US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

zainman · Mar 5, 2014

smit0847 said:
I think it was 35K pp. We wanted 24 hour stopover in KL. availability was excellent - we chose CX J HKG-KUL as that flight is scheduled to be their class-leading 1-2-1 J 333 product. The MH A380 was another option but we wanted CX. I'm not sure if MH release F award seats HKG-KUL though?

The CX A330 is pretty good but I am surprised it's on the HKG-KUL route, usually they use the 'regional' variant A330 (which sucks btw). No availability direct HKG-MEL on the CX A330? Would have given you much more time to enjoy it. The MH J product (I've tried the 777 and the new A330) is not the same. Makes sense if you wanted a stop in KL though!

Not sure about MH releasing F availability to partners, this person flew on it but apparently they used a glitch:

Spring Break 2013: Malaysia Airlines A380 First Class from Paris to Kuala Lumpur | milevalue.com

smit0847 · Mar 5, 2014

zainman said:
The CX A330 is pretty good but I am surprised it's on the HKG-KUL route, usually they use the 'regional' variant A330 (which sucks btw). No availability direct HKG-MEL on the CX A330? Would have given you much more time to enjoy it. The MH J product (I've tried the 777 and the new A330) is not the same. Makes sense if you wanted a stop in KL though!

Not sure about MH releasing F availability to partners, this person flew on it but apparently they used a glitch:

Spring Break 2013: Malaysia Airlines A380 First Class from Paris to Kuala Lumpur | milevalue.com

That's why I picked that CX flight. There was no direct availability - if they open some up at T-7 we may change to a direct flight but I would actually like to see KUL and experience MH as I've never flown them before. Both flights are day flights so the recline of the bed isn't very important.

PS - we're getting very off-topic for a USDM thread!

ferni · Mar 5, 2014

bcworld said:
I'm paying 150AUD for an overnight next month, with breakfast for 2. It's not expensive for the convenience. I realise there are far cheaper hotels within a few kms drive of BKK.

I've stayed at the Novotel BKK airport and it was good, think we got it on special for about $120 with breakfast. Note that the instructions on the hotel website say to wait for a bus at a certain point, but you can actually walk, it's all connected to the airport... we walked to the check in desk and it wasn't that far when departing instead of catching the shuttle.

robd · Mar 5, 2014

ferni said:
I've stayed at the Novotel BKK airport and it was good, think we got it on special for about $120 with breakfast. Note that the instructions on the hotel website say to wait for a bus at a certain point, but you can actually walk, it's all connected to the airport... we walked to the check in desk and it wasn't that far when departing instead of catching the shuttle.

Here's the report on that -

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/hotel-room-exit-airline-lounge-47125.html

ferni · Mar 5, 2014

robd said:
Here's the report on that -

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....tos/hotel-room-exit-airline-lounge-47125.html

Yep that mirrors my experience... except i had to go to the ATM when checking in at F desk to get money out to pay for the departure tax (on a USDM ticket) even though we were only transiting, couldn't be bothered arguing so just paid, never looked into if that was correct or not...

bcworld · Mar 5, 2014

ferni said:
Yep that mirrors my experience... except i had to go to the ATM when checking in at F desk to get money out to pay for the departure tax (on a USDM ticket) even though we were only transiting, couldn't be bothered arguing so just paid, never looked into if that was correct or not...

It is correct. If you came from the Novotel you went landside...therefore you were liable to pay the 700B departure tax...which US would not have collected.

I took the minibus on the way to the hotel as the F porter basically insisted. On departure I walked back through the tunnel to the terminal.

MEL_Traveller · Mar 5, 2014

majorly hacked off here... just got off phone to USDM, they claim they can't see UA availability at all now? I found availability on UA.com but on checking the route the could see nothing... he said his system said 'in-op'.

Will call back but i hope that's not the case!

hummel · Mar 5, 2014

MEL_Traveller said:
majorly hacked off here... just got off phone to USDM, they claim they can't see UA availability at all now? I found availability on UA.com but on checking the route the could see nothing... he said his system said 'in-op'.

Will call back but i hope that's not the case!

You of all people should know not to trust anything they say!

MEL_Traveller · Mar 5, 2014

hummel said:
You of all people should know not to trust anything they say!

yes yes... on second call now... agent again could not see it but had to request it and it came back

hummel · Mar 5, 2014

MEL_Traveller said:
yes yes... on second call now... agent again could not see it but had to request it and it came back

*phew* I bet your breathing easier.

I actually have to call them and cancel a 2 x GUM trips... really can't be bothered dealing with them having never cancelled before. Assuming it will be easy!

travelislife · Mar 5, 2014

I am having major problems at the moment. Thai has cancelled their DPS-BKK flights on Thursdays. A couple of friends were booked DPS-BKK-NRT on 17/04/14 and obviously with the Easter break everything is now packed out. They could have left on the Wednesday but that flight is booked out as is the one on Tuesday. They were automatically rebooked to the Friday (now misconnecting with their flight from BKK-NRT, can get this changed through a waitlist) but that doesn't get in till Saturday morning which is too late. Availability is so scarce around then, so anyone with any good ideas do let me know! 2 people in business.

bcworld · Mar 5, 2014

travelislife said:
I am having major problems at the moment. Thai has cancelled their DPS-BKK flights on Thursdays. A couple of friends were booked DPS-BKK-NRT on 17/04/14 and obviously with the Easter break everything is now packed out. They could have left on the Wednesday but that flight is booked out as is the one on Tuesday. They were automatically rebooked to the Friday (now misconnecting with their flight from BKK-NRT, can get this changed through a waitlist) but that doesn't get in till Saturday morning which is too late. Availability is so scarce around then, so anyone with any good ideas do let me know! 2 people in business.

There is availability DPS-SIN on either the 16th or the 17th...could they do DPS-SIN-BKK-NRT?

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.4/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

Code:

DPS  Bali Denpasar Ngurah Rai Intl ID [WADD]
SIN  Singapore Changi SG [WSSS]
WED  16 Apr 2014 (16 Apr 2014 - 22 Apr 2014) | 2 Seats


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
SQ         941     DPS   10:30     SIN   13:00     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         943     DPS   13:05     SIN   15:35     772  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
SQ         947     DPS   20:05     SIN   22:35     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         949     DPS   21:45     SIN   00:15 +1  772  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         941     DPS   10:30 +1  SIN   13:00 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         943     DPS   13:05 +1  SIN   15:35 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         947     DPS   20:05 +1  SIN   22:35 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         949     DPS   21:45 +1  SIN   00:15 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         941     DPS   10:30 +2  SIN   13:00 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         943     DPS   13:05 +2  SIN   15:35 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         947     DPS   20:05 +2  SIN   22:35 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         949     DPS   21:45 +2  SIN   00:15 +3  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-

SIN-BKK

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.4/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

Code:

SIN  Singapore Changi SG [WSSS]
BKK  Bangkok Metro / Suvarnabhumi Intl TH = BKK DMK [VTBS]
WED  16 Apr 2014 (16 Apr 2014 - 22 Apr 2014) | 2 Seats


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
SQ         970     SIN   07:10     BKK   08:35     772  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
TG         402     SIN   07:40     BKK   09:00     777  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
SQ         972     SIN   09:40     BKK   11:05     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         404     SIN   12:25     BKK   13:45     773  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         974     SIN   12:55     BKK   14:20     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         976     SIN   16:00     BKK   17:25     333  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         978     SIN   18:35     BKK   20:00     333  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         410     SIN   20:50     BKK   22:10     773  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
ET         627     SIN   22:45     BKK   00:05 +1  763  0
SQ         970     SIN   07:10 +1  BKK   08:35 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
TG         402     SIN   07:40 +1  BKK   09:00 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         972     SIN   09:40 +1  BKK   11:05 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         404     SIN   12:25 +1  BKK   13:45 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         974     SIN   12:55 +1  BKK   14:20 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         976     SIN   16:00 +1  BKK   17:25 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         978     SIN   18:35 +1  BKK   20:00 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         410     SIN   20:50 +1  BKK   22:10 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
ET         627     SIN   22:45 +1  BKK   00:05 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         970     SIN   07:10 +2  BKK   08:35 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         402     SIN   07:40 +2  BKK   09:00 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         972     SIN   09:40 +2  BKK   11:05 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         404     SIN   12:25 +2  BKK   13:45 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         974     SIN   12:55 +2  BKK   14:20 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         976     SIN   16:00 +2  BKK   17:25 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         978     SIN   18:35 +2  BKK   20:00 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         410     SIN   20:50 +2  BKK   22:10 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
ET         627     SIN   22:45 +2  BKK   00:05 +3  ***  0

hummel · Mar 5, 2014

bcworld said:

There is availability DPS-SIN on either the 16th or the 17th...could they do DPS-SIN-BKK-NRT?

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.4/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

Code:

DPS  Bali Denpasar Ngurah Rai Intl ID [WADD]
SIN  Singapore Changi SG [WSSS]
WED  16 Apr 2014 (16 Apr 2014 - 22 Apr 2014) | 2 Seats


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
SQ         941     DPS   10:30     SIN   13:00     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         943     DPS   13:05     SIN   15:35     772  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
SQ         947     DPS   20:05     SIN   22:35     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         949     DPS   21:45     SIN   00:15 +1  772  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         941     DPS   10:30 +1  SIN   13:00 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         943     DPS   13:05 +1  SIN   15:35 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         947     DPS   20:05 +1  SIN   22:35 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         949     DPS   21:45 +1  SIN   00:15 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         941     DPS   10:30 +2  SIN   13:00 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         943     DPS   13:05 +2  SIN   15:35 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         947     DPS   20:05 +2  SIN   22:35 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         949     DPS   21:45 +2  SIN   00:15 +3  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-

SIN-BKK

[KVS Availability Tool 7.3.4/Diamond - Awards/StarAlliance-7D]

Code:

SIN  Singapore Changi SG [WSSS]
BKK  Bangkok Metro / Suvarnabhumi Intl TH = BKK DMK [VTBS]
WED  16 Apr 2014 (16 Apr 2014 - 22 Apr 2014) | 2 Seats


Carrier    Flight  From  Depart    To    Arrive    A/C  St  Availability
---------  ------  ----  --------  ----  --------  ---  --  -------------
SQ         970     SIN   07:10     BKK   08:35     772  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
TG         402     SIN   07:40     BKK   09:00     777  0   FS/  CS+  YS+
SQ         972     SIN   09:40     BKK   11:05     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         404     SIN   12:25     BKK   13:45     773  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         974     SIN   12:55     BKK   14:20     772  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         976     SIN   16:00     BKK   17:25     333  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         978     SIN   18:35     BKK   20:00     333  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         410     SIN   20:50     BKK   22:10     773  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
ET         627     SIN   22:45     BKK   00:05 +1  763  0
SQ         970     SIN   07:10 +1  BKK   08:35 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
TG         402     SIN   07:40 +1  BKK   09:00 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         972     SIN   09:40 +1  BKK   11:05 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         404     SIN   12:25 +1  BKK   13:45 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         974     SIN   12:55 +1  BKK   14:20 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         976     SIN   16:00 +1  BKK   17:25 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         978     SIN   18:35 +1  BKK   20:00 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         410     SIN   20:50 +1  BKK   22:10 +1  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
ET         627     SIN   22:45 +1  BKK   00:05 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
SQ         970     SIN   07:10 +2  BKK   08:35 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         402     SIN   07:40 +2  BKK   09:00 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         972     SIN   09:40 +2  BKK   11:05 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         404     SIN   12:25 +2  BKK   13:45 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS+  YS-
SQ         974     SIN   12:55 +2  BKK   14:20 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         976     SIN   16:00 +2  BKK   17:25 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
SQ         978     SIN   18:35 +2  BKK   20:00 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS-
TG         410     SIN   20:50 +2  BKK   22:10 +2  ***  0   FS/  CS-  YS+
ET         627     SIN   22:45 +2  BKK   00:05 +3  ***  0

What's the deal with SQ availability? Is it still ok intra-asia?

bcworld · Mar 5, 2014

hummel said:
What's the deal with SQ availability? Is it still ok intra-asia?

No problems with intra Asia, or long haul (except Aus/NZ) where that is available. The 14 day rule only applies to Aus/NZ for whatever reason.

hummel · Mar 5, 2014

bcworld said:
No problems with intra Asia, or long haul (except Aus/NZ) where that is available. The 14 day rule only applies to Aus/NZ for whatever reason.

Understood. One day we might get an answer as to why...

smit0847 · Mar 5, 2014

mel_traveller said:
majorly hacked off here... Just got off phone to usdm, they claim they can't see ua availability at all now? I found availability on ua.com but on checking the route the could see nothing... He said his system said 'in-op'.

Will call back but i hope that's not the case!

h
u
a
c
a
.......

travelislife · Mar 5, 2014

Thanks a lot, am looking at that option right now. Even then there is still not a lot that pieces together nicely with keeping the layovers down to a minimum, looks easiest if they can overnight. They are still booked on BKK-NRT on the 17th 2210-0620+1. So piecing together could work out even with those short legs in economy just looks like some really long layovers.

Have one option which is the following:
17/04/14 DPS-SIN 20:05-22:35
18/04/14 SIN-PVG 01:15-06:35
18/04/14 PVG-NRT 10:00-13:50

But am not 100% US will be able to see the SQ SIN-PVG and the CA

legroom · Mar 5, 2014

Slightly off topic

KVS vs AwardTravelr

I only know the second option.

Am I missing any good stuff from KVS ?

Should I get KVS (only another 3.5 weeks to go !)?

I already have AwardNexus which is not that different from AwardTravelr IME.

Thanks for advice

MEL_Traveller · Mar 6, 2014

Couple of questions... TG462 the 0030 departure from MEL to BKK... anyone know if this is usually a gate or remote stand (bus) arrival? I've heard reports that one of the MEL flights is often a stand (only makes a difference because I'm wondering whether to book a paid buggy transfer).

Other issue, can you use another airline's fast track arrival card if your airline doesn't provide them?

somebol · Mar 6, 2014

MEL_Traveller said:
Couple of questions... TG462 the 0030 departure from MEL to BKK... anyone know if this is usually a gate or remote stand (bus) arrival? I've heard reports that one of the MEL flights is often a stand (only makes a difference because I'm wondering whether to book a paid buggy transfer).

Other issue, can you use another airline's fast track arrival card if your airline doesn't provide them?

Can't help with the first part. But yes you can use any airline's fast track card.

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