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]
Feb 17, 2015, 2:28 am
#3451
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Norway
Programs: EB*D, Hilton Diamond, Carlson Gold Elite, Amex Plat
Posts: 159
So, just spent 40 min with USDM-Europe on the phone trying to find flights in April from KIX-HND-SGN with JAL. Altho BA shows availability, only 1 of 3 flights showed in the USDM system, and the agent checked with a supervisor as well. The agent claimed it was a lot of problems with the JAL-system, and not easy to book. I´m not sure this is a HUACA, since they did see some of the flights.
Anyone else had these problems? CX are not available around the dates I need.
Anyone else had these problems? CX are not available around the dates I need.
Feb 17, 2015, 3:03 am
#3452
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Just a warning, I'm not sure that SFO is a valid stopover point. The membership guide only calls out CLT, PHL, and PHX as hubs, and SFO might not be considered a oneworld hub either for other airlines - here's an article by Lucky that includes a list of all of the valid stopover hubs.
Of course, YMMV and I hope it works out.
Of course, YMMV and I hope it works out.
It used to be before, when they've been in the Star Alliance, it's UA's hub.
Feb 17, 2015, 3:46 am
#3453
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,407
Just a warning, I'm not sure that SFO is a valid stopover point. The membership guide only calls out CLT, PHL, and PHX as hubs, and SFO might not be considered a oneworld hub either for other airlines - here's an article by Lucky that includes a list of all of the valid stopover hubs.
Of course, YMMV and I hope it works out.
Of course, YMMV and I hope it works out.
Feb 17, 2015, 3:51 am
#3454
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,407
So, just spent 40 min with USDM-Europe on the phone trying to find flights in April from KIX-HND-SGN with JAL. Altho BA shows availability, only 1 of 3 flights showed in the USDM system, and the agent checked with a supervisor as well. The agent claimed it was a lot of problems with the JAL-system, and not easy to book. I´m not sure this is a HUACA, since they did see some of the flights.
Anyone else had these problems? CX are not available around the dates I need.
Anyone else had these problems? CX are not available around the dates I need.
I had a very competent agent the other day - booking a 4 sector itinerary all on JAL. But JAL was giving them problems.
Gave them the first flight - came back 'unavailable'. Same for the second. But then they said they'll give it another go, (and then another), and finally they managed to secure it.
They repeated the process for each of the flights (including the first one). It took a while, but it all came back confirmed. (I knew there was availability because I confirmed it direct with the JAL website.)
The agent said they were using the separate window. So maybe it's a case of calling again... I suspect another agent might not have been so persistent as the one I got.
Feb 17, 2015, 5:26 am
#3455
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
OK, fine, let's try again. Which airline? Is it US? (As I said in my question, the way AA calculates MPM and routing rules for partner awards is to take the airline flying the longest route, and check the MPM of a published fare by that airline from the origin to the destination. That's why I asked which fare, when I should have asked "Which airline's fare.")
Feb 17, 2015, 6:58 am
#3456
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
OK, fine, let's try again. Which airline? Is it US? (As I said in my question, the way AA calculates MPM and routing rules for partner awards is to take the airline flying the longest route, and check the MPM of a published fare by that airline from the origin to the destination. That's why I asked which fare, when I should have asked "Which airline's fare.")
US isn't using AA's published fare rules (thankfully, they are
- something nobody else insists on, and rather lame if you're in a place where all the fares have to be constructed to go somewhere like PPT or MLE).
Feb 17, 2015, 7:20 am
#3457
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Any other option for booking partner awards through the main phone number?
Seems that due to the snow they are kicking out any calls for awards.....Nice way to do it as well, making you go through all the options and having you provide most of your details first, just to be disconnected then....
Edit: used one of the EU numbers and what a difference.... very competent agent in finding my flights, she had them down before I had completed telling her the whole route :-). No problem getting on a Japan airlines flight either.
But there was a problem with my intended route AMS-HKG-BKK(stop)-KIX(dest)-HEL-AMS. No stop in BKK allowed since it's not a OW hub. Damn....
Seems that due to the snow they are kicking out any calls for awards.....Nice way to do it as well, making you go through all the options and having you provide most of your details first, just to be disconnected then....
Edit: used one of the EU numbers and what a difference.... very competent agent in finding my flights, she had them down before I had completed telling her the whole route :-). No problem getting on a Japan airlines flight either.
But there was a problem with my intended route AMS-HKG-BKK(stop)-KIX(dest)-HEL-AMS. No stop in BKK allowed since it's not a OW hub. Damn....
Last edited by RTW1; Feb 17, 2015 at 10:17 am
Feb 17, 2015, 11:28 am
#3458
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Feb 17, 2015, 11:36 am
#3459
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
The reason that was stated was BKK is not a hub, but the backtracking might have a been a problem as well....
Now the option is just making a stop in HGK (and getting to BKK on a separate ticket) or making a stop in KUL.
Now the option is just making a stop in HGK (and getting to BKK on a separate ticket) or making a stop in KUL.
Feb 17, 2015, 11:52 am
#3460
Join Date: Feb 2015
Posts: 17
Any other option for booking partner awards through the main phone number?
Seems that due to the snow they are kicking out any calls for awards.....Nice way to do it as well, making you go through all the options and having you provide most of your details first, just to be disconnected then....
Edit: used one of the EU numbers and what a difference.... very competent agent in finding my flights, she had them down before I had completed telling her the whole route :-). No problem getting on a Japan airlines flight either.
But there was a problem with my intended route AMS-HKG-BKK(stop)-KIX(dest)-HEL-AMS. No stop in BKK allowed since it's not a OW hub. Damn....
Seems that due to the snow they are kicking out any calls for awards.....Nice way to do it as well, making you go through all the options and having you provide most of your details first, just to be disconnected then....
Edit: used one of the EU numbers and what a difference.... very competent agent in finding my flights, she had them down before I had completed telling her the whole route :-). No problem getting on a Japan airlines flight either.
But there was a problem with my intended route AMS-HKG-BKK(stop)-KIX(dest)-HEL-AMS. No stop in BKK allowed since it's not a OW hub. Damn....
Feb 17, 2015, 4:10 pm
#3461
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 5
Abe -- any success?
I'm tempted to try one of the non-US numbers, but not sure if it would do much good as my flight will begin and end in the US.
I'm tempted to try one of the non-US numbers, but not sure if it would do much good as my flight will begin and end in the US.
Feb 17, 2015, 11:46 pm
#3462
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
Example EF output:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Maximum Permitted Mileage:
Airports: LAX-PHX-SFO-HKG-JNB
Flying US on 10/10/15
Maximum Permitted Mileage
LAXJNB-US 10OCT15
TICKETED POINT SURCHARGES APPLY.
GI M 5M 10M 15M 20M 25M
MPM AT 12446 13068 13690 14312 14935 15557
.
Calculated Sector Mileage
LAX US PHX US SFO US HKG US JNB /10OCT15
*************************************************************
CTY GI TPM CUM MPM EMS DED LAST NEXT 25M
LAX 1
1. PHX 1 - 370 370
2. SFO 1 - 652 1022
3. HKG 3 PA 6915 7937 8698 0M 0 0 761 10872
4. JNB 2 PA 6641 14578 16221 0M 0 0 1643 20276
Would this route would be invalid since it exceeds the 25M band:
Results from ExpertFlyer.com
Code:
Maximum Permitted Mileage:
Airports: JNB-HKG-TPE-NRT-ORD-LAX
Flying US on 10/10/15
Maximum Permitted Mileage
JNBLAX-US 10OCT15
TICKETED POINT SURCHARGES APPLY.
GI M 5M 10M 15M 20M 25M
MPM AT 12446 13068 13690 14312 14935 15557
.
Calculated Sector Mileage
JNB US HKG US TPE US TYO US CHI US LAX /10OCT15
*************************************************************
CTY GI TPM CUM MPM EMS DED LAST NEXT 25M
JNB 2
1. HKG 3 EH 6641 6641 7969 0M 0 0 1328 9961
2. TPE 3 EH 511 7152 8582 0M 0 0 1430 10727
3. TYO 3 EH 1330 8482 10156 0M 0 0 1674 12695
4. CHI 1 PA 6283 14765 14901 0M 0 0 136 18626
5. LAX 1 PA 1745 16510 16221 5M 0 289 522 20276
Feb 17, 2015, 11:56 pm
#3463
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,407
There is no 'penalty' - it either meets or exceeds MPM.
Note the partner award chart states travel to Africa must be via the atlantic. Not sure if they're going to want to enforce that since you're leaving from LAX.
Feb 18, 2015, 12:09 am
#3464
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
On a paid ticket , going to 25% over the MPM on a mileage allowed ticket would normally incur a 25% additonal fare to be paid
going 1 mile over the 25M would require more than 1 ticket to be purchased on a paid fare
Last edited by Dave Noble; Feb 18, 2015 at 1:56 am
Feb 18, 2015, 12:51 am
#3465
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,724
I put a DXB-LHR segment on hold. Requested Qantas F, and the fare code is "P". Is that right? I thought First Class was "Z".
I googled and the "P" fare class code seems to be unique to Qantas, but I thought I would double check here. Thanks!
I googled and the "P" fare class code seems to be unique to Qantas, but I thought I would double check here. Thanks!