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]
May 28, 2014, 6:40 am
#1066
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Any initial or preliminary thoughts on something like this?
BOS-JFK-DOH-JNB(stop)
JNB-SYD (dest)
SYD-LAX-JFK-BOS
I haven't even begun to look at availability or dates, but I am wide open from Oct 2014 through mid-2015. I'm trying to cross South Africa off my list somehow and notice that Qantas has a JNB flight to SYD also.
120K in J, South Pacific award, right? What's the MPM limit here?
BOS-JFK-DOH-JNB(stop)
JNB-SYD (dest)
SYD-LAX-JFK-BOS
I haven't even begun to look at availability or dates, but I am wide open from Oct 2014 through mid-2015. I'm trying to cross South Africa off my list somehow and notice that Qantas has a JNB flight to SYD also.
120K in J, South Pacific award, right? What's the MPM limit here?
Desired routing is 17614 miles ; would be quite surprised if it was permitted
May 28, 2014, 7:07 am
#1067
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
May 29, 2014, 9:25 am
#1068
Join Date: Feb 2014
Programs: AA EXP, Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, IHG Platinum, United Silver
Posts: 21
I am working on booking Honeymoon tickets from the US to Bali.
After speaking with two agents, I finally found one that could find the CX first class seat that I knew was available from KVS (we are booking the other in business class and then upgrading when a first class seat becomes available- we are both CP so no change fees).
I was working on routing through Mexico (SJD) as that dropped the mileage requirement from 160k --> 140k.
I put the following on hold
SJD--> LAX (via PHX) on US airways in first class
LAX--> HGK on CX in first class
HGK --> to DPS in economy (only thing available- will change later)
and back the same way....no stopovers- no open jaw- a very simple itinerary.
The problem is she quoted me the correct 120k miles- BUT taxes and fees of $782.39 (after speaking to the ticketing desk)- which I think are way too high. Do you think the higher fees are because of the Mexico origination? or should I just call back again?
Thanks so much!!
After speaking with two agents, I finally found one that could find the CX first class seat that I knew was available from KVS (we are booking the other in business class and then upgrading when a first class seat becomes available- we are both CP so no change fees).
I was working on routing through Mexico (SJD) as that dropped the mileage requirement from 160k --> 140k.
I put the following on hold
SJD--> LAX (via PHX) on US airways in first class
LAX--> HGK on CX in first class
HGK --> to DPS in economy (only thing available- will change later)
and back the same way....no stopovers- no open jaw- a very simple itinerary.
The problem is she quoted me the correct 120k miles- BUT taxes and fees of $782.39 (after speaking to the ticketing desk)- which I think are way too high. Do you think the higher fees are because of the Mexico origination? or should I just call back again?
Thanks so much!!
May 29, 2014, 10:28 am
#1069
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,269
I am working on booking Honeymoon tickets from the US to Bali.
After speaking with two agents, I finally found one that could find the CX first class seat that I knew was available from KVS (we are booking the other in business class and then upgrading when a first class seat becomes available- we are both CP so no change fees).
I was working on routing through Mexico (SJD) as that dropped the mileage requirement from 160k --> 140k.
I put the following on hold
SJD--> LAX (via PHX) on US airways in first class
LAX--> HGK on CX in first class
HGK --> to DPS in economy (only thing available- will change later)
and back the same way....no stopovers- no open jaw- a very simple itinerary.
The problem is she quoted me the correct 120k miles- BUT taxes and fees of $782.39 (after speaking to the ticketing desk)- which I think are way too high. Do you think the higher fees are because of the Mexico origination? or should I just call back again?
Thanks so much!!
After speaking with two agents, I finally found one that could find the CX first class seat that I knew was available from KVS (we are booking the other in business class and then upgrading when a first class seat becomes available- we are both CP so no change fees).
I was working on routing through Mexico (SJD) as that dropped the mileage requirement from 160k --> 140k.
I put the following on hold
SJD--> LAX (via PHX) on US airways in first class
LAX--> HGK on CX in first class
HGK --> to DPS in economy (only thing available- will change later)
and back the same way....no stopovers- no open jaw- a very simple itinerary.
The problem is she quoted me the correct 120k miles- BUT taxes and fees of $782.39 (after speaking to the ticketing desk)- which I think are way too high. Do you think the higher fees are because of the Mexico origination? or should I just call back again?
Thanks so much!!
May 29, 2014, 10:33 am
#1070
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: NCL and LBA
Programs: BD*G, BAGold, Hyatt Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 3,269
May 29, 2014, 11:08 am
#1071
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: In the air
Programs: Occasional RTW club
Posts: 6,924
May 29, 2014, 1:50 pm
#1072
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: ATL
Posts: 186
Surcharges on Finnair
I will add my data point to the new additions of fuel surcharges:
I have on hold a Europe-US itinerary that includes the segment HEL-YYZ on Finnair in business class. The taxes came to about $617, and this included $480.35 in YR surcharges! This matches approximately to the YR you can pull up on ITA in the fare rules for the same revenue flight (Euro 290).
So far, my HUCA count is at 3.
The last agent who talked to the ticketing desk, relayed specifically that as of March 8, US is including fuel surcharges on AY, in addition to IB and BA.
She also mentioned that the ticketing desk employee said AA was likely to follow in the near future with surcharges of their own. Now, I am less inclined to believe this statement about AA, but she was very specific in stating that AY is included in the list of airlines attracting YQ/YR surcharges.
If true, this really is disappointing, and leaves US miles even less useful for US-Europe travel.
Anyone else with recent AY experience?
I have on hold a Europe-US itinerary that includes the segment HEL-YYZ on Finnair in business class. The taxes came to about $617, and this included $480.35 in YR surcharges! This matches approximately to the YR you can pull up on ITA in the fare rules for the same revenue flight (Euro 290).
So far, my HUCA count is at 3.
The last agent who talked to the ticketing desk, relayed specifically that as of March 8, US is including fuel surcharges on AY, in addition to IB and BA.
She also mentioned that the ticketing desk employee said AA was likely to follow in the near future with surcharges of their own. Now, I am less inclined to believe this statement about AA, but she was very specific in stating that AY is included in the list of airlines attracting YQ/YR surcharges.
If true, this really is disappointing, and leaves US miles even less useful for US-Europe travel.
Anyone else with recent AY experience?
May 29, 2014, 2:45 pm
#1073
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ZRH
Posts: 47
Just got off the phone with a USDM agent. We figured out the following routing:
ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-HKG-HND (Stopover)
HND-DOH-TXL-ZRH
All went well until the agent mentioned that the routing (I guess on the return leg) exceeded the MPM (+3000 miles). Is he right? A case of HUACA? Or should I research other options?
Thanks for your input.
ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-HKG-HND (Stopover)
HND-DOH-TXL-ZRH
All went well until the agent mentioned that the routing (I guess on the return leg) exceeded the MPM (+3000 miles). Is he right? A case of HUACA? Or should I research other options?
Thanks for your input.
May 29, 2014, 3:09 pm
#1074
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,397
Just got off the phone with a USDM agent. We figured out the following routing:
ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-HKG-HND (Stopover)
HND-DOH-TXL-ZRH
All went well until the agent mentioned that the routing (I guess on the return leg) exceeded the MPM (+3000 miles). Is he right? A case of HUACA? Or should I research other options?
Thanks for your input.
ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-HKG-HND (Stopover)
HND-DOH-TXL-ZRH
All went well until the agent mentioned that the routing (I guess on the return leg) exceeded the MPM (+3000 miles). Is he right? A case of HUACA? Or should I research other options?
Thanks for your input.
Nice try.
May 29, 2014, 3:21 pm
#1075
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Just got off the phone with a USDM agent. We figured out the following routing:
ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-HKG-HND (Stopover)
HND-DOH-TXL-ZRH
All went well until the agent mentioned that the routing (I guess on the return leg) exceeded the MPM (+3000 miles). Is he right? A case of HUACA? Or should I research other options?
Thanks for your input.
ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-HKG-HND (Stopover)
HND-DOH-TXL-ZRH
All went well until the agent mentioned that the routing (I guess on the return leg) exceeded the MPM (+3000 miles). Is he right? A case of HUACA? Or should I research other options?
Thanks for your input.
May 29, 2014, 3:52 pm
#1076
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ZRH
Posts: 47
On that trip HND would be the destination. The outbound route of ZRH-LHR-HKG-BKK-HKG-HND would seem to be a Trans Siberian routing which has a 25M allowance of 9035 miles vs the 10388 intended, so does seem that the agent was quite correct in it exceeding the normal limit of 7228 by around 3000 miles
ZRH-LHR-HKG (Stopover)
HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-DOH-TXL-ZRH
Still, my question remains: Departing from ZRH, stopping over in HKG and destination BKK - what is the M(aximum)PM?
May 29, 2014, 4:02 pm
#1077
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,624
Thank you for your explanation! However, I still do not quite understand the MPM rule. I used to route myself from ZRH to BKK via ICN or NRT a couple of times before without facing difficulties with MPM. Tougher enforcement of their own rules? I assume the following route wouldn't cause any problems re MPM:
ZRH-LHR-HKG (Stopover)
HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-DOH-TXL-ZRH
Still, my question remains: Departing from ZRH, stopping over in HKG and destination BKK - what is the M(aximum)PM?
ZRH-LHR-HKG (Stopover)
HKG-BKK (Destination)
BKK-DOH-TXL-ZRH
Still, my question remains: Departing from ZRH, stopping over in HKG and destination BKK - what is the M(aximum)PM?
You cannot choose what you would like the destination to be. This would be 6485 mi outbound ( ZRH-LHR-HKG ) and 7485 mi inbound ( HKG-BKK-DOH-TXL-ZRH )
The MPMs for HKG are 7592 for Trans Siberian and 9416 for Eastern Hemisphere. The 25M on these are 9490 and 11729, so this one looks a lot heathier
the MPM to BKK is 7201
May 29, 2014, 4:19 pm
#1078
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: ZRH
Posts: 47
In this example, the destination is Hong Kong , not Bangkok since Hong Hong is the further point
You cannot choose what you would like the destination to be. This would be 6485 mi outbound ( ZRH-LHR-HKG ) and 7485 mi inbound ( HKG-BKK-DOH-TXL-ZRH )
The MPMs for HKG are 7592 for Trans Siberian and 9416 for Eastern Hemisphere. The 25M on these are 9490 and 11729, so this one looks a lot heathier
the MPM to BKK is 7201
You cannot choose what you would like the destination to be. This would be 6485 mi outbound ( ZRH-LHR-HKG ) and 7485 mi inbound ( HKG-BKK-DOH-TXL-ZRH )
The MPMs for HKG are 7592 for Trans Siberian and 9416 for Eastern Hemisphere. The 25M on these are 9490 and 11729, so this one looks a lot heathier
the MPM to BKK is 7201
May 29, 2014, 4:51 pm
#1079
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666