US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[coolkid101]

Does anyone have experience with JAL's search engine showing phantom avails on Cathay? I'm looking at LAX-HKG on CX F at the end of May and on most dates there are at least a couple of seats available according to JAL. However the USDM agents (HUACA twice) couldn't see anything at all. In fact they could barely find any J seats even.

JAL should usually be very accurate with CX seats. any luck cross checking on BA or QF websites?

 

[st4ff]

JAL should usually be very accurate with CX seats. any luck cross checking on BA or QF websites?

That's what I thought as well.

QF and BA show nothing in F, while JL is displaying seats nearly every day at the end of May. Seems like the USDM inventory is aligned with BA/QF on this one. Tried three different agents, too.

 

[noviceFF]

I'm trying to book a flight from Syd-Seoul in J. I can see the availability on CX via Qantas search engine but it seems the return leg isn't showing up on their system (USDM) even though I can book it online via Qantas. Is this common? And what are my options?? Wait for another night?? I've tried the HUACA (and am super nice, although it's 1am now).. I could do Syd-HKG then HKG-SEO separately but the taxes add up a bit...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm trying to book a flight from Syd-Seoul in J. I can see the availability on CX via Qantas search engine but it seems the return leg isn't showing up on their system (USDM) even though I can book it online via Qantas. Is this common? And what are my options?? Wait for another night?? I've tried the HUACA (and am super nice, although it's 1am now).. I could do Syd-HKG then HKG-SEO separately but the taxes add up a bit...

can you actually ticket on the QF website? otherwise it may be phantom.

if usdm can't see it, call back tomorrow and try again. if nothing, there's not a lot you can do. USDM can only book what they can see, and this isn't one of the 'exceptions' (such as opening an extra screen etc)

finally, I'm assuming you mean booking to/from seoul via Hong Kong each way? the non-stop SYD-seoul will not be bookable via USDM as its a code share with asiana.

flying via Hkg shouldn't add too much to taxes, and there's no fuel surcharges.

 

[noviceFF]

can you actually ticket on the QF website? otherwise it may be phantom.

if usdm can't see it, call back tomorrow and try again. if nothing, there's not a lot you can do. USDM can only book what they can see, and this isn't one of the 'exceptions' (such as opening an extra screen etc)

finally, I'm assuming you mean booking to/from seoul via Hong Kong each way? the non-stop SYD-seoul will not be bookable via USDM as its a code share with asiana.

flying via Hkg shouldn't add too much to taxes, and there's no fuel surcharges.

Thx for the prompt reply (Mel_Traveller), you seem to be my AFF mentor

Yup, I mean, Syd to SEO (via HKG).

When you say ticket via Qantas, I get to the point where it tells me my points required plus taxes needed but haven't proceeded with further (i.e. passenger details and payment), doe that mean it's ticketed?? Actually, while in the last 1-2 hours of been on the phone with them, that award flight seems to appear/disappear intermittently.

When I was talking about taxes. I meant booking separately Syd-HKG via Qantas then HKG-SEO via USDM. Although I think Syd-Seo via USDM will incur about half to a third of taxes, right?

 

[noviceFF]

Btw-What seems to be most reliable search tool for CX award flights? BA, Qantas, JAL or another?? I've got complimentary Nexus for now, is that the most reliable??

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thx for the prompt reply (Mel_Traveller), you seem to be my AFF mentor

Yup, I mean, Syd to SEO (via HKG).

When you say ticket via Qantas, I get to the point where it tells me my points required plus taxes needed but haven't proceeded with further (i.e. passenger details and payment), doe that mean it's ticketed?? Actually, while in the last 1-2 hours of been on the phone with them, that award flight seems to appear/disappear intermittently.

When I was talking about taxes. I meant booking separately Syd-HKG via Qantas then HKG-SEO via USDM. Although I think Syd-Seo via USDM will incur about half to a third of taxes, right?

With Qantas, and phantom availability, it's not until you have clicked 'pay now' (or whatever it is) and it tried to actually ticket that an error will result. You then call the call centre and they tell you the seats aren't actually there.

Booking separately SYD-HKG and HKG-ICN with two different programs would seem a poor-value redemption. If you have lifemiles, they often have SYD-ICN available on the non-stop asiana flight (which would cost about $1500 all up for the miles).

Btw-What seems to be most reliable search tool for CX award flights? BA, Qantas, JAL or another?? I've got complimentary Nexus for now, is that the most reliable??

There is no single free tool that is 100% accurate. BA/QF will occasionally show phantom availability. JL will occasionally show nothing where seats might be there.

USDM is the final source.

 

[st4ff]

USDM is the final source.

Since JAL has been accurate in the past, do you think there's a possibility CX are releasing space to JAL that some other OW carriers don't have access to?

 

[KVS]

USDM is the final source.

Actually, CX's response to a Long-Sell request is:
http://Help.KVSTool.com/#AgentSaysNo

Since JAL has been accurate in the past, do you think there's a possibility CX are releasing space to JAL that some other OW carriers don't have access to?

There is currently no Partner Award Availability on that flight (at least using a US POS):

[KVS Tool 7.7.4/Diamond - Awards/JL-OneWorld/US]

LAX  Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
HKG  Hong Kong Chek Lap Kok Intl HK [VHHH]
THU  28 May 2015

Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Award Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  ------------------
CX         881     LAX   01:00     HKG   06:45 +1  77W  0   FS0  CS0  YS0
CX         897     LAX   09:40     HKG   15:25 +1  77W  0   FS0  CS0  YS4
CX         885     LAX   13:00     HKG   18:55 +1  77W  0   FS0  CS0  YS0
CX         883     LAX   23:55     HKG   05:45 +2  77W  0   FS0  CS0  YS0

 

[sergeyvzn]

Calling for collective wisdom:

Has anyone been successful in linking two bookings?

Planning to do SYD-PER-SYD in conjunction with PER-JNB-GRU-JNB-PER

I know that these are different alliances etc and generally bookings can't be linked, however some agent are brilliant and do things for you that are not allowed by the rules - do I stand a chance or should just forget about it?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Calling for collective wisdom:

Has anyone been successful in linking two bookings?

Planning to do SYD-PER-SYD in conjunction with PER-JNB-GRU-JNB-PER

I know that these are different alliances etc and generally bookings can't be linked, however some agent are brilliant and do things for you that are not allowed by the rules - do I stand a chance or should just forget about it?

you may be able to 'link' the booking through a reference in each of the PNRs. It won't make much of a difference to anything other than agents will be able to see the other itinerary (if they look for it). If separate alliances, QF won't through check bags - even if they are linked PNRs. Needs to be the same PNR.

Linking in itself won't protect you in the event of a missed connection.

 

[sergeyvzn]

you can 'link' the booking through a reference in each of the PNRs. It won't make much of a difference to anything other than agents will be able to see the other itinerary (if they look for it). If separate alliances, QF won't through check bags - even if they are linked PNRs. Needs to be the same PNR.

Linking in itself won't protect you in the event of a missed connection.

Thanks for that!
I thought it would be something like it. I'll have to build in a bit of buffer time between the flights then to avoid any issues

 

[Swan]

Is there any information available in relation to the current South African Airways arrangement when the awards merger is completed.?

 

[smit0847]

you may be able to 'link' the booking through a reference in each of the PNRs. It won't make much of a difference to anything other than agents will be able to see the other itinerary (if they look for it). If separate alliances, QF won't through check bags - even if they are linked PNRs. Needs to be the same PNR.

Linking in itself won't protect you in the event of a missed connection.

What about linking two separate USDM itineraries on the same airline (ie JL to JL)? I'm thinking of nestling one into the other and don't want to have to allow for delays if I can be protected in any way.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

What about linking two separate USDM itineraries on the same airline (ie JL to JL)? I'm thinking of nestling one into the other and don't want to have to allow for delays if I can be protected in any way.

separate tickets rarely afford protection. AA is a notable exception, they will protect you even on separate tickets. There may be others, but you'd have to look at the policy of the individual airlines.

Linking the tickets won't necessarily offer that protection, it will be down to the airline policy somewhere (if it exists).

That being said... where you have the same airline proving the inbound and outbound service, they'd have a hard time denying you some sort of protection in the event the inbound was delayed due to factors within their control. If it was a mechanical, or crew issue, I'd expect them to look after me. This might mean releasing a revenue seat for your award seat.

But outside their control (weather, ATC) you won't have anywhere near as good a leg to stand on. They might allow you to rebook for example... but it might not be on the next service, or even the same day. And no accommodation (although your insurance will cover that).

In either scenario, if you have other airlines on the ticket, they may have auto-cancelled their flights due to no-show.

 

[noviceFF]

Thanks again @Mel_Traveller.

I'm a bit unfamiliar with some of the terms so excuse me if I seem like a "chump" but I was considering doing an open jaw booking Syd-Seo-Adl as HKG-Adl seems to have more availability. Would I be able to have a stop over in HKG if I had an open jaw booking?

 

[anat0l]

Thanks again @Mel_Traveller.

I'm a bit unfamiliar with some of the terms so excuse me if I seem like a "chump" but I was considering doing an open jaw booking Syd-Seo-Adl as HKG-Adl seems to have more availability. Would I be able to have a stop over in HKG if I had an open jaw booking?

No - you may choose to have either an en route stopover (24 hours or greater) or an open jaw itinerary. You can't have both.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

I'm just wondering if it is possible to use an airport lounge if I have flown in to (CDG) but I am going to be flying out not using a one world carrier? I have booked a cheapie flight from CDG but I have a 6 hour wait and I would like to use the lounge. Can i use it on the same day that i have flown in on the Qatar flight even though the next outbound is not a one world?

 

[anat0l]

I'm just wondering if it is possible to use an airport lounge if I have flown in to (CDG) but I am going to be flying out not using a one world carrier? I have booked a cheapie flight from CDG but I have a 6 hour wait and I would like to use the lounge. Can i use it on the same day that i have flown in on the Qatar flight even though the next outbound is not a one world?

The strict oneworld rules say that your onward flight must be oneworld for you to be able to gain entry. Frequent travellers of certain airlines may have different entitlements to airline lounges operated by that airline.

Try if you want, but be prepared for a negative response.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

The strict oneworld rules say that your onward flight must be oneworld for you to be able to gain entry. Frequent travellers of certain airlines may have different entitlements to airline lounges operated by that airline.

Try if you want, but be prepared for a negative response.

Thanks anat01. I will give it a go and see what happens