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 29, 2014, 12:41 pm
#2896
Formerly known as jlars77
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: ORD
Posts: 361
Quick update, it was no problem switching a couple of legs. I find the UK/Europe-agents to be quite good. But altho they saw availability in the last segment, JAL HND-KIX, it was not possible to book it. Mentioned the "new screen" tip here, but no go.
The agent said that it was random with JL, and another agent told me that sometimes they were able to book, but the seat came back unconfirmed a couple of days later. What´s the deal with JL?
The agent said that it was random with JL, and another agent told me that sometimes they were able to book, but the seat came back unconfirmed a couple of days later. What´s the deal with JL?
Dec 29, 2014, 2:48 pm
#2897
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
Not within 60 days. I´ve read posts here earlier about the 60 day rule, but as I understood it it was just a misunderstanding by some of the USDM-agents?
Dec 29, 2014, 3:00 pm
#2898
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
Dec 29, 2014, 7:14 pm
#2899
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Dallas, TX
Programs: AA EX Plat. Hyatt Glob
Posts: 106
Thanks everyone for suggesting to HUACA. I had a north asia award in first stopping in Europe. First time was quoted, 165k, then 135k, and last person quoted me 115k miles. I thought it was supposed to be 125k, but I am not complaining. Was able to get cathay first on the way back, can't wait to try that.
Dec 29, 2014, 7:40 pm
#2900
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Thanks everyone for suggesting to HUACA. I had a north asia award in first stopping in Europe. First time was quoted, 165k, then 135k, and last person quoted me 115k miles. I thought it was supposed to be 125k, but I am not complaining. Was able to get cathay first on the way back, can't wait to try that.
Dec 29, 2014, 10:22 pm
#2901
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,394
110k in business, and US sometimes charges the higher prices for a stopover (so F to North Asia with Europe stopover will sometimes be charged 125k).
OP- is one leg in J, one in F? That would explain the 115k (60k for F, 55k for C, this split pricing is new the last few months)...
OP- is one leg in J, one in F? That would explain the 115k (60k for F, 55k for C, this split pricing is new the last few months)...
Dec 30, 2014, 12:11 am
#2902
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
110k in business, and US sometimes charges the higher prices for a stopover (so F to North Asia with Europe stopover will sometimes be charged 125k).
OP- is one leg in J, one in F? That would explain the 115k (60k for F, 55k for C, this split pricing is new the last few months)...
OP- is one leg in J, one in F? That would explain the 115k (60k for F, 55k for C, this split pricing is new the last few months)...
Dec 30, 2014, 12:13 am
#2903
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
US Air recently refused to honor split pricing for a Jet Airways ticket in coach & business. But I guess for OneWorld redemptions, they can do split pricing now.
Dec 30, 2014, 8:00 am
#2904
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
Looking into JAL Suite, would be nice to experience it on CGK-NRT. Would this routing be valid: BKK-KUL-CGK-NRT-HKG-BKK?
According to gcmap the direct routing BKK-NRT are 5778 miles, so max would be 7223 miles (5778x1,25%) and this routing are 7964. I don't know how hard they are enforcing it?
According to gcmap the direct routing BKK-NRT are 5778 miles, so max would be 7223 miles (5778x1,25%) and this routing are 7964. I don't know how hard they are enforcing it?
Last edited by Insomnia4u; Dec 30, 2014 at 8:05 am
Dec 30, 2014, 8:57 am
#2905
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ, UA, Delta, BMI(RIP), Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Diamond (Thanks Amex) Hyatt Discov
Posts: 1,942
Looking into JAL Suite, would be nice to experience it on CGK-NRT. Would this routing be valid: BKK-KUL-CGK-NRT-HKG-BKK?
According to gcmap the direct routing BKK-NRT are 5778 miles, so max would be 7223 miles (5778x1,25%) and this routing are 7964. I don't know how hard they are enforcing it?
According to gcmap the direct routing BKK-NRT are 5778 miles, so max would be 7223 miles (5778x1,25%) and this routing are 7964. I don't know how hard they are enforcing it?
Code:
CTY DC TPM CUM MPM DC SUR HGL LWL 25M XTRA BKK 3 KUL 3 EH 754 754 904 EH 0M 150 0 1130 0 JKT 3 EH 725 1479 1732 EH 0M 253 0 2165 0 TYO 3 EH 3612 5091 3442 EH EXC 0 789 4302 0
Code:
CTY DC TPM CUM MPM DC SUR HGL LWL 25M XTRA TYO 3 HKG 3 EH 1823 1823 2187 EH 0M 364 0 2733 0 BKK 3 EH 1049 2872 3442 EH 0M 570 0 4302 0
Dec 30, 2014, 9:15 am
#2906
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
[KVS Tool 7.7.3 - Reference: Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM]: BKK-KUL-CGK-NRT]
[KVS Tool 7.7.3 - Reference: Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM]: NRT-HKG-BKK]
Code:
CTY DC TPM CUM MPM DC SUR HGL LWL 25M XTRA BKK 3 KUL 3 EH 754 754 904 EH 0M 150 0 1130 0 JKT 3 EH 725 1479 1732 EH 0M 253 0 2165 0 TYO 3 EH 3612 5091 3442 EH EXC 0 789 4302 0
Code:
CTY DC TPM CUM MPM DC SUR HGL LWL 25M XTRA TYO 3 HKG 3 EH 1823 1823 2187 EH 0M 364 0 2733 0 BKK 3 EH 1049 2872 3442 EH 0M 570 0 4302 0
Dec 30, 2014, 9:45 am
#2907
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
[KVS Tool 7.7.2 - Reference: Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM]: BKK-NRT/JL]
Code:
GI M 5M 10M 15M 20M 25M
MPM EH 3442 3614 3786 3958 4130 4302
Dec 30, 2014, 9:49 am
#2908
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
KUL-CGK-NRT is within MPM... you can easily get from BKK to KUL by LCC...
[KVS Tool 7.7.2 - Reference: Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM]: KUL-CGK-NRT/JL][/URL][/COLOR][/B]
[KVS Tool 7.7.2 - Reference: Maximum Permitted Mileage [MPM]: KUL-CGK-NRT/JL][/URL][/COLOR][/B]
Code:
CTY DC TPM CUM MPM DC SUR HGL LWL 25M XTRA KUL 3 JKT 3 EH 725 725 870 EH 0M 145 0 1087 0 TYO 3 EH 3612 4337 4005 EH 10M 68 132 5006 0
Dec 30, 2014, 10:41 am
#2909
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,377
Just to add some data points, just booked: PHX-LAX-HKG-KUL (dest)-LHR-MXP(stop)-LHR-JFK-PHX, mostly in CX/BA first.
Had to HUACA but eventually found a good agent to book it...found that breaking a single flight (LAX-KUL) into smaller segments was the key (for example: LAX-HKG, then HKG-KUL).
Wanted to do KUL-DPS-KUL on MH but originally the agent said she couldn't see any award availability (there was plenty), but eventually got instructions to do a long sale.
Had to HUACA but eventually found a good agent to book it...found that breaking a single flight (LAX-KUL) into smaller segments was the key (for example: LAX-HKG, then HKG-KUL).
Wanted to do KUL-DPS-KUL on MH but originally the agent said she couldn't see any award availability (there was plenty), but eventually got instructions to do a long sale.
Last edited by GaryZ; Dec 30, 2014 at 11:57 am Reason: thanks to e c for clariying stop/dest
Dec 30, 2014, 10:46 am
#2910
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,394
Just to add some data points, just booked: PHX-LAX-HKG-KUL (stop)-LHR-MXP(dest)-LHR-JFK-PHX, mostly in CX/BA first.
Had to HUACA but eventually found a good agent to book it...found that breaking a single flight (LAX-KUL) into smaller segments was the key (for example: LAX-HKG, then HKG-KUL).
Wanted to do KUL-DPS-KUL on MH but originally the agent said she couldn't see any award availability (there was plenty), but eventually got instructions to do a long sale.
Had to HUACA but eventually found a good agent to book it...found that breaking a single flight (LAX-KUL) into smaller segments was the key (for example: LAX-HKG, then HKG-KUL).
Wanted to do KUL-DPS-KUL on MH but originally the agent said she couldn't see any award availability (there was plenty), but eventually got instructions to do a long sale.
http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=phx-kul,phx-mxp