US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[shane2603]

Also note even with points and the whole of January to play with I cant get my family of 4 to the US from Perth and back so availability is also a key issue.

 

[Beta4Me]

Also note even with points and the whole of January to play with I cant get my family of 4 to the US from Perth and back so availability is also a key issue.

Post your required dates and destination/stopover and I'll see if I can help you.

 

[smit0847]

Hi all
I haven't been able to get through to USDM for days. It keeps saying 'because of weather were getting more calls than our system can handle. Please call back later'. I've tried at all different times - AEST from 4 pm to 11 pm which used to be a surefire time to get through.
Any advice? I know there are other intl numbers you can call but they can ticket award travel ok?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all
I haven't been able to get through to USDM for days. It keeps saying 'because of weather were getting more calls than our system can handle. Please call back later'. I've tried at all different times - AEST from 4 pm to 11 pm which used to be a surefire time to get through.
Any advice? I know there are other intl numbers you can call but they can ticket award travel ok?

they can, or they will put you through to somewhere that can.

beware some numbers are actually AA numbers, not USDM. So call somewhere like London.

 

[shane2603]

Hi Beta, Thanks for that, looking at travelling from Perth to JFK for 4 in Business anytime between 28/12 for 12-15 days coming back before 1st Feb. Happy to stop anywhere on the way to break journey.

 

[Beta4Me]

Hi Beta, Thanks for that, looking at travelling from Perth to JFK for 4 in Business anytime between 28/12 for 12-15 days coming back before 1st Feb. Happy to stop anywhere on the way to break journey.

Are you OK with 2 groups of 2 or must have 4 together? The latter is always very tough (or even impossible depending on the airline).

 

[Craigie]

they can, or they will put you through to somewhere that can.

beware some numbers are actually AA numbers, not USDM. So call somewhere like London.

FWIW when I rang the UK number and was on the phone for ~45 minutes, it cost $4.40US Skype credit

 

[shane2603]

HI Beta, Yes if we have to, also happy for two in F and 2 in C on same aircraft as we have 250000 points each

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

FWIW when I rang the UK number and was on the phone for ~45 minutes, it cost $4.40US Skype credit

What is the UK number? The only number that I can find is the US number.

 

[Craigie]

What is the UK number? The only number that I can find is the US number.

The number i used was +44 08456003300

as per US Airways | Contact Reservations

 

[Flashback]

The number i used was +44 08456003300

as per US Airways | Contact Reservations

Would be cheaper to use 020 7484 2100

SAYNOTO0870.COM - Non-Geographical Alternative Telephone Numbers

 

[smit0847]

Is there are rule about how the minimum time to spend at your destination? I’m trying to book something where the connecting city is further away than the destination (all same zone). I’ve been shot down for MPM but it complies with all other rules (very simple itinerary). I’m wondering if I can suggest making the connecting city my destination (which is within MPM as it’s a direct flight) and my former destination the stopover on the return. I had only planned to spend 90 minutes connecting in the connecting city which doesn’t really appear like a destination. I guess I could overnight there if necessary to make it look more like a destination?

PS I was told that if my outbound mileage exceeds MPM but the return does not and the combined mileage is within the combined MPM its still not valid because each way needs to be within MPM (combined totals/averages do not count). Is this correct?

 

[sergeyvzn]

Is there are rule about how the minimum time to spend at your destination? I’m trying to book something where the connecting city is further away than the destination (all same zone). I’ve been shot down for MPM but it complies with all other rules (very simple itinerary). I’m wondering if I can suggest making the connecting city my destination (which is within MPM as it’s a direct flight) and my former destination the stopover on the return. I had only planned to spend 90 minutes connecting in the connecting city which doesn’t really appear like a destination. I guess I could overnight there if necessary to make it look more like a destination?

PS I was told that if my outbound mileage exceeds MPM but the return does not and the combined mileage is within the combined MPM its still not valid because each way needs to be within MPM (combined totals/averages do not count). Is this correct?

there is no rule about time you spend at your destination/stopover, it is all down to the distance between the point of origin and the point of arrival - the furthest point away from your origin is your destination and the closer one is a stopover. So say you go Sydney to London to Rome, stopping in London for 1 night and spending 2 weeks in Rome, London is still your destination and Rome is a stopover on the return journey

As per the MPM, I think they are right about both legs having to be within MPM but I'm not 100% sure, maybe MELtraveller will help you with that?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is there are rule about how the minimum time to spend at your destination? I’m trying to book something where the connecting city is further away than the destination (all same zone). I’ve been shot down for MPM but it complies with all other rules (very simple itinerary). I’m wondering if I can suggest making the connecting city my destination (which is within MPM as it’s a direct flight) and my former destination the stopover on the return. I had only planned to spend 90 minutes connecting in the connecting city which doesn’t really appear like a destination. I guess I could overnight there if necessary to make it look more like a destination?

PS I was told that if my outbound mileage exceeds MPM but the return does not and the combined mileage is within the combined MPM its still not valid because each way needs to be within MPM (combined totals/averages do not count). Is this correct?

If you could let us know the routing that would help.

MPM must be satisfied both ways (as individual journeys), and also for any journeys within your itinerary (for example, from destination to a stopover or v.v.)

There is no minimum time at your destination, the routing will help sort that out... but a transit will not count. If you have a break in the journey (ie paying taxes etc) that will count as your destination.

 

[smit0847]

If you could let us know the routing that would help.

MPM must be satisfied both ways (as individual journeys), and also for any journeys within your itinerary (for example, from destination to a stopover or v.v.)

There is no minimum time at your destination, the routing will help sort that out... but a transit will not count. If you have a break in the journey (ie paying taxes etc) that will count as your destination.

Need to get from Tokyo to Shanghai.

Ideally HND-HKG-PVG//PVG-HKG-NRT (no stopover) but willing to go HND-HKG-PVG//PVG-NRT if absolutely necessary.

Obviously HND-PVG-NRT is within MPM as its direct flights and making HKG the destination is within MPM (same reason).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Need to get from Tokyo to Shanghai.

Ideally HND-HKG-PVG//PVG-HKG-NRT (no stopover) but willing to go HND-HKG-PVG//PVG-NRT if absolutely necessary.

Obviously HND-PVG-NRT is within MPM as its direct flights and making HKG the destination is within MPM (same reason).

the issue is that a transit won't count to create a destination.

If you were to fly HND-PVG*-HKG would could do an immediate turn-around to fly back HKG-PVG-NRT.

*the non-stop from HND is to SHA. You could leave from either SHA or PVG to HKG.

(I take it JAL is not available for any of their flights on the day you want? MU usually has cheap(ish) fares for those flights in economy. Probably cheaper than the equivalent miles?)

 

[smit0847]

the issue is that a transit won't count to create a destination.

If you were to fly HND-PVG*-HKG would could do an immediate turn-around to fly back HKG-PVG-NRT.

*the non-stop from HND is to SHA. You could leave from either SHA or PVG to HKG.

(I take it JAL is not available for any of their flights on the day you want? MU usually has cheap(ish) fares for those flights in economy. Probably cheaper than the equivalent miles?)

JAL is available but we're flying JAL for most of the rest of the trip (long story) so really want to go CX for at least one of the flights. MU makes me shudder.

If I made the HKG transit an overnight I could surely argue it is my destination - plenty of people fly somewhere for less than 24 hours.

Im not sure I understand your first question - are you suggesting we go to Hong Kong via Shanghai to make it out dest rather than Shanghai via Hong Kong as originally planned? That could work....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

JAL is available but we're flying JAL for most of the rest of the trip (long story) so really want to go CX for at least one of the flights. MU makes me shudder.

If I made the HKG transit an overnight I could surely argue it is my destination - plenty of people fly somewhere for less than 24 hours.

I'm not sure I understand your first question - are you suggesting we go to Hong Kong via Shanghai to make it out dest rather than Shanghai via Hong Kong as originally planned? That could work....

both scenarios mightwork... you could either make HKG your destination... flying there via Shanghai, or you could also fly NRT-HKG (non-stop) and then back through shanghai. Both of these are making HKG your destination.

might work? Both options have issues... Shanghai is not a oneworld hub, so stopovers are not technically allowed. And if you are in transit one way through PVG it's a pain to have to pass through immigration to connect to your next flight.

MU is perfectly fine for the flight - it's less than two hours, and by the time they serve the meal it's almost all over red rover. CX would be ok if you secured a long-haul configuration... all that time in a regional would be little fun.

 

[smit0847]

both scenarios mightwork... you could either make HKG your destination... flying there via Shanghai, or you could also fly NRT-HKG (non-stop) and then back through shanghai. Both of these are making HKG your destination.

might work? Both options have issues... Shanghai is not a oneworld hub, so stopovers are not technically allowed. And if you are in transit one way through PVG it's a pain to have to pass through immigration to connect to your next flight.

MU is perfectly fine for the flight - it's less than two hours, and by the time they serve the meal it's almost all over red rover. CX would be ok if you secured a long-haul configuration... all that time in a regional would be little fun.

Thanks – availability TYO-HKG is a lot better than HKG-TYO plus there’s a 3-class HND-HKG flight available which is the long-haul config so we’re definitely leaning towards HND-HKG-PVG over PVG-HKG-NRT (which is regional config).

I guess one option exceeds MPM, the other option exceeds the rule that stopover must be a oneworld hub.

In your experience which rule is easier to get around? Ironically this is the most vanilla itinerary I’ve ever tried to book on USDM but has been by far the hardest. My ridiculous 9 sector First Class jaunt to GUM was booked first call in 15 minutes!

I’ve only tried booking the double HKG connection once (I scuttled my far more creative routings as they got shut down repeatedly) so will definitely keep trying.

I’ve only been able to get through to the UK call centre the last week (they answer fairly reliably during AEST evenings) but they seem to run every single thing through the supervisors who should pick up on both the MPM rule and the ‘stopover in a hub’ rule. I said to the agent last night ‘there’s less than 24 hours in HKG so no stopover’ to which she replied ‘I have to check that with my supervisor’

 

[sergeyvzn]

Thanks – availability TYO-HKG is a lot better than HKG-TYO plus there’s a 3-class HND-HKG flight available which is the long-haul config so we’re definitely leaning towards HND-HKG-PVG over PVG-HKG-NRT (which is regional config).

I guess one option exceeds MPM, the other option exceeds the rule that stopover must be a oneworld hub.

In your experience which rule is easier to get around? Ironically this is the most vanilla itinerary I’ve ever tried to book on USDM but has been by far the hardest. My ridiculous 9 sector First Class jaunt to GUM was booked first call in 15 minutes!

I’ve only tried booking the double HKG connection once (I scuttled my far more creative routings as they got shut down repeatedly) so will definitely keep trying.

I’ve only been able to get through to the UK call centre the last week (they answer fairly reliably during AEST evenings) but they seem to run every single thing through the supervisors who should pick up on both the MPM rule and the ‘stopover in a hub’ rule. I said to the agent last night ‘there’s less than 24 hours in HKG so no stopover’ to which she replied ‘I have to check that with my supervisor’

I think you should ring their US number, they are still pretty clueless over there, you are more likely to get away with what you want