US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[Shanye2233]

Anyone flown to HNL from SYD or MEL if so did you snag a direct flight or go via SE Asia?

Quite tempted to visit Hawaii as its on the bucket list and doing a simple search brings back flights via ICN
and more tempting via HND! I presume MPM may flag going via Japan? Any thoughts guys?

Cheers

I did a syd-icn-lax(stopover)-hnl(destination)-akl-syd last November or December it was all in J . 30k miles and $170taxes ;p

 

[Nizar]

I did a syd-icn-lax(stopover)-hnl(destination)-akl-syd last November or December it was all in J . 30k miles and $170taxes ;p

You are a champion :mrgreen:

 

[MaxLaughton]

I did a syd-icn-lax(stopover)-hnl(destination)-akl-syd last November or December it was all in J . 30k miles and $170taxes ;p

Wow, is that HNL classification a general thing or more of a YMMV thing?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Wow, is that HNL classification a general thing or more of a YMMV thing?

incorrect classification and an error on behalf of the USDM agent.

 

[zainman]

is GUM the only place that is incorrectly coded so to speak on the USDM chart? And when I call them how can I get a stopover in asia on the way to guam (reading the forums suggest that it is not allowed and is only by luck/chance that one would be allowed a stopover)...

 

[smit0847]

is GUM the only place that is incorrectly coded so to speak on the USDM chart? And when I call them how can I get a stopover in asia on the way to guam (reading the forums suggest that it is not allowed and is only by luck/chance that one would be allowed a stopover)...

It's not incorrectly coded. It's located in the South Pacific which is the region it is in.

You are not allowed a stopover in an intra zone award. Most agents will not allow it. If you are very lucky you might find one who will.

If this is your first USDM redemption I would attempt something much easier to start with - this is about as complicated as USDM gets!

 

[zainman]

It's not incorrectly coded. It's located in the South Pacific which is the region it is in.

You are not allowed a stopover in an intra zone award. Most agents will not allow it. If you are very lucky you might find one who will.

If this is your first USDM redemption I would attempt something much easier to start with - this is about as complicated as USDM gets!

I know it's not incorrectly coded which is why I said 'so to speak'. I do know where it is also lol...

Should I just start the conversation by letting them know what flights I want, e.g.: MEL-SIN/BKK (indicate that I want the SIN/BKK to NRT/KIX-GUM flight after a few days). I think just a play on the words may be able to fool them? Did it take more than one attempt for you to get the stopover? Or were you even specifically looking for a stopover?

 

[smit0847]

I know it's not incorrectly coded which is why I said 'so to speak'. I do know where it is also lol...

Should I just start the conversation by letting them know what flights I want, e.g.: MEL-SIN/BKK (indicate that I want the SIN/BKK to NRT/KIX-GUM flight after a few days). I think just a play on the words may be able to fool them? Did it take more than one attempt for you to get the stopover? Or were you even specifically looking for a stopover?

SPN is the other one (its v near GUM).

As I said, if you haven't booked a USDM trip before I wouldn't start with something as difficult and risky as this - I think you will be in for many hours of very frustrating phone calls. It took me 5 phone calls and I count myself very lucky.

 

[Foreigner]

I've got bookings ex-SYD to FRA via PEK and return is via IAH and PEK.

I do wish to go from Houston to Washington DC and return. Cost in buying round trip is around au$460. Would it be cheaper to pay in $ or to use DM (purchased with 100% bonus)? Seats are seen (on ANA) available as award seats and also on UA website for purchase.

 

[Shanye2233]

You are a champion :mrgreen:

Syd - bkk - Cdg (stopover) zag (stopover) - fra - lax (destination) - akl - syd in F = 45k

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've got bookings ex-SYD to FRA via PEK and return is via IAH and PEK.

I do wish to go from Houston to Washington DC and return. Cost in buying round trip is around au$460. Would it be cheaper to pay in $ or to use DM (purchased with 100% bonus)? Seats are seen (on ANA) available as award seats and also on UA website for purchase.

cost per mile at 100% bonus is (usd) 1.75 cents each, plus sales tax of 7.5% PLUS booking fee and taxes (which won't be much, a few dollars).

so if you Re looking at a coach award for 25K, cheaper to buy the ticket outright.

it might be worth while looking for a first class YUPP fare in AA and crediting to oneworld.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You are a champion :mrgreen:

Syd - bkk - Cdg (stopover) zag (stopover) - fra - lax (destination) - akl - syd in F = 45k

almost champion... but I think my friend wins... their entire trip was credited instead of debited to their account!

however... while purely out of interest they left it until they returned (to see if usdm would pick it up) they called them to point out the mistake and have it rectified.

 

[Shanye2233]

Your right . I felt almost like a champion flying a family around the world in first class for $2,000USD . But if it makes you feel any better they did cancel my account and take all my miles.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Your right . I felt almost like a champion flying a family around the world in first class for $2,000USD . But if it makes you feel any better they did cancel my account and take all my miles.

first off... there is nothing for us to feel better about. no one is jealous!

the second statement is puzzling, you told us all that the miles were confiscated and your account closed... but you were selling miles on FT. it's only interesting from a data point of what happens when USDM audits and account. on the one hand we're told it's closed, on the other it's still open... so not much we can draw if anyone has a similar audit in future.

 

[Shanye2233]

Im not 100% on the T&C's on FT but in pretty sure you can sell miles .Its confusing because nobody can't predict the future. And I know your burning inside everytime I book a trip . Can't wait to tell you my next one haha

 

[lmere12]

Can't wait to tell you my next one haha

look forward to hearing of it

 

[hummel]

look forward to hearing of it

You'll only hear of it when it backfires...

 

[Alanslegal]

My travel blog seems to be very popular

Glad to see you have a new career. From one time blue collar factory worker who have never ever been overseas to a 2013 travel blogger, well done. To be honest, I don't value your inputs. You have lost all credibility with me many many moons ago. Please move on <redacted> and promote your IMHO unscrupulous activities elsewhere. BTW if the blog fails to sell, consider selling snake oil remedies. <redacted>

 

[hummel]

Looks like I need to cancel a booming I made only a few days ago as was given the wrong dates.

$100 cancelation fee? I can't quite recall... Any idea how long miles take to be returned?

 

[bcworld]

Looks like I need to cancel a booming I made only a few days ago as was given the wrong dates.

$100 cancelation fee? I can't quite recall... Any idea how long miles take to be returned?

$150pp.

I cancelled a booking a few months ago...miles were returned immediately...and the best bit, so far the cancellation fees have never been charged!