US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[Danger]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

Any reason you didn't consider TG ex PER?

SQ J class redemptions are only available less than 14 days before departure when Australia is involved...and yes, you can't use KF (or UA) to guage availability...ANA would be your best bet there.

TG was who I looked at first and I could get to GUM with two stops with TG but only with a maximum of two seats in Business. I thought I was on a winner when I found SQ availability but apparently not. It was after doing several searches that it occurred to me that UA doesn't show SQ availability (or maybe that's only because I was looking so far ahead).

You should have hung in there Danger. Seats you see on any airlines program is not necessarily indicative of what they release to partner airlines (ie. in Star Alliance and One World, this is true for most airlines not just SQ.

Yeah, found that out the hard way, unfortunately. A lesson learned, nonetheless.

The tools to search for availability are clearly discussed in various places here (United site, saver category only, ANA tool, Aeroplan, KVS).

Also did you ring UA or US Airways, as that could be your issue as well.

I had read about using the UA site and used that extensively. I didn't know about the Aeroplan. I did know about the ANA tool but note that you know need to not only have a FF account but at least 1000 miles in it in order to do a search.

You set yourself an ambitious target for your first redemption in the program that's for sure! Don't give up, do it!

Agreed. It was ambitious and I'm not too bummed. Others have clearly got some ripper deals.

You can gift as many miles as you like and they'll all receive whatever bonus you've spun up when you process the gifting.

Remember that the promotional quota counts against the recipient of bonus miles, not the person who purchases them (although the purchaser and the recipient can be the same person, of course!)

Gifting is pretty much the same as buying in terms of process. All you need to do is fill in a few more details about the person who will receive your gift, and that's it.

Interesting. Well, if I can help anyone (obviously without being out of pocket myself) let me know.

 

[travelislife]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

My multi quote skills aren't as good as yours!

TG was who I looked at first and I could get to GUM with two stops with TG but only with a maximum of two seats in Business. I thought I was on a winner when I found SQ availability but apparently not. It was after doing several searches that it occurred to me that UA doesn't show SQ availability (or maybe that's only because I was looking so far ahead).

TG will always only show 2 seats, but often when you call up and place those 2 seats on hold more seats may be released, this is a no risk way to try and get more than 2 people on the same flights.


Yeah, found that out the hard way, unfortunately. A lesson learned, nonetheless.



I had read about using the UA site and used that extensively. I didn't know about the Aeroplan. I did know about the ANA tool but note that you know need to not only have a FF account but at least 1000 miles in it in order to do a search.

This is not quite correct. If you read the sticky in the flyertalk thread it is very easy to get the tool to work with no miles in your account. You just do a normal search for a route ANA operates and then can change the details and use the star alliance button.

Agreed. It was ambitious and I'm not too bummed. Others have clearly got some ripper deals.



Interesting. Well, if I can help anyone (obviously without being out of pocket myself) let me know.

 

[bcworld]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

It was after doing several searches that it occurred to me that UA doesn't show SQ availability (or maybe that's only because I was looking so far ahead).

It's because, for whatever reason, in December UA and SQ (allegedly) reached an agreement that UA will no longer display SQ availability online and it can only be booked by phone...this applies to all classes.

 

[appaz]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

It's because, for whatever reason, in December UA and SQ (allegedly) reached an agreement that UA will no longer display SQ availability online and it can only be booked by phone...this applies to all classes.

are you saying that with a phone call we are able to get SQ J more then 14 days out? I didn't think we could!

 

[alieninperth]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

UA have access to SQ award seats, not US.

 

[bcworld]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

are you saying that with a phone call we are able to get SQ J more then 14 days out? I didn't think we could!

No I'm not. I was referring to the situation with UA and SQ, and that SQ availability will never display on united.com...that is all.

UA cannot get SQ J further out than 14 days either.

 

[travelislife]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

UA have access to SQ award seats, not US.

This is incorrect. Both programmes have access to the same SQ award seats from my knowledge.

 

[Happy Trails]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

I've used the Lifemiles site to find SQ availability and then booked with USDM.

 

[travelislife]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

I've used the Lifemiles site to find SQ availability and then booked with USDM.

This can be done. Just have to be careful as Lifemiles will give availability on some A380 and 77W segments which definitely can't be booked by USDM.

 

[casanovawa]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

Was going to buy 100% promo miles today, probably up to 100k, but then I thought, why would it make sense for USDM to sell miles on such a promo right on the death knell of leaving *A and not have a reasonably good chance that there will be future 100% buy/gift promos or even better a 100% share promo... I know its only guess work, but there must be some good chance that these promos will continue won't there, can anyone see any sense as to why they would do a promo right up to last few days of leaving *A when we know they will be around for probably another year till they get folded into OW???

 

[alieninperth]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

This is incorrect. Both programmes have access to the same SQ award seats from my knowledge.

I've pretty much written US off for getting SQ flights. I agree that they 'should' have the same access but from what I have read on FT it would 'seem' that UA have greater access.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

I've pretty much written US off for getting SQ flights. I agree that they 'should' have the same access but from what I have read on FT it would 'seem' that UA have greater access.

UA has no access (on line) to SQ anymore, and what they can find they need to book via the call centre and the fees have not been waived.

 

[smit0847]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

I've pretty much written US off for getting SQ flights. I agree that they 'should' have the same access but from what I have read on FT it would 'seem' that UA have greater access.

So can you book SQ to/from Australia at more than 14 days out? I thought if its not displaying on LMs then its not bookable on USDM?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

So can you book SQ to/from Australia at more than 14 days out? I thought if its not displaying on LMs then its not bookable on USDM?

14 days out you can book ex AU with USDM.

 

[bcworld]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

So can you book SQ to/from Australia at more than 14 days out?

Only with Krisflyer.

 

[bcworld]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

OZ SYD service reduction May - Oct:

ASIANA AIRLINES May – Oct 2014 Sydney Service Reductions | Airline Route

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

OZ SYD service reduction May - Oct:

ASIANA AIRLINES May – Oct 2014 Sydney Service Reductions | Airline Route

thats harsh. anyone with GUM itineraries act fast to secure alternative flights!

 

[adrian]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

Many thanks to whoever started the original Dividend Miles thread , what must be several years ago.

As a heavy OW flyer, I didn't really think I would get much out of these cheap points. But as I write this from the Thai Airways lounge, shortly to board my last remaining sector, BKK-SYD in TG F, feeling very relaxed after a neck, shoulder and leg massage in the Royal Orchid Spa, I realise just how much I got out of it.

I didn't go crazy with the points buying, just bought 50/100k here and there when there were good offers around. I think I nabbed the share offer 3 times, which was always the best value. I looked at the GUM option, but after finding itineraries, and getting 150K quotes from US, twice, I decided I didn't really want to fly that far to get to somewhere I didn't really want to go to, and just stuck with the simple....

In the end we redeemed 4 fairly simple short (7-10 day) itineraries, all last minute, although one did go pear shaped due to no fault of US or TG:

End of 2012: SYD-BKK(stop)-CDG(stop)-BKK-SYD TG F for 1 pax. Unfortunately, this itinerary had to be forfeited after the SYD-BKK sector when I was not able to make the BKK-CDG sector due to work commitments. I'm not used to completely non-flexible tickets, so this was an unhappy lesson... but then...

End of 2013: SYD-BKK(STOP)-MXP(stop)-BKK-SYD, TG F for 2 pax. A fantastic trip...

This week: SYD-BKK-CDG(stop)-FRA-BKK-SYD, TG F for 1 pax. This trip has been best yet, with 2 A380 sectors, and 2 747 sectors with the new interiors. I held the flights Saturday, ticketed Sunday, and travelled Monday, a very smooth process.

Total cost for all 4 trips to Europe in first class totalled approx $9000, including the fees and taxes (and late ticketing fees). I generally had good experiences with US Airways staff, although they are not as good as the AA EXP desk. Found it pretty easy to get thru, and very easy to pay.

I found TG an excellent airline, at least in F (I didn't get the try Y or J, I am glad to say). The service has been great, the lounges & spa very good, and the plane to lounge or plane to immigration service is fantastic. I have to say that I have been spoiled by F, and will find J a come-down from hereon (let's not even mention Y)

We have about 150k points left in one account, that we probably won't get to use, but are happy for these to be eventually converted to AA points. I love the flexibility of the AA programme, with no hold or change fees, and the one-ways, but I will miss the whole F experience as it is very hard to come by on OneWorld. Anyway, CX J is probably 80-85% as good as Thai F, so we will still be well catered for.

Thank you again to the forum, particularly whoever it was that started the original thread... I'll be sure to enjoy this last remaining sector

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

We have about 150k points left in one account, that we probably won't get to use, but are happy for these to be eventually converted to AA points. I love the flexibility of the AA programme, with no hold or change fees, and the one-ways, but I will miss the whole F experience as it is very hard to come by on OneWorld. Anyway, CX J is probably 80-85% as good as Thai F, so we will still be well catered for.

Thank you again to the forum, particularly whoever it was that started the original thread... I'll be sure to enjoy this last remaining sector

welcome to the club.

as you can see - F class for not much more than the price of Y. What's the point being handcuffed to any one airline when you can fly when you want, where you want, for pennies.

AA points (or before that, using USDM points for oneworld travel) will still get you some good experiences... CX F ex HKG transpac or to europe. JL F. And even QF F. USDM will charge 150K to europe QF F and if it all gos to AA that'll only increase to 160K.

The problem, of course, is that we lose the 'when you want' - oneworld often requires commitment a long way in advance.

 

[adrian]

Re: Change of Award Cabin - Before travel starts - ? Possible on partner airlines

The problem, of course, is that we lose the 'when you want' - oneworld often requires commitment a long way in advance.

I have been pretty lucky with OneWorld. I almost always book last minute - usually a couple of days out, and have had a lot of success - have burnt around 3million AA miles, mostly on CX

But nothing like the TG-crazy availability....