US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[hummel]

Anybody using the United search tool?

OZ F availability is looking frighteningly poor for Dec

Any chance OZ would be pulling award availability like SQ do?

Haven't ready anything about them pulling availability.

 

[bcworld]

Anybody using the United search tool?

OZ F availability is looking frighteningly poor for Dec

Any chance OZ would be pulling award availability like SQ do?

Frighteningly poor? What route are you looking for?

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.3/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

ICN  Seoul Incheon Intl KR [RKSI]
FRA  Frankfurt Metro / Intl DE = FRA HHN [EDDF]
MON  01 Dec 2014 (01 Dec 2014 - 07 Dec 2014) | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
OZ         541     ICN   12:50     FRA   16:35     74E  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         541     ICN   12:50 +1  FRA   16:35 +1  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         541     ICN   12:50 +2  FRA   16:35 +2  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         541     ICN   12:50 +3  FRA   16:35 +3  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         541     ICN   12:50 +4  FRA   16:35 +4  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         541     ICN   12:50 +5  FRA   16:35 +5  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         541     ICN   12:50 +6  FRA   16:35 +6  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.3/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

ICN  Seoul Incheon Intl KR [RKSI]
JFK  New York John F Kennedy Intl NY US [KJFK]
MON  01 Dec 2014 (01 Dec 2014 - 07 Dec 2014) | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
OZ         222     ICN   10:00     JFK   09:40     772  0   FS-  CS+  YS+
OZ         222     ICN   10:00 +1  JFK   09:40 +1  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         222     ICN   10:00 +3  JFK   09:40 +3  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         222     ICN   10:00 +4  JFK   09:40 +4  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         222     ICN   10:00 +5  JFK   09:40 +5  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         222     ICN   10:00 +6  JFK   09:40 +6  ***  0   FS-  CS+  YS+

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.3/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

ICN  Seoul Incheon Intl KR [RKSI]
LAX  Los Angeles Intl CA US [KLAX]
MON  01 Dec 2014 (01 Dec 2014 - 07 Dec 2014) | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
OZ         202     ICN   16:30     LAX   10:10     744  0   FS-  CS+  YS+
OZ         204     ICN   20:00     LAX   13:40     77L  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
OZ         202     ICN   16:30 +1  LAX   10:10 +1  ***  0   FS-  CS+  YS+
OZ         204     ICN   20:00 +1  LAX   13:40 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
OZ         202     ICN   16:30 +2  LAX   10:10 +2  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         204     ICN   20:00 +2  LAX   13:40 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
OZ         202     ICN   16:30 +3  LAX   10:10 +3  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         202     ICN   16:30 +4  LAX   10:10 +4  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
OZ         202     ICN   16:30 +5  LAX   10:10 +5  ***  0   FS-  CS+  YS+
OZ         202     ICN   16:30 +6  LAX   10:10 +6  ***  0   FS+  CS+  YS+

 

[bcworld]

Another thing you need to be award of...OZ has blackout dates every year.

Partner Blackout Dates on United Airlines - Live and Let's Fly

• Asiana
  • All international flights (except from USA)
    • January 1-15
    • February 8-14
    • July 17 - August 18
    • September 16-22
    • December 27-31
  • Korea domestic flights
    • January 1-3
    • February 12-16
    • July 16-August 22
    • September 17-27
    • December 30-31
  • All flights from USA
    • May 15- June 30
    • December 11-23

Note the distinction from USA. If I search that period ICN-LAX I see plenty of availability. If I search the same period LAX-ICN...nothing, zilch, nada. FS- CS- YS- all flights.

 

[anat0l]

Another thing you need to be award of...OZ has blackout dates every year.

Thanks for that. That explains an observation I had the other day.

 

[get me outta here]

I'd like a week in HKG around late Sept - late Oct, preferably F flat bed by whatever means, routing and stops and starts necessary.

United wasn't much help and awardtravelr is still down. Has anyone noticed anything recently? I have 100K points.

 

[robd]

What champagne did they have?

This one.



I can't recall, but it was nice. Definately champagne not sparkling. Got a bit of a ribbing from Jnr#1 for having it - something about it being too early in the morning or some such nonsence

 

[penegal]

This one.

I can't recall, but it was nice. Definately champagne not sparkling. Got a bit of a ribbing from Jnr#1 for having it - something about it being too early in the morning or some such nonsence

Looks like a bubbly one... I wonder if it is halal?

 

[bcworld]

I'd like a week in HKG around late Sept - late Oct, preferably F flat bed by whatever means, routing and stops and starts necessary.

United wasn't much help and awardtravelr is still down. Has anyone noticed anything recently? I have 100K points.

This should be straightforward A.

Your routing is SYD-BKK-HKG. There are no F options ex MEL.

These two flights have F service on BKK-HKG.

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.3/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-STD]

BKK  Bangkok Metro / Suvarnabhumi Intl TH = BKK DMK [VTBS]
HKG  Hong Kong Intl HK [VHHH]
MON  29 Sep 2014 | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
TG         600     BKK   08:00     HKG   11:45     744  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
TG         606     BKK   16:00     HKG   19:45     744  0   FS+  CS+  YS+

The itinerary will be 110k though. Or there's always GUM for 40k...which has been done to death in this thread!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This should be straightforward A.

Your routing is SYD-BKK-HKG. There are no F options ex MEL.

These two flights have F service on BKK-HKG.

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.3/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance/JP-ANA-STD]

BKK  Bangkok Metro / Suvarnabhumi Intl TH = BKK DMK [VTBS]
HKG  Hong Kong Intl HK [VHHH]
MON  29 Sep 2014 | 1 Seat


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
TG         600     BKK   08:00     HKG   11:45     744  0   FS+  CS+  YS+
TG         606     BKK   16:00     HKG   19:45     744  0   FS+  CS+  YS+

The itinerary will be 110k though. Or there's always GUM for 40k...which has been done to death in this thread!

will be 120K points, not 110k.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, the GUM route is a better idea for me being short on points. There is a successful bkg in the other thread that I could more or less copy via BKK, HKG, TPE, GUM, TPE, HGK BKK, SYD. I maybe don't need so many sectors, but even that would be acceptable. But, which website will be most use to find availability as awardtravelr is down. Happy to build it around BCworld's KVS date of 29 Sept w' 2 nights in GUM and a week in HKG.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks, the GUM route is a better idea for me being short on points. There is a successful bkg in the other thread that I could more or less copy via BKK, HKG, TPE, GUM, TPE, HGK BKK, SYD. I maybe don't need so many sectors, but even that would be acceptable. But, which website will be most use to find availability as awardtravelr is down. Happy to build it around BCworld's KVS date of 29 Sept w' 2 nights in GUM and a week in HKG.

use united.com

 

[get me outta here]

On united.com now and going Ok so far on the GUM option, just a question on the itinerary, must I return via BKK or can I return straight HKG - SYD (if avaialable)?

SYD - BKK o/n F
BKK - HKG F
HKG - TPE - GUM - J destination 2 n
GUM - HKG stopover 7 n

Under the rules for the GUM option, can I return HKD - SYD without going via BKK?

EDIT, Ok sadly no HKK - SYD. And no F or J available departing BKK 07 Oct. Any suggestions plse?

 

[PapaRubbery]

Cheers gents for the low down on OZ!

KVS seems to be the go - I'm used to clicking through the United tool - but KVS read out is very very good.

I'm looking for 2x F - finding plenty for 1x F - but it's that two that's killing me. Tempted to call, reserve 1 seat for 72 hrs, and hope another seat gets listed during the reserve period, and jumping on that.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

On united.com now and going Ok so far on the GUM option, just a question on the itinerary, must I return via BKK or can I return straight HKG - SYD (if avaialable)?

SYD - BKK o/n F
BKK - HKG F
HKG - TPE - GUM - J destination 2 n
GUM - HKG stopover 7 n

Under the rules for the GUM option, can I return HKD - SYD without going via BKK?

EDIT, Ok sadly no HKK - SYD. And no F or J available departing BKK 07 Oct. Any suggestions plse?

I don't think there is any star alliance carrier flying HKG-SYD. So that's why there would be no direct results returned. You would have to fly via BKK/TPE/ICN or even Auckland.

Technically of course you are not permitted a stopover on travel to Guam. So depending on the agent you may have your hand forced on that (ie no HKG stopover).

If you can get it and there is no F or J availability you might need to ticket in economy and look for availability if it opens up closer to the time. There would be a $150 change fee for that.

But even flying economy, at USD400 plus 7.5% tax (share mile promo) for the miles it is pretty cheap.

 

[hummel]

I don't think there is any star alliance carrier flying HKG-SYD. So that's why there would be no direct results returned. You would have to fly via BKK/TPE/ICN or even Auckland.

Technically of course you are not permitted a stopover on travel to Guam. So depending on the agent you may have your hand forced on that (ie no HKG stopover).

If you can get it and there is no F or J availability you might need to ticket in economy and look for availability if it opens up closer to the time. There would be a $150 change fee for that.

But even flying economy, at USD400 plus 7.5% tax (share mile promo) for the miles it is pretty cheap.

With regards to making changes...is this where Expert flyer with sear alerts could come in handy?

 

[PapaRubbery]

Hi gents,

Had a thought.

Folks are wanting to be in NYC for xmas this year. Joining me and the fiancee.

If they were to go LHR-FRA-ICN-NRT as their destination, then NRT-ICN-JFK to stopover for a week, then JFK-FRA-LHR - would this fall into a Europe to North Asia award? The destination is NRT, and there's a stopover on the way back, so I'm thinking this would be fine. It's just too good to be true!

United.com suggests LHR-FRA-ICN-NRT as an option when searching LHR-NRT, and likewise NRT-ICN-JFK when searching NRT-JFK as an option, so I'm not breaking any rules per se - but I've never booked anything this complicated before, so.

I know leaving out of LHR is ridiculous for taxes, but it's convenience and they are happy to pay it, so why argue?

Old man is currently here on an award redemption and loved Thai. He's used to travelling as staff, so having a guaranteed seat and lounge access is quite the novelty for him!

 

[get me outta here]

Technically of course you are not permitted a stopover on travel to Guam. So depending on the agent you may have your hand forced on that (ie no HKG stopover).

If you can get it and there is no F or J availability you might need to ticket in economy and look for availability if it opens up closer to the time. There would be a $150 change fee for that.

But even flying economy, at USD400 plus 7.5% tax (share mile promo) for the miles it is pretty cheap.[/QUOTE]


I have found HKG - ICN - SYD. Would I get away w' a connection in ICN of 24hours 10 mins . If not, is it it to be under 24 hours?

Of course, if they knock back 7 nights in HKG it's all to naught. Does that include travel BACK from GUM?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi gents,

Had a thought.

Folks are wanting to be in NYC for xmas this year. Joining me and the fiancee.

If they were to go LHR-FRA-ICN-NRT as their destination, then NRT-ICN-JFK to stopover for a week, then JFK-FRA-LHR - would this fall into a Europe to North Asia award? The destination is NRT, and there's a stopover on the way back, so I'm thinking this would be fine. It's just too good to be true!

United.com suggests LHR-FRA-ICN-NRT as an option when searching LHR-NRT, and likewise NRT-ICN-JFK when searching NRT-JFK as an option, so I'm not breaking any rules per se - but I've never booked anything this complicated before, so.

I know leaving out of LHR is ridiculous for taxes, but it's convenience and they are happy to pay it, so why argue?

Old man is currently here on an award redemption and loved Thai. He's used to travelling as staff, so having a guaranteed seat and lounge access is quite the novelty for him!

travel between Europe and Japan/North and South Asia/SWP is not permitted via North America.

as always YMMV and you might get away with the itinerary, but it could get knocked back.

If they did allow it, then you could also reasonably expect the higher zone of Nth America to be charged rather than North Asia. So that would be 100k or 125K (J/F) compared to Nth Asia of 80K/100K (J/F).

Or again you might get away with the lower level depending on the agent.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have found HKG - ICN - SYD. Would I get away w' a connection in ICN of 24hours 10 mins . If not, is it it to be under 24 hours?

Of course, if they knock back 7 nights in HKG it's all to naught. Does that include travel BACK from GUM?

I'm not sure what you mean by whether that includes travel back from GUM?

Stopovers are not permitted (by the rules) at all on an intra-zone award.

Lots of evidence that people have been successful in getting a stopover, but it is not guaranteed. If you have an agent on the ball they are within their rights to reject the itinerary.

A stopover is anything more than 24 hours. 24 hours an 10 mins = a stopover.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

With regards to making changes...is this where Expert flyer with sear alerts could come in handy?

it could do. But it only takes a few seconds to check availability once a day. For me that's not worth paying the money to subscribe. But lots of people find these tools are very useful so it is something you need to weigh up.