US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[rogerkambah]

Accounts must be 13 days old to purchase miles. (ie open for 12 days and you can buy on the 13th day)

this requirement is stated in the terms and conditions for the purchase of miles.

just wait till day 13 and try again

Thanx, saw something like that but thought it was on the AA site as I was swapping between the pair of them.

Now AA have another offer going I'm still trying to work out which way to jump to try for 2 seats SYD-Eur on CX in September.

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanx, saw something like that but thought it was on the AA site as I was swapping between the pair of them.

Now AA have another offer going I'm still trying to work out which way to jump to try for 2 seats SYD-Eur on CX in September.

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

given the more limited availability of OW compared to star (lifemiles) - I'd be exploring lifemiles as an option.

As for AA vs USDM, it's a matter of mathematics mostly. 160K on AA (but cheaper cost) compared to 150K on USDM. AA has better change rules (no fees if origin and destination stay the same).

 

[rogerkambah]

given the more limited availability of OW compared to star (lifemiles) - I'd be exploring lifemiles as an option.

As for AA vs USDM, it's a matter of mathematics mostly. 160K on AA (but cheaper cost) compared to 150K on USDM. AA has better change rules (no fees if origin and destination stay the same).

Thanx again, another option to explore. I was looking at OW for lounge access, but really not a problem when in J.

 

[hossein_au]

Thanx, saw something like that but thought it was on the AA site as I was swapping between the pair of them.

Now AA have another offer going I'm still trying to work out which way to jump to try for 2 seats SYD-Eur on CX in September.

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

What do you use to check CX availability? Does what you find match what USDM agents see?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I should add the very important difference to the above which is USDM gives much greater flexibility in terms of routing. if your itinerary fits within AA's routing rules, AA can be cheaper. if you need to go on something more flexible to get availability, USDM is likely better.

 

[diningdecadence]

Thanx, saw something like that but thought it was on the AA site as I was swapping between the pair of them.

Now AA have another offer going I'm still trying to work out which way to jump to try for 2 seats SYD-Eur on CX in September.

Any thoughts/experiences appreciated.

don't forget alaskan

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I'm currently booked to fly TG J SYD BKK overnight then LHR in september. Wasn't sure I wanted to have the 8 hour wait for the midnight flight on to LHR.

Now am starting to think might be better to get to London in the morning and sleep all day then I'll be able to head out and enjoy the pub / club scene.

Anyone had any success with asking to have their flight moved up when they check in? Would I be better to ask when chk in at SYD or try my luck when I get to BKK?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm currently booked to fly TG J SYD BKK overnight then LHR in september. Wasn't sure I wanted to have the 8 hour wait for the midnight flight on to LHR.

Now am starting to think might be better to get to London in the morning and sleep all day then I'll be able to head out and enjoy the pub / club scene.

Anyone had any success with asking to have their flight moved up when they check in? Would I be better to ask when chk in at SYD or try my luck when I get to BKK?

you will almost certainly be asked to refer back to USDM as the issuing carrier to make any changes, even if you are at the airport.

If you want to change then either (a) wait for a significant schedule change and hope to change for free or (b) pay $150 and change it now.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

you will almost certainly be asked to refer back to USDM as the issuing carrier to make any changes, even if you are at the airport.

If you want to change then either (a) wait for a significant schedule change and hope to change for free or (b) pay $150 and change it now.

I thought as much. Makes it tricky since USDM is now oneworld. Not too worried. Thinking I'll probably be able to hit the road running if I can have a good 6 hours sleep.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought as much. Makes it tricky since USDM is now oneworld. Not too worried. Thinking I'll probably be able to hit the road running if I can have a good 6 hours sleep.

it might well be worth checking availability on CX and gettg a flat bed the whole way instead of angled. well worth the change fee, not just for the bed, but the lounges, food, service....

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

it might well be worth checking availability on CX and gettg a flat bed the whole way instead of angled. well worth the change fee, not just for the bed, but the lounges, food, service....

Going to Seoul with some friends from BKK on the way home so need my BKK stopover coming back.

Considering all the budget airline travel i do, am sure TG J is going to be quite nice

 

[rogerkambah]

don't forget alaskan

Good point, but I was hoping to narrow my options to USDM/AA. I figure the problem is going to be getting J or F availability SYD-HKG-Eur on CX and it won't be any easier on AS than on AA or US??

 

[diningdecadence]

Good point, but I was hoping to narrow my options to USDM/AA. I figure the problem is going to be getting J or F availability SYD-HKG-Eur on CX and it won't be any easier on AS than on AA or US??

this is complete speculation and broad based brush strokes... but i'm *guessing* on the whole(>50%?) that if a seat is available on OW it will be available to all partners. (i appreciate timing of release can be different, and at times it isn't but let's run with a 'generally')

/punters - please don't flame me/

main point being - always consider $ cost to purchase points/ taxes, and redemption rates etc, as these can differ between members within the same alliance.

 

[bcworld]

this is complete speculation and broad based brush strokes... but i'm *guessing* on the whole(>50%?) that if a seat is available on OW it will be available to all partners. (i appreciate timing of release can be different, and at times it isn't but let's run with a 'generally')

I have to admit I used to believe this...if a seat is there for the taking, it's pretty much available for anyone. However I read a very detailed explanation on FT of how with the correct modules of the reservation system in place the operating carrier can easily throttle the availability for individual carriers trying to book, or prevent them from being able to confirm the seat.

 

[burmans]

I have to admit I used to believe this...if a seat is there for the taking, it's pretty much available for anyone. However I read a very detailed explanation on FT of how with the correct modules of the reservation system in place the operating carrier can easily throttle the availability for individual carriers trying to book, or prevent them from being able to confirm the seat.

Indeed and have seen some specific evidence on FT of differing availability too.

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I'm got a booking in J from SYD to LHR and back wth a stopver in BKK leaving on Sept.

Just been having a look on the LM website and it seems there's availability in F on the way over with TG.

Has anyone made changes witht heir star alliance bookings recently?

Just wondering what my chances are to get the trip over to LHR upgraded to F with TG (currently in J ) - happy to pay the $150 and 30K extra points.

 

[Beta4Me]

I'm got a booking in J from SYD to LHR and back wth a stopver in BKK leaving on Sept.

Just been having a look on the LM website and it seems there's availability in F on the way over with TG.

Has anyone made changes witht heir star alliance bookings recently?

Just wondering what my chances are to get the trip over to LHR upgraded to F with TG (currently in J ) - happy to pay the $150 and 30K extra points.

No chance. They can't touch Thai at all any more.

 

[smit0847]

I just rang TG Australia to get a TG PNR for a USDM booking. The woman asked me if this was an award booking and if I had used my own miles to make the booking or whether someone else had used their miles to book for me. I explained that yes I had used my own miles and I was travelling. When I asked why she said 'because people flying on other peoples US Airways miles have been denied check-in in Sydney - you'll only be able to check-in if the person whose miles have been used is travelling.....'

Some food for thought.

 

[get me outta here]

That's scary for people affected. Does the TG PNR begin 037 ... ?

 

[appaz]

I just rang TG Australia to get a TG PNR for a USDM booking. The woman asked me if this was an award booking and if I had used my own miles to make the booking or whether someone else had used their miles to book for me. I explained that yes I had used my own miles and I was travelling. When I asked why she said 'because people flying on other peoples US Airways miles have been denied check-in in Sydney - you'll only be able to check-in if the person whose miles have been used is travelling.....'

Some food for thought.

I didn't think anyone could just book a trip for a friend with their miles... does US Airways even allow that?