $750 in YQ.
Dec 21, 2014, 7:46 pm
#2827
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 171
How do I get around agents not seeing JAL F seats. BA site shows plenty of seats but agent can't see it. Any idea?
Dec 21, 2014, 9:07 pm
#2828
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
You might also want to cross-reference BA's availability to make sure it's not phantom.
Dec 22, 2014, 12:52 am
#2829
Join Date: Jan 2009
Programs: Hilton Diamond, IHG Spire Ambassador, Radisson Gold, Hyatt Discoverist
Posts: 3,623
HUACA. Some agents can see the pace, some can't, some can with the help of supervisor.
Dec 22, 2014, 12:18 pm
#2830
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
I have booked 3 persons in Business OSL-DOH-HKG(stop)-PVG(dest) in july , altho paid first class miles(100K) since one leg return are F (BA HKG-LHR).
Since QR now are starting DOH-BKK with A380 I am tempted to change to OSL-DOH-BKK-HKG-PVG.
1. Is it possible to change without canceling the tickets?
2. I can not find any F-availability on QR DOH-BKK. Are they not releasing any?
3. If I book Business on the same route, will it be possible to change/upgrade to F if availability later?
4. Another option to fly QR F on A380 are LON-DOH , but can´t find the flights. Is it QR004?
Since QR now are starting DOH-BKK with A380 I am tempted to change to OSL-DOH-BKK-HKG-PVG.
1. Is it possible to change without canceling the tickets?
2. I can not find any F-availability on QR DOH-BKK. Are they not releasing any?
3. If I book Business on the same route, will it be possible to change/upgrade to F if availability later?
4. Another option to fly QR F on A380 are LON-DOH , but can´t find the flights. Is it QR004?
Last edited by Insomnia4u; Dec 22, 2014 at 12:26 pm
Dec 22, 2014, 1:27 pm
#2831
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
I have booked 3 persons in Business OSL-DOH-HKG(stop)-PVG(dest) in july , altho paid first class miles(100K) since one leg return are F (BA HKG-LHR).
Since QR now are starting DOH-BKK with A380 I am tempted to change to OSL-DOH-BKK-HKG-PVG.
1. Is it possible to change without canceling the tickets?
2. I can not find any F-availability on QR DOH-BKK. Are they not releasing any?
3. If I book Business on the same route, will it be possible to change/upgrade to F if availability later?
4. Another option to fly QR F on A380 are LON-DOH , but can´t find the flights. Is it QR004?
Since QR now are starting DOH-BKK with A380 I am tempted to change to OSL-DOH-BKK-HKG-PVG.
1. Is it possible to change without canceling the tickets?
2. I can not find any F-availability on QR DOH-BKK. Are they not releasing any?
3. If I book Business on the same route, will it be possible to change/upgrade to F if availability later?
4. Another option to fly QR F on A380 are LON-DOH , but can´t find the flights. Is it QR004?
2) No, don't think you can get F on the A380.
3) Should be possible, but quite a hard thing with US reps... They always want to cancel booking and start from scrap... HUACA
4) LHR and CDG
Code:
LHR London Heathrow UK [EGLL] DOH Doha Hamad Intl QA [OTHH] SUN 28 Jun 2015 - 05 Jul 2015 Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- QR 6 LHR 08:00 DOH 16:45 332 0 1234567 06:45 4 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 12 LHR 10:50 DOH 19:35 346 0 -23---- 06:45 4 - 31 Mar 21 Oct QR 10 LHR 10:50 DOH 19:35 346 0 1--4-67 06:45 4 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 12 LHR 13:00 DOH 21:45 346 0 ----5-- 06:45 4 - 03 Apr 23 Oct QR 4 LHR 15:05 DOH 23:50 388 0 1234567 06:45 4 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 8 LHR 16:00 DOH 00:45 +1 788 0 1234567 06:45 4 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 2 LHR 21:30 DOH 06:15 +1 346 0 1234567 06:45 4 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 16 LHR 21:55 DOH 06:40 +1 319 0 1234567 06:45 4 - 29 Mar 24 Oct Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Frequency | Dur'n | Dep T | Arr T | Effect | Ending | Exceptions --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ---------------------------------------------------------------- QR 42 CDG 10:30 DOH 17:55 388 0 1234567 06:25 1 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 40 CDG 16:00 DOH 23:25 388 0 1234567 06:25 1 - 29 Mar 24 Oct QR 38 CDG 22:30 DOH 06:00 +1 346 0 1234567 06:30 1 - 29 Mar 24 Oct
Dec 22, 2014, 3:17 pm
#2832
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
Do you know why they don't release F-award seats on 380?
Dec 22, 2014, 4:24 pm
#2833
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,309
Because its an amazing brand new first class product, that they dont want to cheapen by offering it to award redemptions, especially to the glut of mileage-balance heavy AA/US redeemers.
Console yourself in the fact that QR J > AA F
You can also sometimes find F on the 346s on shorthauls within the gulf.
Console yourself in the fact that QR J > AA F
You can also sometimes find F on the 346s on shorthauls within the gulf.
Dec 22, 2014, 6:18 pm
#2834
Join Date: Dec 2003
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Lifetime Plat, SPG Plat, AMEX Plat, Hertz PC, Travels too Much Platinum
Posts: 3,290
Just ran into this notice on ExpertFlyer:
Due to a technical issue in the US Air host system, O,I,X award classes are temporarily not viewable in ExpertFlyer, however J class upgrades still are. US Air is working on a fix, however it won't be available until the first week in January. The AA/US team passes along their apologies. Thank you for your understanding.
Additional Award inventory may be found on AA operated flights via the American Airlines Award search.
So that's ... unfortunate.
Due to a technical issue in the US Air host system, O,I,X award classes are temporarily not viewable in ExpertFlyer, however J class upgrades still are. US Air is working on a fix, however it won't be available until the first week in January. The AA/US team passes along their apologies. Thank you for your understanding.
Additional Award inventory may be found on AA operated flights via the American Airlines Award search.
So that's ... unfortunate.
Dec 22, 2014, 7:40 pm
#2835
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Booked SJU-MIA-PHL-DOH-KUL out bound
Return KUL-HKG-LHR(stop over)-IAD-CLT-MIA-SJU
Agent was ready to issue, but then said supervisor said too many segments, 10 here, only 8 allowed, so she can't issue ticket as booked
Question for the pros: Are they quite strict with the only 8 segments rule?
Is it worth HUACA or will they have noted this in the PNR so no dice?
Return KUL-HKG-LHR(stop over)-IAD-CLT-MIA-SJU
Agent was ready to issue, but then said supervisor said too many segments, 10 here, only 8 allowed, so she can't issue ticket as booked
Question for the pros: Are they quite strict with the only 8 segments rule?
Is it worth HUACA or will they have noted this in the PNR so no dice?