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

[JohnK]

John, think you might be in luck. There are 2 awards seats available in J TG/A3 SYD - ROM -ATH-SKG departing 4 June and plenty availablity for return July 8/12/13/15.

Thanks.

I need to sort this out sooner rather than later. Mum wants to return around 23 July and more than likely depart around 17 June. Did you use ANA tool to look at availability?

 

[mhen]

Thanks.

I need to sort this out sooner rather than later. Mum wants to return around 23 July and more than likely depart around 17 June. Did you use ANA tool to look at availability?

Hi John

Try awardtravelr.com its very quick and easy. You can search over a week but just for 17 June it shows 16 alternatives SYD-ATH and 2 to SYD-SKG for 2 passengers J with only three segments. I searched for 2 passengers if its only 1 there might be more options.

AwardTravelr SYD-ATH
On left hand menu select cabin class Business and Apply to all segments and set number of layovers to 2. Same for SKG

AwardTravelr SYD-SKG


Return by 23 July checking departure 20 or 21 July there are 6 alternatives from SKG and 7 from ATH.

Amongst these alternatives there are ones where the SYD-BKK-xx_ legs are available in F and likewise xx_-BKK-SYD. Well worth the extra miles in my opinion (as an older person who doesn't fold well and likes to sleep flat).

mhen

 

[anat0l]

something screwy is going on. ITA matrix is easy to use I'd get an estimation of the taxes and then call back and say you think they're wrong. My total itinerary (out via Asia to USA and back via Europe) was only $221. Then add your UK departure tax for medium haul - doesn't seem right.

From some experimentation, a few tips from people and guesswork, I've hypothesised that the APD on my folks' journey back has been (incorrectly) charged. Basically my taxes are about (give or take) USD 300 more than I "should be" paying, which corresponds to the standard APD at the highest band.

I suspect it's messing around with the coupons; somehow when US constructed the itinerary, one sector is not talking to the other, or somehow the reconciliation between the tickets (by each respective airline making up the US DM master ticket) is absent, which makes TG (the carrier taking my folks out of LHR) think that there is no preceding connecting sector, hence thinking a requirement to collect the APD.

It's going to be very interesting as to how to get around this.

 

[spudwa]

I'm trying to get my wife to NYC in June. We're in Perth but she wants to visit her Mum (birthday) in Melbourne before leaving.
Our "Man" has offered this itinerary. He says seats are limited and has taken a few days to come up with it. Do the brains trust think anything better will come up?

06/08 Singapore 238 Melbourne to Singapore departing at 10:25AM and arriving at 4:15PM [Business Class]
06/09 ANA 902 Singapore to Tokyo departing at 12:45AM and arriving at 8:45AM [Business Class]
06/09 ANA 1010 Tokyo to New York departing at 4:40PM and arriving at 4:10PM [First Class]

06/18 United 3446 New York to Chicago departing at 8:00AM and arriving at 9:34AM [Economy Class]
06/18 ANA 11 Chicago to Tokyo departing at 10:50AM and arriving at 1:45PM (+1 day) [First Class]
06/19 Thai 677 Tokyo to Bangkok departing at 4:55PM and arriving at 9:25PM [Business Class]
06/20 Thai 465 Bangkok to Melbourne departing at 12:15AM and arriving at 12:05PM [Business Class]

US Airways will allow an open-jaw, so if she'd prefer to return to Perth, we could do the following instead:

06/18 United 3446 New York to Chicago departing at 8:00AM and arriving at 9:34AM [Economy Class]
06/18 ANA 11 Chicago to Tokyo departing at 10:50AM and arriving at 1:45PM (+1 day) [First Class]
06/19 Thai 677 Tokyo to Bangkok departing at 4:55PM and arriving at 9:25PM [Business Class]
06/20 Thai 481 Bangkok to Perth departing at 7:50AM and arriving at 3:35PM [Business Class]

I know that it's a bit less direct than some of the options we've found in the past, but it's the best itinerary currently available, and your wife would at least be in First on the longest segments.

Thanks Paul

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm trying to get my wife to NYC in June. We're in Perth but she wants to visit her Mum (birthday) in Melbourne before leaving.
Our "Man" has offered this itinerary. He says seats are limited and has taken a few days to come up with it. Do the brains trust think anything better will come up?

06/08 Singapore 238 Melbourne to Singapore departing at 10:25AM and arriving at 4:15PM [Business Class]
06/09 ANA 902 Singapore to Tokyo departing at 12:45AM and arriving at 8:45AM [Business Class]
06/09 ANA 1010 Tokyo to New York departing at 4:40PM and arriving at 4:10PM [First Class]

06/18 United 3446 New York to Chicago departing at 8:00AM and arriving at 9:34AM [Economy Class]
06/18 ANA 11 Chicago to Tokyo departing at 10:50AM and arriving at 1:45PM (+1 day) [First Class]
06/19 Thai 677 Tokyo to Bangkok departing at 4:55PM and arriving at 9:25PM [Business Class]
06/20 Thai 465 Bangkok to Melbourne departing at 12:15AM and arriving at 12:05PM [Business Class]

MEL-SIN-NRT-USA connections are lousy. That's 16 hours of waiting around.

On the return - no way I'd risk a 1hr15 connection New York to Chicago. While UA will protect you if you miss the connection - you may well find yourself on United!

edit: can't find anything better though for the oubound!

 

[anat0l]

On the return - no way I'd risk a 1hr15 connection New York to Chicago. While UA will protect you if you miss the connection - you may well find yourself on United!

I agree - I'd rather take the earliest flight in the morning (0600h-ish) to have the best chance. I was contemplating a similar journey for my parents' return if my current option fell through; luckily I was contemplating putting them on OZ which leaves at 1200.



Update after calling US DM about my folks' charges: the agent managed to be convinced that the expedited ticketing fee was incorrectly charged - refund on card pending in 5-10 working days. They won't budge on the overpaid taxes, however. Seems the agent I got had not much idea at all about what was APD and no idea where to start. They just kept saying that the taxes are as they are; probably didn't send them through the computer for a reprice.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Those of you with TG booking ex SYD should note the latest schedule changes:

Bangkok – Frankfurt TG922/923 5 weekly service operated by Boeing 747-400, replacing 777-300ER (Overall 1 daily A380 and 5 weekly 747)
Bangkok – Sydney 07APR13 – 30MAY13 Overall service reduced from 12 to 11 weekly. TG471/472 operates Day x135 instead of Day x13

 

[spudwa]

I'm trying to get my wife to NYC in June. We're in Perth but she wants to visit her Mum (birthday) in Melbourne before leaving.
Our "Man" has offered this itinerary. He says seats are limited and has taken a few days to come up with it. Do the brains trust think anything better will come up?

I've just checked Awardtravelr and if I change the departure to 5th June I get a lot more choices with better connections. How accurate is Awardtravelr, and can a 1 day change in departure make such a big difference or is it pure chance?

Thanks Paul

 

[JohnK]

Try awardtravelr.com its very quick and easy. You can search over a week but just for 17 June it shows 16 alternatives SYD-ATH and 2 to SYD-SKG for 2 passengers J with only three segments. I searched for 2 passengers if its only 1 there might be more options.

Thanks for that information. Looks like I have a lot to research.

There is only 1 traveller and that will be mum. She is nothing like me and wants to get there in the most direct possible route. Connections do not matter as long as above is satisified. Carrier does not matter.

First would be nice but I think it would be wasted on her. Even business is probably overkill. She is really comfortable being around people, does not drink alcohol and hardly eats on flights but I think she will enjoy the business meal.

If for some reason cannot book award to SKG then it should be quite easy to book to ATH and then book cheap ATH-SKG return on Aegean which we have done before.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm trying to get my wife to NYC in June. We're in Perth but she wants to visit her Mum (birthday) in Melbourne before leaving.
Our "Man" has offered this itinerary. He says seats are limited and has taken a few days to come up with it. Do the brains trust think anything better will come up?

I've just checked Awardtravelr and if I change the departure to 5th June I get a lot more choices with better connections. How accurate is Awardtravelr, and can a 1 day change in departure make such a big difference or is it pure chance?

Thanks Paul

Yes - one day can make a huge difference. i got confused with your dates - i originally looked for 6 August, not June 8! On 5/6 August there were multiple options, but if you left on 6/7 August there was almost nothing! Award traveller is fine, but can be a little slow loading - I'm too impatient for that. I use united.com and confirm with ANA if there is anything to be double checked. With united you need to break into two however - AU to Asia and then Asia to destination.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks for that information. Looks like I have a lot to research.

There is only 1 traveller and that will be mum. She is nothing like me and wants to get there in the most direct possible route. Connections do not matter as long as above is satisified. Carrier does not matter.

First would be nice but I think it would be wasted on her. Even business is probably overkill. She is really comfortable being around people, does not drink alcohol and hardly eats on flights but I think she will enjoy the business meal.

If for some reason cannot book award to SKG then it should be quite easy to book to ATH and then book cheap ATH-SKG return on Aegean which we have done before.

I don't think first is wasted - especially on the long hauls even if business is only available out of AU for example. The ability to lie fully flat and sleep comfortably is the main thing about first, then ground services (TG's buggies and being able to skip to the front of security lines are worth the investment). Food and alcohol? Meh. Unless you are on someone like LH or LX where they really push the boat out to offer something unique (especally LH - although they don't always pull it off), then food is food, and the main benefit is being able to get it over quickly and sleep!

 

[mhen]

Thanks for that information. Looks like I have a lot to research.

There is only 1 traveller and that will be mum. She is nothing like me and wants to get there in the most direct possible route. Connections do not matter as long as above is satisified. Carrier does not matter.

First would be nice but I think it would be wasted on her. Even business is probably overkill. She is really comfortable being around people, does not drink alcohol and hardly eats on flights but I think she will enjoy the business meal.

If for some reason cannot book award to SKG then it should be quite easy to book to ATH and then book cheap ATH-SKG return on Aegean which we have done before.

John
How about this:
Depart Sat 15, Mon 17 or Wed 19 June.
TG472 3:55pm SYD - 10:15pm BKK
OS26 11:55pm BKK - 5:35am VIE
OS809 9:45am VIE - 12:30pm SKG

Return
A3500 Mon, 22 Jul 8:00am SKG - 9:20am MUC
LH1856 11:30am MUC -12:40pm MXP
TG941 2:05pm MXP -Tue, 23 Jul 5:55am BKK
TG471 Tue, 23 Jul 8:00am BKK - 8:00pm SYD
All J

 

[anat0l]

I don't think first is wasted - especially on the long hauls even if business is only available out of AU for example. The ability to lie fully flat and sleep comfortably is the main thing about first, then ground services (TG's buggies and being able to skip to the front of security lines are worth the investment). Food and alcohol? Meh. Unless you are on someone like LH or LX where they really push the boat out to offer something unique (especally LH - although they don't always pull it off), then food is food, and the main benefit is being able to get it over quickly and sleep!

Depends. If you can sleep even on a flat slope, J is very much passable grade and worth pocketing the change if you so feel that way. (Yes, if you've read another thread on this forum, I'm one of those who can sleep on a sloped flat bed successfully, and have taught at least 3 other people successfully on how to do so! Not to say it's for everyone.)

If you can sleep in Y then one should never have any troubles sleeping in J (it is the exact same experience in a wider chair, at the very worst!)

The ground service with TG F definitely is excellent (notwithstanding the golf buggy service to transit and then from lounge to gate (if done correctly)). I'd be tempted to put a house on bet that JohnK's mother is not the best in navigating airports (especially new ones) with seasoned skill, so something like TG F to look after her is nice, though suffice to say JohnK has successfully sent her on a trip before and she has done quite fine on her own. My folks... I'll be stuffing them with airport info, since they will not have such a concierge service at all stops anyway.

For me... I know that my father drinks but not a large-ish amount, and my mum is a teetotaller. Dad was the hardest nut to crack in convincing to try First - he was happy with Business. Wasted on them? Maybe, but I hope to at least give them the satisfaction that they tried it. If they return home, I ask them how was it and they say, "Not bad," or, "Underwhelming," or, "Not worth it," then so be it, but at least they tried it (and the next "gifted" trip will be cheaper ). I'm not expecting them to come home and declare resolutely, "Nil Economy by choice from now on!" (and by darned I'll fall out of my chair if it so happens!)

 

[spudwa]

Yes - one day can make a huge difference. i got confused with your dates - i originally looked for 6 August, not June 8! On 5/6 August there were multiple options, but if you left on 6/7 August there was almost nothing! Award traveller is fine, but can be a little slow loading - I'm too impatient for that. I use united.com and confirm with ANA if there is anything to be double checked. With united you need to break into two however - AU to Asia and then Asia to destination.

Thanks MEL_Traveller

 

[JohnK]

John
How about this:

Good options but I know what my mother is going to say. Why fly over ATH and then come back again? I wish SQ and TG were still flying to ATH. Transiting through the Middle East is probably the best option for her if there is any availability.

If you can sleep in Y then one should never have any troubles sleeping in J (it is the exact same experience in a wider chair, at the very worst!)

Mum can sleep in economy. I am actually a little worried about business class for her as it can be a little quiet and secluded at times. As I said mum enjoys being around people as long as it is an aisle seat.

The ground service with TG F definitely is excellent (notwithstanding the golf buggy service to transit and then from lounge to gate (if done correctly)). I'd be tempted to put a house on bet that JohnK's mother is not the best in navigating airports (especially new ones) with seasoned skill, so something like TG F to look after her is nice, though suffice to say JohnK has successfully sent her on a trip before and she has done quite fine on her own. My folks... I'll be stuffing them with airport info, since they will not have such a concierge service at all stops anyway.

Mum does quite alright at airports. She knows to ask the ground crew where next departure gate is for her connection or transit.

It was quite good when SQ and TG still went to ATH because flight from AUS were feeder flights and she would meet other Greeks on the flight and hang around together during transits.

 

[mhen]

John
Best I can see would be SYD-BKK-IST-ATH-SKG leaving Sat, 15 Jun 3:55pm arriving SKG Sun, 16 Jun 4:25pm. However it has a 7 hour layover in IST and gets to SKG 4 hours later than transiting through VIE.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for all your help mhen. I shall have to discuss it with mum and let her decide which flights she wants.

 

[anat0l]

Not sure if this is on this thread and/or already common knowledge, but for those that want to find your fare construction details (including tax detail) for a ticketed booking, you can use Saudia Airlines' portal (don't ask why it works, but it does):

1. Go to saudiairlines.com, enter the main page
2. Go to Manage My Bookings (it is the third component in the left hand frame)
3. Click on the radio button for E-Ticket, then fill out the details (first three digits is airline stock for the e-ticket, viz. in this case it's 037 for US Airways)
4. Voila... the only important stuff that you didn't know is the fare construction near the bottom. The rest is well known to you.

I have a hunch that the fare construction section is limited in characters, as I've plugged in an itinerary of mine and some of the taxes don't show up, whereas I can see them if I emulate the same cash booking on ITA (sans the YQ, of course).

Hat tip to PVDtoDEL et al. on FlyerTalk for supplying the tip to me.

 

[Flashback]

Not sure if this is on this thread and/or already common knowledge, but for those that want to find your fare construction details (including tax detail) for a ticketed booking, you can use Saudia Airlines' portal (don't ask why it works, but it does):

1. Go to saudiairlines.com, enter the main page
2. Go to Manage My Bookings (it is the third component in the left hand frame)
3. Click on the radio button for E-Ticket, then fill out the details (first three digits is airline stock for the e-ticket, viz. in this case it's 037 for US Airways)
4. Voila... the only important stuff that you didn't know is the fare construction near the bottom. The rest is well known to you.

I have a hunch that the fare construction section is limited in characters, as I've plugged in an itinerary of mine and some of the taxes don't show up, whereas I can see them if I emulate the same cash booking on ITA (sans the YQ, of course).

Hat tip to PVDtoDEL et al. on FlyerTalk for supplying the tip to me.

Awesome tip, saved that one for the memory bank.

 

[Flashback]

I was thinking of a trip in F for Mrs Flashware for her milestone birthday in June. Really need to think about it today in order to purchase some miles in the 100% promo. I have 100k in my account already, but can find ways to get the other 100k (50 for me, 50 for her) via AMEX CC (albeit at 1000:5000 via SPG then 20k->25k SPG-US) if no other promo comes up in Feb, as would need to book soon due to June being peak. I don't realllllllllllllllllly want to go to Aus. Mrs Flashware's not a fan of the states. Obvious options are via FRA for some OZ F and then via BKK for some TG F. Wonder if that prices slightly lower than Aus...... Could do CDG-BKK / BKK-ICN-FRA-LGW. She would think we were just going to Paris.. (for a week .. ha! then I'd surprise her and say we're off to the airport after our first night in Paris. If the price is the same as Aus, then could always hit SYD with a quick hop over to PER to visit family & new nieces/nephews, etc.

What do you think? Any other thoughts/suggestions?