US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[serfty]

That would be really interesting if that were the case. Qantas, Cathay and Malaysia seats will be snapped up left, right and centre if that were the case (subject to availability, of course).

...
Another way to read it is that USDM points may be used for oneworld flights, but it's based on redeeming an AAdvantage award with AAdvantage rules and prices (which is effectively the same as converting your points to AA then burning, but with explicit step less in the process). Or, US is maintaining a relationship with some airlines even after it leaves *A. Some of those partners are *A, some of them are oneworld......

Any such situation would likely be short term in any case - all indications are that by 2015 (or soon thereafter) there will be no DM redemptions only AAdvantage.

It seems some relationships would continue with

FWIW, Qantas and other *O could quite easily restrict awards for DM members by implementing simple POS¹ restrictions on the GDS.

Some may find this of interest: Building the new American. Together - FAQ's.

Also:

• We plan to continue relationships with the following airlines, which means you’ll be able to earn miles on these select partners even after we’ve exited Star Alliance: Aegean, Air China, Air New Zealand, Avianca, Ethiopian Airlines, Eva, Shenzhen Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, TAM, TAP and Turkish Airways.

¹ "Agent", not "Geographic".

 

[burmans]

That would be really interesting if that were the case. Qantas, Cathay and Malaysia seats will be snapped up left, right and centre if that were the case (subject to availability, of course).

I read that kind of text a couple of times and never thought it could mean that. Mainly because trying to rewrite the redemption rules so that either kind of award could use either one of either airline and/or either FF currency could be messy. UA and CO were certainly not that generous (but freely shifting both UA and CO redeemable and status miles back and forth was at least welcomed as part of the merger process).

Another way to read it is that USDM points may be used for oneworld flights, but it's based on redeeming an AAdvantage award with AAdvantage rules and prices (which is effectively the same as converting your points to AA then burning, but with explicit step less in the process). Or, US is maintaining a relationship with some airlines even after it leaves *A. Some of those partners are *A, some of them are oneworld......

Yes, I'm not particularly advocating this will happen one way or another, I just don't believe its clear and there are a number of potential ways this could pan out. My point would be though, lets not assume one thing or the other but wait to see what really happens, unless of course you want to burn before end March in which case your only option is *A.

 

[smit0847]

Using USDM rules but Oneworld flights might offer up some interesting routes IMO.

While I don't think this will happen for a second (I think the USDM rules and chart will be thrown out the window on April 1st) I am salivating about the possibilities. Imagine GUM on QF and CX.......

 

[serfty]

Some FAQ's from the AA perspective: FAQ

 

[shellthom]

Some FAQ's from the AA perspective: FAQ

So should I book a trip to the states now or in Jan?
I needed to get my trip booked so I can book my dads christmas gift and be informed of when I will be here and when I won't (as you got to be flexible for those award flights)...
If I can book the flights I found with AC thats the best way anyway I think.
Oh I should have jumped on the bandwagon 6 months ago then I could have had everything booked already and not be worried by the new possibilities.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So should I book a trip to the states now or in Jan?
I needed to get my trip booked so I can book my dads christmas gift and be informed of when I will be here and when I won't (as you got to be flexible for those award flights)...
If I can book the flights I found with AC thats the best way anyway I think.
Oh I should have jumped on the bandwagon 6 months ago then I could have had everything booked already and not be worried by the new possibilities.

book it now - the price of the cancellation fee ($150) is good insurance against all availability drying up.

 

[anat0l]

While I don't think this will happen for a second (I think the USDM rules and chart will be thrown out the window on April 1st) I am salivating about the possibilities. Imagine GUM on QF and CX.......

There's only one oneworld carrier which flies to GUM, viz. JL via NRT. Unless you mean QF and/or CX to get to NRT and then....

In AAdvantage, GUM is part of the Asia 2 zone, not South Pacific (like Australia).

 

[shellthom]

I called a few times today but hung up after 10 minutes as I didn't want to wait an hour.

Called at 6 and my call was answered basically straight after the prompts.
Had a lovely girl.

I have on hold SYD-YVR-YYZ-IST-ICN-SYD
She quoted me 110k and said it is valid. The only problem is the YVR-YYZ is in Y so I need to find an alternative flight... and I didn't want to fly with OZ, angled flat but the fully flat options I saw she couldn't see soo... I am happy I got through and have something on hold and 110k

 

[anat0l]

I called a few times today but hung up after 10 minutes as I didn't want to wait an hour.

Called at 6 and my call was answered basically straight after the prompts.
Had a lovely girl.

I have on hold SYD-YVR-YYZ-IST-ICN-SYD
She quoted me 110k and said it is valid. The only problem is the YVR-YYZ is in Y so I need to find an alternative flight... and I didn't want to fly with OZ, angled flat but the fully flat options I saw she couldn't see soo... I am happy I got through and have something on hold and 110k

I think the OZ aircraft that operate ICN/SYD are potentially refitted ones (maybe they sub in and out - don't know), but those refitted ones will have the new full flat product. Is IST/ICN on TK or OZ?

Pretty good itinerary! The YVR/YYZ may be difficult availability wise unless you slot in another flight.

Good show getting this itinerary. And no need to ask if it is valid - the agent or the rates desk will usually inform you as such if it is invalid.

 

[shellthom]

I think the OZ aircraft that operate ICN/SYD are potentially refitted ones (maybe they sub in and out - don't know), but those refitted ones will have the new full flat product. Is IST/ICN on TK or OZ?

Pretty good itinerary! The YVR/YYZ may be difficult availability wise unless you slot in another flight.

Good show getting this itinerary. And no need to ask if it is valid - the agent or the rates desk will usually inform you as such if it is invalid.

IST-ICN is TK
yeah she was having trouble finding flights back from IST so I said I saw some through DEL and she said thats not ok, but this one is valid. I didn't ask haha.
I am not sure I just used the seat guru website to check and it said angled. I don't have any experience to go off. Well I haven't flow with any of those airlines.
She was super nice, I didn't try to push for anything as I really just wanted to keep the price at the 110k not 120k. I didn't have the points to book it or I would have when she said 110k. I guess the next agent can still say 120k.

 

[anat0l]

IST-ICN is TK
yeah she was having trouble finding flights back from IST so I said I saw some through DEL and she said thats not ok, but this one is valid. I didn't ask haha.
I am not sure I just used the seat guru website to check and it said angled. I don't have any experience to go off. Well I haven't flow with any of those airlines.
She was super nice, I didn't try to push for anything as I really just wanted to keep the price at the 110k not 120k. I didn't have the points to book it or I would have when she said 110k. I guess the next agent can still say 120k.

Last I knew (and this is a while ago), the refitted aircraft with new product were some of OZ's 777s. I know they are coded in a GDS and on the ANA tool as "77L", of which the exact description kind of escapes me right now (too lazy to search for it).

I'm not sure of the extent of OZ's refitting J on its aircraft (it may have done them all, it may have done no more). I know IST and SYD weren't on the initial list of destinations where these refitted aircraft were going, but I'm sure I've heard of at least one AFFer who booked SYD-ICN-LHR and allegedly was flying on the new product.

 

[bcworld]

Last I knew (and this is a while ago), the refitted aircraft with new product were some of OZ's 777s. I know they are coded in a GDS and on the ANA tool as "77L", of which the exact description kind of escapes me right now (too lazy to search for it).

I'm not sure of the extent of OZ's refitting J on its aircraft (it may have done them all, it may have done no more). I know IST and SYD weren't on the initial list of destinations where these refitted aircraft were going, but I'm sure I've heard of at least one AFFer who booked SYD-ICN-LHR and allegedly was flying on the new product.

I'm not sure SYD has ever been reliably QS.

Seat map for July next year seems to say no...but no idea what's going on in the H/K section!? Looks too many missing seats for crew rest. Looks like they could be limiting the cabin to 22 J seats for the 2 class 777 with QS seats?

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.2/Diamond - Seat Map: 05 Jul 2014/OZ 601/ICN-SYD/***/C-Business]

     A   C   |   D   E   G   |   H   K    
 1   -   -       -   -   -                
 2   -   -       +   +   +       -   -    
 3   -   -       +   +   +                
 4   +   +       +   +   +                


[+] Available     [W] Wing       [L] Lavatory  
[-] Unavailable   [E] Exit Row   [U] Upper Deck
[P] Preferred     [|] Aisle

 

[auriga]

As far as I know, the SYD-ICN route with OZ is usually operated by old non-refitted aircrafts, with no AVOD!

 

[PapaRubbery]

Hey gang,

Trying to get the old man back from LHR mid jan to MEL.

Seems to be nearly no TG availability at all? SQ is out because they don't offer J from SIN-MEL.

Just wanting to get the old fella back on J from LHR-MEL. Am I really going to have to go LHR-PVG-SYD? Any better routing with actual availability?

Cheers!

Alex

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As far as I know, the SYD-ICN route with OZ is usually operated by old non-refitted aircrafts, with no AVOD!

correct - no new product on the SYD service.

 

[Flashback]

Hey gang,

Trying to get the old man back from LHR mid jan to MEL.

Seems to be nearly no TG availability at all? SQ is out because they don't offer J from SIN-MEL.

Just wanting to get the old fella back on J from LHR-MEL. Am I really going to have to go LHR-PVG-SYD? Any better routing with actual availability?

Cheers!

Alex

Have you tried Eva Air? (BR) Direct flight from LHR-BKK, or LHR-TPE, LHR-BRU-CDG-BKK, etc.

 

[bcworld]

Seems to be nearly no TG availability at all? SQ is out because they don't offer J from SIN-MEL.

If 'they' means US then they will let you book 2 of the 4 daily flights on SQ SIN-MEL. True that it looks like there are no seats though in mid Jan. Same for TG.

So are you just booking a oneway?

 

[smit0847]

If he can get himself to CDG there's J availability CDG-BKK-MEL all on TG on 19 Jan with the CDG-BKK overnight sector on the A380. I've done this exact itinerary and have no complaints.

 

[bcworld]

There's a bit of availability ex FRA starting on the 20th Jan. You'll be able to get an LH flight to connect from LHR (and get to pay UK APD too!)

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.2/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

FRA  Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF]
BKK  Bangkok Metro / Suvarnabhumi Intl TH = BKK DMK [VTBS]
MON  20 Jan 2014 (20 Jan 2014 - 26 Jan 2014) | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
[COLOR=#ff0000]TG         923     FRA   20:55     BKK   13:05 +1  346  0   FS-  CS+  YS+[/COLOR]
TG         923     FRA   20:55 +1  BKK   13:05 +2  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
TG         923     FRA   20:55 +3  BKK   13:05 +4  ***  0   FS-  CS+  YS+
TG         923     FRA   20:55 +4  BKK   13:05 +5  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
TG         923     FRA   20:55 +6  BKK   13:05 +7  ***  0   FS-  CS+  YS+

Then for BKK-MEL...not much.

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.2/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

BKK  Bangkok Metro / Suvarnabhumi Intl TH = BKK DMK [VTBS]
MEL  Melbourne Metro / Tullamarine VI AU = MEL AVV [YMML]
MON  20 Jan 2014 (20 Jan 2014 - 26 Jan 2014) | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
TG         465     BKK   00:05 +1  MEL   13:05 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
TG         461     BKK   09:10 +1  MEL   22:20 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
[COLOR=#ff0000]TG         461     BKK   09:10 +2  MEL   22:20 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-[/COLOR]

The red ones would match up with an overnight layover in BKK.

 

[lmere12]

I think the OZ aircraft that operate ICN/SYD are potentially refitted ones (maybe they sub in and out - don't know), but those refitted ones will have the new full flat product. Is IST/ICN on TK or OZ?

I have a flight booked in May ICN-SYD, when I chose my seat I asked if refitted & the lady said NO thinking of making a changed to itinerary to avoid OZ on this leg