Oct 14, 2013, 4:55 pm
Last edit by: NewbieRunner
Update 08APR2014: Star Alliance Awards must have been booked by March 30, 2014. They are no longer available through US. This thread is mostly useful for historic purposes, and discussing issues such as schedule changes/route changes that affect FTers existing *A awards booked before 3/31/2014.
Discussion on using US miles to book oneworld awards is available here.
If you are looking for discussion on US's new partner awards that use various partners not in oneworld (many of whom are former *A partners), see the devoted thread on using US miles to book NON-oneworld partners here.
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Update 07JAN14: American Airlines award tickets bookable online on usairways.com or through reservation.
Please see the devoted thread on using US miles to book AA here.
Discussion on using US miles to book oneworld awards is available here.
If you are looking for discussion on US's new partner awards that use various partners not in oneworld (many of whom are former *A partners), see the devoted thread on using US miles to book NON-oneworld partners here.
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Update 07JAN14: American Airlines award tickets bookable online on usairways.com or through reservation.
- Award travel must be wholly on American Airlines or a combination of American Airlines and US Airways.
- American Airlines awards cannot be combined with any of our current partner.
- American Airlines award travel chart (PDF)
Please see the devoted thread on using US miles to book AA here.
Star Alliance Award Bookings Using US Airways Miles - FAQ and Help Thread [MERGED]
Mar 25, 2012, 11:53 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,403
You don't say how many seats you are after - but I looked for 2 just in case. i found seats LAX-ICN-BKK - flying Asian connecting to Thai (1 hour transit in ICN). Coming back as well there were seats showing available. Not sure how you missed them?? (are you selecting business class for your search?).
That being said - just because it is listed on United doesn't mean US will be able to see it. But it's a good start.
That being said - just because it is listed on United doesn't mean US will be able to see it. But it's a good start.
Mar 26, 2012, 12:34 am
Join Date: Apr 2010
Programs: LX SEN
Posts: 313
I booked an award yesterday and got everything confirmed. Then I talked to SQ for seat assignement and then I found out, that the flight with SQ was in their system one day earlier than on my ticket. Called back US and they see the correct date as shown on my e-ticket. Really strange.
They asked me to call back later when SQ Office in LAX are open so that the supervisor can talk to SQ.
They asked me to call back later when SQ Office in LAX are open so that the supervisor can talk to SQ.
Mar 26, 2012, 4:25 am
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
I'm seeing award space via Incheon to Bangkok, then nonstop Bangkok to Chennai, then Chennai to LA via Bangkok and Incheon on the return, all un business class.
Mar 26, 2012, 6:10 am
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2009
Programs: Gold, plat, diamond and more
Posts: 3,360
No. You don't specify the arriving and departing flight...
If you have to pass immigration, the MCT starts at 70 Min (ID) if you connect to domestic, otherwise 85 Min (II).
There are few exceptions but not if you arrive on a international flight.
And it does not matter if you fly in Y or F-cl regarding MCT at EWR...
[KVS Availability Tool 6.9.7 - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: EWR/UA-UA]
If you have to pass immigration, the MCT starts at 70 Min (ID) if you connect to domestic, otherwise 85 Min (II).
There are few exceptions but not if you arrive on a international flight.
And it does not matter if you fly in Y or F-cl regarding MCT at EWR...
[KVS Availability Tool 6.9.7 - Reference: Minimum Connection Time [MCT]: EWR/UA-UA]
Code:
DD DI ID II STANDARD: EWR 060 075 090 060 UA-UA ONLINE EWR 030 040 070 085 ...
I used the prompts a couple of times. Mostly though I always say agent.
I find it makes no difference to what they will allow or otherwise. In fact one time (as I reported here I think) i was asking via the prompts to go MEL-PVG. The agent came on the line and then gave me a huge itinerary to get from Melbourne Florida to Shanghai! (Like it was over 4 segments each way).
We ended up with a nice 2+2 after I read her the flights I'd found via SIN!
The only potential complication with an illegal routing is if there are major schedule changes and you have to book a new flight somewhere. If new agent doesn't like it and annotates the PNR you could be in trouble. But that's fairly remote.
I find it makes no difference to what they will allow or otherwise. In fact one time (as I reported here I think) i was asking via the prompts to go MEL-PVG. The agent came on the line and then gave me a huge itinerary to get from Melbourne Florida to Shanghai! (Like it was over 4 segments each way).
We ended up with a nice 2+2 after I read her the flights I'd found via SIN!
The only potential complication with an illegal routing is if there are major schedule changes and you have to book a new flight somewhere. If new agent doesn't like it and annotates the PNR you could be in trouble. But that's fairly remote.
Mar 26, 2012, 2:40 pm
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 352
PHX-LAX segment unavailable - options?
Hi, I have a great award ticket from PHX to HKG and back, except it's missing one segment: the initial PHX-LAX positioning segment. My flight out of LAX is at 1:10 pm on OZ. The 7:45 am PHX-LAX on US had availability a few days ago, but I couldn't get to it fast enough.
I take it that if it pops up again, I'll have to pay the big change fee, right? I won't be able to add it onto the itinerary? Is that right?
I'm not worried about paying cash; it's pretty cheap. I'm just worried about irregular ops, baggage issues, etc. Is there anything I can do to minimize that, short of flying the night before? Is there any reason to fly US rather than WN on that segment if I'm paying cash?
If I fly US, could they check my bags all the way to HKG, or would I have to retrieve them in LAX and carry them over to the intl terminal? I know the risk of problems on that route is relatively low, but you never know.
And if my flight or bags are delayed and I miss my OZ flight, am I totally out of luck?
Thanks!
I take it that if it pops up again, I'll have to pay the big change fee, right? I won't be able to add it onto the itinerary? Is that right?
I'm not worried about paying cash; it's pretty cheap. I'm just worried about irregular ops, baggage issues, etc. Is there anything I can do to minimize that, short of flying the night before? Is there any reason to fly US rather than WN on that segment if I'm paying cash?
If I fly US, could they check my bags all the way to HKG, or would I have to retrieve them in LAX and carry them over to the intl terminal? I know the risk of problems on that route is relatively low, but you never know.
And if my flight or bags are delayed and I miss my OZ flight, am I totally out of luck?
Thanks!
Mar 26, 2012, 3:14 pm
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
So hypothetically speaking, if my flight tomorrow on LH is cancelled due to the strike, who is responsible for rebooking me? US or LH? Will I be forced to find a flight with open reward space?
Mar 26, 2012, 4:03 pm
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Hi, I have a great award ticket from PHX to HKG and back, except it's missing one segment: the initial PHX-LAX positioning segment. My flight out of LAX is at 1:10 pm on OZ. The 7:45 am PHX-LAX on US had availability a few days ago, but I couldn't get to it fast enough.
I take it that if it pops up again, I'll have to pay the big change fee, right? I won't be able to add it onto the itinerary? Is that right?
I take it that if it pops up again, I'll have to pay the big change fee, right? I won't be able to add it onto the itinerary? Is that right?
I'm not worried about paying cash; it's pretty cheap. I'm just worried about irregular ops, baggage issues, etc. Is there anything I can do to minimize that, short of flying the night before? Is there any reason to fly US rather than WN on that segment if I'm paying cash?
When holding two separate tickets for a trip, you always run the risk of missing a flight. And don't expect any help, as you're holding two tickets which means two contracts of transportation. US is obliged to fly you to LAX on your first ticket. When you arrive too late for the OZ flight, then your mileage ticket will be worthless, as changes are not permitted once travel has commenced (DM Rules). It was your fault that you arrived too late... Two separate tickets could have worked the last 99 times, but who knows if it does it also the next time?
So, better plan enough time for the connection in LAX. Fly PHX-LAX the day before, that you still have some later flights on this route to be rebooked on in case of irregularities...
Last edited by Air Rarotonga; Mar 26, 2012 at 7:32 pm
Mar 26, 2012, 4:09 pm
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Where are they then striking tomorrow?
Mar 26, 2012, 4:15 pm
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: DCA
Programs: AA PPro, Mariott Ambassador, B6 Mosaic, SBUX Gold, Best Buy Elite
Posts: 1,838
Where are they then striking tomorrow?
Mar 26, 2012, 4:25 pm
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Strike is announced tomorrow TUE 27.MAR. between 5am to 2pm.
Here the list of cancelled LH flights.
Good luck!
Mar 26, 2012, 5:43 pm
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Escondido, CA
Programs: US Chairman no more. AA EXP
Posts: 682
Hi, I have a great award ticket from PHX to HKG and back, except it's missing one segment: the initial PHX-LAX positioning segment. My flight out of LAX is at 1:10 pm on OZ. The 7:45 am PHX-LAX on US had availability a few days ago, but I couldn't get to it fast enough.
I take it that if it pops up again, I'll have to pay the big change fee, right? I won't be able to add it onto the itinerary? Is that right?
I'm not worried about paying cash; it's pretty cheap. I'm just worried about irregular ops, baggage issues, etc. Is there anything I can do to minimize that, short of flying the night before? Is there any reason to fly US rather than WN on that segment if I'm paying cash?
If I fly US, could they check my bags all the way to HKG, or would I have to retrieve them in LAX and carry them over to the intl terminal? I know the risk of problems on that route is relatively low, but you never know.
And if my flight or bags are delayed and I miss my OZ flight, am I totally out of luck?
Thanks!
I take it that if it pops up again, I'll have to pay the big change fee, right? I won't be able to add it onto the itinerary? Is that right?
I'm not worried about paying cash; it's pretty cheap. I'm just worried about irregular ops, baggage issues, etc. Is there anything I can do to minimize that, short of flying the night before? Is there any reason to fly US rather than WN on that segment if I'm paying cash?
If I fly US, could they check my bags all the way to HKG, or would I have to retrieve them in LAX and carry them over to the intl terminal? I know the risk of problems on that route is relatively low, but you never know.
And if my flight or bags are delayed and I miss my OZ flight, am I totally out of luck?
Thanks!
Mar 26, 2012, 8:03 pm
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EP
Posts: 273
Hi, I have a great award ticket from PHX to HKG and back, except it's missing one segment: the initial PHX-LAX positioning segment. My flight out of LAX is at 1:10 pm on OZ. The 7:45 am PHX-LAX on US had availability a few days ago, but I couldn't get to it fast enough.
...
...
Getting from PHX to LAX is really no issue, since there's a flight every hour
or less and a one-way ticket is as low as 70USD. There are so many to choose from... Again lots of missing details here!
Mar 26, 2012, 8:55 pm
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVPG 100K, IHG Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,704
Hi, I have a great award ticket from PHX to HKG and back, except it's missing one segment: the initial PHX-LAX positioning segment. My flight out of LAX is at 1:10 pm on OZ. The 7:45 am PHX-LAX on US had availability a few days ago, but I couldn't get to it fast enough.
If you have not ticketed it, and PHX-LAX is the only segment left without award seats, call US, and a nice agent will call to request seats to be opened up for you. It was mentioned on FT a long time ago, and I actually experienced it first hand a few days ago.
My mini-RTW itinerary was missing the last leg between LAX and SEA. The MCT in LAX for international to domestic transfer is 120 minutes, and the only UA direct flight with C available departs in 110 minutes. The US agent put me on hold, called the revenue department, and got them to open up a seat for me on LAX-PHX-SEA. As long as it is something that US flies, they still have some control over it and are willing to get that for you.
Mar 26, 2012, 9:02 pm
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVPG 100K, IHG Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,704
The risk of buying a separate flight under a different PNR is that the airline departing LAX is not responsible for any mis-connection due to the delayed departure of the first flight (be in weather, mechanical, anything) since they are not under the same ticket.
Mar 27, 2012, 12:16 am
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: PHL
Programs: Former long-time US GP; now AA dirt
Posts: 4,904
I've been using the ANA *A tool for several years, yet I see that many here are now using UA's and/or Air Canada's site to find *A availability. Is ANA no longer the preferred site for any reason?