US Dividend Miles - Oneworld Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[anat0l]

A subtle change for those who may redeem for F transcon itineraries (only) in the USA:

US Airways Dividend Miles Further Changes Without Notice - One Mile at a Time

And something perhaps a bit more worrying, but with no present experience and the way that things filter down in the US DM system, no idea whether it is present (beyond BA and IB fuel surcharges):

Oneworld Awards: Is US Airways Imposing Fuel Surcharges? - One Mile at a Time

I guess that the new peak Q surcharges will or should also be charged on QF redemptions during the relevant times (they are carrier imposed but not fuel surcharges is my understanding, unless Q surcharges only apply to 081 stock (and perhaps EK)).

All in all, still a very competitive proposition to other programmes anyway.

 

[bcworld]

A subtle change for those who may redeem for F transcon itineraries (only) in the USA:

US Airways Dividend Miles Further Changes Without Notice - One Mile at a Time

And something perhaps a bit more worrying, but with no present experience and the way that things filter down in the US DM system, no idea whether it is present (beyond BA and IB fuel surcharges):

Oneworld Awards: Is US Airways Imposing Fuel Surcharges? - One Mile at a Time

I guess that the new peak Q surcharges will or should also be charged on QF redemptions during the relevant times (they are carrier imposed but not fuel surcharges is my understanding, unless Q surcharges only apply to 081 stock (and perhaps EK)).

All in all, still a very competitive proposition to other programmes anyway.

Clarification From American: Fuel Surcharges & Award Chart Changes - One Mile at a Time

Note that according to this YQ will be charged for AY flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Note that according to this YQ will be charged for AY flights.

oh well. there goes my annual trip to bulk-buy Norsca.

 

[smit0847]

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.

You can book a one-way (which is charged at the return rate) and then later change it to a return (and pay the change fee).

For all these people using DMs to fly QF F I assume you are either booking 330 days out, being incredibly flexible (i.e. 'I can travel any day that month') or travelling alone?

 

[Flippantflyer]

I'd say so. I booked our award (2 people) right out at 330 days for the inbound flights, but there wer still quite a few options for the outbound (4 weeks prior to return date) at that time so didn't need to book earlier then change the itinerary.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

For all these people using DMs to fly QF F I assume you are either booking 330 days out, being incredibly flexible (i.e. 'I can travel any day that month') or travelling alone?

Actually I am hoping for 2x tix for F class. Is this just wishful thinking? I actually don't care who I fly with to Europe as long as it's F.

Thai use to have heaps of F class tix. Who has the most availability on OW?

I was thinking of getting 1 x F and 1 x bus and hope that a second in F becomes available.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You can book a one-way (which is charged at the return rate) and then later change it to a return (and pay the change fee).

For all these people using DMs to fly QF F I assume you are either booking 330 days out, being incredibly flexible (i.e. 'I can travel any day that month') or travelling alone?

potentially yes, although there is some question as to how easily USDM agents can convert a one way into a return without wanting to cancel the one way and start again from scratch.

erring on the side of safety, booking a return could eliminate a potential pitfall.

 

[smit0847]

potentially yes, although there is some question as to how easily USDM agents can convert a one way into a return without wanting to cancel the one way and start again from scratch.

erring on the side of safety, booking a return could eliminate a potential pitfall.

But if you're booking 330 days out the return flights won't be loaded yet

 

[smit0847]

Thai use to have heaps of F class tix. Who has the most availability on OW?

I would say CX probably has the best F availability?

 

[bcworld]

I would say CX probably has the best F availability?

Not from Australia!

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Not from Australia!

BCworld who do you think has the most F seats from aust?
Then which city in Europe would offer the best possibility of getting a F ? I don't care too much where we end up the most important thing is the F seat. They seem to be pretty rare

 

[Flippantflyer]

when are you hoping to go? and for how long?

 

[zainman]

BCworld who do you think has the most F seats from aust?
Then which city in Europe would offer the best possibility of getting a F ? I don't care too much where we end up the most important thing is the F seat. They seem to be pretty rare

You only have two choices on *O in F out of Oz. BA and QF. In my experience it has been easy to find F availability on the SYD-SIN BA flight..

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

when are you hoping to go? and for how long?

Europe in June 15. Any location but with a preference for Madrid, mxp or frr. For about 4 weeks. Pref to fly in to 1 of these locations then fly from a different one

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

You only have two choices on *O in F out of Oz. BA and QF. In my experience it has been easy to find F availability on the SYD-SIN BA flight..

My preference would be to fly out of melb

 

[Flippantflyer]

have a look at qantas' award calendar. Right now *looks like* you could go MEL-DXB-LHR and return LHR-DXB-MEL all in QF First going out on 16 March and returning 30 March... seem to be quite a few other date options too all within 330 days. If you wanted to try BA first too I reckon you'd have a good chance at finding connecting BA F flights LHR-JFK/EWR (but will pay more for the fuel surcharges). Or look for a LHR connection to somewhere interesting in europe...

 

[smit0847]

As other have said, the only F options out of Australia are:

BA SYD-SIN
QF MEL/SYD-DXB
QF SYD-HKG

I would say availability is in the order I have listed above.

 

[zainman]

My preference would be to fly out of melb

That just leaves QF then. Not a lot of choice I'm afraid.

 

[legroom]

But if you're booking 330 days out the return flights won't be loaded yet

Strictly speaking, you're right.

Wait for 1-2 (or 3) more days and it will be a return trip.

Have you actually done what you suggested: one-way conversion to a return when the inbound becomes available ?

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

have a look at qantas' award calendar. Right now *looks like* you could go MEL-DXB-LHR and return LHR-DXB-MEL all in QF First going out on 16 March and returning 30 March... seem to be quite a few other date options too all within 330 days. If you wanted to try BA first too I reckon you'd have a good chance at finding connecting BA F flights LHR-JFK/EWR (but will pay more for the fuel surcharges). Or look for a LHR connection to somewhere interesting in europe...

Thanks for this. I tried looking at qf but didn't see many F seats I must have been doing something wrong