US to exit STAR 30th March & join ONEWORLD 31st

[dk4]

I think that this info really needs its own thread.

US Airways | Welcome

On March 31, 2014, we plan to join the oneworld® alliance. In the meantime, we’ll remain a member of Star Alliance, and you’ll continue to receive all your benefits when traveling with Star Alliance partner airlines.

Loyalty Program Page

• We’ll be exiting Star Alliance on March 30, 2014. You’ll be able to earn and redeem miles on Star Alliance carriers until that date. Any existing reservations for travel on a codeshare flight with a Star Alliance partner after March 30, 2014 are safe, however, you’ll be rebooked with a new flight number from the carrier operating the flight and you’ll no longer earn miles or receive Star Alliance Gold or Silver benefits.

• We will no longer offer codeshare flights for sale with United Airlines after December 9, 2013 and with Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa and SWISS after our exit from Star Alliance on March 30, 2014. Any existing reservations are safe, but you will not earn miles for flights on these carriers after March 30, 2014.

• We plan to continue relationships with the following airlines, which means you’ll be able to earn miles on these select partners even after we’ve exited Star Alliance: Aegean, Air China, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Ethiopian Airlines, Eva, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM, TAP and Turkish Airways.

Through our membership with oneworld, we’re also working to integrate into American’s joint business agreements with British Airways, Iberia and Finnair

 

[smit0847]

All I care about right now is that for the next 3 months you can use DMs to book *A flights as normal.

I think there are going to be some very disappointed people when the full merger is completed expecting to be able to get away with murder on OW itineraries like we have with *A itineraries.

 

[BAM1748]

All I care about right now is that for the next 3 months you can use DMs to book *A flights as normal.

I think there are going to be some very disappointed people when the full merger is completed expecting to be able to get away with murder on OW itineraries like we have with *A itineraries.

Some disappointed people, but I'm happy with this.

Matt

 

[burmans]

All I care about right now is that for the next 3 months you can use DMs to book *A flights as normal.

I think there are going to be some very disappointed people when the full merger is completed expecting to be able to get away with murder on OW itineraries like we have with *A itineraries.

Yes, possibly describes me but AA not all bad. There are plenty here to suggest AA has some advantages.

 

[hummel]

Yes, possibly describes me but AA not all bad. There are plenty here to suggest AA has some advantages.

If the AA chart stays the same (unlikely however) there appears to be good domestic awards as far as I can see. I'm not AA expert though...

I'll be booking another GUM trip if I can.

 

[samh004]

Interesting they'll be working with BA/Iberia and Finnair, but not Qantas...

 

[diningdecadence]

so travel would have to be completed 30th March if booking on codeshare partners? (e.g. TG)

or just the first leg needs to be started by then?

 

[hummel]

so travel would have to be completed 30th March if booking on codeshare partners? (e.g. TG)

or just the first leg needs to be started by then?

I think bookings can be made up until 30th march on *A. So in theory February/March 2015 will be the last time you'll use your USDM.

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah i think the codeshare thing relates more to flying on *A airlines but getting the benefits for status accumulation and points in US's program and all as if your flying on US airways... It doesn't have anything to do with redeeming USDMs which you don't have to do on US codeshares but just on any *A flight, so yes hopefully that means redemptions still available up to Feb 2015...

I might have to do a couple of GUM trips, but i think once the miles go to AA i will be looking at the Explorer fares which hopefully should offer similar flexibility to USDM and like booking a OW 140k award with QF, where you can really choose your routes and more stops as long as you stay under the mileage limits... Hopefully also they might not have their amount of miles required 'enhanced' like AA's normal partner chart might do as all the new USDM members and their miles flood into their program as some of those explorer categories (eg 15k-35k mile redemption is 140,000 miles on AA) seems to be pretty similar across OW airlines (QF is 140k QF points)...

That's what i'm thinking/hoping with AA anyway...

 

[smit0847]

I might have to do a couple of GUM trips

I'm thinking there is going to be a mad rush to do so by a lot of people!

 

[casanovawa]

I better get on the phone then...

 

[LuisT]

opefully also they might not have their amount of miles required 'enhanced' like AA's normal partner chart might do as all the new USDM members and their miles flood into their program as some of those explorer categories (eg 15k-35k mile redemption is 140,000 miles on AA) seems to be pretty similar across OW airlines (QF is 140k QF points)...

Is there a link to an updated award chart? I can't find a 15k-35k mile award...

 

[legroom]

I think bookings can be made up until 30th march on *A. So in theory February/March 2015 will be the last time you'll use your USDM.

Australia Day long weekend 26th Jan 2015

Chinese New Year is on 19 Feb 2015

Just a reason, any reason, really...

 

[casanovawa]

Sorry, here's the chart, 25k-35k...

oneworld Airlines Award Chart

 

[LuisT]

Sorry, here's the chart, 25k-35k...

oneworld Airlines Award Chart

Thanks. Should have worked that out but was thinking you meant business so was looking for a 140k award in J!

 

[casanovawa]

If only..

Anyway as i said, lets hope the mile amounts on this chart stay the same even if the one way award prices go up in miles required... I have 200k USDMs that hopefully will tick over into 200k AA miles, so with another 20k miles to be gotten i am thinking of a 50k mile J redemption in 2015...

 

[anat0l]

I think there are going to be some very disappointed people when the full merger is completed expecting to be able to get away with murder on OW itineraries like we have with *A itineraries.

The people who knew you could get away with murder on US DM should well and truly be in the know of the more restricted options once they have to switch over to AA.

Disappointed? Well, can't get away from that - we won't see days like these again, until the next "consolidator" steps up. No one should be angry, or feel they've had the rug pulled from under them, however (we'll leave some of that for any post-merger quirks).

Certainly, for the people I know of who aren't necessarily in the know and I've told about the miles, I've let them know that a state of transition is afoot.

Anyway, there are a few gems for AA but overall not as generous as US DM. Yes there will be no more GUM trips. oneworld Explorer awards provide some interesting options, however.

You might find this thread useful: www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/...cost-aawards-cash-indicative-guide-55732.html

 

[casanovawa]

Think what the poor old hoteliers on GUM must be thinking right now...

 

[anat0l]

Think what the poor old hoteliers on GUM must be thinking right now...

Not much. Probably why there's a few more Australians passing through than usual, but that's all. (Keep in mind that the "GUM trick" really only was for the benefit of those who lived in the South Pacific; unlike many tricks published where the bloggers are very US-centric. I doubt there are a huge number of us wheeling the trick through its paces, unlike say those mistake fare sagas you hear a lot about - e.g. RGN).

You'd think that the defence contracts are keeping them in good stead anyway.

 

[smit0847]

Not much. Probably why there's a few more Australians passing through than usual, but that's all. (Keep in mind that the "GUM trick" really only was for the benefit of those who lived in the South Pacific; unlike many tricks published where the bloggers are very US-centric. I doubt there are a huge number of us wheeling the trick through its paces, unlike say those mistake fare sagas you hear a lot about - e.g. RGN).

You'd think that the defence contracts are keeping them in good stead anyway.

Accomodation is very cheap in GUM anway IMO. I think there may be some immigration officials who find it quite odd about how many Australians come to Guam for just a night or two!

This sweet spot has been around for years though hasn't it? It's only been in the last 12 months that people on this board have really started to really see how far the envelope could be pushed that is suddenly became such an irresistible offer. I guess the first few free stopovers made it even more interesting.

For me, I never really investigated it until I read this:
Star Alliance Award Bookings Using US Airways Miles - FAQ and Help Thread [MERGED] - Page 949 - FlyerTalk Forums

I managed to book a MEL-AKL(NZ)-SIN(SQ)-KIX(SQ)-GUM(UA) and returning GUM-NRT(UA)-PVG(NH)-AKL(NZ)-MEL(NZ).
My question is about baggage allowance: Is GUM considered a part of the United States, such that the baggage allowance for the entire trip follows the allowance set by NZ, which is the first carrier to start off my trip? I have a 20h layover in SIN where I will be taking out my baggage and re-checking them in, though I'm not sure if I can check in more, because I checked SQ's policy and they only allow 30kg for J pax (compared to 3 x 23kg bags for Air NZ J pax).

and thought 'if he can book this, I wonder what I can book!