US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[hossein_au]

Flying out on the 2nd I can find this, but it really relies upon being able to book Lufthansa.
1/2 (TH) TG484 Perth Bangkok(BKK) 09:10 15:05 330
1/2 (TH) TG674 Bangkok(BKK) Beijing 23:59 05:40 +1 330
1/3 (FR) LH721 Beijing Frankfurt 11:30 15:00 74H (nice if can get it, lay flat!)
1/3(FR) LH914 Frankfurt London(LHR) 16:05 16:50 321

In my latest booking, the USDM agent could not see ANY LH flights intra-Europe; I was online as I was on the phone and I could see dozens of flights from FRA to HAM on both ANA as well as Unites, but the agent could not see any what so ever. Ended up having to fly to FCO so that I can catch Austrian to HAM, which meant I won't be flying A380 BKK-FRA :-( And this was not the case of a less-than-knowledgeable agent; she was very efficient and tried many options and routes, but still could not see any LH flights at all.

 

[Flashback]

In my latest booking, the USDM agent could not see ANY LH flights intra-Europe; I was online as I was on the phone and I could see dozens of flights from FRA to HAM on both ANA as well as Unites, but the agent could not see any what so ever. Ended up having to fly to FCO so that I can catch Austrian to HAM, which meant I won't be flying A380 BKK-FRA :-( And this was not the case of a less-than-knowledgeable agent; she was very efficient and tried many options and routes, but still could not see any LH flights at all.

Indeed, however there have been some recent reports of successful bookings so YMMV. There's also been a report that a memo was sent out to all employees specifically telling them not to long sell for ANY LH legs (Y/J/F).

 

[hossein_au]

Indeed, however there have been some recent reports of successful bookings so YMMV. There's also been a report that a memo was sent out to all employees specifically telling them not to long sell for ANY LH legs (Y/J/F).

Yes, I did ask for long sell, but a straight "no, we don't do that" was the answer. And I wasn't after a long-haul LH flight either; I wanted a 1-hour flight, and through the search, the agent tried various short haul routes both within Germany and intra-Europe, but she could not see any LH availability even after I searched ANA and gave her specific flight numbers.

 

[anat0l]

Well, can travel out 2nd or 3rd now - finally pushed a bit of flexibility on this one. Doesn't seem to open up too much more though I think... think the only real option here is via PEK, but as I'm flat out at work today I've not had a chance to try the TG & BR options through all their ports e.g. ZRH, MUC, CPH, MAD, ARN, CDG, FRA, etc etc.

BR is pretty much a bust. TG is the same.

The only real options appears to be on OS and CA. It was bad enough to find the options we did; mostly it was messing around and skirting on MCTs.

There are a couple of options ex-NRT, but getting to Japan in the new year is all but a nightmare. There is nothing to be seen, except via China, and then only mainly on new year's day. Even in Economy there is bupkis. By the time you do any creative routing to get to Japan, the agent will think you're crazy or it's just not worth it.

Flying out on the 2nd I can find this, but it really relies upon being able to book Lufthansa.
1/2 (TH) TG484 Perth Bangkok(BKK) 09:10 15:05 330
1/2 (TH) TG674 Bangkok(BKK) Beijing 23:59 05:40 +1 330
1/3 (FR) LH721 Beijing Frankfurt 11:30 15:00 74H (nice if can get it, lay flat!)
1/3(FR) LH914 Frankfurt London(LHR) 16:05 16:50 321

If there are still issues with LH I could always do:
1/3 (FR) CA911 Beijing Stockholm(ARN) 13:50 16:30 333 which would then require an overnight in ARN, unless bouncing through FRA, but that again brings LH into the fold.

Don't forget there's always the first option I found. The difference is that the long section is on CA rather than LH. It does involve an overnight in FRA, but with an extra day up sleeve there's a more leisurely pace. If need be, you can always go onwards from there via BRU et al. (not ideal, but it'll do the job).

I don't know what it would take to get US DM to ticket the LH option, but I'd press for that. That gives a quite good product, nice connections and plenty of time to get settled before start of work.

Returning to PER shouldn't really be problem. I haven't checked, but I assume you'll have near full selection. Going home I'd be trying to use NH (77W or 787), TK or BR.

 

[Flashback]

BR is pretty much a bust. TG is the same.

The only real options appears to be on OS and CA. It was bad enough to find the options we did; mostly it was messing around and skirting on MCTs.

There are a couple of options ex-NRT, but getting to Japan in the new year is all but a nightmare. There is nothing to be seen, except via China, and then only mainly on new year's day. Even in Economy there is bupkis. By the time you do any creative routing to get to Japan, the agent will think you're crazy or it's just not worth it.





Don't forget there's always the first option I found. The difference is that the long section is on CA rather than LH. It does involve an overnight in FRA, but with an extra day up sleeve there's a more leisurely pace. If need be, you can always go onwards from there via BRU et al. (not ideal, but it'll do the job).

I don't know what it would take to get US DM to ticket the LH option, but I'd press for that. That gives a quite good product, nice connections and plenty of time to get settled before start of work.

Returning to PER shouldn't really be problem. I haven't checked, but I assume you'll have near full selection. Going home I'd be trying to use NH (77W or 787), TK or BR.

Leaving on the 2nd and overnighting in ARN seems like the best option that is easily obtainable so far. IIRC the other option you found was whY BKK-PEK... and then you still have the LH problem of FRA-LHR. But yes, if can get the LH product, then that would be #1 pick.

March 8/9 looks interesting for returning to PER.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, I did ask for long sell, but a straight "no, we don't do that" was the answer. And I wasn't after a long-haul LH flight either; I wanted a 1-hour flight, and through the search, the agent tried various short haul routes both within Germany and intra-Europe, but she could not see any LH availability even after I searched ANA and gave her specific flight numbers.

with the known IT glitch, USDM should be able to see LH availability on a WED and SAT (those days only). Were the LH flights in question on those two days?

 

[hossein_au]

with the known IT glitch, USDM should be able to see LH availability on a WED and SAT (those days only). Were the LH flights in question on those two days?

Cannot recall precisely; it definitely was not on Wed, but it could have been either on Sat or Sun... I'll pay a closer attention next time. Thanks for the reminder.

 

[Flashback]

with the known IT glitch, USDM should be able to see LH availability on a WED and SAT (those days only). Were the LH flights in question on those two days?

Nope, Friday!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Cannot recall precisely; it definitely was not on Wed, but it could have been either on Sat or Sun... I'll pay a closer attention next time. Thanks for the reminder.

while obviously there has been the odd exception (where availability would show straight away)... if you're not booking for a wed or sat then may not be much point in getting an agent to search far and wide... the availability just isn't showing

 

[Flashback]

Right, we've found an option there and back (well, several in fact!) - however unable to book right now. USDM line cuts you off once you get through due to a high volume of calls due to extreme weather or something

 

[Flashback]

Can get through to agents now - but typical, in the time they were down.. the PER-BKK flight I needed on Jan 4 has gone!

 

[Flashback]

Thanks to a suggestion from anat0l yesterday, I now have on hold the 3rd option we considered:
PER-BKK-PEK(TG)-ARN(CA)-LHR(SK), which requires an overnight in ARN - but at ~$120 for an airport hotel for the night, he just has to do it as there literally is no other option. OK, I lie.. you could do ARN-CPH-LHR, but that still requires an overnight in CPH or MMX

Coming back is nice and easy. LHR-BKK-PER on BR & TG.

 

[anat0l]

Good job.

The other close cut option was probably still there, but that was really skirting it.

Surprisingly many flights on New Year's Day. Of course, that would require seeing in the new year on a plane or in an airport.

Given there were so few options and many required an overnight anyway, I'd say you've done well.

I have no idea about the CA 330 product, but I take it that it can't be bad, and beggars can't be choosers!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

CA a330 is a full flat bed

 

[stueyjones]

Hi All. Just need to access the combined brainpower of the forum. The situation is;
I'd like to access a USDM star alliance booking for June 2014 form sunny Brisbane to Manchester UK. PAX will be my dearly beloved and 2 sons (aged 8 and 10). I can see a couple of possibilities of available flights, but here are the questions.
1. I was thinking of getting myself in credit with SWMBO and booking in Business, but does any airline open up more than two award seats at a time? From what I can see both Thai and SQ (the main routing possibilities) only do 2 then release more if they wish.
2. If it is a situation of maximum 2 award seats, obviously I could put 2 on hold then hope another opens up try and access that, but would the age of passengers play into it? i.e. If I book the adult with 1 child first up, I am then left with trying to add an extra Child aged 10 or younger.... As I understand this would involve separate PNR's can I book a child on their own in Business? (then to be later combined with the existing PNR).
3. They each have enough points in USDM, but they are in separate accounts. Does this involve separate individual PNR's? Again with an age issue?
All suggestions/clarifications gratefully received.
cheers
SPJ

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi All. Just need to access the combined brainpower of the forum. The situation is;
I'd like to access a USDM star alliance booking for June 2014 form sunny Brisbane to Manchester UK. PAX will be my dearly beloved and 2 sons (aged 8 and 10). I can see a couple of possibilities of available flights, but here are the questions.
1. I was thinking of getting myself in credit with SWMBO and booking in Business, but does any airline open up more than two award seats at a time? From what I can see both Thai and SQ (the main routing possibilities) only do 2 then release more if they wish.
2. If it is a situation of maximum 2 award seats, obviously I could put 2 on hold then hope another opens up try and access that, but would the age of passengers play into it? i.e. If I book the adult with 1 child first up, I am then left with trying to add an extra Child aged 10 or younger.... As I understand this would involve separate PNR's can I book a child on their own in Business? (then to be later combined with the existing PNR).
3. They each have enough points in USDM, but they are in separate accounts. Does this involve separate individual PNR's? Again with an age issue?
All suggestions/clarifications gratefully received.
cheers
SPJ

SQ will only be possible between australia and singapore (and on to bangkok if required) - you can't fly on SQ premium aircraft in business class. So Thai will be your main option. (and with the 77W with full flat beds probably preferable than an SQ/SQ/TG combination).

TG will continue to release more seats until the total allocation is exhausted. This will most likely happen while you are on the call confirming the first two. As you can put all awards on hold you having nothing to lose.

Separate accounts means separate PNRs.

You can link the PNRs so TG is aware a minor is travelling with an adult. That's no problem. My friends have a five year old with their own account. Never had a problem with a separate PNR.

TG will be possible to a main european gateway - but the connection to manchester could be a problem if you are relying on LH.

 

[ferni]

SQ will only be possible between australia and singapore (and on to bangkok if required) - you can't fly on SQ premium aircraft in business class. So Thai will be your main option. (and with the 77W with full flat beds probably preferable than an SQ/SQ/TG combination).

TG will continue to release more seats until the total allocation is exhausted. This will most likely happen while you are on the call confirming the first two. As you can put all awards on hold you having nothing to lose.

Separate accounts means separate PNRs.

You can link the PNRs so TG is aware a minor is travelling with an adult. That's no problem. My friends have a five year old with their own account. Never had a problem with a separate PNR.

TG will be possible to a main european gateway - but the connection to manchester could be a problem if you are relying on LH.

I flew my Antie/Uncle over here recently on USDM. MAN-BRU-BKK-PER // BNE-BKK-BRU-MAN with the MAN-BRU-MAN legs on Brussels airlines without issue.

I also have my parents going over next year SYD-BKK-CDG // FCO-FRA-BKK-SYD with FCO-FRA on LH J no issues getting that one.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I flew my Antie/Uncle over here recently on USDM. MAN-BRU-BKK-PER // BNE-BKK-BRU-MAN with the MAN-BRU-MAN legs on Brussels airlines without issue.

I also have my parents going over next year SYD-BKK-CDG // FCO-FRA-BKK-SYD with FCO-FRA on LH J no issues getting that one.

BRU would be a good option! Maybe also if SK flies there from CPH/OSL? (FRA/MUC might be an issue only because USDM can't see LH except on days 36)

 

[Flashback]

CA a330 is a full flat bed

That is very good news

 

[Flashback]

Any idea what the 773 product to CDG on CA is?