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]
Sep 13, 2013, 1:26 am
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
• Stopovers are allowed only for the most direct route of travel.
Sep 13, 2013, 2:45 am
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Sep 13, 2013, 3:28 am
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
Has anyone had success recently moving changing the class of service from coach to business on an award ticket?
When I booked my award about a month ago I had to settle for coach on my transpacific leg on Air China. The agent who booked my ticket said I could call back later and move up, if business class seats opened up on that flight -- which did happen recently.
But now when I call to make the change, I keep getting the response that to do that, the award has to be cancelled and reissued. The other legs aren't showing availability anymore, so there's no way I'm taking the chance! Blog posts suggest that this can be done, but having been shot down nicely by 3 agents already, I figure I'd check here first to see if the policy has changed....
When I booked my award about a month ago I had to settle for coach on my transpacific leg on Air China. The agent who booked my ticket said I could call back later and move up, if business class seats opened up on that flight -- which did happen recently.
But now when I call to make the change, I keep getting the response that to do that, the award has to be cancelled and reissued. The other legs aren't showing availability anymore, so there's no way I'm taking the chance! Blog posts suggest that this can be done, but having been shot down nicely by 3 agents already, I figure I'd check here first to see if the policy has changed....
what you have been told however, is quite common unfortunately. a lot of agents think they have to cancel. but it can be done and keep all your other segments as they are.
you need to keep trying, at different times of the day I guess, till you find an agent that knows how to do it.
and please report back
welcome to FT
Sep 13, 2013, 8:40 am
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 58
there will most likely be a $150 change fee, but agents do NOT have to cancel the entire ticket to move one sector up a class.
what you have been told however, is quite common unfortunately. a lot of agents think they have to cancel. but it can be done and keep all your other segments as they are.
you need to keep trying, at different times of the day I guess, till you find an agent that knows how to do it.
and please report back
welcome to FT
what you have been told however, is quite common unfortunately. a lot of agents think they have to cancel. but it can be done and keep all your other segments as they are.
you need to keep trying, at different times of the day I guess, till you find an agent that knows how to do it.
and please report back
welcome to FT
A few months ago I booked the following in business for two pax next year, except the NYC-YYZ leg: NYC-YYZ-TPE-SIN (stopover)-MLE (destination)-SIN-TPE-NYC on AC/BR/SQ/SQ/SQ/BR/BR.
When I got an expertflyer alert saying "I" class was available on the NYC-YYZ leg, I called the preferred line and politely mentioned that I had paid the business class mileage for the tickets and asked if there was anything she could do. Without hesitation the agent switched to first with no change fee.
Sep 13, 2013, 2:09 pm
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: ZRH/SFO
Programs: A3*G - AZ CFP- HH DIA
Posts: 3,666
Let me know the PNR and i will correct it (voluntarily)!
Isn't it a shame that you let issue illegal itineraries and sell them to the unknown passengers?
Sep 13, 2013, 7:02 pm
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: MAD
Programs: UA, US, AA, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt
Posts: 374
assistance with award change
Hi all - I need some assistance changing an award I have booked. Right now I'm ticketed in C on this:
SQ TPE>SIN (stop < 24 hours)
SQ SIN>DPS (destination)
TG BKK>TPE
So it's a two region open jaw that cost 60K miles. This is around Christmas. It turns out it would be better for a number of reasons to do the open jaw from MNL rather than TPE, so changing to:
SQ MNL>SIN (stop <24 hours)
SQ SIN>DPS (same flight as currently ticketed)
TG BKK>TPE (same flight as currently ticketed)
BR TPE>MNL (new flight)
This would cost 30,000 miles and the $150 change fee. But here's the PROBLEM and what I'm posting about:
The agent says that since the ticket costs only 30K miles, she must cancel the whole thing, redeposit 60K miles and then rebook a new award at 30K. Then she points out that one segment I need in the "new award" is no longer available, which is SIN>DPS. And she says that when she cancels my current ticket, that does not guarantee that the SIN>DPS will be released back to inventory. I agree with her on this last point.
INFO REQUEST: do you think it's true that the original award must be cancelled and a new award booked? I'm pretty sure I've gone from cheaper awards to more expensive and they just took more miles. But anyway, I'd be grateful for feedback so I have an idea if I'm asking something reasonable/possible before phoning back. I don't want to lose the SIN>DPS.
Thanks very much.
SQ TPE>SIN (stop < 24 hours)
SQ SIN>DPS (destination)
TG BKK>TPE
So it's a two region open jaw that cost 60K miles. This is around Christmas. It turns out it would be better for a number of reasons to do the open jaw from MNL rather than TPE, so changing to:
SQ MNL>SIN (stop <24 hours)
SQ SIN>DPS (same flight as currently ticketed)
TG BKK>TPE (same flight as currently ticketed)
BR TPE>MNL (new flight)
This would cost 30,000 miles and the $150 change fee. But here's the PROBLEM and what I'm posting about:
The agent says that since the ticket costs only 30K miles, she must cancel the whole thing, redeposit 60K miles and then rebook a new award at 30K. Then she points out that one segment I need in the "new award" is no longer available, which is SIN>DPS. And she says that when she cancels my current ticket, that does not guarantee that the SIN>DPS will be released back to inventory. I agree with her on this last point.
INFO REQUEST: do you think it's true that the original award must be cancelled and a new award booked? I'm pretty sure I've gone from cheaper awards to more expensive and they just took more miles. But anyway, I'd be grateful for feedback so I have an idea if I'm asking something reasonable/possible before phoning back. I don't want to lose the SIN>DPS.
Thanks very much.
Sep 13, 2013, 9:46 pm
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
there will most likely be a $150 change fee, but agents do NOT have to cancel the entire ticket to move one sector up a class.
what you have been told however, is quite common unfortunately. a lot of agents think they have to cancel. but it can be done and keep all your other segments as they are.
you need to keep trying, at different times of the day I guess, till you find an agent that knows how to do it.
and please report back
welcome to FT
what you have been told however, is quite common unfortunately. a lot of agents think they have to cancel. but it can be done and keep all your other segments as they are.
you need to keep trying, at different times of the day I guess, till you find an agent that knows how to do it.
and please report back
welcome to FT
I'll try the early morning shift tomorrow.
Sep 13, 2013, 10:29 pm
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,439
Sep 14, 2013, 9:25 am
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 86
Is this itinerary still possible?
North Asia to US west coast via Europe
PEK－BKK－CDG
CDG－YYZ－LAX
LAX－PEK
Problems:
1. I heard they don't ticket round-the-world itinerary any more.
2. I heard they don't allow stopover in Europe any more for Asia to US.
3. I heard now they allow only up to 4 segments for each way.
Many thanks!
PEK－BKK－CDG
CDG－YYZ－LAX
LAX－PEK
Problems:
1. I heard they don't ticket round-the-world itinerary any more.
2. I heard they don't allow stopover in Europe any more for Asia to US.
3. I heard now they allow only up to 4 segments for each way.
Many thanks!
Sep 14, 2013, 9:52 am
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: AU
Programs: former Olympic Airways Gold (yeah - still proud of that!)
Posts: 14,405
North Asia to US west coast via Europe
PEK－BKK－CDG
CDG－YYZ－LAX
LAX－PEK
Problems:
1. I heard they don't ticket round-the-world itinerary any more.
2. I heard they don't allow stopover in Europe any more for Asia to US.
3. I heard now they allow only up to 4 segments for each way.
Many thanks!
PEK－BKK－CDG
CDG－YYZ－LAX
LAX－PEK
Problems:
1. I heard they don't ticket round-the-world itinerary any more.
2. I heard they don't allow stopover in Europe any more for Asia to US.
3. I heard now they allow only up to 4 segments for each way.
Many thanks!
1. is not an issue... an agent might tell they don't ticket RTW itineraries... but that's a case of hang up and call again
2. you may get charged for a stopover in a higher zone. that is becoming more frequent.
3. generally 4+4 and you're good to go... but plenty of itineraries have had more than 4+4 (technically you probably get to almost anywhere in the world in 4 flights... and there is a rule about direct routing. but domestic sectors seem to be excluded)
Sep 14, 2013, 5:44 pm
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 62
US airways agent not seeing the ANA flight FRA-HND ?
I'm trying to book an award flight in couch FRA - HND on NH204 around Christmas. 12/25/2013. I was able to see the award seat for this fight in all of: ANA tool, United and Aeroplan website. However 2 US airways agent I talk to was not able to see it. is this normal? blocked by US airways? or should I try HUCA?
Sep 14, 2013, 6:12 pm
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Upstate NY
Programs: SPG Plat50, Delta Silver, United Silver, Hilton Gold
Posts: 18
Award flight - London Stopover
HI
I have searched so apologies if this is answered elsewhere. Will US Airways likely allow a stopover in London on the way to another European destination? It will be on United to LHR, and Turkish for rest of flights apart from final segment (possibly Lufthansa within Europe but would rather travel TK business if available). I know that using United miles this routing would be fine but am trying to use some Dividend miles up.
BGM-IAD-LHR (stoptover)
LHR-IST-ABD (destination)
ADB-IST-IAD-BGM
I have searched so apologies if this is answered elsewhere. Will US Airways likely allow a stopover in London on the way to another European destination? It will be on United to LHR, and Turkish for rest of flights apart from final segment (possibly Lufthansa within Europe but would rather travel TK business if available). I know that using United miles this routing would be fine but am trying to use some Dividend miles up.
BGM-IAD-LHR (stoptover)
LHR-IST-ABD (destination)
ADB-IST-IAD-BGM
Sep 14, 2013, 7:27 pm
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: HKG
Programs: DL, CX
Posts: 223
The possibility of ANA being blocked by US Air is not high, although LH,LX,SA,SQ,TK and NZ could be possibly blocked from time to time, usually before the end of the contracted period with them when they offset the cost.
I guess you may need the third, the fourth, or even the fifth agent to get you an award you want. This is US air......Welcome to the wheels of fortune.
I guess you may need the third, the fourth, or even the fifth agent to get you an award you want. This is US air......Welcome to the wheels of fortune.
I'm trying to book an award flight in couch FRA - HND on NH204 around Christmas. 12/25/2013. I was able to see the award seat for this fight in all of: ANA tool, United and Aeroplan website. However 2 US airways agent I talk to was not able to see it. is this normal? blocked by US airways? or should I try HUCA?
Sep 15, 2013, 12:44 am
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: SEA
Programs: Alaska MVPG 100K, IHG Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt Globalist, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,704
HI
I have searched so apologies if this is answered elsewhere. Will US Airways likely allow a stopover in London on the way to another European destination? It will be on United to LHR, and Turkish for rest of flights apart from final segment (possibly Lufthansa within Europe but would rather travel TK business if available). I know that using United miles this routing would be fine but am trying to use some Dividend miles up.
BGM-IAD-LHR (stoptover)
LHR-IST-ABD (destination)
ADB-IST-IAD-BGM
I have searched so apologies if this is answered elsewhere. Will US Airways likely allow a stopover in London on the way to another European destination? It will be on United to LHR, and Turkish for rest of flights apart from final segment (possibly Lufthansa within Europe but would rather travel TK business if available). I know that using United miles this routing would be fine but am trying to use some Dividend miles up.
BGM-IAD-LHR (stoptover)
LHR-IST-ABD (destination)
ADB-IST-IAD-BGM
Sep 16, 2013, 5:02 am
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Germany
Programs: IC Dia, Hyatt Globlist, Hilton Gold, Star Alliance Gold, Emirates Gold, BA Gold
Posts: 558
Lufthansa domestic
Ticketed a flight this morning. Still no Lufthansa domestic available which would have saved me a few hours but not the end of the world. Train or car will work.
Anyone had luck picking up LH domestic within Germany for award travel?
Cheers.
Anyone had luck picking up LH domestic within Germany for award travel?
Cheers.