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]
Sep 7, 2014, 10:47 pm
#1966
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 17
Around the world ticket
HI, I am new here, and I was searching some more explanations and examples to book an award tickets with US miles.
If there is a post somewhere that can answer my questions, please give me the link thanks.
I read the article here:
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/07/flyi...airways-miles/
and I am still confused how this work.
1. First of all, I don't have any miles in my United Dividends account, so I am going to purchase them. Luckily I got the 100% bonus offer so I can purchase up to 100000 miles now with 1750. I figured 11000 is required to fly to Asia for business, it will not be enough right? Am I able to get 10000 more somewhere? Or is my only option economy class?
2. I am confused at how the "stop over." For example, if I want to go to Taipei from Chicago with a stopover in London, ORD-LHR-TPE-ORD, is it going to work? Which airline should I use for each segment?
3. How come I cannot search TPE in US AIRWAY website?
4. I read that US miles has no maximum permitted mileage, but now as US Air and American merges, are there any changes?
OMG I am so confused. Someone please help me THANKS
If there is a post somewhere that can answer my questions, please give me the link thanks.
I read the article here:
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/07/flyi...airways-miles/
and I am still confused how this work.
1. First of all, I don't have any miles in my United Dividends account, so I am going to purchase them. Luckily I got the 100% bonus offer so I can purchase up to 100000 miles now with 1750. I figured 11000 is required to fly to Asia for business, it will not be enough right? Am I able to get 10000 more somewhere? Or is my only option economy class?
2. I am confused at how the "stop over." For example, if I want to go to Taipei from Chicago with a stopover in London, ORD-LHR-TPE-ORD, is it going to work? Which airline should I use for each segment?
3. How come I cannot search TPE in US AIRWAY website?
4. I read that US miles has no maximum permitted mileage, but now as US Air and American merges, are there any changes?
OMG I am so confused. Someone please help me THANKS
Sep 7, 2014, 11:26 pm
#1967
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 179
How do airlines deal with MPM and shorter flights. e.g. trying to book ICN-HKG r/t which is around 1284 miles each way which at 1.25x is 1605. However, this invalidates a simple routing like ICN-NRT-HKG-ICN. as ICn-NRT-HKG > 1605mi. Will US airways let me ticket ICN-NRT-HKG-NRT-ICN? and if so what about ICN-NRT-PEK-HKG-ICN
Sep 8, 2014, 12:06 am
#1968
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
How do airlines deal with MPM and shorter flights. e.g. trying to book ICN-HKG r/t which is around 1284 miles each way which at 1.25x is 1605. However, this invalidates a simple routing like ICN-NRT-HKG-ICN. as ICn-NRT-HKG > 1605mi. Will US airways let me ticket ICN-NRT-HKG-NRT-ICN? and if so what about ICN-NRT-PEK-HKG-ICN
The MPM+25% for ICN-HKG is 1942 miles.
Sep 8, 2014, 1:34 am
#1969
Join Date: Jul 2014
Posts: 9
I have just managed to get the following routing ticketed in C. SVG-LHR-AMS-KUL-PER-KUL-LHR-SVG. British Airways on SVG-LHR-AMS and LHR-SVG. Malaysian Airlines on AMS-KUL-PER-LHR.
I've been using BA for OneWorld availability search, and I'm happy that I managed to finally find something that worked. However the flights and routing could definitely be more interesting, comfortable and fun. For example Qantas flights. MA 777-200 and A330 are not great.
So my question is if somebody is happy to help out to try and make this a more interesting trip. In C or F. I'm absolutely not expecting any feedback, but I though it was worthwhile trying
Departure from SVG January 2015. My dates are slightly flexible. Between 17th and 21st. I could also spend a night or two in a bigger city in Asia on the outbound leg. Need to be back in SVG February 1st, latest February 2nd. I'm blocking the BA 0830 departure LHR-SVG February 1st on my current itinerary.
Like I mentioned, not expecting any feedback, but it would be very much appreciated!
New forum member from Norway...
I've been using BA for OneWorld availability search, and I'm happy that I managed to finally find something that worked. However the flights and routing could definitely be more interesting, comfortable and fun. For example Qantas flights. MA 777-200 and A330 are not great.
So my question is if somebody is happy to help out to try and make this a more interesting trip. In C or F. I'm absolutely not expecting any feedback, but I though it was worthwhile trying
Departure from SVG January 2015. My dates are slightly flexible. Between 17th and 21st. I could also spend a night or two in a bigger city in Asia on the outbound leg. Need to be back in SVG February 1st, latest February 2nd. I'm blocking the BA 0830 departure LHR-SVG February 1st on my current itinerary.
Like I mentioned, not expecting any feedback, but it would be very much appreciated!
New forum member from Norway...
Sep 8, 2014, 2:38 am
#1970
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 36
Departure from SVG January 2015. My dates are slightly flexible. Between 17th and 21st. I could also spend a night or two in a bigger city in Asia on the outbound leg. Need to be back in SVG February 1st, latest February 2nd. I'm blocking the BA 0830 departure LHR-SVG February 1st on my current itinerary.
Like I mentioned, not expecting any feedback, but it would be very much appreciated!
New forum member from Norway...
Like I mentioned, not expecting any feedback, but it would be very much appreciated!
New forum member from Norway...
Also QR may be a viable option from LHR-DOH-KUL if you're willing to try a different product. You could also choose to have a really long layover (less than 24 hours) at DOH to explore the city and maybe even a stopover at KUL if you want to see an Asian city.
Sep 8, 2014, 5:04 am
#1972
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,709
HI, I am new here, and I was searching some more explanations and examples to book an award tickets with US miles.
If there is a post somewhere that can answer my questions, please give me the link thanks.
I read the article here:
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/07/flyi...airways-miles/
and I am still confused how this work.
1. First of all, I don't have any miles in my United Dividends account, so I am going to purchase them. Luckily I got the 100% bonus offer so I can purchase up to 100000 miles now with 1750. I figured 11000 is required to fly to Asia for business, it will not be enough right? Am I able to get 10000 more somewhere? Or is my only option economy class?
2. I am confused at how the "stop over." For example, if I want to go to Taipei from Chicago with a stopover in London, ORD-LHR-TPE-ORD, is it going to work? Which airline should I use for each segment?
3. How come I cannot search TPE in US AIRWAY website?
4. I read that US miles has no maximum permitted mileage, but now as US Air and American merges, are there any changes?
OMG I am so confused. Someone please help me THANKS
If there is a post somewhere that can answer my questions, please give me the link thanks.
I read the article here:
http://thepointsguy.com/2014/07/flyi...airways-miles/
and I am still confused how this work.
1. First of all, I don't have any miles in my United Dividends account, so I am going to purchase them. Luckily I got the 100% bonus offer so I can purchase up to 100000 miles now with 1750. I figured 11000 is required to fly to Asia for business, it will not be enough right? Am I able to get 10000 more somewhere? Or is my only option economy class?
2. I am confused at how the "stop over." For example, if I want to go to Taipei from Chicago with a stopover in London, ORD-LHR-TPE-ORD, is it going to work? Which airline should I use for each segment?
3. How come I cannot search TPE in US AIRWAY website?
4. I read that US miles has no maximum permitted mileage, but now as US Air and American merges, are there any changes?
OMG I am so confused. Someone please help me THANKS
1: Do you mean 110,000 to Asia? The bonus limits you to 100k (50+50), but you can then purchase either another 10,000 or 20,000 just without bonus - or you can wait till next month in case there's a bonus on then.
2: potentially looks doable, subject to MPM
3: for partner awards you must book via the phone only, they cannot be booked online
4: USDM has been enforcing MPM for some time now.
Sep 8, 2014, 5:13 am
#1973
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
How do airlines deal with MPM and shorter flights. e.g. trying to book ICN-HKG r/t which is around 1284 miles each way which at 1.25x is 1605. However, this invalidates a simple routing like ICN-NRT-HKG-ICN. as ICn-NRT-HKG > 1605mi. Will US airways let me ticket ICN-NRT-HKG-NRT-ICN? and if so what about ICN-NRT-PEK-HKG-ICN
Sep 8, 2014, 6:27 am
#1974
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MY
Posts: 58
Hi All,
Just booked the following itinerary for next year and have been charged a massive ~$1200 taxes and charges. Is that correct? Would a majority of that be BA surcharge? Is there anyway I can check this and possibly dispute it if it shouldn't have been charged? Thanks.
KUL-DOH (QR)
DOH-LHR (QR)
LHR-LAX (BA)
LAX-LHR (BA)
LHR-DOH (BA)
DOH-KUL (QR)
Just booked the following itinerary for next year and have been charged a massive ~$1200 taxes and charges. Is that correct? Would a majority of that be BA surcharge? Is there anyway I can check this and possibly dispute it if it shouldn't have been charged? Thanks.
KUL-DOH (QR)
DOH-LHR (QR)
LHR-LAX (BA)
LAX-LHR (BA)
LHR-DOH (BA)
DOH-KUL (QR)
Sep 8, 2014, 6:28 am
#1975
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,709
Hi All,
Just booked the following itinerary for next year and have been charged a massive ~$1200 taxes and charges. Is that correct? Would a majority of that be BA surcharge? Is there anyway I can check this and possibly dispute it if it shouldn't have been charged? Thanks.
KUL-DOH (QR)
DOH-LHR (QR)
LHR-LAX (BA)
LAX-LHR (BA)
LHR-DOH (BA)
DOH-KUL (QR)
Just booked the following itinerary for next year and have been charged a massive ~$1200 taxes and charges. Is that correct? Would a majority of that be BA surcharge? Is there anyway I can check this and possibly dispute it if it shouldn't have been charged? Thanks.
KUL-DOH (QR)
DOH-LHR (QR)
LHR-LAX (BA)
LAX-LHR (BA)
LHR-DOH (BA)
DOH-KUL (QR)
Sep 8, 2014, 6:34 am
#1976
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MY
Posts: 58
(YQ) $516.00
Qatar Passenger Service Charge (PZ) $2.65
Malaysia Passenger Service & Security Charge (MY) $20.60
Qatar Passenger Service Charge (PZ) $2.15
BA YQ surcharge (YQ) $855.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge (UB) $112.40
US International Arrival Tax (US) $17.50
US International Departure Tax (US) $17.50
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.60
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Sep 8, 2014, 6:39 am
#1977
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: SYD
Programs: QF P1, BA GGL, AS GMVP
Posts: 509
Nope. Just transiting less than 6 hours for every BA leg. I've looked further up thread, and checked on ITA with the following breakdown; it states BA surcharge but should it have been charged?
(YQ) $516.00
Qatar Passenger Service Charge (PZ) $2.65
Malaysia Passenger Service & Security Charge (MY) $20.60
Qatar Passenger Service Charge (PZ) $2.15
BA YQ surcharge (YQ) $855.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge (UB) $112.40
US International Arrival Tax (US) $17.50
US International Departure Tax (US) $17.50
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.60
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
(YQ) $516.00
Qatar Passenger Service Charge (PZ) $2.65
Malaysia Passenger Service & Security Charge (MY) $20.60
Qatar Passenger Service Charge (PZ) $2.15
BA YQ surcharge (YQ) $855.00
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge (UB) $112.40
US International Arrival Tax (US) $17.50
US International Departure Tax (US) $17.50
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $5.60
US Passenger Facility Charge (XF) $4.50
Sep 8, 2014, 6:44 am
#1978
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MY
Posts: 58
Just thought that I may try to ask for a review if it shouldn't have been included. Just bite the bullet I guess. Thanks for the reply.
Sep 8, 2014, 9:27 am
#1980
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
I've explained that I believe that rule only applies to Japan domestic and not international long-haul flights. Twice the person went to a supervisor to verify and came back and we proceeded. The other times the agent just took my word for it and continued -- probably figuring it wouldn't ticket if I was wrong.
So agents are definitely trying to enforce this rule. It looks to me like the rule on the website just isn't specific enough about the flights it applies to. (At least I hope that's what it is.) The fact it didn't come up in your case increasingly seems to be the outlier.