US Dividend Miles - Oneworld Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[bcworld]

Thanks bcworld and MEl_Traveller

If I understand correctly, this means that I must actually wait a little bit longer to ensure that I can book the connections otherwise it is not possible?

So in this scenario when I make my first call i would try to book the following flights:
Mel - HKG 23 May (339 days - real flight)
HKG - FRA - 24 May (340 days) -(real flight)
FRA - MAD - 24 May (340 days) - (real flight)

I'm still a bit confused about the return dummy booking. Would it look like this?
FRA - HKG - 23 May (339 days out)
HKG - MEL - 23 May (340 days)

All your flights must be in the correct date order, so your return booking cannot be before you arrived. You would have to book a FRA dep on 24/25 May and your HKG-MEL flight must depart AFTER your FRA-HKG flight arrives in HKG.

This means in practice you can't book anything at 340 days out, but a few days less.

 

[thehound]

Thanks bcworld and MEl_Traveller

If I understand correctly, this means that I must actually wait a little bit longer to ensure that I can book the connections otherwise it is not possible?

So in this scenario when I make my first call i would try to book the following flights:
Mel - HKG 23 May (339 days - real flight)
HKG - FRA - 24 May (340 days) -(real flight)
FRA - MAD - 24 May (340 days) - (real flight)

I'm still a bit confused about the return dummy booking. Would it look like this?
FRA - HKG - 23 May (339 days out)
HKG - MEL - 23 May (340 days)

Your return flights can't be on those dates since they're before your outbound flights. You'd either need to wait until you can book MAD-MEL from 25 May onwards, or just book MEL-MAD as a one way and then add the return legs later (I believe this might be harder).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks bcworld and MEl_Traveller

If I understand correctly, this means that I must actually wait a little bit longer to ensure that I can book the connections otherwise it is not possible?

So in this scenario when I make my first call i would try to book the following flights:
Mel - HKG 23 May (339 days - real flight)
HKG - FRA - 24 May (340 days) -(real flight)
FRA - MAD - 24 May (340 days) - (real flight)

I'm still a bit confused about the return dummy booking. Would it look like this?
FRA - HKG - 23 May (339 days out)
HKG - MEL - 24 May (340 days)

There is no actual thing as a 'dummy' booking as far as airlines or computer reservations systems are concerned.

Think of it just like a real booking... would any airline allow you to book your return flights before you had arrived? Would any airline allow you to make a booking where your connection left before the inbound? Or allow you a booking where it doesn't meet minimum connecting times to make a transfer?

Just think of it in those terms and then construct your booking accordingly

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

This means in practice you can't book anything at 340 days out, but a few days less.

Thanks bcworld, I get it now

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Just think of it in those terms and then construct your booking accordingly

Wonderful thanks MEL_Traveller, will do. That makes sense now, I was getting confused about how the 'dummy' booking would work

 

[serfty]

I read the link but didn't see the reference to the 'fiddle' you mentioned.

That sounds like an FT-style answer. I thought we were proud that we did not have the secretive and unwelcoming traits for which FT is often criticised.

I don't know the answer - I used the term inference rather than reference - the inference was by poster Guy Betsy on that FT thread I linked to - they are a Travel Agent.

 

[Beta4Me]

I don't know the answer - I used the term inference rather than reference - the inference was by poster Guy Betsy on that FT thread I linked to - they are a Travel Agent.

That's fine, but you could have said that first time round You sounded pretty narky before...

 

[sergeyvzn]

I'm pretty sure that with US Airways you can book 335 days out, not 340 days out...am I wrong?

 

[serfty]

That's fine, but you could have said that first time round You sounded pretty narky before...

Terse is a better word - the perils of posting from small devices ...

 

[dexter_jambles]

Hi everyone,

After reading up on USDM I took the plunge for the first time on the previous 100% purchase bonus & will likely top up further with the current share promo.

So as I'm now theorizing my preferred itinerary for a North America/Africa return trip in J for 120-130K, I thought I'd run it past AFF before I take on the US call centre.

Itinerary is:

MEL-SYD-JNB(QF)/JNB-DKR-JFK(SA)-MIA-SJU(AA)/SJU-MIA-DFW(AA)-DFW-MEL(QF in Y)

I previously had LAX-NAN-MEL on FJ but I realized they aren't partnered with US so couldn't use them (right?).

Total miles clocks in at ~39.5k vs 32.5k if I did the most direct flights. Checked availability & seems like there are seats for these destinations around the dates I'm after.

Any chance?

 

[sergeyvzn]

Hi everyone,

After reading up on USDM I took the plunge for the first time on the previous 100% purchase bonus & will likely top up further with the current share promo.

So as I'm now theorizing my preferred itinerary for a North America/Africa return trip in J for 120-130K, I thought I'd run it past AFF before I take on the US call centre.

Itinerary is:

MEL-SYD-JNB(QF)/JNB-DKR-JFK(SA)-MIA-SJU(AA)/SJU-MIA-DFW(AA)-DFW-MEL(QF in Y)

I previously had LAX-NAN-MEL on FJ but I realized they aren't partnered with US so couldn't use them (right?).

Total miles clocks in at ~39.5k vs 32.5k if I did the most direct flights. Checked availability & seems like there are seats for these destinations around the dates I'm after.

Any chance?

No chance
you can't mix OneWorld airlines with a non-OneWorld airline (in your case South African) in one booking. You could go from JNB to MIA with Qatar via Doha though

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi everyone,

After reading up on USDM I took the plunge for the first time on the previous 100% purchase bonus & will likely top up further with the current share promo.

So as I'm now theorizing my preferred itinerary for a North America/Africa return trip in J for 120-130K, I thought I'd run it past AFF before I take on the US call centre.

Itinerary is:

MEL-SYD-JNB(QF)/JNB-DKR-JFK(SA)-MIA-SJU(AA)/SJU-MIA-DFW(AA)-DFW-MEL(QF in Y)

I previously had LAX-NAN-MEL on FJ but I realized they aren't partnered with US so couldn't use them (right?).

Total miles clocks in at ~39.5k vs 32.5k if I did the most direct flights. Checked availability & seems like there are seats for these destinations around the dates I'm after.

Any chance?

No chance
you can't mix OneWorld airlines with a non-OneWorld airline (in your case South African) in one booking. You could go from JNB to MIA with Qatar via Doha though

i have strong doubts about this working.

in addition to not being able to mix oneworld and star, I don't think a stopover in JNB would be allowed on the way to SJU (especially via JFK and MIA). it's not really being on the most direct routing. I would also want to check MPM for a routing via JNB, JFK and MIA.

 

[dexter_jambles]

No chance
you can't mix OneWorld airlines with a non-OneWorld airline (in your case South African) in one booking. You could go from JNB to MIA with Qatar via Doha though

Even in SA is a partner of US but not part of OW?

 

[anat0l]

Even in SA is a partner of US but not part of OW?

Correct: you can't mix Star Alliance and oneworld partners in the same booking. That is not allowed.

 

[dexter_jambles]

I don't think a stopover in JNB would be allowed on the way to SJU (especially via JFK and MIA). it's not really being on the most direct routing. I would also want to check MPM for a routing via JNB, JFK and MIA.

Ah, i was going by staying within the MPM (which this itinerary was already a bit over). So routing has to be the most direct & only stop overs within that direct route are permitted?

Back to the drawing board

Correct: you can't mix Star Alliance and oneworld partners in the same booking. That is not allowed.

Righto. Thanks!

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

I am wanting to book some flights and I’m not exactly sure if some of my routing choices would be allowed.

I have been looking at past booking and I have seen the various choices that people have booked using various stop overs and destinations

Can you please let me know if these options would be ok

Option 1
Melb – Syd – HKG – FRA – MAD – EAS (stop over) EAS – VIE (destination) //
FRA – HGK – Melb

Option 2
Melb – Syd – HGK – MXP – MAD – EAS//
VIE – FRA – HGK – MELB

 

[sergeyvzn]

I am wanting to book some flights and I’m not exactly sure if some of my routing choices would be allowed.

I have been looking at past booking and I have seen the various choices that people have booked using various stop overs and destinations

Can you please let me know if these options would be ok

Option 1
Melb – Syd – HKG – FRA – MAD – EAS (stop over) EAS – VIE (destination) //
FRA – HGK – Melb

Option 2
Melb – Syd – HGK – MXP – MAD – EAS//
VIE – FRA – HGK – MELB

The second option looks better. Agents don't like backtracking within the same zone like you'd like to do in your option 1 going from San Sebastián to Vienna. Your option 2 also has backtracking from Vienna to Frankfurt but it's minor so likely to be overlooked. Are you going to fly Niki between Vienna and Frankfurt?

also, are you aware you are going to 1) pay YQ surcharges on your Iberia flights; 2) the Iberia flights are well known to be a problem as they auto cancel within 24 hours due to a US Airways software glitch? Better avoid Iberia if you can

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

The second option looks better. Agents don't like backtracking within the same zone like you'd like to do in your option 1 going from San Sebastián to Vienna. Your option 2 also has backtracking from Vienna to Frankfurt but it's minor so likely to be overlooked. Are you going to fly Niki between Vienna and Frankfurt?

also, are you aware you are going to 1) pay YQ surcharges on your Iberia flights; 2) the Iberia flights are well known to be a problem as they auto cancel within 24 hours due to a US Airways software glitch? Better avoid Iberia if you can

Thanks sergeyvzn, oh yes, I forgot all about the back tracking thing.

I have read that I will be charged YQ for the Iberia flights (not a big problem as long as its only for that flight and not the whole route). The other problem with the computer glitch is a major problem!! I have read in here that the Iberia flights were getting cancelled but I thought there was some work around for that?? I'm not exactly sure what it was.

The flight between Vienna and Frankfurt will be Niki.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Thanks sergeyvzn, oh yes, I forgot all about the back tracking thing.

I have read that I will be charged YQ for the Iberia flights (not a big problem as long as its only for that flight and not the whole route). The other problem with the computer glitch is a major problem!! I have read in here that the Iberia flights were getting cancelled but I thought there was some work around for that?? I'm not exactly sure what it was.

The flight between Vienna and Frankfurt will be Niki.

some people seem to have been able to pull off some backtracking so it's very much a matter of luck with an agent

at the moment there's no workaround the Iberia auto cancellation glitch, you can find more info on it here:
Oneworld Award Bookings Using US Dividend Miles [Master FAQ and Help Thread] - FlyerTalk Forums

 

[sergeyvzn]

Also, I've just realized that your option 1 is no good due to at least 2 other reasons:
- you can't stopover within the same zone
- you can only stopover in a OneWorld hub or a US Airways overseas destination which San Sabastian is neither