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 9, 2012, 10:23 am
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Tampa, FL, USA
Programs: Former Dividend Miles Chairman's, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,122
Interesting DM Comment on Making LH Award Rez
I found the appropriate, available flights in LH Business on ANA and called the DM center for the redemption. I gave her the flight nos. and she said to hold on a moment so she could log on to Air Canada and check the inventory.
She then confirmed availability and booked.
She then confirmed availability and booked.
Aug 9, 2012, 11:05 am
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: PHL
Programs: HH Diamond, SPG Plat; no plans for chasing any more airline status.
Posts: 880
I found the appropriate, available flights in LH Business on ANA and called the DM center for the redemption. I gave her the flight nos. and she said to hold on a moment so she could log on to Air Canada and check the inventory.
She then confirmed availability and booked.
She then confirmed availability and booked.
Aug 9, 2012, 11:12 am
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Tampa, FL, USA
Programs: Former Dividend Miles Chairman's, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 1,122
One agent told me that a memo went out some months ago directing that LH F was never to be booked with DM. The agent said she could get fired for attempting a manual sell, which says to me that it is still possible but no one is willing to do it.
Aug 9, 2012, 12:15 pm
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 1,377
upset LH executives who didn't like how easy it is to get 6 or 7 digit mileage balances on US (for relatively piddling amounts of cash) that sucked up all the LH F *A inventory. Thus LH changed their availability and leaned on their alliance partner hard about this (public statements on not liking US selling miles made at *A MegaDos, for instance).
Just seems more likely that US wasn't happy about reimbursing LX for pricey F seats and decided to stop offering them to their FF's.
But again, does anyone have any info as to how *A members work all this out?
Aug 10, 2012, 3:28 am
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ZRH, MNL
Programs: FB Gold
Posts: 975
Just booked a very straightforward itinerary:
ZRH-FRA-BKK-MNL destination
MNL-BKK-FRA-ZRH
in TG First (hopefully on the A380!).
Very smooth booking process, I just gave segment by segment to the agent and got confirmed and ticketed within 30 minutes.
ZRH-FRA-BKK-MNL destination
MNL-BKK-FRA-ZRH
in TG First (hopefully on the A380!).
Very smooth booking process, I just gave segment by segment to the agent and got confirmed and ticketed within 30 minutes.
Aug 12, 2012, 3:54 am
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: ORD
Programs: BA, AA, SQ, UA, AC, WS, MR TIT
Posts: 8,659
Aug 12, 2012, 12:00 pm
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Delta Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 197
Tried to make a booking from MNL to ROR, available on United (operated by United for Air Micronesia, which was a subsidiary of Continental), agent could not see any availability, even when asking for random future flights.
It's able on United and on Ana for award redemption.
Any advice on how to book this ticket? The agent said they only have access to some of the inventory, and that's it.
Thank you.
It's able on United and on Ana for award redemption.
Any advice on how to book this ticket? The agent said they only have access to some of the inventory, and that's it.
Thank you.
Aug 12, 2012, 12:32 pm
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: ZRH
Programs: M&M SEN (*G), HH Diamond
Posts: 2,418
They said there was a written directive from Headquarters in Phoenix that no more long sells. I asked when this changed and the manager thinks it was sometimes in the second half last year. It's no long sells under any circumstance or it's a reason to get fired. They can only go through the interface.
After talking some time with the manager about maybe a technical glitch, she admitted that there are commercial reasons. The got "fined" too many times for doing a long sell. Don't know how LH could differentiate where it comes from - how about they had to pay out too much to LH for all those F tickets and they diced that's it, we'll block it.
Also talked to the technical support line and a supervisor there confirmed that everything works as it should and there is no technical glitch.
So clearly a StarNet blocking issue and no technical glitch.
After talking some time with the manager about maybe a technical glitch, she admitted that there are commercial reasons. The got "fined" too many times for doing a long sell. Don't know how LH could differentiate where it comes from - how about they had to pay out too much to LH for all those F tickets and they diced that's it, we'll block it.
Also talked to the technical support line and a supervisor there confirmed that everything works as it should and there is no technical glitch.
So clearly a StarNet blocking issue and no technical glitch.
Aug 12, 2012, 3:16 pm
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Worldwide
Posts: 12,949
Tried to make a booking from MNL to ROR, available on United (operated by United for Air Micronesia, which was a subsidiary of Continental), agent could not see any availability, even when asking for random future flights.
It's able on United and on Ana for award redemption.
Any advice on how to book this ticket?
It's able on United and on Ana for award redemption.
Any advice on how to book this ticket?
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.3/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
Code:
MNL Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl PH [RPLL] ROR Babeldaob/Babelthuap/Koror/Airai Roman Tmetuchl Intl PW [PTRO] TUE 18 Sep 2012 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------- UA 192 MNL 21:45 ROR 01:30 +1 738 0 FS/ CS- YS+
Code:
MNL Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl PH [RPLL] ROR Babeldaob/Babelthuap/Koror/Airai Roman Tmetuchl Intl PW [PTRO] TUE 18 Sep 2012 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ UA/UA 192 MNL 21:45 ROR 01:30 +1 738 0 YS+
Aug 12, 2012, 3:24 pm
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Delta Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 197
Thank you so much. I know they are available, but US Airways can't see them. I called 3 times using segment by segment. I didn't refer to "long sell" by name, but the last agent seemed adamant they can't do that.... I guess I should try again except the flight departs in 3 hours and I have another reservation currently booked (wanted to rebook into a different class, of course I should have tried to rebook earlier but the availability was so spotty and the ticket was booked so last minute that I didn't want to change the ticket until I was sure) so I guess it is not worth messing around with.
Good to know for the future, as this particular leg seems to not be available for any of the future dates I inquired about. I wonder if United Air Micronesia flights are just all blocked from US Airways Dividend miles?
Good to know for the future, as this particular leg seems to not be available for any of the future dates I inquired about. I wonder if United Air Micronesia flights are just all blocked from US Airways Dividend miles?
Those flights are definitely eligible for *A redemption purposes.
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.3/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.3/Diamond - ITA: Awards/AC-StarAlliance/CA]
For tips on dealing with Agents, who may claim otherwise, please see http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo
[KVS Availability Tool 7.0.3/Diamond - SNT: Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-SP1]
Code:
MNL Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl PH [RPLL] ROR Babeldaob/Babelthuap/Koror/Airai Roman Tmetuchl Intl PW [PTRO] TUE 18 Sep 2012 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------- UA 192 MNL 21:45 ROR 01:30 +1 738 0 FS/ CS- YS+
Code:
MNL Manila Ninoy Aquino Intl PH [RPLL] ROR Babeldaob/Babelthuap/Koror/Airai Roman Tmetuchl Intl PW [PTRO] TUE 18 Sep 2012 | 1 Seat Carrier Flight From Depart To Arrive A/C St Availability --------- ------ ---- -------- ---- -------- --- -- ------------ UA/UA 192 MNL 21:45 ROR 01:30 +1 738 0 YS+
Aug 12, 2012, 5:46 pm
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: HHonors Gold
Posts: 130
Thank you so much. I know they are available, but US Airways can't see them. I called 3 times using segment by segment. I didn't refer to "long sell" by name, but the last agent seemed adamant they can't do that.... I guess I should try again except the flight departs in 3 hours and I have another reservation currently booked (wanted to rebook into a different class, of course I should have tried to rebook earlier but the availability was so spotty and the ticket was booked so last minute that I didn't want to change the ticket until I was sure) so I guess it is not worth messing around with.
Good to know for the future, as this particular leg seems to not be available for any of the future dates I inquired about. I wonder if United Air Micronesia flights are just all blocked from US Airways Dividend miles?
Good to know for the future, as this particular leg seems to not be available for any of the future dates I inquired about. I wonder if United Air Micronesia flights are just all blocked from US Airways Dividend miles?
I've made previous award bookings on United flights to Guam that would have been Continental Micronesia, pre-merger. I have also put a itinerary on hold, which included ROR-GUM, fully Air Mike IIRC.
Maybe you were just unlucky with your agent(s)?
Aug 12, 2012, 6:26 pm
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: GSO
Programs: US Chairman, Hilton Diamond, Hertz 5S, Starwood Gold
Posts: 113
Booked the following open jaw today for a trip next summer:
Outbound: CLT-ORD-PEK (Destination)
Inbound: HKG-ICN-JFK-CLT
Outbound is on US then UA in GlobalFirst
Return is OZ C, OZ F then US again
I'm pretty new to this and didn't have the stomach for trying for some of complex routings or specific suite offerings I see described on this thread, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I do have a few questions, if anybody can help.
1. Anybody know much about this thing they are calling GlobalFirst from ORD to PEK? I'm conditioned to not expect much from UA, but if the pictures I see for this online are accurate, it looks like it could be OK. Thoughts?
2. I have Chairman's status on US. If I do more research on here and find something I think is better (carrier, equipment, etc) do I even have the option of making changes or is that a non-starter.
3. Does anybody know much about the F offering on OZ between ICN and JFK? I did some simple research and saw details about a really nice F product they offer, but addtional reading after booking the tickets leads me to believe the ICN-JFK may be an older F product. Just curious if we should look to change that for something else. (Assuming changes are even a viable option.)
Outbound: CLT-ORD-PEK (Destination)
Inbound: HKG-ICN-JFK-CLT
Outbound is on US then UA in GlobalFirst
Return is OZ C, OZ F then US again
I'm pretty new to this and didn't have the stomach for trying for some of complex routings or specific suite offerings I see described on this thread, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I do have a few questions, if anybody can help.
1. Anybody know much about this thing they are calling GlobalFirst from ORD to PEK? I'm conditioned to not expect much from UA, but if the pictures I see for this online are accurate, it looks like it could be OK. Thoughts?
2. I have Chairman's status on US. If I do more research on here and find something I think is better (carrier, equipment, etc) do I even have the option of making changes or is that a non-starter.
3. Does anybody know much about the F offering on OZ between ICN and JFK? I did some simple research and saw details about a really nice F product they offer, but addtional reading after booking the tickets leads me to believe the ICN-JFK may be an older F product. Just curious if we should look to change that for something else. (Assuming changes are even a viable option.)
Aug 12, 2012, 9:31 pm
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
Booked the following open jaw today for a trip next summer:
Outbound: CLT-ORD-PEK (Destination)
Inbound: HKG-ICN-JFK-CLT
Outbound is on US then UA in GlobalFirst
Return is OZ C, OZ F then US again
I'm pretty new to this and didn't have the stomach for trying for some of complex routings or specific suite offerings I see described on this thread, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I do have a few questions, if anybody can help.
1. Anybody know much about this thing they are calling GlobalFirst from ORD to PEK? I'm conditioned to not expect much from UA, but if the pictures I see for this online are accurate, it looks like it could be OK. Thoughts?
2. I have Chairman's status on US. If I do more research on here and find something I think is better (carrier, equipment, etc) do I even have the option of making changes or is that a non-starter.
3. Does anybody know much about the F offering on OZ between ICN and JFK? I did some simple research and saw details about a really nice F product they offer, but addtional reading after booking the tickets leads me to believe the ICN-JFK may be an older F product. Just curious if we should look to change that for something else. (Assuming changes are even a viable option.)
Outbound: CLT-ORD-PEK (Destination)
Inbound: HKG-ICN-JFK-CLT
Outbound is on US then UA in GlobalFirst
Return is OZ C, OZ F then US again
I'm pretty new to this and didn't have the stomach for trying for some of complex routings or specific suite offerings I see described on this thread, but I'm still pretty happy with it. I do have a few questions, if anybody can help.
1. Anybody know much about this thing they are calling GlobalFirst from ORD to PEK? I'm conditioned to not expect much from UA, but if the pictures I see for this online are accurate, it looks like it could be OK. Thoughts?
2. I have Chairman's status on US. If I do more research on here and find something I think is better (carrier, equipment, etc) do I even have the option of making changes or is that a non-starter.
3. Does anybody know much about the F offering on OZ between ICN and JFK? I did some simple research and saw details about a really nice F product they offer, but addtional reading after booking the tickets leads me to believe the ICN-JFK may be an older F product. Just curious if we should look to change that for something else. (Assuming changes are even a viable option.)
GlobalFirst is the OLD UA first (4-5 yr old product AFAIK)
I flew to SYD on that first and since then several times from FRA to IAD
4 across - Single seats in the sides, 2 in the center with some isolation
Cathay same space - you get 3 across!
On Biz Cathay you get 4 across. while on UA you get 6 across!
Oh to think I had all these AA miles and used UA as it was a bit cheaper in miles.
BusinessFirst is their old CO product on Intl aircraf -lie flat
Business is their J on UA 3 cabin
First is just that at best domestically
2
You can change all you want at the same level, without redeposit
e.g., I booked a LH F award 2 yrs ago; 1 segment was in Y
Called and changed when space opened up - no problems -
just pay diff in fees.
ONCE travel begins as ou well know as a CP, NO changes at all.
(although once my brother arrived at LH EWR less than 1 hr before boarding and just missed the cutoff and they put him on a day later on a US award - but I think that was LH generosity than US)
3
Anything on OZ even an older bed IME is better than UA. Don't worry about it.
OZ, NH, CX, SQ - Man, I have wasted most of my miles on UA/US and LH (except LH F and FCT/FCL - that is no waste)
Last edited by ffI; Aug 12, 2012 at 9:43 pm
Aug 12, 2012, 9:41 pm
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: WAS
Programs: AA EXP2M, DL 1MM DM ext, UA PP <=> HH G/Marr PE/Hyatt G/IHG P FT RA ( Recovering Addict)
Posts: 4,596
HELP wanted US award to North Asia
I had read all of Lucky's blogs about the best premium cabin values and decided to burn my miles on a US 90k C North Asia award
IAD-ORD-PEK
PEK-FRA-DUB
DUB-FRA-IAD
Basically a North Asia award with a stopover in EU on the way back.
AFAIK from reading FT, this was a 90k award
I bought it (free cancels as CP) but I think I got overcharged at 100k
as I was stopping over in EU rather than 90k.
Any experts on US redemptions on this? I am no beginner, but I am not sure.
Please post and PM me to alert me.
I love US rules usually except for the no changes after travel begins.
I can get to DEL from WAS via PEK and BKK for 120k but this feels not correct.
I can go IAD-ICN-PEK AND PEK-BKK-FRA-IAD no stopovers for 90k
but not stop in EU without a 10k penalty?
While on this, I just flew IAD-DOH-MAA for 60k UA and PEK-BKK-FRA-IAD on UA for 70k, so I guess 100k US is OK, but still....
IAD-ORD-PEK
PEK-FRA-DUB
DUB-FRA-IAD
Basically a North Asia award with a stopover in EU on the way back.
AFAIK from reading FT, this was a 90k award
I bought it (free cancels as CP) but I think I got overcharged at 100k
as I was stopping over in EU rather than 90k.
Any experts on US redemptions on this? I am no beginner, but I am not sure.
Please post and PM me to alert me.
I love US rules usually except for the no changes after travel begins.
I can get to DEL from WAS via PEK and BKK for 120k but this feels not correct.
I can go IAD-ICN-PEK AND PEK-BKK-FRA-IAD no stopovers for 90k
but not stop in EU without a 10k penalty?
While on this, I just flew IAD-DOH-MAA for 60k UA and PEK-BKK-FRA-IAD on UA for 70k, so I guess 100k US is OK, but still....
Aug 12, 2012, 10:16 pm
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: USA
Programs: AA Exec Plat, Delta Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 197
Thank you so much for this data point.
I called 3 agents (I believe they were all different) and none could see the space. I'm not quite sure what the explanation is but glad to hear is not necessarily because it is on UA Micronesia. I do hope this is a small "glitch" as I do want to book this particular route next year.
I called 3 agents (I believe they were all different) and none could see the space. I'm not quite sure what the explanation is but glad to hear is not necessarily because it is on UA Micronesia. I do hope this is a small "glitch" as I do want to book this particular route next year.