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]
Mar 1, 2015, 1:05 am
#3631
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Live: IWI; Work: DCA/Everywhere; Play: LAS/SJU/MLE
Programs: AA EXP, DL PM, Hyatt Glob, Marriott Ambassador/LTP, Nat'l Exec Elite, LEYE Gold
Posts: 6,663
Beautiful. I suppose I better go ahead and book this before things merge with AA. Thanks.
Mar 1, 2015, 10:21 am
#3632
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Hello,
I was wondering if someone knows the answer to this. DH has 135k miles in his account and I have 85k. We both need 110k each to book two business class awards.
Would we be able to book two business class awards since combined we have the 220k needed? Or is that impossible?
Thanks in advance!
I was wondering if someone knows the answer to this. DH has 135k miles in his account and I have 85k. We both need 110k each to book two business class awards.
Would we be able to book two business class awards since combined we have the 220k needed? Or is that impossible?
Thanks in advance!
Mar 1, 2015, 10:32 am
#3633
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,378
Mar 1, 2015, 11:57 am
#3635
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: S* Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 23
Managed to hold an F/C ticket for JFK - LHR (stop) - DUS - HKG (destination) - NRT - ORD - JFK however was asked for 125,000 miles + ~$450 in fees for the itinerary. Only have 120,000 miles on DM account which makes it rather hard to obtain 5,000 miles in ~60 hours. If I HUCA would they reprice the required mileage to 120k or I just gotta bite the bullet and purchase additional miles? Thank you 
Mar 1, 2015, 1:25 pm
#3636
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,401
Managed to hold an F/C ticket for JFK - LHR (stop) - DUS - HKG (destination) - NRT - ORD - JFK however was asked for 125,000 miles + ~$450 in fees for the itinerary. Only have 120,000 miles on DM account which makes it rather hard to obtain 5,000 miles in ~60 hours. If I HUCA would they reprice the required mileage to 120k or I just gotta bite the bullet and purchase additional miles? Thank you
Mar 2, 2015, 12:59 am
#3637
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: S* Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 23
Mar 2, 2015, 3:02 am
#3638
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: A hotel near a major airport
Programs: SPG Platinum . Hyatt Diamond . Delta Diamond . All kinds of car rental statuses
Posts: 464
Mar 2, 2015, 10:41 am
#3639
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 1A
Programs: Elite Diamond Purple Dot Gold Silver Titanium for life
Posts: 1,821
Tax breakdown on award ticket
Booked my first USDM award but the taxes seem incredibly high.
Routing is HKG-KIX-LAX-DFW-LAX-NRT-HKG in biz @ 110k.
http://flyora.com/usdm_tax.jpg
Anyone know what 'transportation tax' is and why so much on an award ticket?
Routing is HKG-KIX-LAX-DFW-LAX-NRT-HKG in biz @ 110k.
http://flyora.com/usdm_tax.jpg
Anyone know what 'transportation tax' is and why so much on an award ticket?
Last edited by d00t; Mar 2, 2015 at 10:51 am
Mar 2, 2015, 11:10 am
#3640
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Between AMS and BRU
Posts: 8,852
Must be a mistake..... call again.
Mar 2, 2015, 11:18 am
#3641
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: CLT
Programs: AA-EXP, MR-PP
Posts: 3,440
I need help with options here. I used to figure out a lot with *A but with OW I am still lost.
Trying to get from CLT to (in order of preference): LJU, ZAG, GRZ, PUY in coach for 3 people. Obviously avoiding BA due to fuel surcharge (at least on TATL part).
I am looking for 2 weeks at destination for 3 people in coach in September/October timeframe.
Suggestions? Thoughts?
Trying to get from CLT to (in order of preference): LJU, ZAG, GRZ, PUY in coach for 3 people. Obviously avoiding BA due to fuel surcharge (at least on TATL part).
I am looking for 2 weeks at destination for 3 people in coach in September/October timeframe.
Suggestions? Thoughts?
Mar 2, 2015, 12:10 pm
#3642
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 259
Thanks! eponymous_coward
Question...
If I book my USDM award flight starts from Seattle, will I be able to make route change after the AA/US merge? With the same Origin (Seattle), can I add a transfer to LAX and connect to LHR then AMS?
I know under USDM award, we cannot make any changes to the route once the flight is ticketed. However, with AA award flight, as long as the origins and destination is the same, we are allowed to make changes (please correct me if I'm wrong)? Will my ticketed USDM award flight become AA award flight hence qualify the change rule?
If not possible, I'll use my BA avio points to book the SEA-LAX segment and book my USDM flight from LAX->LHR->AMS...so a RT SEA->LAX will cost me 15,000 avio points, correct?
Question...
If I book my USDM award flight starts from Seattle, will I be able to make route change after the AA/US merge? With the same Origin (Seattle), can I add a transfer to LAX and connect to LHR then AMS?
I know under USDM award, we cannot make any changes to the route once the flight is ticketed. However, with AA award flight, as long as the origins and destination is the same, we are allowed to make changes (please correct me if I'm wrong)? Will my ticketed USDM award flight become AA award flight hence qualify the change rule?
If not possible, I'll use my BA avio points to book the SEA-LAX segment and book my USDM flight from LAX->LHR->AMS...so a RT SEA->LAX will cost me 15,000 avio points, correct?
At best you're looking at one F flight out of three longhaul flights (with good chunks of time spent in US or AA domestic F) because of your choice of origin, stopover and destination. Is your goal saving the most cash possible on your redemption, flying to the specific destinations you have chosen, or maximizing time spent in longhaul F? I would probably look at changing things around if your goal is maximzing the time in F spent on the redemption (as I suggested, starting your trip somewhere other than SEA would help a lot, even if it was a cheap positioning flight to SFO/LAX, unless you don't mind paying the extra dosh for the BA nonstop to LHR).
Last edited by apple1122; Mar 2, 2015 at 12:17 pm
Mar 2, 2015, 5:47 pm
#3643
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
While you can't combine, if you buy miles by tomorrow, you can get a nice bonus depending on how many you buy. If you are thinking of buying any, you might consider buying 75k, which comes with a 30k bonus for a total of 105k at a cost of just about 2 cents per mile.
Mar 2, 2015, 5:50 pm
#3644
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
If I book my USDM award flight starts from Seattle, will I be able to make route change after the AA/US merge? With the same Origin (Seattle), can I add a transfer to LAX and connect to LHR then AMS?
I know under USDM award, we cannot make any changes to the route once the flight is ticketed. However, with AA award flight, as long as the origins and destination is the same, we are allowed to make changes (please correct me if I'm wrong)? Will my ticketed USDM award flight become AA award flight hence qualify the change rule?
I know under USDM award, we cannot make any changes to the route once the flight is ticketed. However, with AA award flight, as long as the origins and destination is the same, we are allowed to make changes (please correct me if I'm wrong)? Will my ticketed USDM award flight become AA award flight hence qualify the change rule?
Mar 2, 2015, 7:14 pm
#3645
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: 1A
Programs: Elite Diamond Purple Dot Gold Silver Titanium for life
Posts: 1,821
I've called US Airways 8 times over the past 3 days and on each occasion I get "we want to help you but our call volume is high....call back later".
Is there an easy way to get to talk to a rep?
Is there an easy way to get to talk to a rep?