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]
Aug 6, 2012, 12:43 pm
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: NUE
Programs: Skywards Gold, IC Ambassador, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold, Accor Platinum
Posts: 495
Aug 6, 2012, 1:13 pm
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
* misspelling intended ;-)
Aug 6, 2012, 2:24 pm
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: DCA
Programs: US Silver, UA Plat, HHonors Diamond, SPG Gold
Posts: 212
A few months ago, I booked a ticket for a family member and they omitted a letter from his last name. I caught it while still on the phone and the agent that made the mistake told me that she couldn't do anything about it without cancelling and reissuing the ticket (assuming award space still existed). The ticket crossed PVG and other airports where things could be awkward so I called back a day later. The second agent fixed the name without reissuing the ticket and was able to do so in about 2 minutes.
Aug 6, 2012, 3:35 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
So I could in theory do the following:
HKG-HND
Destination
NRT-ICN-HKG
The wrinkle to this is that i would have to stay in ICN as I have an SQ award flight from ICN-SFO. I feel as though this would technically be a hidden city which I normally never do, but I don't know if US really cares since it is on an award ticket? Or if somehow the computer would see that I am on 2 flights at the same time going to different cities? I did originally try to get it all on one ticket, but it couldn't be done, and I don't really want anyone to touch that reservation and risk losing the SQ flight (which is in F). Any final help would be appreciated!
HKG-HND
Destination
NRT-ICN-HKG
The wrinkle to this is that i would have to stay in ICN as I have an SQ award flight from ICN-SFO. I feel as though this would technically be a hidden city which I normally never do, but I don't know if US really cares since it is on an award ticket? Or if somehow the computer would see that I am on 2 flights at the same time going to different cities? I did originally try to get it all on one ticket, but it couldn't be done, and I don't really want anyone to touch that reservation and risk losing the SQ flight (which is in F). Any final help would be appreciated!
I had significant problems with this a few years ago, arriving on a CX flight and then leaving ICN three hours later (again on CX - it was an immediate turn-around on back-to-back tickets, so transit was not an option as I had checked bags).
Immigration was fine... but the customs (border security) questioned me for about 20 minutes and did a full bag search, suspicious as to why I wanted to enter the country for such a short period. (I had all the supporting documentation but they didn't like it!)
It was nothing major... just had to let them do what they wanted to do...
Not saying this will happen to everyone, just it might happen.
Aug 6, 2012, 3:46 pm
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Yes, to change one or two single letters in the name should be possible with every booking system (without cancelling the itinerary). Of course, the ticket then needs to be reissued, but that should not be your problem as US misspelled your name... Call back and ask for supervisor!
Aug 6, 2012, 6:20 pm
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Okinawa
Posts: 2,611
I'm trying to book the following
HKG-HND
Destination
NRT-ICN
I have made quite a few of these award booking and in my mind I saw this as an open jaw. However, the phone agent said this was considered one way and couldn't be booked. I don't see how this could be a one way given the stop in Tokyo, but even if it was I thought one way bookings were allowed? Any insight in to this would be appreciated.
HKG-HND
Destination
NRT-ICN
I have made quite a few of these award booking and in my mind I saw this as an open jaw. However, the phone agent said this was considered one way and couldn't be booked. I don't see how this could be a one way given the stop in Tokyo, but even if it was I thought one way bookings were allowed? Any insight in to this would be appreciated.
HKG-HND
NRT-ICN-HKG and just throw the last leg away?
Aug 6, 2012, 6:43 pm
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Arizona
Programs: US Airways: CP Hilton HHonors: Diamond
Posts: 12
That's what I am most likely going to do but i'm trying to gauge if US will A) care that I have a hidden city and B) notice that I'm booked on two flights at the same time. One from ICN-HKG and my SQ award flight that I'm on to SFO.
Aug 6, 2012, 7:33 pm
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Washington D.C.
Programs: HHonors, Starwood, Marriott, ANA, Thai, United, American, Delta
Posts: 34
Starnet blocking or ????
Trying to book an award ticket flying
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
Aug 6, 2012, 7:37 pm
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
Trying to book an award ticket flying
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
Also which NH sectors is it they can't see?
Aug 6, 2012, 7:55 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: SEA, but up and down the coast a lot
Programs: Oceanic Airlines Gold Elite
Posts: 20,395
Trying to book an award ticket flying
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
Aug 6, 2012, 8:12 pm
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVPG 100K, IHG Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,704
Trying to book an award ticket flying
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
Alternatives:
- Fly NRT-HKG on UA
- Fly NRT-ICN-HKG on Asiana or Asiana/Thai
- Fly NRT-PEK-HKG on Air China or Air China/NH
I so wish US fixes the problem. It would have made my life so much easier.
Aug 7, 2012, 3:17 am
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,406
Trying to book an award ticket flying
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
IAD -> NRT -> HKG (stopover) -> BKK (destination) -> NRT -> IAD
First call the agent found the flights which were a combo of UA, TG and NH. Had to put ticket on hold to try to find same flights for spouse w UA program. Ended up changing the dates (same route and airlines) and 2 US agents in a row cannot see the NH flights at all. We are flying in J which I thought was not being blocked like F.
Any ideas how to get this booked? They told us they won't long sell and the only flights that work for us include using NH for at least one leg and ANA is showing availability in J for our dates.
Aug 7, 2012, 3:33 am
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Washington D.C.
Programs: HHonors, Starwood, Marriott, ANA, Thai, United, American, Delta
Posts: 34
The NH leg is NRT -> IAD.
Will try looking again in the UA tool but haven't found the best reliability there (they seem to show their own metal available then a call a minute later and they are saying the flights aren't really there).
Will try looking again in the UA tool but haven't found the best reliability there (they seem to show their own metal available then a call a minute later and they are saying the flights aren't really there).
Aug 7, 2012, 8:49 pm
Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: SPG, HH, AA, UA, BD, Hyatt, TYP
Posts: 1,404
Can anybody provide any recent updates regarding use of US for LH F? I am looking to fly out in a couple of days and there is plenty of LH F open to FRA. I haven't used any US miles in quite a while and am not up-to-date on the shenanigans at US.
Thanks!
Thanks!
Aug 7, 2012, 9:23 pm
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Melbourne, Australia
Programs: Flying: VA; Buying: AA, AS, AV, BA, UA!
Posts: 2,349
There still haven't been any reports here of successful bookings at T-14 days.