US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[bcworld]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

Hi,

long time reader first time poster...

Just wondering when searching for award flights on united.com does the award seat need to be available in the 'saver award' or 'standard award' column?

Saver Award.

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

How's J/F availabilty on MH though?

Given the continuing events of MH370, they might have a dip in demand in the short term. Thinking those F seats on the 380's

 

[anat0l]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

How's J/F availabilty on MH though?

Given the continuing events of MH370, they might have a dip in demand in the short term. Thinking those F seats on the 380's

I think people said they were doing alright on the MH J availability. A380 F availability was spotty at best.

I'd like to think that perhaps except for SYD and MEL - and possibly - MH J availability from Australia to Asia and hitherto regional Asia can't be that bad. But without experience searching for it, I'm really just guessing here (and kind of adapting a bit of SQ and TG heuristics to the situation, which may be grossly inaccurate).

Checking for MH availability - I'd think Enrich is probably the best way to go about it. QF definitely won't show it (semi-obvious / coincidental reasons); even though Enrich's interface is a bit clunky.

 

[zainman]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

I think people said they were doing alright on the MH J availability. A380 F availability was spotty at best.

I'd like to think that perhaps except for SYD and MEL - and possibly - MH J availability from Australia to Asia and hitherto regional Asia can't be that bad. But without experience searching for it, I'm really just guessing here (and kind of adapting a bit of SQ and TG heuristics to the situation, which may be grossly inaccurate).

Checking for MH availability - I'd think Enrich is probably the best way to go about it. QF definitely won't show it (semi-obvious / coincidental reasons); even though Enrich's interface is a bit clunky.

I use BA.com for MH

 

[Danger]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

In the successful bookings thread luxurytraveller posted two returns trips from Australia to Asia, one in J for 30k and in F and J for 40k.

But I'm confused.

The way I read the Dividend Miles award chart sees the cheapest award flight from South Pacific to another region going for 70k and that's in Y. So what am I missing?

And while I'm asking questions, what's gives with all the excitement on Guam?

 

[hummel]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

In the successful bookings thread luxurytraveller posted two returns trips from Australia to Asia, one in J for 30k and in F and J for 40k.

But I'm confused.

The way I read the Dividend Miles award chart sees the cheapest award flight from South Pacific to another region going for 70k and that's in Y. So what am I missing?

And while I'm asking questions, what's gives with all the excitement on Guam?

I think you've answered your own questions there Danger​. Check where GUM is in the award chart.

 

[Danger]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

I think you've answered your own questions there Danger​. Check where GUM is in the award chart.

Ha. Well that's awkward. Now I know what all the fuss is about!

So Saipan is also classified as South Pacific?

 

[boomy]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

In the successful bookings thread luxurytraveller posted two returns trips from Australia to Asia, one in J for 30k and in F and J for 40k.

But I'm confused.

The way I read the Dividend Miles award chart sees the cheapest award flight from South Pacific to another region going for 70k and that's in Y. So what am I missing?

And while I'm asking questions, what's gives with all the excitement on Guam?

If you make Guam or Saipan your destination then you can use only 30k for J or 40k for F because they are located in the South Pacific, same as Australia.
Now the trick is to fly there via Asia, make a "stopover" somewhere on the way, and go back home via Guam/Saipan.
Because stopovers in Asia are not allowed, you need to be lucky enough to get the right US agent who will do the booking for you for 30/40K.

 

[Danger]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

If you make Guam or Saipan your destination then you can use only 30k for J or 40k for F because they are located in the South Pacific, same as Australia.
Now the trick is to fly there via Asia, make a "stopover" somewhere on the way, and go back home via Guam/Saipan.
Because stopovers in Asia are not allowed, you need to be lucky enough to get the right US agent who will do the booking for you for 30/40K.

Okay. Many thanks.

Where can I find a definition of the regions and exactly how far the 30k/40k from South Pacific will get me (ie. what options are available)?

 

[bcworld]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

Okay. Many thanks.

Where can I find a definition of the regions and exactly how far the 30k/40k from South Pacific will get me (ie. what options are available)?

You can't really find these things. The trick involves primarily GUM, but also SPN and ROP?

Common stopovers are HKG, NRT, KIX, NGO, cough, BKK, PVG, TPE, maybe PEK. So you can have one stopover > 24hours and lots of layovers close to but not over 23h 59mins.

You could stay in GUM for as long as you like...potentially just a few hours and up.

I note you're in PER...don't recall seeing a PER-GUM itin but the MPM looks generous enough. PER-BKK-HKG-GUM is well under.

 

[boomy]

Where can I find a definition of the regions and exactly how far the 30k/40k from South Pacific will get me (ie. what options are available)?

The region chart can be found at USDM membership guide. It looks like this:
View attachment 26296

 

[Danger]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

You can't really find these things. The trick involves primarily GUM, but also SPN and ROP?

Common stopovers are HKG, NRT, KIX, NGO, cough, BKK, PVG, TPE, maybe PEK. So you can have one stopover > 24hours and lots of layovers close to but not over 23h 59mins.

You could stay in GUM for as long as you like...potentially just a few hours and up.

I note you're in PER...don't recall seeing a PER-GUM itin but the MPM looks generous enough. PER-BKK-HKG-GUM is well under.

Wonderful. I'll have a think. Thank you.

The region chart can be found at USDM membership guide. It looks like this:
View attachment 26296

That link doesn't seem to be working for me.

 

[bcworld]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

That link doesn't seem to be working for me.

It won't help you anyway. It doesn't define what is and isn't in South Pacific.

 

[boomy]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

That link doesn't seem to be working for me.

It wasn't a link, it was a screenshot.
Try this link:
https://www.usairways.com/en-US/dividendmiles/usemiles/awardchart.html?re=1
As bcworld said, it doesn't define specific areas but it will give you an idea where you can go using USDM.

 

[get me outta here]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

If you have a look at the USDM successful bookings thread you'll find heaps of clues and possible itineraries.

 

[Flashback]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

You can't really find these things. The trick involves primarily GUM, but also SPN and ROP?

Common stopovers are HKG, NRT, KIX, NGO, cough, BKK, PVG, TPE, maybe PEK. So you can have one stopover > 24hours and lots of layovers close to but not over 23h 59mins.

You could stay in GUM for as long as you like...potentially just a few hours and up.

I note you're in PER...don't recall seeing a PER-GUM itin but the MPM looks generous enough. PER-BKK-HKG-GUM is well under.

You can't have a stopover on a single region award. Those who have been able to get them, have done so through luck.

 

[anat0l]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

You can't have a stopover on a single region award. Those who have been able to get them, have done so through luck.

This is one of the few intrazonals where getting a stopover "through luck" seems to be luckier than others. I'd expect most other intrazonal awards to be almost flat out rejected if requesting a stopover.

 

[d.diddy_13]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

How long can a 'stopover' be for?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

How long can a 'stopover' be for?

theoretically about 363 days (allowing the other two days to fly to and from home and to and from your destination).

your stopover can be longer than your destination (which could be as shortas an immediate turn)

 

[davem]

Re: Heads Up! (I hope)

Having the worst luck.

It all goes perfect until.

AGENT: "Is narita in japan?"

Japan is 120k because you are stopping over there.