How to jump on the USDM or Lifemiles bandwagon?

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bigsleep55

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Hi all,

I've been reading through for the last several weeks since our plan to travel to the US over Xmas/NE failed.

So we're thinking of doing a trip to Palau and wanted to creatively use the buying US Dividend Miles promo going on at the moment.

Can anyone help with or point me to info on how to find the award flights through US Airways that could get us from Perth to Palau in J/F return.

Hoping to go anytime in Dec (but can push this to Jan & maybe Feb if needed).

I thought a plan could be:

PER - SIN (Singapore Airlines)
SIN - MNL (Singapore Airlines)
MNL - ROR (United Airlines)

or

PER - BKK (Thai Airways)
BKK - MNL (Thai Airways)
ICN - ROR (United Airlines)

Has anyone done this? What are peoples thoughts?

Currently have 0 USDM, 5k SPG, 70k Qantas, 5k Amex MR and a good attitude.

Thanks in advance
(PS I'm on just learning all the abbreviations, sorry)
 
I would be looking at Lifemiles if I were you as US is about to join Oneworld which will mean you cannot redeem on Star airlines anymore (think there is a cutoff date?)

They also have a 100% promo on at present to buy miles :)
 
One example from Lifemiles (all in J):

January 3

PER-SIN-BKK-MNL-ROR (SQ, TG, TG, UA)

January 17

ROR-ICN-SIN-PER (OZ, OZ, SQ)

190,000 miles + USD273.60 for two people

More options and much better availability if you can start in SIN. And the cost goes down to 100,000 miles for two.
 
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Lifemiles? Well that completely ruins the title for this thread!

Ok, so if we bought return tickets to singapore, then Lifemiles return to Palau, 100k points (and less taxes)?

How much do they charge for 100k lifemiles points (incl Bonus)? Do I get a sign on bonus?

Slightly off topic; so do you guys believe Lifemiles > USDM only for long term (due to AA merger) or for short term as well? As in, if I could buy points and book through US Airways on USDM, you would still chose Lifemiles option as it would be (a) cheaper and/or (b) better flight choice?
 
I would be looking at Lifemiles if I were you as US is about to join Oneworld which will mean you cannot redeem on Star airlines anymore (think there is a cutoff date?)

They also have a 100% promo on at present to buy miles :)
While I am a fan of Lifemiles to get in on this you need to already have a LM Account, whereas you can join US now and get miles after 12 days.

As long as you book next couple of months USDM miles still are valuable. So question is when you want to travel?
 
I would be looking at Lifemiles if I were you as US is about to join Oneworld which will mean you cannot redeem on Star airlines anymore (think there is a cutoff date?)

They also have a 100% promo on at present to buy miles :)

Great suggestion, however I believe you would have had to have been a member of LM before the promotion started to be eligible for this promotion.
 
Great suggestion, however I believe you would have had to have been a member of LM before the promotion started to be eligible for this promotion.

True, but there is a good chance October will have a similar promo.
 
Alright, I'll sign up to Lifemiles now. Thanks!

But to run through this USDM bangwagon idea; where/how could someone like myself utilise this Bonus 50% Promo by US Airways? As in, are there 'sweet spots' or certain routes that make USDM the perfect option? E.g. Sydney to Cook Islands return Business Class for 50k USDM. Something like that.
 
The Frequent Flyer Concierge team takes the hard work out of finding reward seat availability. Using their expert knowledge and specialised tools, they'll help you book a great trip that maximises the value for your points.

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Alright, I'll sign up to Lifemiles now. Thanks!

But to run through this USDM bangwagon idea; where/how could someone like myself utilise this Bonus 50% Promo by US Airways? As in, are there 'sweet spots' or certain routes that make USDM the perfect option? E.g. Sydney to Cook Islands return Business Class for 50k USDM. Something like that.

Have a look at the success threads that will give you an idea on value, and sign up today.
 
Alright, I'll sign up to Lifemiles now. Thanks!

But to run through this USDM bangwagon idea; where/how could someone like myself utilise this Bonus 50% Promo by US Airways? As in, are there 'sweet spots' or certain routes that make USDM the perfect option? E.g. Sydney to Cook Islands return Business Class for 50k USDM. Something like that.
For me Europe (120K) and South Pacific are the best value but others may disagree.
 
E.g. Sydney to Cook Islands return Business Class for 50k USDM. Something like that.
If you are in PER (as your OP indicates) then PER - South Pacific (via AKL with NZ) in business for 30k is an absolute steal! Cost of miles per person = USD560 (with 100% promo).
 
Just thinking of buying USDM. Can anyone tell me how I find out what miles I would need for a business class return to London ?
thanks
 
Just thinking of buying USDM. Can anyone tell me how I find out what miles I would need for a business class return to London ?
thanks

You go to their website and take a look at the partner award chart.
 
If you are in PER (as your OP indicates) then PER - South Pacific (via AKL with NZ) in business for 30k is an absolute steal! Cost of miles per person = USD560 (with 100% promo).

the only problem is you can't do it any more. I was struggling with getting 2 J fares SYD-RAR-SYD with Air New Zealand in April, I could see availability on both ANA and United websites and on ExpertFlyer so I rang US Airways and the answer was "no, we can't see any availability on Air New Zealand"...after 5 phone calls I gave up as a supervisor told me "we can't see any availability because Air New Zealand does not want us to sell these seats so cheaply, for only 30K". So I used my United miles and got two seats on the same flights for 50K points each
 
"we can't see any availability because Air New Zealand does not want us to sell these seats so cheaply, for only 30K".

It sounds to me like the kind of tall tale some US Airways agents tell when the system for some reason does not bring back availability a customer insists they can see elsewhere. I very much doubt NZ cares how many USDM are redeemed as I am sure it has no relation on how much they ultimately get paid for the seats.
 
It sounds to me like the kind of tall tale some US Airways agents tell when the system for some reason does not bring back availability a customer insists they can see elsewhere. I very much doubt NZ cares how many USDM are redeemed as I am sure it has no relation on how much they ultimately get paid for the seats.
There must've been some truth in it as I called several times over several days and got the same answer all the time. It means Air New Zealand must've put a restriction on these seats availability to US Airways, similar to well known restrictions SK puts on their J and F seats availability
 
Just saw on another board that someone managed to get a ticket MEL - GUM - MEL (via BKK) for 30,000 pp return in J. First couple of reps knocked it back, but then another allowed it as an intra-SWP flight (and that was with a stopover in BKK!)
 
If you are in PER (as your OP indicates) then PER - South Pacific (via AKL with NZ) in business for 30k is an absolute steal! Cost of miles per person = USD560 (with 100% promo).

Wow. Ok so I logged into my US Airways account, and tried searching for award bookings. The only Australian airport they can pick up is Alice Springs. WTF? Alice Springs!

Is there some trick I'm missing? Sorry for the noob questions if this widely known.
 
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