US Dividend Miles - Oneworld Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[Kangol]

Just had a lovely us airways rep (well trained, professional) book me on hba-mel-dxb-lhr-jfk(dest)-txl(stopover)-lhr-dxb-mel-hba. Qf and ba F, ab J (to berlin).

Couldn't find any syd-lhr options but mel-lhr is just as good for us Tassie folk.

What was the total cost (miles and cash)? Well done!

 

[d.diddy_13]

Guys,

I have been looking at my flight options around 1/04/2015 MEL - KUL on MH using BA to check.

All dates i put in looks to be only 2 Awards only on each flight, this is also the case when i check from SYD.

Is this the case as i am after three seats?

I did ring reservations the agent could see more then three but the system would not allow her to confirm them…. as a check she could confirm them in economy.

Also what is interesting on BA it is now showing 3 less seats in economy on the flight she put a hold on.

Any advise

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Just had a lovely us airways rep (well trained, professional) book me on hba-mel-dxb-lhr-jfk(dest)-txl(stopover)-lhr-dxb-mel-hba. Qf and ba F, ab J (to berlin).

Couldn't find any syd-lhr options but mel-lhr is just as good for us Tassie folk.

I'm just curious how did you get from JFK to TXL? Was that also points or did you get your own flights? Was this part of the redemption?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm just curious how did you get from JFK to TXL? Was that also points or did you get your own flights? Was this part of the redemption?

ab = Air berlin

 

[Flippantflyer]

I'm just curious how did you get from JFK to TXL? Was that also points or did you get your own flights? Was this part of the redemption?

Yep all one redemption - there's a direct jfk-txl flight on air Berlin. It had pretty good availability too.

Total price was 150k points plus $580 taxes etc each (booked for 2 pax). Charged the Europe price because of the Berlin stopover. More than happy though - it wasn't that easy to find flights that would all line up! Bought all our points with bonus buy and share deals and booked right out at 330 days - get home Easter Monday

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

ab = Air berlin

Opps, thanks I missed that

 

[mitwg]

Ok this might be a long-shot, but how likely would this booking be possible without having to call up 20 different agents?

SYD-DXB-DOH (stopover)
DOH-JFK or DOH-LHR-JFK/EWR or whatever combination here (Destination is JFK/EWR)
JFK/EWR-HKG-SYD (preferred) or JFK/EWR-LHR-SYD (alternative)

I'd prefer coming back via HKG then LHR as it means 1 transit instead of 2. Obviously JFK-LAX-SYD is an option, I'd rather avoid that due to F availability + LAX.

Anyone with similar booking expereinces?

Also, if I mix JFK and EWR in one itin, would that be considered an open jaw? It would be harsh if it is but I somehow have a feeling some US agents may treat it as such.

 

[bcworld]

Ok this might be a long-shot, but how likely would this booking be possible without having to call up 20 different agents?

SYD-DXB-DOH (stopover)
DOH-JFK or DOH-LHR-JFK/EWR or whatever combination here (Destination is JFK/EWR)
JFK/EWR-HKG-SYD (preferred) or JFK/EWR-LHR-SYD (alternative)

I'd prefer coming back via HKG then LHR as it means 1 transit instead of 2. Obviously JFK-LAX-SYD is an option, I'd rather avoid that due to F availability + LAX.

Anyone with similar booking expereinces?

Also, if I mix JFK and EWR in one itin, would that be considered an open jaw? It would be harsh if it is but I somehow have a feeling some US agents may treat it as such.

They will treat JFK/EWR as co-terminals...that one they understand.

MPM is 14933.

Great Circle Mapper = 14422 - looks OK.

Great Circle Mapper = 14429 - looks OK. So take your pick!

Remember flights on BA will now attract HEFTY fuel surcharges.

Great Circle Mapper is also miles under MPM so should be fine.

This is not a RTW itinerary and if an agent suggests otherwise you may need to try again.

 

[anat0l]

Also, if I mix JFK and EWR in one itin, would that be considered an open jaw? It would be harsh if it is but I somehow have a feeling some US agents may treat it as such.

JFK and EWR are coterminals. For the purposes in US DM, it is considered the same city and thus not an open jaw.

Similarly with all London airports and NRT / HND.

 

[sietes]

Just had a lovely us airways rep (well trained, professional) book me on hba-mel-dxb-lhr-jfk(dest)-txl(stopover)-lhr-dxb-mel-hba. Qf and ba F, ab J (to berlin).

Couldn't find any syd-lhr options but mel-lhr is just as good for us Tassie folk.

So based on this one could do MEL-DXB-LHR(STOPOVER)-JFK(DEST)-LHR-DXB-MEL for the 150k first award? If so i need to top up with the current bonus mile offer as i can see availability on suitable dates with QF9/10!!

 

[robcuk]

So based on this one could do MEL-DXB-LHR(STOPOVER)-JFK(DEST)-LHR-DXB-MEL for the 150k first award? If so i need to top up with the current bonus mile offer as i can see availability on suitable dates with QF9/10!!

Yep I did something similar last summer but went to Chicago and I stopped over in FRA due to it being a hub for LH. I was charged 140k and flew with TG and UA.

I guess the OW benefit is LHR is now a hub. Those potential fuel surcharges with BA do sound scary though, perhaps QF is the way to go to LHR.

That F itinerary to JFK sounds a great booking!!

 

[mitwg]

With regards to US DM agents seeing availability, how is everyone's experience these days?

Are there many instances with agents not seeing what is available on AA/BA/JL/QF still or have they ironed out these issues as its been a month or two since they've joined OW?

 

[Kangol]

I'd prefer coming back via HKG then LHR as it means 1 transit instead of 2. Obviously JFK-LAX-SYD is an option, I'd rather avoid that due to F availability + LAX.

I don't think the congestion of LAX would be a problem leaving the US - if anything an AA to QF T4 transfer would be pretty simple with a ~5min TBIT walk if you take the airside transfer bus. I'm guessing this is what you mean - the whole "avoiding LAX because it is scary busy"??

However if you are debating HKG vs LAX (in F), the main points to consider would IMO be:
1. travelling time
2. AA transcon F vs CX long haul F
3. LAX QF12 F availability (much more scarce) vs HKG QF 128 F availability (not as scarce)

Depending on availability, HKG may be your only option - there is the other possibility of going JFK-LAX-HKG-SYD (AA, CX, QF) if the nonstop CX JFK-HKG is unavailable.

 

[mitwg]

Yeah for me, the CX factor is just as big as not transiting on LAX part. I'd rather fly 1 ULH to HKG then QF F back to SYD, rather than go on AA.

Just having a look at availability, it seems like I might need to do the itinerary the other way around!

So will be trying for:
SYD-HKG (QF F)
HKG-JFK (CX F) (Dest)
JFK-LHR (BA F but maybe not due to YQ)
LHR-DOH (QR F) (S/O)
DOH-DXB (QR F)
DXB-SYD (QF F)

Will be pretty awesome if I pull this one off

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah for me, the CX factor is just as big as not transiting on LAX part. I'd rather fly 1 ULH to HKG then QF F back to SYD, rather than go on AA.

Just having a look at availability, it seems like I might need to do the itinerary the other way around!

So will be trying for:
SYD-HKG (QF F)
HKG-JFK (CX F) (Dest)
JFK-LHR (BA F but maybe not due to YQ)
LHR-DOH (QR F) (S/O)
DOH-DXB (QR F)
DXB-SYD (QF F)

Will be pretty awesome if I pull this one off

the reverse routing (to JFK first) would be invalid as LHR is the destination. (in fact going to London forst would make no difference. LHR is still the destination on the round-the-world routing)

travel from SWP-Europe is not permitted via the USA.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Some help please. I am hoping to get my tickets to Europe soon as they are released, I have read here that some tickets are released 330 or 350 days out. Since F class to Europe on OW seems to be scarce I am a little nervous about waiting too long before I book my tickets.

My question is, if I get my first leg to Europe as soon as it is released, 330 days out then how do I get my return journey?
The flights home will not be released at the same time. I assume I will need to wait until the next lot are released? Can I even do 1 leg at a time? Do I need to put in a dummy return booking so something is there and then I call up when the seats are released around the dates that I want to come home? I know there is a $150 change fee, would I just get charged this fee to change the (dummy) homeward leg?

Is all this even possible? Or do I need to wait until all the seats are released and do all bookings at the same time?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Some help please. I am hoping to get my tickets to Europe soon as they are released, I have read here that some tickets are released 330 or 350 days out. Since F class to Europe on OW seems to be scarce I am a little nervous about waiting too long before I book my tickets.

My question is, if I get my first leg to Europe as soon as it is released, 330 days out then how do I get my return journey?
The flights home will not be released at the same time. I assume I will need to wait until the next lot are released? Can I even do 1 leg at a time? Do I need to put in a dummy return booking so something is there and then I call up when the seats are released around the dates that I want to come home? I know there is a $150 change fee, would I just get charged this fee to change the (dummy) homeward leg?

Is all this even possible? Or do I need to wait until all the seats are released and do all bookings at the same time?

you'll need to book a return ticket. choose a dummy return.

wait until your preferred dates for the return become available, call USDM and make the change, $150 will apply.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

you'll need to book a return ticket. choose a dummy return.

wait until your preferred dates for the return become available, call USDM and make the change, $150 will apply.

Wonderful, thanks for your promt response

 

[legroom]

you'll need to book a return ticket. choose a dummy return.

wait until your preferred dates for the return become available, call USDM and make the change, $150 will apply.

That $150 is worth it IMHO.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

That $150 is worth it IMHO.

100% agree