US Dividend Miles Buy/Gift Miles 100% bonus - Cheap way for F/J *A Awards

[k3nnis]

Looks like I will have no chance for j seats. I will need 3 seats lol.

 

[Insaneous]

I think you should re-read page 1 on the equivalent FT thread, that will help. Alot of your questions are answered if you have read them. Pay attention to "piecing" your segments to make an itinerary.

Just re-read that thread, the particular passage on piecing together segments isn't really that much help.

All it says is that for a given destination (i.e. CPT), to then look at the flights that go to CPT (i.e.LHR-CPT, IST-CPT), then look at flights from your home airport (in this example TPA) to the connecting airport.

It also just says that flights between city to city are 'segments', and that you should piece together segments (i.e. each individual city-to-city component) to make one long trip. Not clear on what restrictions there. Does that mean I can piece together any segments I want from any city to any other city as long as a *Alliance airline flies between the two? Its not really clear if I am restricted by a particular route of multiple cities being a valid "route" or not.

 

[bcworld]

NZ seats have really dried up since they brought in the new 'one up' bidding system for upgrades for their own flyers (even NZ FFs hate it and have less availability than before as they are trying to get some cash for the seats). Before that system came in there used to be a mix of seats released about 90 days out from travel.

Exactly. Since 'one-up' I've never seen an AKL-LAX J seat, or any other long non stop AKL-West Coast (North America) flight. As you say, before that there was sporadic availability 2-3 months out. Asian routes (except HKG) were OK but many of them now seem to be served by 767s with sub standard hard product.

 

[Flashback]

You know you can actually call up and make your booking without buying any points? You put the itinerary on hold and then you can then buy the points and call back within three days to pay and ticket the flight. One of the best bits about the program I reckon.

I have just done a 'share' of 30,000+30,000 so will see how long it takes. Will then be sharing 30,000+30,000 back the other way, essentially buying 60,000 miles for $700 which will allow me and my GF to to F to Europe instead of J, an 'upgrade' for only $350 return, bargain!

Just beware that these days it often takes a full 3 days for the miles to actually show up when you buy them, so sometimes you miss the 3 day hold by a whisker.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Oh ok. Would be a bonus if I could fly A380 J on SQ metal using US miles. I guess if I could go on the 773 refitted, that would be ok too Would prefer to avoid the A330.

the A330 has a better business class seat than the 773 refurb.

While a similar seat, the A330 goes completely flat (slight angle), compred to the 773 which is not flat at all - the leg rest just drops away to the floor.

 

[bcworld]

the A330 has a better business class seat than the 773 refurb.

While a similar seat, the A330 goes completely flat (slight angle), compred to the 773 which is not flat at all - the leg rest just drops away to the floor.

I thought the A330 and refitted 773 had the same seat? The website certainly suggests that's the case.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I thought the A330 and refitted 773 had the same seat? The website certainly suggests that's the case.

Nope!! It's different. I found out the hard way when I flew the 773 for the first time in business class!

They are essentially the same design, but the 777 seat is quite a bit wider (it is possible to sleep completely on your side on the seat pan with your knees pulled up so that you can have a flat surface to sleep on). The A330 is narrower, but you can sleep on your side stretched out because the seat is angled full flat.

The 773 leg rest drops away at about a 45 degree angle" lying on your back is uncomfortable, and on your side is impossible. The leg rest is the same as on TGs older angled seats where they too just drop away.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just re-read that thread, the particular passage on piecing together segments isn't really that much help.

All it says is that for a given destination (i.e. CPT), to then look at the flights that go to CPT (i.e.LHR-CPT, IST-CPT), then look at flights from your home airport (in this example TPA) to the connecting airport.

It also just says that flights between city to city are 'segments', and that you should piece together segments (i.e. each individual city-to-city component) to make one long trip. Not clear on what restrictions there. Does that mean I can piece together any segments I want from any city to any other city as long as a *Alliance airline flies between the two? Its not really clear if I am restricted by a particular route of multiple cities being a valid "route" or not.

With all due respect, you seem to be making this far more complicated than it needs to be. You DO simply search sector by sector. So if you want to go to HNL, which allowed via asia, then you break your search SYD-BKK (or SIN or ICN) then search from BKK/SIN/ICN to HNL.

Do keep in mind however the basic rules - 4 segments only outbound and return, no stopovers in non-star hub cities (although this can depend on the agent), and that your destination is the farthest point you will stopover, zone wise. And on top of all that - you can't expect something way out of the world mileage wise (although there have been reports of some amazing routes here like SYD-DEL-JNB-LHR-South America). I would consider that routing to be the exception rather than the norm.

As an example... if you are flying Australia to the USA you can fly via europe. break it down segment by segment... AU-ASIA (BKK/PVG/PEK/SIN/ICN), then Asia to Europe (via FRA/MUC/IST/FCO etc etc etc) then to USA. The options are pretty much endless.

 

[Alanslegal]

It also just says that flights between city to city are 'segments', and that you should piece together segments (i.e. each individual city-to-city component) to make one long trip. Not clear on what restrictions there. Does that mean I can piece together any segments I want from any city to any other city as long as a *Alliance airline flies between the two? Its not really clear if I am restricted by a particular route of multiple cities being a valid "route" or not.

Sorry for the piecing and segment(ation) confusion. I interpreted that as similar

Over at FT it says "A round-trip award booking is made up of multiple "segments". Each "segment" connects two cities together. It is best to piece together your itinerary segment by segment.......".

So yes, it does mean you can piece together the segments of your choosing. So for a Sydney to Los Angeles example, if you can't find a direct flight and you want to go the scenic route .... then try SYD-AKL AKL-SYD. If you don't want to go via NZ, then why not fly to LAX via Asia. Break up your itinerary into segments and work your way through whats available, eg SYD-BKK then BKK-LAX or SYD-ICN-LAX or SYD-BKK-ICN-LAX and so on. Don't go overly creative on your first booking though as there are rules (of which some of them are loosely enforced). What is allowed and what is not allowed is up to the US agent, if you give us an idea of what you have found is available, we can let you know if its worth a try. As with the guide, if you don't like what is being told or offered, politely hang up and try again. Have a look at the successful booking thread and there is quite a few routings which will give you an idea what have been completed.

 

[casanovawa]

There are lots of examples of previous redemptions on the successful redemption thread to give you ideas of what is available...

With TG's A380s, did i read they were meant to be getting 3 before the end of 2012 and 3 next year and does anyone know the routes they are going to be going on??? I know there is BKK-FRA and BKK-CDG, is the other going to be BKK-LHR or is there still going to be one on BKK-HKG??? Is there a page where TG has announced this?

 

[Insaneous]

With all due respect, you seem to be making this far more complicated than it needs to be. You DO simply search sector by sector. So if you want to go to HNL, which allowed via asia, then you break your search SYD-BKK (or SIN or ICN) then search from BKK/SIN/ICN to HNL.

ahh thank you... clearly I was making it way more complicated. I'll have to now investigate my options. I'm thinking MEL-LAX-HNL-ICN-BKK-MEL in J, or to go F most of the way... SYD-BKK-ICN-LAX-HNL-ICN-BKK-SYD.

Thanks all.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

ahh thank you... clearly I was making it way more complicated. I'll have to now investigate my options. I'm thinking MEL-LAX-HNL-ICN-BKK-MEL in J, or to go F most of the way... SYD-BKK-ICN-LAX-HNL-ICN-BKK-SYD.

Thanks all.

but remember - you may run into a problem trying to get HNL as a stopover as it's not a star alliance hub city. And HNL as your destination actually presents a unique issue because although its closer to AU than the USA, its actually more expensive! 120K in J and 160K in F. (Its one of the few exceptions I think the the general rule on pricing)

I would just try getting HNL as a stopover and hope they treat USA as the destination.

 

[Flashback]

I actually got straight through to an agent this time which is a nice change. There was a 1 day deliberation by those wanting to fly and as a result the F leg ICN-ORD disappeared, so have had to settle for business instead. It does mean I can do the non-stop to JFK rather than via ORD so that's something at least. They still have 1 F leg on the A380 FRA-BKK at least.

Routing was knocked back though, said via FRA is not direct when going via the US. Guess I might have to HUACA.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I actually got straight through to an agent this time which is a nice change. There was a 1 day deliberation by those wanting to fly and as a result the F leg ICN-ORD disappeared, so have had to settle for business instead. It does mean I can do the non-stop to JFK rather than via ORD so that's something at least. They still have 1 F leg on the A380 FRA-BKK at least.

Routing was knocked back though, said via FRA is not direct when going via the US. Guess I might have to HUACA.

it might have been wise to out the awards on hold for the three days, then sort it out with your passengers. it's a real shame they missed out on asiana first class: asiana business is great, but first is another coule of levels higher (almost on par with sq, cx and LH).

i never have to wait more than about 30 seconds to get an agent, I usually call around 10-11pm eastern Australian time. but getting a good agent is 50-50. last week I had a guy read my itinerary who stumbled for about 30 seconds to pronounce sewey-elle (for Seoul).

your case of the return via fra however is a very good example why it sometimes pays to not try and play the know-it-all with agents and just insist on reading out the flights you have found (not referring to you flashware! just to callers in general who might do this). I know it can be frustrating to have to wait while they go and do their search thing, but when I booked my ticket to ord the agent went away and came up with a routing via Europe... my reply was 'I've got a quicker route' (which was via Seoul), but for the return, I was able to say 'going back I want to take the route via Europe that you found for the outbound, but use it in reverse'. because she already knew that Europe was an allowed routing it saved a lot of time/argument/hanging up and calling again.

you never know, their own research can turn up some great routes. there have even been reports that they have offered LX C which didn't show on the booking tools.

 

[Flashback]

it might have been wise to out the awards on hold for the three days, then sort it out with your passengers. it's a real shame they missed out on asiana first class: asiana business is great, but first is another coule of levels higher (almost on par with sq, cx and LH).

i never have to wait more than about 30 seconds to get an agent, I usually call around 10-11pm eastern Australian time. but getting a good agent is 50-50. last week I had a guy read my itinerary who stumbled for about 30 seconds to pronounce sewey-elle (for Seoul).

your case of the return via fra however is a very good example why it sometimes pays to not try and play the know-it-all with agents and just insist on reading out the flights you have found (not referring to you flashware! just to callers in general who might do this). I know it can be frustrating to have to wait while they go and do their search thing, but when I booked my ticket to ord the agent went away and came up with a routing via Europe... my reply was 'I've got a quicker route' (which was via Seoul), but for the return, I was able to say 'going back I want to take the route via Europe that you found for the outbound, but use it in reverse'. because she already knew that Europe was an allowed routing it saved a lot of time/argument/hanging up and calling again.

you never know, their own research can turn up some great routes. there have even been reports that they have offered LX C which didn't show on the booking tools.

I'm on hold at the moment, have been for 15 minutes or so now.. she's off checking a few things. Be interesting to see what she comes back with, especially as ex-PER unless you go via ICN both ways (which they'd rather not) then EU is the only option (and allows the stopover to come visit the wife & I!). Tick tock.......

Worst case if not, we'll drop off the US and just do a straight EU return and at least get F both ways on the A380 with TG.

Edit: nearly 30 minutes now.. has just come back and said no. Said that New York is not the destination, it's a stopover and Frankfurt is the destination (because PER-FRA is longer than PER-JFK). Sigh....

 

[Flashback]

Well that was a big fail. Said that PER-FRA is longer than PER-JFK (although GCM says otherwise...) therefore JFK is the stopover, not the destination and that's not allowed.

Guess the only thing I can try here is to let them search and see what they come up with .. but is it worth the time / effort anyway especially given they don't NEED to goto the US and can't get F on ICN-JFK anyway....

http://www.gcmap.com/mapui?P=PER-FRA,+PER-JFK,+PER-FRA-JFK

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well that was a big fail. Said that PER-FRA is longer than PER-JFK (although GCM says otherwise...) therefore JFK is the stopover, not the destination and that's not allowed.

Guess the only thing I can try here is to let them search and see what they come up with .. but is it worth the time / effort anyway especially given they don't NEED to goto the US and can't get F on ICN-JFK anyway....

Great Circle Mapper

deep breath, try again.

 

[Flashback]

deep breath, try again.

Given all the hassle, that it's only J to the US anyway, and the main reason for the trip was Europe I've gone for something more simple.

PER-BKK (TG C), BKK-FRA (TG F), FRA-PRG (LH C) destination
open-jaw
CDG-BKK (TG F), BKK-PER (TG C)

For the first time ever actually managed to get the straight through PER-BKK both ways (rather than via SIN), will ring soon and lock it in. Given they weren't overly fussed on the US anyway, this just makes life nice and easy and they now get 2 long legs in F, one on the 773 and one on the A380.

 

[lmere12]

Just noticed my booking has disappeared from my account. called up US and apparently Thai have cancelled their TG 923 FRA-BKK on the 12/06.

Not many options avail for me apart from a long connection in BKK


current: CDG FRA FRA BKK BKK SIN SIN BNE
17;50 19:05 21:10 12;50 16:25 19;40 21:15 06:55

can change to: CDG - BKK - SIN - BNE @ 13:40 05:55 16:25 19:40 21:15 06:55

Was all perfect

Any ideas ? suck up the long connection is at worst.

 

[markis10]

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