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

[casanovawa]

I am a newbie when it comes to AA however I booked my first AAward today (for my boss). QF F SYD-xDXB-LHR 80K + $83 in taxes and then BA J/QF F CDG-xLHR-xDXB-SYD 80K + $201 in taxes There were quite a few awards on BA product but those taxes are like going to hurt the hip pocket.

Any idea of what the taxes would be if you chose to fly BA back through Singapore or Hong Kong using AA miles rather than QF via DXB or was that BA CDG-LHR-DXB and then QF on the last leg???

 

[anat0l]

Any idea of what the taxes would be if you chose to fly BA back through Singapore or Hong Kong using AA miles rather than QF via DXB or was that BA CDG-LHR-DXB and then QF on the last leg???

The reason why the taxes were that high is because BA YQ is passed onto AA awards. This is the only exception where AA must pay fuel surcharges.

In Alanlegal's case, the substantial part of the the $201 is because of the BA YQ on LHR-DXB. From a dummy ITA, I'm surprised that the $201 was not higher.

I imagine that SIN or HKG, being longer in distance compared to DXB, will incur a higher YQ on BA.

Routing CDG-xLHR-xDXB-SYD of course helps escape the APD.

 

[bcworld]

The reason why the taxes were that high is because BA YQ is passed onto AA awards. This is the only exception where AA must pay fuel surcharges.

They also pass on YQ for IB flights.

Sorry to be pedantic...can we please not refer to YQ as 'taxes'...I'm sure the airlines love it that people do (makes it seem like someone else's fault) but they are voluntarily imposed carrier surcharges that shouldn't exist in the first place.

 

[Alanslegal]

Any idea of what the taxes would be if you chose to fly BA back through Singapore or Hong Kong using AA miles rather than QF via DXB or was that BA CDG-LHR-DXB and then QF on the last leg???

You can play around with the AAward booking engine and I saw taxes in the $400-$550 mark when flying BA, this is also avoiding the LON APD. I saw CDG-xLHR-xHKG-SYD for example on BA F 388 and then QF 388 F and taxes were $500 or so.

Routing CDG-xLHR-xDXB-SYD of course helps escape the APD.

Yep, that x is correct

 

[burmans]

They also pass on YQ for IB flights.

Sorry to be pedantic...can we please not refer to YQ as 'taxes'...I'm sure the airlines love it that people do (makes it seem like someone else's fault) but they are voluntarily imposed carrier surcharges that shouldn't exist in the first place.

Yes the Brazilian authorities agree with you! It's a damn shame other jurisdiction don't make airlines change this, to me it's clearly designed to be misleading and deceptive, what othert explanation is there

 

[burmans]

If the status quo remains then I would consider buying the miles so dad and I can go to Greece next year in business.

I do not think that will be possible on Oneworld.

Also depends on how long ahead you are prepared to book, given you can book 330 days ahead. It is likely pre-booked *A awards would be honoured even if they have subsequently gone to Oneworld.

 

[casanovawa]

That's what i was thinking that with BAs (and IBs) high fuel surcharges being passed on by AA, that when USDM miles become AA miles and current USDM members probably have a lot more miles than the current AA miles in people's accounts (because of the limited amount AA having been selling each year) that you will probably find more people with more miles wanting to book J and F seats on QF making it harder to find those J and F seats to Europe (specially as they also won't be useable on EK flights)

I guess they will still be easier to get than QF J and F redemptions Trans Pac (where you need to book almost a year out) because QF is the only airline on that direct route (apart from going via Hawaii) where Oz-Europe will have MH, QR, QF, CX and BA (if you feel like paying extra)... With these other airlines for getting to Europe, will they all count as one award compared to if for instance you use CX via HKG to the US and it counts as 2 awards for going via another zone??

 

[bcworld]

With these other airlines for getting to Europe, will they all count as one award compared to if for instance you use CX via HKG to the US and it counts as 2 awards for going via another zone??

Yes one award (in each direction). However, assuming AA rules apply (clearly they might not): no stopovers. Therefore if you cannot find availability on connecting flights then I think you would be forced to ticket as 2 awards. Added to that I don't think there will be the same ability to negotiate with (geographically challenged) agents over routes as we have with US now.

 

[smit0847]

Yes one award (in each direction). However, assuming AA rules apply (clearly they might not): no stopovers. Therefore if you cannot find availability on connecting flights then I think you would be forced to ticket as 2 awards. Added to that I don't think there will be the same ability to negotiate with (geographically challenged) agents over routes as we have with US now.

I don't think the deal will be nearly as sweet in Aa as it is with USDM. Fewer member airlines, fewer seats, more customers fighting for seats, less routes, less tricking dumb agents, more expensive miles, fuel surcharges etc.

Im enjoying USDM while it lasts and setting my expectations extremely low for Aa.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don't think the deal will be nearly as sweet in Aa as it is with USDM. Fewer member airlines, fewer seats, more customers fighting for seats, less routes, less tricking dumb agents, more expensive miles, fuel surcharges etc.

Im enjoying USDM while it lasts and setting my expectations extremely low for Aa.

in describing AA you have perfectly summed up the QFFF program as well!

The best part of AA however is the flexibility to mix and match to get around asia, and with the exception of BA for SIN-SYD, no fuel fines. So PEK-HKG-SYD-MEL for 45K and $50 in tax is a bargain (KA F QF F QF J)

 

[anat0l]

I don't think the deal will be nearly as sweet in Aa as it is with USDM. Fewer member airlines, fewer seats, more customers fighting for seats, less routes, less tricking dumb agents, more expensive miles, fuel surcharges etc.

Im enjoying USDM while it lasts and setting my expectations extremely low for Aa.

Certainly US DM has its opportunities compared to AA. Mind you, remember that the US DM member pool is very big, and US DM is one programme in quite a few many (include big ones) in Star Alliance. And US DM has deliberately prostituted itself out there much more to a degree than AA have.

And of the pool of airlines flown by the majority of us on *A, how many are there? TG, SQ, UA, OZ, TK, LH, LX, SA (maybe), NZ, NH.... and how many of those in F? (TG, OZ, UA, NH... the rest are unbookable). On oneworld, there's AA, BA (yes, fuel surcharges), QF, CX and MH that have F (admittedly not on all routes) - admittedly, that small pool of F beats the bookable F airlines on *A to at least a marked degree.

I'm certain you're right to a degree on the fewer airlines and seats front, but it's not as drastic as you think. And even if it is as drastic as you think, then it's healthier that way than opening up every single seat for awards, especially in premium cabins.

As for "less tricking dumb agents", putting aside how crass that actually sounds, you are correct - AA agents are known to be some of the most experienced in the game.

And yes, the routing rules on AA are not as liberal as US DM. In particular, no stopovers allowed, but at least one-way awards are possible. This makes a nice combination with Avianca LM if you so desire (or even QFF for those burning away).

If you go into AA thinking that the "utopia" of US DM will continue, then you'll be most misguided. But... it's not like going from Switzerland to Swaziland.

 

[casanovawa]

Your right the F situation will hopefully be better with the AA scheme, not that i have ever flown F before and out of Perth there aren't that many opportunities to fully enjoy it (not in USDM or AA).. But yes i think i will try to enjoy USDM while it lasts with one trip booked this year, the points to do another one (probably earlyish next year for South America-Africa maybe) and still 100,000 points to use, whether to splash out and use them or let them roll over into AA rather than takinga trip ust for the sake of using them....

I clicked on the start of this thread last night and i think a post said back in 2010 that US had a 250% bonus promo, those must have been the days... But I guess all good things come to an end... At least it will still be good to maybe stock up with USDMs before it rolls into AA if they keep those silly annual limits... And even it does take 6 months to year to merge the programs, there is no reason why at an earlier point they cn't tell us what the conversion rate for miles will be, that must be able to be done much more quickly...

In the AA program i think the flexibility to work with one way redemptions (even though not as good value) might make up for some of the loss of better redemption packages across two zones with stopovers in each with USDM... Also when you go for the mileage awards with AA 190,000 miles for a 35,000 mile AAward and 220,000 miles for a 50,000 mile AAward redemption in J (if I'm looking at it right) is better than the 300,000 miles with USDM or the 280,000 points (plus a whack of fuel surcharges) with QF... Also in the AA chart they have some cheaper redemptions for within countries, so if i fly to South America i might take advantage of is it 6,000 miles for Y flights just in Chile and 5,000 for Y flights just in Ecuador (I'm hoping a cheap way to get to Easter Island and Galapogas islands if they have award seats on these flights)... They have a few much cheaper offers like that for certain countries (and Australia and NZ count as 1 country) that USDM don't seem to offer...

Just a pity both programs couldn't have existed and cherry pick the best of both... And hopefully you don't need to book 2 years out to get to the US!!!

 

[NDiddy]

Both the Mrs and I had 80K in our accounts and we each have been buying miles previously at the same time. She gets an email but with only a 75% bonus. I get no email but log in to find 100% bonus for me.

What's even better is that I topped off my account to 150K (35 +35) and then gifted her the same at the 100% bonus rate Miles and bonus posted instantly. Looking at a Jan redemption and hoping to book something over the long weekend.

 

[JohnK]

Also depends on how long ahead you are prepared to book, given you can book 330 days ahead. It is likely pre-booked *A awards would be honoured even if they have subsequently gone to Oneworld.

Trip is likely to be September-October 2014. Could be ready to book by January-February 2014. Any earlier and it is taking risks and forcing the trip prematurely.

 

[burmans]

Both the Mrs and I had 80K in our accounts and we each have been buying miles previously at the same time. She gets an email but with only a 75% bonus. I get no email but log in to find 100% bonus for me.

What's even better is that I topped off my account to 150K (35 +35) and then gifted her the same at the 100% bonus rate Miles and bonus posted instantly. Looking at a Jan redemption and hoping to book something over the long weekend.

Hmm, that is interesting as you have in total bought 70+70 miles. Given I read it here first did not read the email, did they state a 50+50 limit? I have myself previously done similar so this suggests they may not police the 50K limit but don't really want to shout too much about that, better under the radar!

 

[burmans]

Trip is likely to be September-October 2014. Could be ready to book by January-February 2014. Any earlier and it is taking risks and forcing the trip prematurely.

For the reasons I have given about I personally don't think that the FF programs will be merged by Jan/Feb 2014 but not all would agree I am sure!

 

[robd]

Hmm, that is interesting as you have in total bought 70+70 miles. Given I read it here first did not read the email, did they state a 50+50 limit? I have myself previously done similar so this suggests they may not police the 50K limit but don't really want to shout too much about that, better under the radar!

IIRC it's 50 + 50 to each account. ie. 35 + 35 to two separate accounts.

 

[burmans]

IIRC it's 50 + 50 to each account. ie. 35 + 35 to two separate accounts.

Hi, yes actually did a smal buy and saw it was to the to account. Personally am not convinced they check but I guess thats for someone esle to find out!

 

[Flashback]

This perhaps gives you a good insight to possible merger timelines with loyalty programs: TAM Leaving Star To Join Oneworld & LAN Colombia Joining Too | LoyaltyLobby

 

[kpc]

... it becomes harder to get those TG F 388 seats Yes I am eyeing those dates in September where I can't seem to get two seats in F

I booked my trip to Europe and then onto the states for July back in Sept. I snagged 2 x F to Bkk and then one seat in F with 1 in J to Fra - I've been checking regularly for another F seat to open up but haven't seen a thing! I presume Thai are a little more selective opening up F seats on the 380? I was hoping that they would open up another F seat once I had taken the first one but alas no joy.

Think ill have to let the mrs have the F seat!

FRA is very tricky....CDG on the other hand tends to have much better availability.

Just playing around with the ANA tool on a dreary Sat nite. Is it just me or is it very difficult to get a pair of TG F seats on the Bkk-Fra route? I can find the occasional dates on the 747 for the WHOLE of the next year but so far none whatsoever on the A380...very occasionally might see a solitary F seat on the A380 but that is about it