US Dividend Miles - Oneworld Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[Alanslegal]

Any reason why it would not be OK?

In the spur of my posting I was thinking going via HKG is a long way and may have contravened some mileage limit. Now I did some further route calculations and going via HKG is neglgible in extra distance. I know its many months since the move to OW but having zero booking experience under OW, the whole searching, booking, rules, conditions seem brand new to me, thus my newbie questions

 

[smit0847]

In the spur of my posting I was thinking going via HKG is a long way and may have contravened some mileage limit. Now I did some further route calculations and going via HKG is neglgible in extra distance. I know its many months since the move to OW but having zero booking experience under OW, the whole searching, booking, rules, conditions seem brand new to me, thus my newbie questions

Its a perfectly logical routing. You can have a stopover in HKG too if you want.

As others have said, avoid departing from LHR to avoid the APD tax.

 

[baggyred]

How would one calculate the MPM?

 

[anat0l]

How would one calculate the MPM?

You need use airline system services like ExpertFlyer or KVS. Those services are not free of charge.

Someone has a spreadsheet (don't ask, I don't know where it is) that has some MPMs that are calculated for some city pairs.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You need use airline system services like ExpertFlyer or KVS. Those services are not free of charge.

Someone has a spreadsheet (don't ask, I don't know where it is) that has some MPMs that are calculated for some city pairs.

you can google australianfrequentflyer MPM and the first result will bring you to the thread with the MPM chart prepared by bcworld

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....idend-miles/easy-way-find-mpm-usdm-53982.html

 

[baggyred]

Firstly - thank you to all for answering my numerous questions.

I have successfully "tested" this new dividend miles strategy and now have a return J flight from Perth to Melbourne next month. Giddyup.

Process took 25 minutes and although longer than it probably needed to be - was well worth it.

So now I have my Qantas booking reference - I have gone to the site and have completed my seat selection. I also noticed that there is a spot to add my QFF number in. Is this doable? I don't expect points - but it would be convenient using my QFF to check-in online as well as be able to track my booking. i don't want to break anything so thought I'd ask here first!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Firstly - thank you to all for answering my numerous questions.

I have successfully "tested" this new dividend miles strategy and now have a return J flight from Perth to Melbourne next month. Giddyup.

Process took 25 minutes and although longer than it probably needed to be - was well worth it.

So now I have my Qantas booking reference - I have gone to the site and have completed my seat selection. I also noticed that there is a spot to add my QFF number in. Is this doable? I don't expect points - but it would be convenient using my QFF to check-in online as well as be able to track my booking. i don't want to break anything so thought I'd ask here first!

it's fine to add your QF number.

 

[baggyred]

it's fine to add your QF number.

Argh - US Airways concatenates the first and second name - so now there is a name mismatch with Qantas FF

Not exactly a major issue though

 

[serfty]

Argh - US Airways concatenates the first and second name - so now there is a name mismatch with Qantas FF

Not exactly a major issue though

Yip - can't always do it online - a Quick call to Qantas with your Amadeus PNR can fix it.

 

[baggyred]

Yip - can't always do it online - a Quick call to Qantas with your Amadeus PNR can fix it.

Thanks - all done!

What is the go with baggage allowance - nothing is showing. Is it still the 32kgs as per normal? Or do you have to buy baggage allowance?

Not that it matters greatly, as I generally only take hand luggage anyway. But good to know just in case

 

[anat0l]

Thanks - all done!

What is the go with baggage allowance - nothing is showing. Is it still the 32kgs as per normal? Or do you have to buy baggage allowance?

Not that it matters greatly, as I generally only take hand luggage anyway. But good to know just in case

Checked Baggage Allowance | Qantas

 

[baggyred]

Checked Baggage Allowance | Qantas

Thanks - logically that is the case and what I assumed.

However the USDM website and subsequent booking makes it look confusing and in th MMB on Qantas for luggage allowance there is a "-" only. Which I found odd

 

[anat0l]

Thanks - logically that is the case and what I assumed.

However the USDM website and subsequent booking makes it look confusing and in th MMB on Qantas for luggage allowance there is a "-" only. Which I found odd

There is likely an asterisk comment or two somewhere about flying on partner airlines and check them blah blah blah, but it's always best to just check for one's self on the operating carrier / IATA most significant carrier.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is likely an asterisk comment or two somewhere about flying on partner airlines and check them blah blah blah, but it's always best to just check for one's self on the operating carrier / IATA most significant carrier.

i dunno about the most significant carrier rule when it comes to award tickets. I had discussions with TG over the MSC rule and they refused to honour it for a USDM issued ticket as they said they would only honour the baggage allowance stated on the ticket (30kg). TG advised if I wanted to MSC allowance i would need to call USDM and have them reissue the ticket accordingly. (This communication was confirmed by email, and TG acknowledged the MSC rule but said they won't honour it anyway).

So anyone looking for baggage over and above what's on the ticket should confirm directly with the airline.

 

[baggyred]

i dunno about the most significant carrier rule when it comes to award tickets. I had discussions with TG over the MSC rule and they refused to honour it for a USDM issued ticket as they said they would only honour the baggage allowance stated on the ticket (30kg). TG advised if I wanted to MSC allowance i would need to call USDM and have them reissue the ticket accordingly. (This communication was confirmed by email, and TG acknowledged the MSC rule but said they won't honour it anyway).

So anyone looking for baggage over and above what's on the ticket should confirm directly with the airline.

MSC rule? (edit: nevermind worked it out)

Anyway - it won't matter this flight as I will only take carry-on. But I will ask to confirm.

I've attached some screenshots as to what I see. It is ambiguous. Firstly it says every fare is entitled to free baggage - but then it is conspicuously blank where the entitled baggage should be. The second screen dump is what shows if I click purchase additional baggage

 

[anat0l]

i dunno about the most significant carrier rule when it comes to award tickets. I had discussions with TG over the MSC rule and they refused to honour it for a USDM issued ticket as they said they would only honour the baggage allowance stated on the ticket (30kg). TG advised if I wanted to MSC allowance i would need to call USDM and have them reissue the ticket accordingly. (This communication was confirmed by email, and TG acknowledged the MSC rule but said they won't honour it anyway).

So anyone looking for baggage over and above what's on the ticket should confirm directly with the airline.

Now that is a real concern and to a large degree seems to say more about TG than it does about US. I realise your point is well worth it to avoid headaches at the airport, but it's still ridiculous of TG to adopt that stance.

I would vouch your point is not only valid just for award tickets; the same thing would happen if there was a cash ticket.

Finally, it is not as if it is something which cannot be necessarily overriden at the airport. It may take supervisor (sole airline) intervention, but nonetheless. I'm not sure if the "wrong baggage allowance" has implications with respect to payments on tickets, interlining, revenue splitting, load planning etc. which make it necessary for it to be accurate in the first place on the ticket, but in any case someone is clearly at fault if the wrong allowance is issued on the ticket (but again point noted that taking the initiative is better to avoid headaches rather than attempting to deal with it on the spot or after the incident having copped the relevant overweight charges).

 

[anat0l]

MSC rule? (edit: nevermind worked it out)

Anyway - it won't matter this flight as I will only take carry-on. But I will ask to confirm.

I've attached some screenshots as to what I see. It is ambiguous. Firstly it says every fare is entitled to free baggage - but then it is conspicuously blank where the entitled baggage should be. The second screen dump is what shows if I click purchase additional baggage
...

As much as people distrust QF on this board, that is still a good reason why I wouldn't trust the online printed amounts of baggage on MMB interfaces much more than I could throw a bag.

I would rather have evidence printed of the relevant baggage allowance in order to deal with it at check-in if it is really incorrect and the agents don't budge.

All said and done, this booking is so simple (QF domestic, QF flight numbers, QF operated aircraft, QF staff to check you in with QF systems) I wouldn't really freak at all on this point. If QF want to refuse you your gazetted allowance as a QF domestic Business passenger (with applicable QFF bonuses as necessary), then they deserve to have hell raised against them.

 

[baggyred]

All said and done, this booking is so simple (QF domestic, QF flight numbers, QF operated aircraft, QF staff to check you in with QF systems) I wouldn't really freak at all on this point. If QF want to refuse you your gazetted allowance as a QF domestic Business passenger (with applicable QFF bonuses as necessary), then they deserve to have hell raised against them.

Not freaked, I take hand luggage to get off quicker so whether it is 0kg or 64kgs it doesn't matter. More curious than anything

Anyway I will ask and report back. That way I can feel like I am at least adding something to this board, rather than just taking !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Now that is a real concern and to a large degree seems to say more about TG than it does about US. I realise your point is well worth it to avoid headaches at the airport, but it's still ridiculous of TG to adopt that stance.

I would vouch your point is not only valid just for award tickets; the same thing would happen if there was a cash ticket.

Finally, it is not as if it is something which cannot be necessarily overriden at the airport. It may take supervisor (sole airline) intervention, but nonetheless. I'm not sure if the "wrong baggage allowance" has implications with respect to payments on tickets, interlining, revenue splitting, load planning etc. which make it necessary for it to be accurate in the first place on the ticket, but in any case someone is clearly at fault if the wrong allowance is issued on the ticket (but again point noted that taking the initiative is better to avoid headaches rather than attempting to deal with it on the spot or after the incident having copped the relevant overweight charges).

the problems with overriding at the airport can be several... the check-in agent may not have access to the later operating airlines' baggage allowances, or may not have the authority to waive excess baggage even if in line with the significant carrier.

and what are you supposed to do if you arrive at the airport and they won't accept the additional allowance?

as I mentioned, in my case TG head office explicitly acknowledged and dismissed the significant carrier rule. there was zero room for movement.

 

[Swan]

The latest One World Awards Chart includes a 7 next to JAL, which states "Awards booked on Japan Airlines are valid for the next 90 days starting from the following day of the Award ticket issuance......"
Does this mean you can only book awards on JAL 90 days out? If this is the case using JAL in itineraries would be virtually impossible. Also would tickets issued before this change occurred be subject to this change?
I hope I am misinterpreting this as I have JAL bookings - can anyone clarify.