US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[MEL_Traveller]

Update: the booking was 'illegal' because I was trying to fly home SFO-LAX-HKG and then on to Australia - which was over MPM by 40 miles (verified by bcworld's MOM chart). However, agent suggested dropping the SFO-LAX and then ticketed. So it seems best to use a combination of JL/QF/BA booking engines and don't assume if JL computer says 'no' that USDM will also say 'no'.

Yes, they are cracking down on MPM.

 

[bcworld]

Update: the booking was 'illegal' because I was trying to fly home SFO-LAX-HKG and then on to Australia - which was over MPM by 40 miles (verified by bcworld's MOM chart). However, agent suggested dropping the SFO-LAX and then ticketed. So it seems best to use a combination of JL/QF/BA booking engines and don't assume if JL computer says 'no' that USDM will also say 'no'.

Yes, they are cracking down on MPM.

JL was always spoken about as being most accurate vs. what AA could see...and then there's a natural assumption that US and AA would see the same thing, however I'm not sure that's correct and in fact each of them can see different availability. I've never been convinced that the phantom availability with BA/QF was really phantom, more that there is often some delay / problem with the integration between the various airlines res systems.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

JL was always spoken about as being most accurate vs. what AA could see...and then there's a natural assumption that US and AA would see the same thing, however I'm not sure that's correct and in fact each of them can see different availability. I've never been convinced that the phantom availability with BA/QF was really phantom, more that there is often some delay / problem with the integration between the various airlines res systems.

agree.... Just because USDM can't 'see' it doesn't mean the seats aren't there and can't be booked by QF... in fact I could have done so if using QFFF points.

but JL really was showing nothing at all even in coach, it was the worst of the lot. USDM could see more, and BA/QF the most.

 

[bcworld]

agree.... Just because USDM can't 'see' it doesn't mean the seats aren't there and can't be booked by QF... in fact I could have done so if using QFFF points.

but JL really was showing nothing at all even in coach, it was the worst of the lot. USDM could see more, and BA/QF the most.

Of course it's also true that airlines can control inventory to be accessible only to particular partners using the functions of their reservation system, and that could also come into play. Although given that CX and QF are rumoured to despise each other it seems unlikely they would be giving more access to QF than AA, JL etc.

 

[Limewood]

I'm looking to go from HKG or NRT to either CDG or MIL return 2 pax in J/F, in the past I've used AS miles for long haul, but looking at USDM it seems a much better deal as far as airlines and seat availability go due to them now being in OW. I note best to find the award fights on at least two other airlines than those to be travelled on before calling.

How long are purchased miles good for?

What are the max. days out to book?.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm looking to go from HKG or NRT to either CDG or MIL return 2 pax in J/F, in the past I've used AS miles for long haul, but looking at USDM it seems a much better deal as far as airlines and seat availability go due to them now being in OW. I note best to find the award fights on at least two other airlines than those to be travelled on before calling.

How long are purchased miles good for?

What are the max. days out to book?.

miles are good for 18 months. Any activity extends the miles, as a whole, for another 18 months.

if you don't want to be bothered with activity, you can extend the life of your miles for another 18 months by calling the USDM service centre and paying a USD9 fee.

max days out varies, but around 11 months, or 335 days as a general rule.

 

[smit0847]

So I've just noticed with one of my upcoming *A USDM bookings that one flight (UA) has dropped off the checkmytrip.com itinerary (and the manage my itinerary on thai.com, the first operating carrier).

However when I feed my USDM PNR into the ua.com check booking the flight appears as per normal with the rest of the itinerary.

Is this any issue? Do I need to call UA to double check its all okay? I've always thought its far more important that the operating carrier confirms your booking than anyone else?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So I've just noticed with one of my upcoming *A USDM bookings that one flight (UA) has dropped off the checkmytrip.com itinerary (and the manage my itinerary on thai.com, the first operating carrier).

However when I feed my USDM PNR into the ua.com check booking the flight appears as per normal with the rest of the itinerary.

Is this any issue? Do I need to call UA to double check its all okay? I've always thought its far more important that the operating carrier confirms your booking than anyone else?

you need to double check with united - easily done by bringing up your booking on UA.com

If the segment isn't there, it is a problem. Last time this happened to me it was because of a schedule change and the flight reappeared once USDM had revalidated.

USDM will show the itinerary whether it is ticket or not. Not worth counting on to assume you have a confirmed booking good for travel.

 

[smit0847]

you need to double check with united - easily done by bringing up your booking on UA.com

If the segment isn't there, it is a problem. Last time this happened to me it was because of a schedule change and the flight reappeared once USDM had revalidated.

USDM will show the itinerary whether it is ticket or not. Not worth counting on to assume you have a confirmed booking good for travel.

Ahh yes, I can see whats happened - the UA flight time has changed and it is now arriving 5 minutes earlier (same departure time and flight no/date etc). The booking is validly appearing on ua.com - is this sufficient or do I need to call UA? I don't need to have USDM revalidate if UA confirm it do I?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ahh yes, I can see whats happened - the UA flight time has changed and it is now arriving 5 minutes earlier (same departure time and flight no/date etc). The booking is validly appearing on ua.com - is this sufficient or do I need to call UA? I don't need to have USDM revalidate if UA confirm it do I?

you need to involve USDM. They are in control of the ticket and must ensure it is valid in order for UA to get paid. If USDM is asking you to accept changes you should do so. otherwise contact USDM and have them do whatever they need to do so all the segments appear everywhere correctly.

 

[jspeedinc]

Booked successfully but it's not showing any included baggage in the reservation. Is there actually no luggage included, or if there is, how do I check how much is included?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Booked successfully but it's not showing any included baggage in the reservation. Is there actually no luggage included, or if there is, how do I check how much is included?

It is common for baggage allowance to not show.

Refer to the baggage allowance pages for the operating airline and assume their baggage allowance applies for your flight and class of service.

Flights for travel wholly within the USA (not part of an international ticket) may not qualify for free baggage allowances if they are in economy class.

 

[waver99]

Hi guys,

Long time lurker, and wanted to ask a question. Does anyone know if booking to/from GUM/ROR is still possible from Per? I can't even seem to find ROR award destination in JMB's system.

TIA.

Cheers.

 

[netgrom]

JAL fly there from KIX and NRT, so in theory it is possible however I think the problem now will be the MPM as they are now enforcing it more then they were.

Hi guys,

Long time lurker, and wanted to ask a question. Does anyone know if booking to/from GUM/ROR is still possible from Per? I can't even seem to find ROR award destination in JMB's system.

TIA.

Cheers.

 

[hummel]

indeed! I'd forgotten about awardtravlr!!

i think the message out of my call to USDM tonight is not to be put off if JL isn't showing award space. JL showed a total of 1 F seat on CX available over a whole week from HKG to LAX. QF/BA showed 10 or so. USDM could see what QF/BA did.

Oh tell me about it! I currently have Lifemiles, BA and JAL open... it's looking like I might actually book a Y fare to CAN! Could do with the SC's at least.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh tell me about it! I currently have Lifemiles, BA and JAL open... it's looking like I might actually book a Y fare to CAN! Could do with the SC's at least.

the JAL booking engine makes Qantas' one seem so helpful and easy to use

 

[hummel]

the JAL booking engine makes Qantas' one seem so helpful and easy to use

Ain't that the truth! You know I wouldn't be bothered so much.. If it gave me some availability! I've tried Australia(all cities)-HKG-CAN on Oct 12/13th with nothing. Zilch. Nada.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Ain't that the truth! You know I wouldn't be bothered so much.. If it gave me some availability! I've tried Australia(all cities)-HKG-CAN on Oct 12/13th with nothing. Zilch. Nada.

Nothing on Air China via Beijing or Shanghai? They are still a partner

 

[hummel]

Nothing on Air China via Beijing or Shanghai? They are still a partner

I tried looking through LM and couldn't get anyway. Will have a look through United! Cheers

 

[anat0l]

I tried looking through LM and couldn't get anyway. Will have a look through United! Cheers

United (or ANA) is a better idea. LM can't fish everything in *A especially since you can string an itinerary together in US DM that you can't in LM.