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

[anat0l]

I now have instructions to only book F when useing USDM... as it's just not the same...

What have I done.

You married her.

You probably didn't tell her that you're going to have to bend over backwards a bit to get seats, especially in LH F (she may have to be content with TG and OZ F in the future).

Either that or you'll be paying the award travel finding services a lot more.

 

[JohnK]

However - given the complexities of this case, and the fact that the tickets are coming from suspended and/or closed accounts, it is only wise that you call USDM and confirm the ticket is valid. You should take the time to explain to them that the account is closed and that you need a clear confirmation that you can travel.

Have I missed the fun in this thread again?

 

[hummel]

You married her.

You probably didn't tell her that you're going to have to bend over backwards a bit to get seats, especially in LH F (she may have to be content with TG and OZ F in the future).

Either that or you'll be paying the award travel finding services a lot more.

Haven't married her.. yet!

I told her next time we won't be flying LH F due to availability. The only person I know who prefers TG F in the 747 to TG F in the 777 with the suites...!!

I did get asked if we could fly F to the Cook Islands for our honeymoon. I suggested it's not a good use of miles...

 

[k3nnis]

You guys crack me up. You guys got it good!
My wife doesn't like flying! So I don't get to go anywhere lol! Only go on our free amex flights
That is why I have so many AMEX MR sitting in my Ascent Premium account. One day I will use it

 

[anat0l]

The only person I know who prefers TG F in the 747 to TG F in the 777 with the suites...!!

Probably because in a suite she can't get closer to you

That said, I think the new A380 suites and even the 77W suites have a pair set in the middle with a common wall that can be lowered?

I did get asked if we could fly F to the Cook Islands for our honeymoon. I suggested it's not a good use of miles...

Probably not a good use of miles... because you can't get F to the Cook Islands! You can get NZ J, and if you're lucky NZ 777 J (probably not the newest product - still better than 763 J), but I'm not sure what the availability is like going to RAR. If it's 763, probably shoo-in, if it's 777, I'd like to say it can't be as bad as NZ's main trunk international routes, but still, start praying...


Some other alternatives.... MRU and MLE come to mind. None of them have F going to them (don't think SQ fly F aircraft to MLE), but MLE does have the option of TK in J (unsure of product type, however).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I now have instructions to only book F when useing USDM... as it's just not the same...

same here. My parents who HATE transferring in SYD (as in refuse at all costs to do it no matter what) issued a directive after getting to Europe that all future travel is to be solely in F ex SYD! (somehow TG J MEL-BKK followed by TG F to Europe was the deciding factor!)

 

[Alanslegal]

You guys crack me up. You guys got it good!
My wife doesn't like flying! So I don't get to go anywhere lol! Only go on our free amex flights
That is why I have so many AMEX MR sitting in my Ascent Premium account. One day I will use it

Hey, I am more than happy to be sponsored by your MR points Here's my SQ KF number 821000000000 <--- not real


But why not book her a nice long haul flight in F .... see if that will change her mind

 

[anat0l]

Well I've got 150k apiece in two accounts for my folks. Planning to give them a "certificate" to "redeem" their "First Class Star Alliance Round Trip to Europe or North America" to cover for this Christmas, next year's birthdays, mothers and fathers days and 25th and 32nd anniversaries.

Not sure how they'll take it (I think they'd sooner freak out about how much it cost me rather than take it in their stride) - they're the kind of people who have never flown premium before (my dad has flown J twice - no big deal) and would hell or high water never pay for it. I'm hoping, for my sake, they'll be happy with their gift.

 

[k3nnis]

Lol. Problem is our daughter is 22 months and very active hence very difficult on long haul flights.

Hey, I am more than happy to be sponsored by your MR points Here's my SQ KF number 821000000000 <--- not real


But why not book her a nice long haul flight in F .... see if that will change her mind

 

[shane2603]

Use your MR points to book F on Malaysian, currently half price redemptions! Hurry before they pull the A380 from Sydney though.

 

[hummel]

Probably because in a suite she can't get closer to you

That said, I think the new A380 suites and even the 77W suites have a pair set in the middle with a common wall that can be lowered?



Probably not a good use of miles... because you can't get F to the Cook Islands! You can get NZ J, and if you're lucky NZ 777 J (probably not the newest product - still better than 763 J), but I'm not sure what the availability is like going to RAR. If it's 763, probably shoo-in, if it's 777, I'd like to say it can't be as bad as NZ's main trunk international routes, but still, start praying...


Some other alternatives.... MRU and MLE come to mind. None of them have F going to them (don't think SQ fly F aircraft to MLE), but MLE does have the option of TK in J (unsure of product type, however).

Exactly that. I loved the suite... particularly breakfast for 2 in my suite overlooking the French countryside.

Yeah I've tried explaining that AirNZ is pretty hard to get, she suggested we actually pay!!

MLE look ok, but at the end of the day, still need to afford the accommodation I suggested SYD-BKK-ICN-JFK(dest)-ICN-BKK(stopover) or something along those lines, it's all about maximising value isn't it.

 

[anat0l]

Yeah I've tried explaining that AirNZ is pretty hard to get, she suggested we actually pay!!

Someone reckoned that NZ J in cash to one of those island destinations (might've been PPT) isn't so bad. (It all started with asking how to status run NZ Airpoints Gold, and someone suggested an option that costs about $6k a year, I think).

Welcome to your married life, mate*

MLE look ok, but at the end of the day, still need to afford the accommodation I suggested SYD-BKK-ICN-JFK(dest)-ICN-BKK(stopover) or something along those lines, it's all about maximising value isn't it.

'Tis, but SWMBO-to-be might not be so keen - she suggests the peaceful and calm Pacific Islands and you suggest the hustling and bustling New York?


* meant in jest; I'm not married, so I'll leave the rest of the advice to the others on the board who have the experience


To bring this all back on track...... are people finding a lot of availability on OZ F to the states, except for LAX routes operated by OZ's 747s (most likely the Combis)? I'm finding myself that OZ F on anything except for the Combi aircraft is rare (that's anywhere in the world). Even NH F seems to be easier to find than OZ F - at least you get some spotty availability on NH F to select locations. NH F is sort of on my bucket list; I hear the food is superb and the ambiance relaxing, NRT NH F lounge is a quiet and tranquil enough place to wait for a flight, and the new Inspiration of Japan F suites ("boxes") look nice (stock standard box suite that's being rolled in a few places)... but the amenity kits are a bit drab and you have to give back the sleeper suits at the end of the flight :-|.

 

[markis10]

ICN- JFK is going daily double with the A380 for Jan, might become a more permanent fixture.

 

[k3nnis]

Yeah it's a great deal but I can't travel during that period. Also they already pulled the A380 from syd.

Use your MR points to book F on Malaysian, currently half price redemptions! Hurry before they pull the A380 from Sydney though.

 

[wafliron]

same here. My parents who HATE transferring in SYD (as in refuse at all costs to do it no matter what) issued a directive after getting to Europe that all future travel is to be solely in F ex SYD! (somehow TG J MEL-BKK followed by TG F to Europe was the deciding factor!)

Haha, I can relate to this - while I don't "hate" transferring in SYD, I did historically avoid it wherever possible. This year, I've transferred in SYD on my way out of Australia on 3 out of 4 international trips - twice so I could fly F, and once so I could extend time in the F lounge (followed by travelling J).

Use your MR points to book F on Malaysian, currently half price redemptions! Hurry before they pull the A380 from Sydney though.

I hadn't spotted this promo yet... I know we're heading off-topic, but wow, this is such a good deal it's almost unbelievable. I just searched a few random dates, and you can fly Australia to Europe or LA return in J for 60,000 Enrich miles (60,000 Amex points). I wonder what they're up to... maybe trying to get Enrich members to burn off their points on MH metal before they join OW?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Perfect timing. Just what I was wishing for last night. I'm on 114k US Miles, need a few to hit 160k.

 

[kezzakawasaki]

Both of us bought and shared in October to bump our accounts up to 160K points each (sweet), and like Oneworldplus2 got the following again last night for purchases in November!!! Might have to pass this time around....

Get a 100% bonus when you buy or gift miles

 

[burmans]

Both of us bought and shared in October to bump our accounts up to 160K points each (sweet), and like Oneworldplus2 got the following again last night for purchases in November!!! Might have to pass this time around....

Get a 100% bonus when you buy or gift miles

Three months in a row now for me, like you I'm replete for the moment!

 

[Jeffrey O'Neill]

I'm thinking to take advantage of this offer to get a j reward flight for late next year.

I'm looking to go to Seoul and Taipei - don't care which order.

Is a routing like SYD - ICN - TPE - BKK - SYD possible? so fly over with OZ or SQ and home on TG

When I've looked at flights between SEL and TPE I can find some decent Y fares I'd be willing to pay - hopefully they'd be similar pricing in november 2013

So another possible routing for me could be to fly TG SYD BKK TPE / SEL BKK SYD in J and then book my own way between SEL and TPE

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm thinking to take advantage of this offer to get a j reward flight for late next year.

I'm looking to go to Seoul and Taipei - don't care which order.

Is a routing like SYD - ICN - TPE - BKK - SYD possible? so fly over with OZ or SQ and home on TG

When I've looked at flights between SEL and TPE I can find some decent Y fares I'd be willing to pay - hopefully they'd be similar pricing in november 2013

So another possible routing for me could be to fly TG SYD BKK TPE / SEL BKK SYD in J and then book my own way between SEL and TPE

no need to buy the separate ticket from Seoul. Just book it all as a return trip, one stopover and one destination.