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

[MEL_Traveller]

So, my wife has a booking SYD-YVR-YUL//YUL-ORD-ICN-SYD. When she went to log into dividend miles to look up the booking, it said there was a change, and that she had to call reservations. Upon calling she was old that the ORD-ICN flight was cancelled, and she was moved to the next day. Now, there are a couple of strange things:

1. ANA still shows the flight as flying, but no availability
2. When logging into AC with the AC reservation number, the flight has now changed to be ORD-LAX-SYD (with the LAX-SYD leg in X).
3. When we log into United, it still shows the old (original) routing/dates

So, my question - is there anywhere we can login to see what she is actually now ticketed on (can we use checkmytrip or something)? Should we trust what US are telling us even though that doesn't match anything we are seeing anywhere else?

Thanks!

your best thing to do now is two things. 1: look up each airline's website that you are flying and make a dummy booking for paid travel and see what comes up... that will tell you if the flight is still flying. 2: ring each airline direct and see what they are showing in their system for your reservation... what day and what class. On the same call, confirm if they have a US Airways ticket number for the booking (beginning with 037).

Compare this to what US is telling you. At the end of the day, what each airline can see in their system is going to be what they see at check-in. The time to sort it is now, if you get to check-in they will refer you back to US airways if you have any problems.

If your flights have changed and the classes are no longer available then you may have some issues trying to rebook. US will look for award availability. Are you travelling in business class? in which case X is no good, that is economy. (However - if the airline has already confirmed you are in biz don't worry about it). If you can still take the ORD-ICN a day later, then get US to book a connection to SYD from there, either on the direct OZ flight, or via BKK or SIN (TG and SQ).

 

[LuisT]

your best thing to do now is two things. 1: look up each airline's website that you are flying and make a dummy booking for paid travel and see what comes up... that will tell you if the flight is still flying. 2: ring each airline direct and see what they are showing in their system for your reservation... what day and what class. On the same call, confirm if they have a US Airways ticket number for the booking (beginning with 037).

Compare this to what US is telling you. At the end of the day, what each airline can see in their system is going to be what they see at check-in. The time to sort it is now, if you get to check-in they will refer you back to US airways if you have any problems.

If your flights have changed and the classes are no longer available then you may have some issues trying to rebook. US will look for award availability. Are you travelling in business class? in which case X is no good, that is economy. (However - if the airline has already confirmed you are in biz don't worry about it). If you can still take the ORD-ICN a day later, then get US to book a connection to SYD from there, either on the direct OZ flight, or via BKK or SIN (TG and SQ).

Thanks MEL_Traveller - looks like we need to hit the phones.

The whole thing is a little strange, as the flights on AC are completely different to the others, and US said they couldn't see that at all.

I checked the OZ website, and the flight that was cancelled (or at least wasn't coming up in searches) so at least that part is consistent!

 

[burmans]

I suspect it doesn't really matter when you join points.com, as long as it is before the end of the promotion (hence why they only post the points well after the promo has finished). However - to be on the safe side, I would register first, buy later

Agree with this, the bonus is for new or existing, would suggest they will verify when they do the calculation if you have a points.com account with the US Air membership so when you join does not matter as long as you are registered at that point in time.

 

[burmans]

Thanks MEL_Traveller - looks like we need to hit the phones.

The whole thing is a little strange, as the flights on AC are completely different to the others, and US said they couldn't see that at all.

I checked the OZ website, and the flight that was cancelled (or at least wasn't coming up in searches) so at least that part is consistent!

Did they give you the PNR's for the individual flights, if so you should be able to look online at what these are now booked in?

 

[Oneworldplus2]

Did they give you the PNR's for the individual flights, if so you should be able to look online at what these are now booked in?

I booked a flight a few days ago, and was given 3 PNR's; TG, LH and US Airways, plus a US Airways Ticket number, 037.....

When l checked online, TG showed up, but not LH.
I called LH (Syd) this morning, and it was indeed ticketed.

I suggest, as most people have said, calling each airline to make sure you are indeed ticketed. (I'm still learning the ropes myself)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Did they give you the PNR's for the individual flights, if so you should be able to look online at what these are now booked in?

as you know, PNRs can continue to exist, even if a booking is cancelled, or if you have made a booking elsewhere. for this reason, checking directly with the airline is always the safest for someone in Louis case.

 

[Flashback]

I've just received an e-mail for a 75% bonus, for purchasing miles up to the amount of 60,000 (so total of 105,000). I wonder if it's because I just recently credited 4000 miles worth of J flights to them? Expires March 31, 2012.

 

[burmans]

OK, looking for ideas given I have a contract coming to an end and already have a 2 week US trip booked (via US Air) at end May. I have about a month to fill in and was looking at using US Air points for a J award in Asia, have been to Sing/HK/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/Korea and more recently Vietnam/Cambodia so was thinking would go to Burma/Laos. But just looking at weather and it gets to 40-50 C in Burma in April/May, thinking I should reconsider.

Any suggestions am thinking possibly Sri Lanka is best or maybe India. Some interesting options (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Or Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal). Maldives not really an option when my wife isn't coming?

Any left field suggestions, I like a combination of culture. food and people, maybe why in general really like Asian travel. Don't require 5* comfort, in fact prefer boutique 3-4* destinations/hotels.

 

[shane2603]

Hi Burmans, Heading to Sri Lanka on Friday so will let you know

 

[Flashback]

I've just received an e-mail for a 75% bonus, for purchasing miles up to the amount of 60,000 (so total of 105,000). I wonder if it's because I just recently credited 4000 miles worth of J flights to them? Expires March 31, 2012.

Disregard that... just realised it was for my Delta Skymiles account (which inadvertantly has also had a few J flights credited to it, damn AF!).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

OK, looking for ideas given I have a contract coming to an end and already have a 2 week US trip booked (via US Air) at end May. I have about a month to fill in and was looking at using US Air points for a J award in Asia, have been to Sing/HK/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/Korea and more recently Vietnam/Cambodia so was thinking would go to Burma/Laos. But just looking at weather and it gets to 40-50 C in Burma in April/May, thinking I should reconsider.

Any suggestions am thinking possibly Sri Lanka is best or maybe India. Some interesting options (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. Or Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal). Maldives not really an option when my wife isn't coming?

Any left field suggestions, I like a combination of culture. food and people, maybe why in general really like Asian travel. Don't require 5* comfort, in fact prefer boutique 3-4* destinations/hotels.

I would do india. Seems ok availability on SQ and TG.

Perhaps fly into Delhi, down to Udaipur and out of Mumbai. Or maybe do Calcutta and Darjeeling (much cooler in the latter).

Plenty of little boutique hotels in Udaipur, but it is extremely hot at that time of year as well unfortunately. Lots to see and do in Sri Lanka. I recently flew Sri Lankan airlines and their marketing in their inflight brochure made it look amazing. I last spent a few months there about 15 years ago, but it looks even better now. Hotels by the beach in Negambo can be expensive. Less so if you travel up country to Kandy. India you can spend forever, Sri Lanka less so, a couple of weeks would be more than enough (perhaps even looking at a week/10 days at most).

Or there is China (but can get very hot and sultry there as well).

 

[Bofter]

I know that there have been some reports of delays in posting purchased points (the purchase + 50%, not the extra 50%) but at what point should I be worried? Currently at 48 hours since purchase - no confirmation email and not in account, but do have a printoff of the purchase screen.

 

[burmans]

I know that there have been some reports of delays in posting purchased points (the purchase + 50%, not the extra 50%) but at what point should I be worried? Currently at 48 hours since purchase - no confirmation email and not in account, but do have a printoff of the purchase screen.

I'm in the same boat, purchased and nothing has turned up in my account & no email. Worst comes to the worst I'll be ringing to dispute the credit card charge, what have they charged you for if not to buy points. But at the moment I'm confident it's just a system problem of some sort and being in IT myself I know these do happen from time to time.

 

[burmans]

I would do india. Seems ok availability on SQ and TG.

Perhaps fly into Delhi, down to Udaipur and out of Mumbai. Or maybe do Calcutta and Darjeeling (much cooler in the latter).

Plenty of little boutique hotels in Udaipur, but it is extremely hot at that time of year as well unfortunately. Lots to see and do in Sri Lanka. I recently flew Sri Lankan airlines and their marketing in their inflight brochure made it look amazing. I last spent a few months there about 15 years ago, but it looks even better now. Hotels by the beach in Negambo can be expensive. Less so if you travel up country to Kandy. India you can spend forever, Sri Lanka less so, a couple of weeks would be more than enough (perhaps even looking at a week/10 days at most).

Or there is China (but can get very hot and sultry there as well).

Thanks, will look at these, spent tonight looking at the Sky Alliance map and came to pretty much the same conclusion myself but good to get feedback!. Hot is OK, I quite like warm to hot weather, but when I read it could get up to 50 degrees I thought I'd start looking elsewhere. There's hot and then there is unbearably hot! Shame, have heard Myanmar/Burma is great and would be good to see soon as I think the tourist floodgates are about to open!

For Sri Lanka would probably combined with Laos, all I really want to see there is Luang Prabang and surrounds before it gets too overrun.

 

[Oneworldplus2]

I did 2 purchases last week.

First purchase, around ~26 hours to land.
Second purchase, around ~48 hours.
Only talking about points and 50% bonus, not the extra 50% from points.com.

I did send US Airways a e-mail (after 24hours for the first purchase) because last time l purchased miles during the promo (Jan), miles posting was instant.
Anyways, the miles posted soon after the e-mail, but l still got a reply from US Airways. The e-mail said that most points (99%) post instantly.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

As long as your account is on the 13th day (so eligible to buy miles) a delay for this promo round is not unusual and has been reported both here and on FT. Some members have reported instant crediting, others are reporting 2-3 days.

Given that any credit card debit is only an authorisation at this stage, it can't be disputed.

 

[travelislife]

Took my purchase in this promo nearly 72 hours so don't be too worried.

I would thoroughly recommend Burma. Though you are right with temperature as this time of year is summer around the Buddhist new year. Same goes for Laos, loved both, but Burma more, this was 3 years ago.

 

[shane2603]

Mine took 4 days so made a 1800 call and posted 30 mins later. They apologised and advised that due to the load they were struggling to post in a timely manner, sounds like this round is getting very popular!

 

[Bofter]

I know that there have been some reports of delays in posting purchased points (the purchase + 50%, not the extra 50%) but at what point should I be worried? Currently at 48 hours since purchase - no confirmation email and not in account, but do have a printoff of the purchase screen.

Confirmation email just arrived and 75,000 new points are in the account

 

[arraitch]

Thanks, will look at these, spent tonight looking at the Sky Alliance map and came to pretty much the same conclusion myself but good to get feedback!. Hot is OK, I quite like warm to hot weather, but when I read it could get up to 50 degrees I thought I'd start looking elsewhere. There's hot and then there is unbearably hot! Shame, have heard Myanmar/Burma is great and would be good to see soon as I think the tourist floodgates are about to open!

For Sri Lanka would probably combined with Laos, all I really want to see there is Luang Prabang and surrounds before it gets too overrun.

Courtesy of US miles, we recently spent a week in Kerala (Fort Cochin and Alleppey) and loved it to bits! It's hot and sticky, but the Kingfishers quenched the thirst; the food was fresh and full of flavour, coconut and spices; and the people were warm and welcoming and good humoured. We'd return in a heartbeat!