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]
Jan 13, 2015, 10:36 pm
#3046
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
I am looking to change the travel date/ departure location (or both) for a return award ticket (in Cathay pacific - coach tickets booked using US Air dividend miles). I spoke with US airways customer service and they informed me its not possible to change travel date in return journey once the travel has completed one leg (onward journey). Any help/ suggestion ?
Jan 14, 2015, 1:45 am
#3047
Join Date: Jul 2011
Posts: 117
We actually avoided AY for the most part but we have:
JFK-HKG - Cathay
HKG-MEL - Cathay
Mel-SYD - Qantas
SYD-NRT - Qantas
NRT-HEL - JAL 787
HEL-TXL - Finnair
TXL-JFK - AirBerlin
Jan 14, 2015, 6:42 am
#3049
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Singapore
Programs: BA Gold, HH Gold, IHG Diamond Elite
Posts: 102
Can anyone tell me if a routing like SIN-DOH-DXB-LHR/LHR-NRT-HKG-BKK-SIN is alright? In terms of a number of flights/transits and will there be a prob booking Europe-South Asia via North Asia?
Cheers.
Cheers.
Jan 14, 2015, 6:46 am
#3050
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,408
as long as the trip is within maximum permitted mileage it should be fine.
Jan 14, 2015, 8:33 am
#3051
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,420
My guess is it's seasonal, HKT is Europe's version of OGG...
Read the rules for a program you're making a booking in, and understand them before you make a booking?
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...mberguide.html
Can you be more specific in what your situation is and what you want to do? There may be ways to deal with your situation, but what you've posted is very vague, not explaining what you specifically want to accomplish, or why US should accommodate you (and break their program rules).
You may not be able to get help from US, but the forum may be able to better advise you with more specifics...
I am looking to change the travel date/ departure location (or both) for a return award ticket (in Cathay pacific - coach tickets booked using US Air dividend miles). I spoke with US airways customer service and they informed me it’s not possible to change travel date in return journey once the travel has completed one leg (onward journey). Any help/ suggestion ?
http://www.usairways.com/en-US/divid...mberguide.html
Travel on airline partners
Changes are not permitted once travel has begun.
Changes are not permitted once travel has begun.
You may not be able to get help from US, but the forum may be able to better advise you with more specifics...
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Jan 14, 2015 at 8:44 am
Jan 14, 2015, 6:26 pm
#3052
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: PHL
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 953
Hi everyone!
I've searched the thread and couldn't find this specifically. I've been a long Delta PM out of NYC but a move this year to PHL has me now a US Silver (dirt, I know. Next year!). Still trying to get the hang of a new airline and alliance.
I am speaking at a conference in BRU on March 10. The conference reimburses up to prem economy. PHL-BRU direct is a old US757; as I'd like to get some sleep on the flight, I'd rather connect thru LHR (or even MAD) on the US A330 or, more enticingly, the BA 777 (if I don't get the UG at least I have a prem econ product).
So quick question - for the trip (which can be anywhere from the 7-8 to the 12 or 13th: can I buy prem econ on BA and then upgrade to their biz product with USAir miles? What status miles will I earn for the trip (Prem or J)? And do I call BA and do this or do I call US?
THANKS!
I've searched the thread and couldn't find this specifically. I've been a long Delta PM out of NYC but a move this year to PHL has me now a US Silver (dirt, I know. Next year!). Still trying to get the hang of a new airline and alliance.
I am speaking at a conference in BRU on March 10. The conference reimburses up to prem economy. PHL-BRU direct is a old US757; as I'd like to get some sleep on the flight, I'd rather connect thru LHR (or even MAD) on the US A330 or, more enticingly, the BA 777 (if I don't get the UG at least I have a prem econ product).
So quick question - for the trip (which can be anywhere from the 7-8 to the 12 or 13th: can I buy prem econ on BA and then upgrade to their biz product with USAir miles? What status miles will I earn for the trip (Prem or J)? And do I call BA and do this or do I call US?
THANKS!
Jan 14, 2015, 6:56 pm
#3053
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
Jan 14, 2015, 9:14 pm
#3054
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
Moderator Note
This took a brief, off-topic tangent, which has been deleted. (You know who you are. 
)
Thank you for staying on the topic at hand.
/Moderator
)Thank you for staying on the topic at hand.
/Moderator
Jan 15, 2015, 7:37 am
#3055
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Baltimore MD
Posts: 3,458
just put my first trip on hold.... It's been a while since I've really done anything with US (well about 10 months) and I forgot how painful it could be.... first they were too busy to take calls so it took me a while to get into the queue... once in the queue I got disconnected twice.. the first agent wasn't receptive to my offerrings of flights, trying to find other options.. the second seemed ok but then we got cut off.. finally I found an angel who knew exactly what I was trying to do and had zero problems.... 5 hours after the first attempt I had this on hold:
AA JFK-SFO F
JL SFO-HND F
stopover
JL HND-TSA C
destination
CX TPE-HKG-NRT C
JL NRT-JFK F
My hope is that CX F opens up on the return... but sorry if it's been answered recently but I'm not as up on this thread as I was... have people been able to get changes made to itineraies (even with the fee) or have agents insisted that the ticket would need to be canceled and rebooked?
thanks
FDW
AA JFK-SFO F
JL SFO-HND F
stopover
JL HND-TSA C
destination
CX TPE-HKG-NRT C
JL NRT-JFK F
My hope is that CX F opens up on the return... but sorry if it's been answered recently but I'm not as up on this thread as I was... have people been able to get changes made to itineraies (even with the fee) or have agents insisted that the ticket would need to be canceled and rebooked?
thanks
FDW
Jan 15, 2015, 8:36 am
#3056
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: PHL
Programs: HHonors: Diamond. US Dividend Miles: Gold. Hertz: President's Circle
Posts: 179
AA JFK-SFO F
JL SFO-HND F
stopover
JL HND-TSA C
destination
CX TPE-HKG-NRT C
JL NRT-JFK F
My hope is that CX F opens up on the return... but sorry if it's been answered recently but I'm not as up on this thread as I was... have people been able to get changes made to itineraies (even with the fee) or have agents insisted that the ticket would need to be canceled and rebooked?
thanks
FDW
JL SFO-HND F
stopover
JL HND-TSA C
destination
CX TPE-HKG-NRT C
JL NRT-JFK F
My hope is that CX F opens up on the return... but sorry if it's been answered recently but I'm not as up on this thread as I was... have people been able to get changes made to itineraies (even with the fee) or have agents insisted that the ticket would need to be canceled and rebooked?
thanks
FDW
Jan 15, 2015, 9:17 am
#3057
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAS
Posts: 133
Help with schedule change
Hi. Thanks in advance for any help/info regarding my itinerary.
Booked LAS-DFW-LHR on AA F some months ago for April travel. DFW-LHR on AA#80. Schedule change of about 2 hours later thus AA changed our flights later on same day about 2 months ago. That didn't make much of a difference to me, however noted yesterday that now AA#80 changed to business class only, no F.
My question, before I call US Air, is what my options are? Can I ask US Air to talk to AA regarding putting us on F class AA#78 or less likely AA#50 from DFW to LHR on the same day? AA#78's flight time is pretty close to what my original time was. Anything specific I should say to US Air to make the change?
Thanks. Just want to know my options before I call US Air since that is always a long, somewhat painful process.
Booked LAS-DFW-LHR on AA F some months ago for April travel. DFW-LHR on AA#80. Schedule change of about 2 hours later thus AA changed our flights later on same day about 2 months ago. That didn't make much of a difference to me, however noted yesterday that now AA#80 changed to business class only, no F.
My question, before I call US Air, is what my options are? Can I ask US Air to talk to AA regarding putting us on F class AA#78 or less likely AA#50 from DFW to LHR on the same day? AA#78's flight time is pretty close to what my original time was. Anything specific I should say to US Air to make the change?
Thanks. Just want to know my options before I call US Air since that is always a long, somewhat painful process.
Jan 15, 2015, 1:30 pm
#3058
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,420
Hi. Thanks in advance for any help/info regarding my itinerary.
Booked LAS-DFW-LHR on AA F some months ago for April travel. DFW-LHR on AA#80. Schedule change of about 2 hours later thus AA changed our flights later on same day about 2 months ago. That didn't make much of a difference to me, however noted yesterday that now AA#80 changed to business class only, no F.
My question, before I call US Air, is what my options are? Can I ask US Air to talk to AA regarding putting us on F class AA#78 or less likely AA#50 from DFW to LHR on the same day? AA#78's flight time is pretty close to what my original time was. Anything specific I should say to US Air to make the change?
Thanks. Just want to know my options before I call US Air since that is always a long, somewhat painful process.
Booked LAS-DFW-LHR on AA F some months ago for April travel. DFW-LHR on AA#80. Schedule change of about 2 hours later thus AA changed our flights later on same day about 2 months ago. That didn't make much of a difference to me, however noted yesterday that now AA#80 changed to business class only, no F.
My question, before I call US Air, is what my options are? Can I ask US Air to talk to AA regarding putting us on F class AA#78 or less likely AA#50 from DFW to LHR on the same day? AA#78's flight time is pretty close to what my original time was. Anything specific I should say to US Air to make the change?
Thanks. Just want to know my options before I call US Air since that is always a long, somewhat painful process.
I'd probably push for getting mileage returned, assuming there are no onward flights in F after LHR (if there are you are hosed, one leg in 3-class F = F award). AA F is a marginal upgrade over AA's newest J on the 77D (if that is indeed what you are getting), and there's no Flagship Lounge in DFW anyways. Since it's "us", sounds like you'd be getting back at least 25K miles (assuming 2 one way F->J downgrades on North America->Europe).
Jan 15, 2015, 1:42 pm
#3059
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: LAS
Posts: 133
US and AA are (for the moment) separate airlines, so AA is less likely to open award inventory out of a revenue bucket than if this was an AA award (plus I would assume "us" means "at least two awards"). Do you have any AA or US status? That might help.
I'd probably push for getting mileage returned, assuming there are no onward flights in F after LHR (if there are you are hosed, one leg in 3-class F = F award). AA F is a marginal upgrade over AA's newest J on the 77D (if that is indeed what you are getting), and there's no Flagship Lounge in DFW anyways. Since it's "us", sounds like you'd be getting back at least 25K miles (assuming 2 one way F->J downgrades on North America->Europe).
I'd probably push for getting mileage returned, assuming there are no onward flights in F after LHR (if there are you are hosed, one leg in 3-class F = F award). AA F is a marginal upgrade over AA's newest J on the 77D (if that is indeed what you are getting), and there's no Flagship Lounge in DFW anyways. Since it's "us", sounds like you'd be getting back at least 25K miles (assuming 2 one way F->J downgrades on North America->Europe).
I wouldn't mind getting miles back and flying business if it was the newest J. Based on seatmap, it looks like it's the old angled business class and that's why I want to know my options.
Not ideal, but I'm guessing I might have a better chance of US Air opening up their own flight to LHR. Any thoughts on US Air Envoy vs old AA J?
Thanks again, E-Coward.
Jan 15, 2015, 3:33 pm
#3060
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: southUSA
Posts: 398
Agent sees seats but won't can't get confirmation CX
Seeing plenty of space on cathay pacific.com for CX seats and CSR can see them, but... when requesting seats they will not be picked. This is just inside the 330 day window. Any idea of a workaround.
This is for HND-HKG and AKL-HKG.
This is for HND-HKG and AKL-HKG.