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

[MEL_Traveller]

Well done of 2F and 2J's. On the A346's do allocate seats in the last row of First, and the front row of Business, on the same side of the plane, that will allow you to be close as possible. Also any seats swaps (with cabin crew approval) can be done quite discreetly.

I personally would ask the crew that during meals the 2 J passengers be allowed to dine with the 2F passengers, the tables are large enough and there is an ottoman/seat that allows couple dining.

first of all you mention a discreet seat swap... then you say to ask for dual dining? the two are completely exclusive!

there is no way they will allow J class pax to dine with F. It is a service degradation to the other F passengers, not to mention all the service issues regarding the different wines that would need to be served (the DOM is rare enough if F, why would that be shared amongst an extra set of passengers?)

Seat swapping should be done once... at the beginning of the flight, and that's it. The J class pax will not even be permitted to enter the F cabin, even for a brief visit.

 

[bcworld]

first of all you mention a discreet seat swap... then you say to ask for dual dining? the two are completely exclusive!

there is no way they will allow J class pax to dine with F. It is a service degradation to the other F passengers, not to mention all the service issues regarding the different wines that would need to be served (the DOM is rare enough if F, why would that be shared amongst an extra set of passengers?)

Seat swapping should be done once... at the beginning of the flight, and that's it. The J class pax will not even be permitted to enter the F cabin, even for a brief visit.

Not that it would bother me, but from a service point of view there is no way J pax should be dining up in F with other members of their party. I'm not sure if the intention was that they should dine from the F menu or from the J menu but, seated in F but neither is really acceptable.

 

[Stephen65]

The 747 used to FRA is the one with 10 F seats, not 14.

On my most recent booking the US Air agent was also great and gave me all the individual airline confirmation numbers without being asked.

Thanks for the info re the 747 type, that corresponds with the seat allocations where we have been given a 1K on the 747 leg.

On the three 346 legs they have allocated us 1A, E and 11A, B which is fine though I might ask to swap the 1E for 2A. On the single 747 leg we have got 1A and 1K and 12A, B. Again I might try to swop 1K for 2A but keep 12A, B even though they are upstairs as it will be thrill for the kids to experience sitting upstairs on a plane.

It seems the only way to change allocated seats is to ring Thai and ask.

If we are going to swop seats we'll try to do it at the start of the flight (or maybe even ask in the F lounge before?) and not seek to lower the tone of the F cabin by having mixed F/J groupings in F.

 

[travelislife]

It seems the only way to change allocated seats is to ring Thai and ask.

You can email Maria at [email protected] with your PNR to request seats, she is very helpful and will usually respond within the business day.

 

[sr81]

Thanks for the info re the 747 type, that corresponds with the seat allocations where we have been given a 1K on the 747 leg.

On the three 346 legs they have allocated us 1A, E and 11A, B which is fine though I might ask to swap the 1E for 2A. On the single 747 leg we have got 1A and 1K and 12A, B. Again I might try to swop 1K for 2A but keep 12A, B even though they are upstairs as it will be thrill for the kids to experience sitting upstairs on a plane.

It seems the only way to change allocated seats is to ring Thai and ask.

If we are going to swop seats we'll try to do it at the start of the flight (or maybe even ask in the F lounge before?) and not seek to lower the tone of the F cabin by having mixed F/J groupings in F.

Not sure you will have much luck changing booking class in the lounge. In fact you will not be able to do this.

Just sort it out when you board.

Also, you paid. Just put the kids in J the whole trip. They will have a great time regardless. I presume they are of a responsible age?

The seats you have so far are pretty good as well. in J row 11 or 12 is about as good as it gets. Upstairs is also a must.

 

[lmere12]

A friend has on hold 2 seats to the U.S.

J SYD - ICN
F ICN - LAX
J SEA - SYD VIA ICN

QUOTED 110 000 miles & $147 in taxes each.

602

09:30 AM SYD

06:10 PM ICN

9h 40m

None

Unknown

Had some concerns, first the miles I thought to be more. I asked her to get them to confirm when she calls back to pay ... The seats under CABIN show as Unknown... - Does she just need to contact OZ to choose a seat & then it will show or maybe once it's paid and ticketed will it show (J's & F) ? Perhaps the answer is in here somewhere, I swear I've read almost every post but don't recall seeing similar. Thanks. Will post on the 'successful routes' once she has paid. My friend is extremely happy and I will be shouted lunch for sure for the idea

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A friend has on hold 2 seats to the U.S.

J SYD - ICN
F ICN - LAX
J SEA - SYD VIA ICN

QUOTED 110 000 miles & $147 in taxes each.

602

09:30 AM SYD

06:10 PM ICN

9h 40m

None

Unknown

Had some concerns, first the miles I thought to be more. I asked her to get them to confirm when she calls back to pay ... The seats under CABIN show as Unknown... - Does she just need to contact OZ to choose a seat & then it will show or maybe once it's paid and ticketed will it show (J's & F) ? Perhaps the answer is in here somewhere, I swear I've read almost every post but don't recall seeing similar. Thanks. Will post on the 'successful routes' once she has paid. My friend is extremely happy and I will be shouted lunch for sure for the idea

140 is the correct mileage for first class Australia to the USA, which it should be as there is one leg in f.

I would make sure the correct mileage is taken out... don't want to risk cancellation.

it will always show can in class unknown.

if you get an eticket or other itinerary sent, then it will show award classes 'O' for first, 'I' for business cans 'X' for economy.

cabin class unknown is common and nothing to be worried about

 

[bcworld]

A friend has on hold 2 seats to the U.S.

J SYD - ICN
F ICN - LAX
J SEA - SYD VIA ICN

QUOTED 110 000 miles & $147 in taxes each.

602

09:30 AM SYD

06:10 PM ICN

9h 40m

None

Unknown

Had some concerns, first the miles I thought to be more. I asked her to get them to confirm when she calls back to pay ... The seats under CABIN show as Unknown... - Does she just need to contact OZ to choose a seat & then it will show or maybe once it's paid and ticketed will it show (J's & F) ? Perhaps the answer is in here somewhere, I swear I've read almost every post but don't recall seeing similar. Thanks. Will post on the 'successful routes' once she has paid. My friend is extremely happy and I will be shouted lunch for sure for the idea

Yup, fairly certain that should be 140k of course due to the F segment. It may still end up that way when they go to confirm.

I have had itineraries booked via DM where the cabin for all segments shows as unknown and stays that way regardless of assigning seats etc. Best bet is to pull up the booking using the operating carriers reference on their website. Calling for a seat assignment should also allay fears of course. When it has said unknown I think it also normally shows the booking class, like (I) or (O)...the first being business and the latter first.

 

[lmere12]

140 is the correct mileage for first class Australia to the USA, which it should be as there is one leg in f.

I would make sure the correct mileage is taken out... don't want to risk cancellation.

it will always show can in class unknown.

if you get an eticket or other itinerary sent, then it will show award classes 'O' for first, 'I' for business cans 'X' for economy.

cabin class unknown is common and nothing to be worried about

That's great thanks for the speedy response ....!!

I will get her to re confirm the mileage - do not want to run risks.
Can't wait to book some seats for myself next year to Greece

 

[lmere12]

Yup, fairly certain that should be 140k of course due to the F segment. It may still end up that way when they go to confirm.

I have had itineraries booked via DM where the cabin for all segments shows as unknown and stays that way regardless of assigning seats etc. Best bet is to pull up the booking using the operating carriers reference on their website. Calling for a seat assignment should also allay fears of course. When it has said unknown I think it also normally shows the booking class, like (I) or (O)...the first being business and the latter first.

Thanks, friend will be paying in the morning ...!

 

[lmere12]

@ MEL Traveller and bcworld

Friend rang and paid her seats confirmed ALL in business. Was meant to be one seat in first but didn't reserve that way. Friend was happy enough with business all the way.

So 110 000 and $140.

All good... have posted in the successful..!

 

[bcworld]

@ MEL Traveller and bcworld

Friend rang and paid her seats confirmed ALL in business. Was meant to be one seat in first but didn't reserve that way. Friend was happy enough with business all the way.

So 110 000 and $140.

All good... have posted in the successful..!

Excellent!

 

[casanovawa]

Just did a quick search on the forum but didn't see anything...

Is there any Australian credit card that could earn miles directly in the US Dividend program or swapping through a couple of different programs?

 

[Stephen65]

I believe you can convert SPG points into US Airways dividend miles so anything that earns the former.

 

[Foreigner]

I'm pleased that my purchase of Dividend Miles last week was converted to AUD whilst it was riding high vs. USD. At current rates, I would have been paying more.

 

[bcworld]

I'm pleased that my purchase of Dividend Miles last week was converted to AUD whilst it was riding high vs. USD. At current rates, I would have been paying more.

Yup, I'm lamenting my decision not to top up.

But this deal made great sense even at US$0.85 when I first jumped in...and of course it still does at close to US$1.00...promos permitting!

 

[casanovawa]

Yeah would have been great value when the A$ was US$1.10, but still pretty good at about US$1.03 when i bought in... Pityt he A$ has to drop but maybe its just one of those dip thigns and it will come back...

And ok i thought there must be some sort of transfer possible, so if SPG points can be converted to Dividend miles but I don't stay at any hotels, can MR points through Amex be converted to SPG poitns and then to Dividend Miles or do they convert across at a cough rate that isn't worth bothering with?

 

[Stephen65]

According to the various websites this seems to be the relevant data:

- $1 = 1.5 Amex MR points (sometimes more if bonus partner spend)

- 1000 MR = 330 SPG

- 1 SPG = 1 US Airways Dividend Miles

- If you transfer 20,000 SPG it will be treated as if you were transferring 25,000

So the best rate is:

25,000 DM = 20,000 SPG = 60606 MR = $40404 spend

or

$1 spend on amex card = 0.619 dividend miles

 

[anat0l]

$1 spend on amex card = 0.619 dividend miles

Which means it's better to just buy the miles outright from US; even without the bonus promo, you're still going to beat the rate described by a long shot.

By paying with an Amex card, I suppose you generate some incidental points, which if you are really desperate you could sweep to SPG then to US. Then again, maybe not.

 

[bcworld]

Which means it's better to just buy the miles outright from US; even without the bonus promo, you're still going to beat the rate described by a long shot.

The earning of the MR reward points, which eventually become DM miles is incidental to spend on something though, so you can't really compare it to the cost of buying a dividend mile directly.

The rate of 0.6ish miles per $1 isn't a million miles away from what some plat visa cards earn...2 miles per $3 etc.