US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[travelislife]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Registered with KVS and spent the day searching for avail and calling US Airways. Have managed to put the outbound flight on hold : MEL-PER-HK-DXB-LHR-MXP. Not the most direct route but all we could come up with for that time of the year. I'm hoping that by the time I call them back in about 2 days time I can improve on the outbound itinerary and book a 'less complicated' return flight.

New question: How can I stop EK and QR availability from coming up in my OW search results on KVS?

Why do you want to avoid QR? I would have thought they would be a decent option from PER.

 

[KVS]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

For sure I understand that, I was under the impression the user was searching for OW space which EK is not part of.

The Method that the OP is using additionally supports certain non-OneWorld carriers.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

The Method that the OP is using additionally supports certain non-OneWorld carriers.

which is quite useless as you can't use non-OW airlines for US DM redemptions unless they are a partner (like Air China and some others). Certainly not EK
the OP was probably using QF method which offers all these EK flights - good for QF FF redemptions but completely useless for US DM ones

 

[bismarck]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

which is quite useless as you can't use non-OW airlines for US DM redemptions unless they are a partner (like Air China and some others). Certainly not EK
the OP was probably using QF method which offers all these EK flights - good for QF FF redemptions but completely useless for US DM ones

Geez....how hard is it to just filter out the non-relevant options for the particular purchasing method adopted.

I, for one, would rather (and am happy that) KVS shows all possible options that I can then filter as relevant to the FF program I'm going to use to purchase the ticket. It's clearly a (paid!) advanced tool that is not targeted at Joe Public. I think it's reasonable to expect the user to engage their grey matter to work out which flights will be able to be purchased with which program. The FAQ on the website is pretty extensive.

 

[Sheenaec7]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Not sure why I put QR in my post. I was a bit brain-addled from searches at the time.
I'm now going to see if I can improve in the 5-leg trip I've got on hold at the moment.

Not really familiar with KVS but why would EK display when they're not even part of an alliance.. I could understand QR but not EK.

 

[Flashback]

You can't mix USDM partner airlines with OW itineraries though.

 

[Sheenaec7]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Does anyone know how many USDM are needed for a rtn DWR-MEL? From the awards chart I'm guessing it could be Y: 25k C: 30k & F: 40k ??? I'm trying to arrange something for my sister who needs to come down several times a year to see our ageing mum and it's costing a fortune.

 

[bcworld]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Does anyone know how many USDM are needed for a rtn DWR-MEL? From the awards chart I'm guessing it could be Y: 25k C: 30k & F: 40k ???

DRW? Yes, as per what the award chart says...obviously there is no F option.

You might also consider the BA Avios program for QF domestic flights...although the annual purchase limits will be limiting for this route.

 

[casanovawa]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

AAdvantage would also be 10k per trip...

 

[Sheenaec7]

Re: US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

Excellent thanks! That's beats the usual Y ticket at anywhere from $600 - $1000 (like her current trip).

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Just their business class is such a huge step down from F, and has deteriorated somewhat over the last few years.

Currently ensconced in TG F Lounge at BKK - lounge very good - as for TG J product - my god what a disappointment.

Food is certainly better on SQ...but if amenity kits concern you, well there is none in SQ J! I think TG do some OK kits in terms of them being reusable for whatever...they're always changing though. No pjs on either in J...in common with most airlines. Flying TG J is not a hardship...we might've gotten a bit bored of it because it's always available and often it's the only option but I have very few complaints about it.

Food was inedible - PH champers warm and in tiny glasses - coffee undrinkable - tidy Porsche Design amenity kit - won't be rushing back to TG J in a hurry though - that sloping seat just bearable - daytime flt only salvation - would be impossible to sleep on.

But to be fair - the pick-up and transfer to F Lounge is a GREAT feature - I am searching for other positives but coming up short - disembarking on tarmac and bussing just does not cut it either - but maybe I am too harsh. this is my first journey via the USDM path - if I had my time again I would ignore this process - but it is what it is - Mumm in F Lounge going down a treat - its as cold as a MILK and in full size glasses - so life is not all bad.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Currently ensconced in TG F Lounge at BKK - lounge very good - as for TG J product - my god what a disappointment.Food was inedible - PH champers warm and in tiny glasses - coffee undrinkable - tidy Porsche Design amenity kit - won't be rushing back to TG J in a hurry though - that sloping seat just bearable - daytime flt only salvation - would be impossible to sleep on.

yeah

on flights with no F I skip the meal, take the business class blanket and pillows and set myself up on a three seater in economy (the crew snag them for me before takeoff). At least then it's possible to sleep most of the flight.

 

[Kangol]

But to be fair - the pick-up and transfer to F Lounge is a GREAT feature - I am searching for other positives but coming up short - disembarking on tarmac and bussing just does not cut it either - but maybe I am too harsh. this is my first journey via the USDM path - if I had my time again I would ignore this process - but it is what it is - Mumm in F Lounge going down a treat - its as cold as a MILK and in full size glasses - so life is not all bad.

Is Mumm the only champagne they have in the BKK F lounge?

 

[diningdecadence]

Currently ensconced in TG F Lounge at BKK - lounge very good - as for TG J product - my god what a disappointment.Food was inedible - PH champers warm and in tiny glasses - coffee undrinkable - tidy Porsche Design amenity kit - won't be rushing back to TG J in a hurry though - that sloping seat just bearable - daytime flt only salvation - would be impossible to sleep on.

But to be fair - the pick-up and transfer to F Lounge is a GREAT feature - I am searching for other positives but coming up short - disembarking on tarmac and bussing just does not cut it either - but maybe I am too harsh. this is my first journey via the USDM path - if I had my time again I would ignore this process - but it is what it is - Mumm in F Lounge going down a treat - its as cold as a MILK and in full size glasses - so life is not all bad.

thanks for the review cruiser! weird seeing you in here and not the SQ thread! let us know how the F flight was - hopefully a step up as we are doing similar in 2 weeks - SYD-BKK in J transferring to BKK-CDG in F.

sounds like i should start searching for an 8 hour transit tour of BKK - any recommendations out there? sounds like most that head into town go to a rooftop bar and then turn around and hit the lounge for a massage!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

thanks for the review cruiser! weird seeing you in here and not the SQ thread! let us know how the F flight was - hopefully a step up as we are doing similar in 2 weeks - SYD-BKK in J transferring to BKK-CDG in F.

sounds like i should start searching for an 8 hour transit tour of BKK - any recommendations out there? sounds like most that head into town go to a rooftop bar and then turn around and hit the lounge for a massage!

As an arriving F passenger you should be met with a buggy - that can take you fairly quickly through immigration and deliver you to the departures hall. From there I'd jump in a taxi to Vertigo (rooftop bar at the Banyan tree). Have a drink or two and head back to the airport for a shower and massage.

F is certainly a step up (several steps up) from business class. It is a true F class (albeit at the lower end) rather than TG's business class which is more like a top-end premium economy with a larger seat.

 

[hummel]

thanks for the review cruiser! weird seeing you in here and not the SQ thread! let us know how the F flight was - hopefully a step up as we are doing similar in 2 weeks - SYD-BKK in J transferring to BKK-CDG in F.

sounds like i should start searching for an 8 hour transit tour of BKK - any recommendations out there? sounds like most that head into town go to a rooftop bar and then turn around and hit the lounge for a massage!

If you've got 8hrs and it's a reasonable time during the day I'd jump on the skytrain and go into the city. I've done it with 6hr layover in the past and no worries.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Currently ensconced in TG F Lounge at BKK - lounge very good - as for TG J product - my god what a disappointment.Food was inedible - PH champers warm and in tiny glasses - coffee undrinkable - tidy Porsche Design amenity kit - won't be rushing back to TG J in a hurry though - that sloping seat just bearable - daytime flt only salvation - would be impossible to sleep on.

But to be fair - the pick-up and transfer to F Lounge is a GREAT feature - I am searching for other positives but coming up short - disembarking on tarmac and bussing just does not cut it either - but maybe I am too harsh. this is my first journey via the USDM path - if I had my time again I would ignore this process - but it is what it is - Mumm in F Lounge going down a treat - its as cold as a MILK and in full size glasses - so life is not all bad.

I concur.. but you can apply that to First as well.. lounge great but far to cold, food Syd/Cdg quite nice, retn Cdg/Syd food I agree inedible..I sent it back & said don't bother, a BIG step down from same flight last year.

also Kangol... Moet is served as well as Mumm.

 

[boomy]

But to be fair - the pick-up and transfer to F Lounge is a GREAT feature - I am searching for other positives but coming up short - disembarking on tarmac and bussing just does not cut it either - but maybe I am too harsh. this is my first journey via the USDM path - if I had my time again I would ignore this process - but it is what it is - Mumm in F Lounge going down a treat - its as cold as a MILK and in full size glasses - so life is not all bad.

I'm surprised you enjoyed the buggy ride so much, I found the 2 minutes ride to the transit area completely unnecessary. It's probably more practical to bypass the queues when leaving the terminal.
They also have some good spirits in the F lounge like Royal Salute and Hennessy XO.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm surprised you enjoyed the buggy ride so much, I found the 2 minutes ride to the transit area completely unnecessary. It's probably more practical to bypass the queues when leaving the terminal.
They also have some good spirits in the F lounge like Royal Salute and Hennessy XO.

Lucky it was a two minute buggy ride - I've had ones much longer when arriving at the end of some way out pier. I wouldn't want to have to walk it in a hurry.

 

[bcworld]

Lucky it was a two minute buggy ride - I've had ones much longer when arriving at the end of some way out pier. I wouldn't want to have to walk it in a hurry.

Yup...E concourse to lounge or immigration is a long haul!