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

[Flashback]

I've been having a look at the 2 award charts:
http://www.usairways.com/pv_obj_cac...8A75801A30000/filename/partnerawardtravel.pdf
http://www.aa.com/i18n/disclaimers/aadvantageAllPartnerChart.jsp

Now obviously this is different for me..... but unless I'm reading it incorrectly for me being based in London the sweet spots on USDM are Japan/Korea (80k in J, 100k in F) and the sweet spots on AA are Indian Sub-Continent/Middle East (60k in J, 80k in F). Most destinations are the same between programs (although F to SWP is 10k more, J is the same) apart from Asia. Asia is much cheaper in USDM.

Have I missed anything?

 

[smit0847]

So, what are everyones predictions as to what will happen to the DMs program on March 31?

I think 1 of 2 things will happen:
1. DMs can be used for OW flights with either the current AA award chart and rules or a new award chart and rules that are much more similar to the AA system than the current DM system.
2. DMs can be used for OW flights with the current DM award chart and rules.

While I would absolutely LOVE the second case to happen (hello GUM redemptions on CX!) I think the first scenario will occur. I would also expect a massive devaluation of both programs this year.

Surely they would need to give at least 30 days notice of a change?

 

[anat0l]

My prediction on March 31 (or 1 April) is, nothing will happen.

Except that you can't book Star Alliance redemptions any more.

US DM has outlined a set of airlines who they will have partner agreements with (a swathe of them *A carriers). You can likely earn and redeem with them, but the ability to burn with oneworld will not be on 1 April.

I could be wrong if we hear something from US DM in the next two or so weeks.

 

[Alanslegal]

I am guessing the same thing as well. However in addition to your comment "Except that you can't book Star Alliance redemptions any more" I will add that you won't be allowed to change existing bookings on *A [unlesss they are partners listed].

 

[anat0l]

Oneworld, Star Alliance and SkyTeam: who's signing up in 2014? - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

The above article says US Airways will "sign the dotted line on 31 March"... what that means tactically in terms of the frequent flyer programme mechanics is a whole different thing. It could be the official start of the integration process, or it could really mean that they officially enter the alliance on that day, of which the latter frequently means (from history) that on that day, you can start earning and burning (i.e. smit0847's theories).

 

[smit0847]

Ok, I was probably wildly ambitious that US would switch their systems overnight to be able to book OW flights from Day 1 of entering the alliance as an associate member!

Assuming they only allow their codeshares from March 31 from memory this includes the most important ones for Australians (TG, SQ, UA and OZ). I assume it also includes any non-*A partners they already codeshare with, but will it include any partners we currently cannot use DMs to book through? I know AA has all sorts of odd partners.

 

[bcworld]

Assuming they only allow their codeshares from March 31 from memory this includes the most important ones for Australians (TG, SQ, UA and OZ). I assume it also includes any non-*A partners they already codeshare with, but will it include any partners we currently cannot use DMs to book through? I know AA has all sorts of odd partners.

No...TG is NOT on the list, I think it once was and the list has changed subtly since the initial annoucement. BR used to be on there and I'm not sure it is any more.

Lack of TG combined with no *O would make miles almost useless for a time for someone here.

 

[Alanslegal]

No...TG is NOT on the list, I think it once was and the list has changed subtly since the initial annoucement. BR used to be on there and I'm not sure it as any more.

Lack of TG combined with no *O would make miles almost useless for a time for someone here.

The list of partners suck for anyone wishing to travel to/from Australia, well unless you are keen on Air China.

 

[Alanslegal]

Here's the list of US partners ...

Aegean, Air China, Air New Zealand, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM, TAP and Turkish Airways.

 

[bcworld]

Here's the list of US partners ...

Aegean, Air China, Air New Zealand, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM, TAP and Turkish Airways.

Which is different from what appeared in December...then it also listed Avianca, Ethiopian and Eva. It's fair to say the list might continue to change up until 31 March.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Here's the list of US partners ...

Aegean, Air China, Air New Zealand, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM, TAP and Turkish Airways.

So if I'm understanding this correctly...... these are the ONLY airlines we will be able to use?? No, really.?? That is going to make redemption really hard. I love to travel to Europe and just having these airlines to chose from is going to be tough.

 

[get me outta here]

So if I'm understanding this correctly...... these are the ONLY airlines we will be able to use?? No, really.?? That is going to make redemption really hard. I love to travel to Europe and just having these airlines to chose from is going to be tough.

Turkish Airlines may suit you well.

 

[legroom]

Which is different from what appeared in December...then it also listed Avianca, Ethiopian and Eva. It's fair to say the list might continue to change up until 31 March.

Seems you are already missing Ethiopian Airlines !

 

[casanovawa]

^^^^ That airline probably isn't one of the big losses!!!

But yes from Perth this will suck as without being able to book SQ further out than 14 days (perhaps PER still can be booked if its regional???) it seems about the only way to get out or in will be with South African Airways, which has a couple of routes on to South America, the US and up into Europe, but slim pickings... Hopefully SQ can still be used, but the loss of TG is really bad for PER...

I guess ANZ is also an option although they only ever seem to offer Y anymore...

 

[N860CR]

I've got a few bookings on US in May in Y... What do we think the chances of them matching AAs free baggage for OneWorld elites is? Also Star gold... But that won't work for much anymore.

 

[Alanslegal]

So if I'm understanding this correctly...... these are the ONLY airlines we will be able to use?? No, really.?? That is going to make redemption really hard. I love to travel to Europe and just having these airlines to chose from is going to be tough.

At this point in time, those partner airlines are what you can only use/redeem come 31/3/14. As there is still a bit over six weeks to that date, there might be some more updates from AA/US in the upcoming weeks, they might even announce that you could redeem on OW the 31/3 but who knows. Best to lock in some flights now and amend your bookings (with fee) if you find new favourable flights after 31/3.

 

[smit0847]

At this point in time, those partner airlines are what you can only use/redeem come 31/3/14. As there is still a bit over six weeks to that date, there might be some more updates from AA/US in the upcoming weeks, they might even announce that you could redeem on OW the 31/3 but who knows. Best to lock in some flights now and amend your bookings (with fee) if you find new favourable flights after 31/3.

There's never been a better time to redeem USDM miles IMO. The agents seem to care less and less about the rules the closer we get to US leaving *A (look at the GUM bookings as an example). Yes you may not be able to change it from March 31 depending on carrier but many people here are taking the plunge and booking while they know the deal, rules, etc and enjoying the benefits.

Changes to FF programs rarely make them better for passengers (aka enhancements).

 

[Robbi]

I could imagine that if they walked on, they might not have needed the assistance, but they were using the assistance when they didn't really need to use it, then others might not appreciate that. Others might see that those people were using assistance as a pre-boarding advantage.

Exactly what I was thinking! New ploy for priority boarding.

 

[beardoc]

Any idea on when we can start booking US Airways flights as part of an xONEx fare? I'm itching to get my next DONE5 booked as I'm flying in just over a month.

 

[samh004]

Any idea on when we can start booking US Airways flights as part of an xONEx fare? I'm itching to get my next DONE5 booked as I'm flying in just over a month.

I don't want to cause a loss of points but I'd imagine that with them joining on the 31st, Qantas will update their T&C to reflect that at the last minute and 31st would be the date going forward. Of course, pure speculation.