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

[hummel]

Check Aeroplan for award availability.

It is a risk but I would assume they will give some notice on redemption rate changes. As noted in this thread I am sitting on 100k and hopefully another promo comes out soon!

 

[Alanslegal]

Very risky

If it is toooo complicated or too risky then you might just want to suck it up and fly in economy, not only it is close to guaranteed, but you will easily book a family of four in the one go. [Yes I have mentioned this promotion to some friends I know and sceptics will always be sceptics and they say "if its too good to be true" then you know the result].

You spend the time doing the homework and you will easily be rewarded. Read page 1 of the equivalent thread on FT and the whole researching and booking summary there is as good as it gets. Getting four tickets on the same flight might be the hardest part of your request (but send 2 to first and the other 2 can slum it in business) ... yes again its a risk that you may not be on the same flight, but getting cheap business or first class tickets is not going to be simple and exactly to what you first want, because if it was, then every single John and Jane out there will be doing this.


Anyway for everyone else on this thread who is planning their next booking I have a high recommendation; if you haven't been to the LH FCT before, then I suggest you book LH F ex-FRA right now. The LH FCT beats QF F Lounges hands down! I'll do a TR in the next few weeks or so so get your skates on and do it, if it's one lounge experience one needs to do in their life ... this is it!

 

[anat0l]

I have a high recommendation; if you haven't been to the LH FCT before, then I suggest you book LH F ex-FRA right now. The LH FCT beats QF F Lounges hands down! I'll do a TR in the next few weeks or so so get your skates on and do it, if it's one lounge experience one needs to do in their life ... this is it!

Having had the experience before, I wouldn't be too hasty to say hands down, but no surprises in saying that it is better.

The main thing is that you need either a LH F ticket ex-FRA or a LH or LX F ticket ex another port with connecting flight from FRA to that port, preferably with both those flights on the same ticket. Not easy at times, but can be done with some diligence and advance searching.



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This anat0l content, if it must be known,
Was sent via Aust Freq Fly app, but not from an iPhone.

 

[Shanye2233]

If I use aeroplan to look for award flights it's only showing me Thai and air china available can't seem to get a QF or BA award does this mean it's not available or I'm doin something wrong.

I think if every john and Jane knew this procedure they would surely make the most out of it people just dont know or can't be bothered .

Has anyone booked an award usin AA miles SYD-LHR what stop over options are there is an open jaw possible .

Also again are we eligible for the GS promotion ?

 

[anat0l]

If I use aeroplan to look for award flights it's only showing me Thai and air china available can't seem to get a QF or BA award does this mean it's not available or I'm doin something wrong.

I think if every john and Jane knew this procedure they would surely make the most out of it people just dont know or can't be bothered .

Has anyone booked an award usin AA miles SYD-LHR what stop over options are there is an open jaw possible .

I'd like to know which loose nut told you that you can look for QF and BA awards on Aeroplan...because they've sent you up the garden path!

Aeroplan is the program for Air Canada, which is a Star Alliance carrier. So you can only use it to find availability for Star Alliance carriers, which include Thai and Air China.

To find availability for QF and BA, you can try using Qantas' online award booking tool (not always indicative) or you can just try calling AA (can be expensive). Either way, this is now off-topic.



----------
This anat0l content, if it must be known,
Was sent via Aust Freq Fly app, but not from an iPhone.

 

[Alanslegal]

Having had the experience before, I wouldn't be too hasty to say hands down, but no surprises in saying that it is better.

C'mon!

The whole LH process from start to end is top notch. Met by your own personal assistant at FCT check in, escorted through formal security and scanning, quick tour if it's your first visit, a-la carte restaurant (though menu not extensive as QF FL), food buffet is very good, bar is more extensive, service levels is high, lounge areas are generally more private, relaxed, less busier than the commercial quality QF FL, sleeping rooms (2 only), cigar room (cigars and cigarellos complimentary too) - yes I smoked a few , showers are much larger than QF FL, LH spa is a pay-service unlike complimentary for QF FL if flying QF F, then the personal assistant comes to collect you when it is time for boarding, down the elevator, through private passport control, onto your Porsche or Mercedes transfer directly to your plane, your driver carries your carry-on's onto the plane ..... that's as easy as it gets.

So yes imo .... easily hands down.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

C'mon!

...

lounge areas are generally more private, relaxed, less busier than the commercial quality QF FL

...
So yes imo .... easily hands down.

I agree entirely. The only advantage the QF FLs have is the free spa. The FCT wins with the baths however.

But in reality you get what you have - the LH FCLs are exactly that - First class lounges (and for those with HON status which is 600k per year). It's a different class of people that make up the bulk of pax in those lounges.

The QF lounges on the other hand have plenty of plats in there. The MEL lounge would be much better with restricted entry to proper F pax (what's that, three flights a day to SIN, HKG and LAX?) and possibly to the new platinum level. That would make it much more in line with the Concorde Room, SQ TPR and the LX/LH First lounges.

I have said before (not exaggerating too much) that I've had to sit on the MEL F lounge balancing my plate on my lap while some plat takes a table at the restaurant. (the restaurant should be big enough to sit ALL F pax on a flight at one time...)

 

[anat0l]

The whole LH process from start to end is top notch.

Well, I can't complain.

Met by your own personal assistant at FCT check in

Not really - you have to approach them. Well, I did. Perhaps you wore a better shirt?

quick tour if it's your first visit

I got one myself when I went through MEL T2 FL the first time and I mentioned it. Of course, I really like the staff in the MEL T2 for a good reason.

a-la carte restaurant (though menu not extensive as QF FL), food buffet is very good

Strike one and a half.

bar is more extensive

Wish I could drink eighty different spirits, but I can't, not even in two days. As for the critical stuff - i.e. Champagne - about neck on neck with QF (which is still better than most of the rest of the world, where the number of varietals stands at 1).

service levels is high

Check on that.

sleeping rooms (2 only)

And only up to 3 hours. However, I think QF could use a couple of these.

cigar room (cigars and cigarellos complimentary too) - yes I smoked a few

And I don't smoke, and frankly I think you'll struggle quite a bit just to even get smoking areas inside an Australian airport.

showers are much larger than QF FL

QF lounges don't have a bath, but the showers themselves are the same size. What else do you do with the rest of the space?

LH spa is a pay-service unlike complimentary for QF FL if flying QF F

Strike two. QF spa is always complimentary; you just might not get on the list if you're not flying QF F (which makes sense). However, I've been pretty lucky so far. A couple of times I've actually been invited to have a spa appointment. Plus, you don't have to go out of the terminal and a mile and a half to get there.

your driver carries your carry-on's onto the plane

Well I carried my own. The driver didn't really offer, but then I didn't think it very fair to make him carry it - seems so demeaning for such a lightweight object. You must've been too weak from all the lounge fare



As for the other factors you list - a lot of them are almost impossible for QF to implement, especially at SYD where a combination of bureaucracy and blood-suckers (mainly manifested in an entity known as SACL or Mac Bank) make it especially difficult. Private security is a good example of this.

Also, scale on scale QF are more generous in who they invite into the lounge. You'd need to cut out access for oneworld Emeralds, BA First pax (i.e. oneworld First pax), and all passengers flying JQ unless it is QF marketed. Probably would need to beef up the requirements for QF Platinum, too. And when did you enter the lounge? I sampled it in the morning - mid afternoon. According to my PA, that's usually the quietest time to go (this was on a Saturday, too). In the evening it gets much, much busier.


In saying that, LH definitely puts up a good form with the FCT and I really like the experience. I think FCT > TPR, and miles ahead of TG FL in BKK (now exactly how did they manage to win a couple of Skytrax awards for best F lounge? You've got to be kidding me....), and they are also markedly better than VS CH in LHR. I'd probably rank FCT better than QF FL with everything considered. I wouldn't say it's a hands down conclusion, though; plus, the FCT doesn't make QF FL look like complete cough (just as much as I also wouldn't say TPR is cough, and even VS CH to an extent...)

I have said before (not exaggerating too much) that I've had to sit on the MEL F lounge balancing my plate on my lap while some plat takes a table at the restaurant. (the restaurant should be big enough to sit ALL F pax on a flight at one time...)

It is. You got beaten to a table by a non-F customer (like me ).

Mind you, that restaurant area in the FCT isn't large enough to hold all the F pax on more than a few flights. Fine if you travel when I did, but in the evening rush you have no chance. Assuming, of course, everyone sits down to a meal.

 

[Shanye2233]

On topic are Australian eligible for the US DM GS ? If so I would like to organize a thread were we all can share hits so we can all benefit .

 

[Alanslegal]

On topic are Australian eligible for the US DM GS ? If so I would like to organize a thread were we all can share hits so we can all benefit .

Any DM member is eligible but then its irrelevant because there is no current GS promotion right now.

 

[Shanye2233]

If there Is I want to be ready , thank you.

 

[travelislife]

Shayne, reading your posts on here and FT it is clear that you have not done the basic research required. Star Alliance and One World are two totally separate programs, so don't try and cross the two of them, it won't work. If you read the first post of both this thread and the FT Dividend Miles one it will give you a wealth of information without wasting the time of people here.

I am always cautious with regard to recommending things such as this to people who are used to booking through travel agents. It is a lot more 'hands on' and can involve a little more risk, but it depends what you value that risk at, there is a reason that business class fares between Australia and Europe are $7000 plus, because that is what people are willing to pay.

So straight up:

1. You can not transfer One World miles to US Dividend miles (Qantas is part of One World)
2. No one can predict when a promotion is going to appear unless they have specific inside knowledge
3. You can not redeem star alliance rewards on SQ A380 or 77W services (basically all to Europe, note this could change and at the moment is possible from AUS to SIN)
4. You will struggle to get 4 seats in the one cabin on any flight on any airline (you have a slim chance on Thai)
5. Airline programs can change their redemption rates at any time (but it is still likely your J class ticket will be a lot cheaper than the $7000 mentioned above)

Everyone here is very happy to give advice, but when you ask repetitive questions where the answer is readily available if you have a look makes it quite frustrating.

Happy to give advice, but please, read the threads before posting, it will make you a lot more informed and the responses will make a lot more sense.

Feel free to ask any questions you have.

 

[Shanye2233]

I have read both ft pages on us DM
Miles and one world awards using AA miles .

I am confused yes it's very overwhelming . I went from signing up every credit card I could to get
Points to fly (QFF points) then a few weeks ago someone pointed me to this thread and
I was sold on US DM . so I started reading every
Night for hours and hours then I started asking questions. Then I read about the previous GS promo's so I started signing up alot of reward and loyalty programs to
Get prepared. I didn't want to waste my QFF points so I asked if I could transfer them. And that's when someone suggested AA miles. So reading and reading again I can redeem
Them on qantas flights and in J the same price of 120k miles . Then I read and read again and see the promo extra 25% max 40k to buy so 50k for $1100. Ok but I need 120k and I need (4) lots.
Can I get availability firstly let's look at kvt tool . WOW that's complex now to read how to use it.
I didn't expected to be hand feed and I'm happy to learn I have plenty of time . I'm
Not highly educated im a basic factory worker . However I do have a wife and two daughters who really need a holiday and I want to give them
Something special . If I build a cubby house and someone asks me how I build it I tell them I don't tell
Them to go read the instructions And try it yourself some people try
To make life easy but I'm finding there are alot of people who would rather make life
Harder .

 

[travelislife]

Shayne,

Great response mate. I wasn't meaning to be so negative, just trying to portray the reality of the situation. You are right that it is very confusing and there are some very knowledgeable people on here to wade through it all. I have booked flights using both US DM and BMI DC and am happy to give you any tips.

I understand that being a big one off holiday you want to get the best you possibly can for your money and thus your reluctance with some of the *A carriers, I don't think you should worry about this too much, you will have a great experience on any of the full service carriers.

Having time on your side is a great thing and allows you to pick and choose. The other thing is it is still going to cost circa $2000 a ticket, which is great value for Business Class, but then if you make use of specials you can get Economy tickets to Europe for $1500 or less even sometimes.

Anyway I look forward to helping you out and hopefully reaching your end goal of having an awesome holiday, as my name suggests, Travel is Life!

 

[lmere12]

Shayne,
you can get Economy tickets to Europe for $1500 or less even sometimes.
!

In a thread 'London Calling' there's a link there to jag a flight Syd - Mow return economy for $930

i have copied the post :

The price is achieved by going to S7 Airlines - Online air ticket booking, buy flight tickets, book cheap air tickets, flight schedules and plugging in SYD-MOW (flex). Then it is a matter of searching for the 3660 RUB flights - there are several of them scattered about (e.g. Aug 10 outbound, Nov 6 return). Once taxes and fees are added, at today's exchange, this particular one comes to AUD 930 Then add MOW-LHR-MOW for around 200 GBP and hey presto - SYD-LHR ret for 1200.

 

[Masonic Phantom]

Shayne,

Great response mate. I wasn't meaning to be so negative, just trying to portray the reality of the situation. You are right that it is very confusing and there are some very knowledgeable people on here to wade through it all. I have booked flights using both US DM and BMI DC and am happy to give you any tips.

I understand that being a big one off holiday you want to get the best you possibly can for your money and thus your reluctance with some of the *A carriers, I don't think you should worry about this too much, you will have a great experience on any of the full service carriers.

Having time on your side is a great thing and allows you to pick and choose. The other thing is it is still going to cost circa $2000 a ticket, which is great value for Business Class, but then if you make use of specials you can get Economy tickets to Europe for $1500 or less even sometimes.

Anyway I look forward to helping you out and hopefully reaching your end goal of having an awesome holiday, as my name suggests, Travel is Life!

Travelislife,
That's much better
& more helpful...well done.

M.P.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Get prepared. I didn't want to waste my QFF points so I asked if I could transfer them. And that's when someone suggested AA miles. So reading and reading again I can redeem
Them on qantas flights and in J the same price of 120k miles . Then I read and read again and see the promo extra 25% max 40k to buy so 50k for $1100. Ok but I need 120k and I need (4) lots.
Can I get availability firstly let's look at kvt tool . WOW that's complex now to read how to use it.

Shayne2233 - to make your life easy you really do need to follow the advice given... and travelislife gave a nice summary.

While KVS is an excellent tool, the simpler way to check availability for Qantas and British Airways flights to the UK is to simply use the booking tool on Qantas. Select 4 seats and you'll find almost nothing.

I would not spend time on the AA points (they have access to the same seats Qantas members have) too hard to redeem them.

Your best bet is with US airways. Have you signed up the whole family including the two children?

Then just sit tight and wait for the next promo. I know you are keen on the next grand slam, but as soon as it comes out it will be on Flyertalk, and you'll be able to examine the deal in full, and follow the advice of others on how to maximise your bonuses.

 

[Shanye2233]

I have signed up wife mum and two girls . I checked the qantas award for flight and found possible 1 adult and 1 child. I can not find 2 and 2 . I would love to fly QF J for 120 AA miles but seems to expensive compared to US DM which runs better promotions.

I really want to understand this method to satisfy myself. I have never been overseas or any of my family we don't even have passports.

Yes I'm waiting for the next promo AA have a current one with extra 25% miles but someone told me I can only buy 40k max per calendar year so not worth it I guess I have to stay with flying Thai I can't find any SQ or LH from SYD to Europe in J Next year may / June

 

[sr81]

Shane - You will NOT find 4 seats on QF. I don't know how many ways we can say this. If you are looking for 4 seats then your ONLY option via points in business class will be with Thai. Do this via US Airways miles purchase. Use Aeroplan to find the flights you want by disregard the miles quote it gives you as that is based on a totally different frequent flyer program that is not attached to US Airways Dividend Miles.

You will need 120,000 US Airways Miles for each person. There will also be taxes of about $200 per person. This is sufficent for a round trip to Europe from Australia in Business.

Once you have 4 accounts (one for each traveller in thier own names), you will need to wait for the next US Airways buy miles promo offering free bonus miles. Please note that this promo may never happen.

I would stop concerning yourself with AA/QF miles as you will never get enough miles in one go and you will never find 4 seats. Just watch the US Airways site for the next miles promo. People will also post in this thread when the promo comes up as well.

 

[bcworld]

You will need 120,000 US Airways Miles for each person. There will also be taxes of about $200 per person. This is sufficent for a round trip to Europe from Australia in Business.

For the UK that taxes figure is more like $400...UK APD alone for a business class booking would be about A$270 at today's ex rate.