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 31, 2014, 8:16 am
#61
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
In a test booking BA Exec Club found a US BUR-PHX-BUR award itin.
Usairways.com did not find a BA-operated BOS-LHR-BOS that had been found on both BA Exec Club and aa.com.
That's the status as of ~10AM Eastern Daylight, anyway.
Usairways.com did not find a BA-operated BOS-LHR-BOS that had been found on both BA Exec Club and aa.com.
That's the status as of ~10AM Eastern Daylight, anyway.
Mar 31, 2014, 8:33 am
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,396
I just noticed that US decided to keep HKG in the N Asia category. So I'm wondering if that means a South & Central Asia itin on CX will get hit with a higher award charge (for transiting N Asia).
If so that means the only airline for a pure S&C Asia itin will be MH.
Am I looking too far into this?
If so that means the only airline for a pure S&C Asia itin will be MH.
Am I looking too far into this?
Also, CX still flies a few fifth freedom routes out of BKK and SIN like CMB and KHI, though I think those may go away once UL joins (which will give you lots of options). Also, RJ flies BKK-KUL, QR flies BKK-HAN, SIN-DPS, and KUL-HKT... so there are some legit OW options to pair along with MH.
(Also, CX on Avios for a HKG-BKK segment plus a 30K US South/Central Asia C redemption...hmmm...
)
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Mar 31, 2014 at 8:40 am
Mar 31, 2014, 9:19 am
#64
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: RDU
Programs: Delta Platinum, SPG Gold, HH Diamond, Hyatt Platinum, Marriott Gold
Posts: 5
Using US Airways miles for BA flights
Hi,
Can someone explain (or provide a link to a thread) on how/if I can use US Airways miles to book award flights on British Airways?
Many thanks!!
Can someone explain (or provide a link to a thread) on how/if I can use US Airways miles to book award flights on British Airways?
Many thanks!!
Mar 31, 2014, 10:09 am
#65
Moderator: American AAdvantage, Signatures
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: London, England
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, IHG Diamond Ambassador, National Exec, AA EXP Emeritus
Posts: 9,765
Please note the sticky at the top of the consolidated thread which is titled Welcome to the New American Airlines Forum! PLEASE READ BEFORE POSTING. With all of the changes about, it is important to know where to post, and reading that thread before posting (as the title suggests
) will help get you in the right place.~Moderator
Mar 31, 2014, 10:18 am
#66
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: No longer loyal "over-entitled" 1K
Posts: 3,822
Mar 31, 2014, 10:41 am
#67
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat (farewell DL :-<),Hilton Gold, Starwood Gold
Posts: 244
Mar 31, 2014, 10:56 am
#68
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
I know, but I was hoping that was one of the mediocrities to be eliminated before DM gets subsumed into AAdvantage. Phone agent productivity: it's easy money for a firm with a $ revenue per employee problem.
Mar 31, 2014, 11:29 am
#69
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: body: A stone's throw from SFO, mind: SE Asia
Programs: Some of this 'n some of that
Posts: 17,263
My experience is that transiting a higher-priced region en route has not incurred a charge (in this case, it was HKG-BKK-FRA), as long as it was a logical routing. Given US's random results, it's worth a try.
Also, CX still flies a few fifth freedom routes out of BKK and SIN like CMB and KHI, though I think those may go away once UL joins (which will give you lots of options). Also, RJ flies BKK-KUL, QR flies BKK-HAN, SIN-DPS, and KUL-HKT... so there are some legit OW options to pair along with MH.
(Also, CX on Avios for a HKG-BKK segment plus a 30K US South/Central Asia C redemption...hmmm...)
Also, CX still flies a few fifth freedom routes out of BKK and SIN like CMB and KHI, though I think those may go away once UL joins (which will give you lots of options). Also, RJ flies BKK-KUL, QR flies BKK-HAN, SIN-DPS, and KUL-HKT... so there are some legit OW options to pair along with MH.
(Also, CX on Avios for a HKG-BKK segment plus a 30K US South/Central Asia C redemption...hmmm...
)As for the 2nd and 3rd: Interesting.
For someone based in PNH I'm beginning to think life might be a bit tougher under the OW banner.
Mar 31, 2014, 11:38 am
#70
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: BKK, CDG, TLS
Programs: QR G, A3 G, EK G, IHG Amb, GHA Black, WOH LT something
Posts: 1,306
Here is a thread that I found very helpful for F routes on O/W :
O/W First class routes
Mar 31, 2014, 11:49 am
#71
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,396
Avaibility especially in F seems to be a lot more tougher to and from Europe with CX/BA/JAL rather than TG/OZ/NH. Having serious issue planning an itinerary 9 months out.
Here is a thread that I found very helpful for F routes on O/W :
O/W First class routes
Here is a thread that I found very helpful for F routes on O/W :
O/W First class routes
Last edited by eponymous_coward; Mar 31, 2014 at 2:09 pm Reason: AY not EY
Mar 31, 2014, 11:50 am
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475
Wonder if US is following AA's revenue fare based routing rules?
Mar 31, 2014, 12:00 pm
#73
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Atlanta, GA
Programs: Delta SkyMiles, Hyatt Gold Passport, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 30
New Dividend Miles/OneWorld Itinerary Assistance
Hello,
I'm trying to book my in-laws on an award flight in Business from the US to Asia in October.
They live in Pawleys Island, SC and would likely fly out of Charleston or Charlotte to a hub airport and then on to Asia.
They're taking a 2-week tour of Vietnam +/- Cambodia and have 300k Dividend Miles they'd like to use.
I've looked at the AA, JAL, Cathay and BA websites for flights originating out of the US going to Hong Kong anywhere from 10/6 to 10/10/14, coming back to the US any time between 10/29 to 11/2.
I've given up on trying to either have CHS or CLT as an origination point or have Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City as destination points as I can't find any flights-- they'll purchase a domestic ticket to get them to the domestic hub and then a ticket from Hong Kong to Vietnam.
A Cathay Pacific roundtrip fare in Business Class runs about 280k total plus fees, but I can't find flights in the timeframe that originate and land in the same US city (LAX, ORD, etc.) If I do two one-ways, e.g. ORD-HKG and then HKG-JFK, it counts as two one-ways and the miles required go up past 300k.
Any suggestions? I'm afraid I may be over my head here. :-(
Thanks!
Jay
I'm trying to book my in-laws on an award flight in Business from the US to Asia in October.
They live in Pawleys Island, SC and would likely fly out of Charleston or Charlotte to a hub airport and then on to Asia.
They're taking a 2-week tour of Vietnam +/- Cambodia and have 300k Dividend Miles they'd like to use.
I've looked at the AA, JAL, Cathay and BA websites for flights originating out of the US going to Hong Kong anywhere from 10/6 to 10/10/14, coming back to the US any time between 10/29 to 11/2.
I've given up on trying to either have CHS or CLT as an origination point or have Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City as destination points as I can't find any flights-- they'll purchase a domestic ticket to get them to the domestic hub and then a ticket from Hong Kong to Vietnam.
A Cathay Pacific roundtrip fare in Business Class runs about 280k total plus fees, but I can't find flights in the timeframe that originate and land in the same US city (LAX, ORD, etc.) If I do two one-ways, e.g. ORD-HKG and then HKG-JFK, it counts as two one-ways and the miles required go up past 300k.
Any suggestions? I'm afraid I may be over my head here. :-(
Thanks!
Jay
Mar 31, 2014, 12:02 pm
#74
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
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Posts: 20,396
Probably not because I'd imagine this being US, they're going to be lazy and do whatever minimum they need to until US DM goes in the dustbin of history.
Mar 31, 2014, 12:34 pm
#75
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: DFW
Programs: AA 1M
Posts: 31,475