US Dividend Miles - Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[bcworld]

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?

Any time I've taken this flight it's always arrived on stand, usually the E concourse I think.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Any time I've taken this flight it's always arrived on stand, usually the E concourse I think.

thanks bc and somebol

 

[smit0847]

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?

I'm doing it next Friday so can tell you then. I did 461 a few weeks ago and it was a remote gate (boarding was a SHAMBLES), suggesting that it probably arrived at a remote gate. They used a remote gate because they are doing works to one of the concourses meaning less gates to use.

 

[somebol]

Planning a Europe trip for Dec/Jan.

If book TG F before 30/3, what happens if there are schedule changes after US leaves *A (quite likely given TG's track record)?

Given that AAdvantage and US DM will remain separate entities for a while, it would be interesting to see if DM's award chart changes after it enters *O.

decisions... decisions...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Planning a Europe trip for Dec/Jan.

If book TG F before 30/3, what happens if there are schedule changes after US leaves *A (quite likely given TG's track record)?

Given that AAdvantage and US DM will remain separate entities for a while, it would be interesting to see if DM's award chart changes after it enters *O.

decisions... decisions...

flippant answer is: arrange following words to form a sentence.... creek, paddle, up, a, without.

more complex answer might depend on the chosen itinerary. if you stick solely with TG they might one day manage to rearrange flights after a schedule change so that both your affected flight and any connecting flights align. they don't have a good record of that so far.

if the same thing happens again (misconnects) there will be little USDM can do to assist you.

 

[Happy Trails]

...... But yes you can use any airline's fast track card.

Just adding to this.
Inbound is no problem, but in recent times on departure, the Premium Lane gatekeeper has been scrutinising the card and comparing it to the boarding pass.
That didn't used to happen.

 

[casanovawa]

Planning a Europe trip for Dec/Jan.

If book TG F before 30/3, what happens if there are schedule changes after US leaves *A (quite likely given TG's track record)?

Given that AAdvantage and US DM will remain separate entities for a while, it would be interesting to see if DM's award chart changes after it enters *O.

decisions... decisions...

I am still getting around to making a few 30 March+ USDM bookings, I think it could be wise to make sure there are quite a few hours (up to half a day) between connections to allow for retimings of flights or changes of schedules... Might add an extra day or two to time in transit, but at least it should be some protection from ending up that creek....

 

[hummel]

Just adding to this.
Inbound is no problem, but in recent times on departure, the Premium Lane gatekeeper has been scrutinising the card and comparing it to the boarding pass.
That didn't used to happen.

Of course. Outbound is where it is needed too, inbound not so much with SmartGate in Australia.

 

[smit0847]

I am still getting around to making a few 30 March+ USDM bookings, I think it could be wise to make sure there are quite a few hours (up to half a day) between connections to allow for retimings of flights or changes of schedules... Might add an extra day or two to time in transit, but at least it should be some protection from ending up that creek....

It is risky but USDM is all about taking a punt!

 

[travelislife]

Schedule change wise who really knows. But I had flights with the old BMI where Thai changed the schedule and eventually I managed to get the segments to work with Thai helping me out and putting a new segment in there and then get it reticketed through British Airways, who knows what US will arrange though.

 

[Happy Trails]

Of course. Outbound is where it is needed too, inbound not so much with SmartGate in Australia.

Sorry, seems to be some confusion.
Just to be clear. I was referring to BKK arrival and departure.

 

[hummel]

Sorry, seems to be some confusion.
Just to be clear. I was referring to BKK arrival and departure.

Wouldn't be the first time I'm confused either... carry on

 

[ms1]

Can anyone tell me what lounge access I will have for the following United domestic flights on my USDM award booking:

SFO-EWR
EWR-MIA

US airways lists both flights as I class but when I logon to United it tells me I am flying first and it allows me to chose first seats. I will be arriving into SFO off an OZ flight which is in business class if it makes any difference.

Oh and I have *G through TK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Can anyone tell me what lounge access I will have for the following United domestic flights on my USDM award booking:

SFO-EWR
EWR-MIA

US airways lists both flights as I class but when I logon to United it tells me I am flying first and it allows me to chose first seats. I will be arriving into SFO off an OZ flight which is in business class if it makes any difference.

Oh and I have *G through TK.

Business class international tickets allow you to fly First class in the USA on 2 cabin aircraft. So your 'I' class booking seats you in F. That's standard.

You won't have any lounge access by virtue of your class of service within the states, or by virtue of your arriving flight.

You will however have access to UA Red Carpet clubs because you are a star gold. (there are lots of rules around star gold access to lounges in the USA, and whether it is a wholly domestic or international itinerary and whether your star gold is from a USA based carrier... but as an international star gold (TK) you don't need to be concerned about any of those)

 

[ms1]

You will however have access to UA Red Carpet clubs because you are a star gold. (there are lots of rules around star gold access to lounges in the USA, and whether it is a wholly domestic or international itinerary and whether your star gold is from a USA based carrier... but as an international star gold (TK) you don't need to be concerned about any of those)

I knew that status match would come in handy one day.

Thanks mate.

 

[burmans]

Schedule change wise who really knows. But I had flights with the old BMI where Thai changed the schedule and eventually I managed to get the segments to work with Thai helping me out and putting a new segment in there and then get it reticketed through British Airways, who knows what US will arrange though.

Personally I'm amazed at the negativity shown, while I'm not suggesting it will be always fully optimal (I'm actually sure there will be issues) schedule changes are not uncommon and dont really beleive that US will not at least try and help out. This is the honeymoon part of the merger and mergers dont achieve their benefits if you piss everyone off, US is IMO at least likely to try and do the right thing by the FF members (whether they are succesful is another matter).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Personally I'm amazed at the negativity shown, while I'm not suggesting it will be always fully optimal (I'm actually sure there will be issues) schedule changes are not uncommon and dont really beleive that US will not at least try and help out. This is the honeymoon part of the merger and mergers dont achieve their benefits if you piss everyone off, US is IMO at least likely to try and do the right thing by the FF members (whether they are succesful is another matter).

the problem is not that USDM won't help... it's whether they can help.

USDM will most likely be able to revalidate an existing ticket - so schedule changes which don't require anything else should be fine. But if USDM needs to reissue the ticket (new flights, or routings) ... on what basis can they do that? They can't book and pay for new award seats in star alliance as they are now one world.

 

[travelislife]

Personally I'm amazed at the negativity shown, while I'm not suggesting it will be always fully optimal (I'm actually sure there will be issues) schedule changes are not uncommon and dont really beleive that US will not at least try and help out. This is the honeymoon part of the merger and mergers dont achieve their benefits if you piss everyone off, US is IMO at least likely to try and do the right thing by the FF members (whether they are succesful is another matter).

They don't help at all! Am currently trying to sort out the schedule change I mentioned earlier and there is nothing they can do at the moment let alone when they aren't in Star. Their suggestion is to cancel and get a refund.

 

[travelislife]

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

Is someone with KVS able to check if there is any availability from SIN to NRT/HND/cough/KIX/NGO on the 17th of April? In business for 2 people? Lifemiles isn't working for me nor AwardTravelr. Thanks.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is someone with KVS able to check if there is any availability from SIN to NRT/HND/cough/KIX/NGO on the 17th of April? In business for 2 people? Lifemiles isn't working for me nor AwardTravelr. Thanks.

united.com is working. seats to nrt are available in Y or F at 0545/0550 for example