US Dividend Miles - Oneworld Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[Doggy]

Hey all,

Need some advice. Last week I booked a trip SYD-BNE-SIN(stop)-KUL-BOM --- BOM-KUL-SYD.

My question is about transitting in BNE. It's an 85 minute transit time. Is that too little? When I selected seats on the QF website it had a warning saying the transit time was quite short. I've never done an international transit in BNE so I'm turning to the wisdom of the AFF community.

Is 85 mins doable or should I make a change to be safe?

Edit: It's all in J too, so should mean less time in queues if that matters at all.

 

[anna2103]

Hey all,

Need some advice. Last week I booked a trip SYD-BNE-SIN(stop)-KUL-BOM --- BOM-KUL-SYD.

My question is about transitting in BNE. It's an 85 minute transit time. Is that too little? When I selected seats on the QF website it had a warning saying the transit time was quite short. I've never done an international transit in BNE so I'm turning to the wisdom of the AFF community.

Is 85 mins doable or should I make a change to be safe?

Edit: It's all in J too, so should mean less time in queues if that matters at all.

That is very risky - international is in different terminal 10 mins bus away. Bne queues are terrible at that time of morning - about 4 flights departing in 30 mins. Would definitely be changing

 

[anat0l]

Hey all,

Need some advice. Last week I booked a trip SYD-BNE-SIN(stop)-KUL-BOM --- BOM-KUL-SYD.

My question is about transitting in BNE. It's an 85 minute transit time. Is that too little? When I selected seats on the QF website it had a warning saying the transit time was quite short. I've never done an international transit in BNE so I'm turning to the wisdom of the AFF community.

Is 85 mins doable or should I make a change to be safe?

Edit: It's all in J too, so should mean less time in queues if that matters at all.

That is very risky - international is in different terminal 10 mins bus away. Bne queues are terrible at that time of morning - about 4 flights departing in 30 mins. Would definitely be changing

It is quite short but can be done. When you get to the International terminal, you won't have time to fluff around.

Of course, make sure bags are checked through and you have both boarding passes. Also make sure you are "security ready" - note that at BNE Intl they are clamping down on cabin baggage weights. You will not have time to argue with the BNE Airport contractor over any real or perceived transgressions. Just hope the Express line will not be burgeoning.

Check the schedules of the T-bus and Airtrain and see which ones line up with your domestic arrival. Whilst only the T-bus will be free of charge for you, it's worth keeping Airtrain and taxi in mind as backup options.

In summary, 85 minutes is doable but tight.

EDIT: Checked ExpertFlyer and it appears the QF D/QF I MCT is minimum 90 minutes, in some cases 2 hours. How the itinerary was then possible in the first place is beyond me (it should have been flagged as impossible).

 

[Doggy]

Awesome insights thanks guys. Had no idea BNE would be that challenging. Had a chat with USDM. Seems they'll have no issues changing or canceling at no charge.

 

[Timba-Jet]

Trying to help a mate book USDM flight from CDG/MXP-MEL 2 pax J 24, 25 of 26 Sep. Agents saying only MH and BA available. Can anyone see any QR of CX. Tried routings via DOH, HKG, SIN, PER etc but no availability.

He has found CDG-DOH but can't get home from there.

Is he too early or too late?

In Sep I did this itinerary
CDG-DOH-PVG (QR)
PVG-NRT-SYD (JL)

Based on my above being allowed try:

DOH-HKG (then MEL with CX or QF) with CX is quicker buy I read on FlyerTalk, USDM can't see these CX flights, might be solved by now...

Others you could try
DOH-DXB-HKG-SYD
DOH-BKK/SIN-SYD
DOH-HKG-MNL-SYD-MEL (if no direct HKG service)

 

[tm.smile]

DOH-HKG-MNL-SYD-MEL (if no direct HKG service)

Can also try DOH-MNL too on QR

 

[Flippantflyer]

thanks sioux - I was sure that was the case but I called six different agents and they all argued with me last night! Then one of the buggers put a notation on my record so I may be stuffed yet. Will try to work myself up to trying again later today

Hi everyone. I thought it might be useful to post an update/learning from my recent attempts to change a relatively new USDM booking.

What I had booked (only a few weeks ago):

BNE-SYD (QF J), SYD-DXB (QF F), DXB-LHR (QF J) + dummy return: LHR-DXB (QF Y), DXB-HKG (CX J), HKG-BNE (CX J)

I fully intended to change the return, was just trying to catch two first class QF seats SYD-DXB at the time as there were virtually no QF F seats showing in availability so I wanted to jag them while I could. They charged me the correct mileage for an award one way in F, one way in J as per new rules meaning they average the points - 135,000.

Three weeks later, seats come online for the return, so I ring to change the return - in the meantime 2 QF F seats open up DXB to LHR so I try to change up to those too (unbelievably lucky really!).

Over a dozen agents, one after the other argue I cannot change the DXB-LHR leg to first, because it had previously had a J leg there. Many also argue I cannot change the return leg to an all-J class routing - because there was originally a Y class legs in there. They kept consistently saying that I had not paid enough miles for any first class legs.

After much much persistence (and wine whilst on skype) a supervisor eventually advised me that I was right all along and they just didn't understand the new mileage costings for combined F/J (or J/Y) itineraries.

I finally (!) got confirmation that you absolutely can change up classes if the one-way was priced at the higher class. I would not have been able to change any legs in the return flight to first class though as it had been priced at the one-way J class award level (which didn't matter to me as I was always going to book J return). I do suggest now that you be careful with your dummy return bookings, now that they average the mileage prices of the one-ways as it could be a trap if you aren't aware at the time.

But more importantly, DO NOT lose faith that you know the rules! Twelve agents arguing with me in row (very stubbornly) were actually starting to erode my confidence that I knew the rules and I nearly gave up! Just have another vino and keep at it!

PS I was told more than twice that I could not transit PER - that is bollocks too.

Final routing in case you're interested:

BNE-SYD-DXB-LHR (QF J, F, F); openjaw; TXL-DOH-PER-BNE (QR J, J, QF J)

 

[serfty]

...
EDIT: Checked ExpertFlyer and it appears the QF D/QF I MCT is minimum 90 minutes, in some cases 2 hours. How the itinerary was then possible in the first place is beyond me (it should have been flagged as impossible).

I had a similar issue with a (single ticketed) MEL-xLAX-xDFW-CVG booking on QF; with a schedule change on AA, the LAX transit dropped from 145 minute to 110 minutes (being 10 minutes under MCT). That was the first time I saw such a note on MMB as mentioned by Doggy.

Qantas were prepared to let me travel as there were no viable options to CVG should Ihave taken a leter AA flight to DFW.

 

[baggyred]

Getting very close to booking my Euro J flights!

I mentioned earlier that I plan to book the outbound and simply pay the change fee when the return leg opens up.

Quick question - do i actually need to book a dummy return? Or can I leave it as a one way (understanding I'll still be paying full points) and the simply book the return leg (whatever I find) when it opens.

Or do I have to book a dummy return - say CDG->Doh->Per a couple of days later and then change it.

 

[sergeyvzn]

Getting very close to booking my Euro J flights!

I mentioned earlier that I plan to book the outbound and simply pay the change fee when the return leg opens up.

Quick question - do i actually need to book a dummy return? Or can I leave it as a one way (understanding I'll still be paying full points) and the simply book the return leg (whatever I find) when it opens.

Or do I have to book a dummy return - say CDG->Doh->Per a couple of days later and then change it.

a dummy return seems to be easier for USAir agents to cope with

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Getting very close to booking my Euro J flights!

I mentioned earlier that I plan to book the outbound and simply pay the change fee when the return leg opens up.

Quick question - do i actually need to book a dummy return? Or can I leave it as a one way (understanding I'll still be paying full points) and the simply book the return leg (whatever I find) when it opens.

Or do I have to book a dummy return - say CDG->Doh->Per a couple of days later and then change it.

When I booked it I did a dummy return. The flight was leaving the same day. The us agent thought it was strange and had a laugh but she did it.
I believe that if u don't book a dummy return and just book it one way they may want to cancel the original booking and start all over again and there your seat may not be available on the new booking, safest option is to book a dummy return. You just need to remember that on the dummy booking every leg needs to be open before u can book it.

 

[baggyred]

Hi everyone. I thought it might be useful to post an update/learning from my recent attempts to change a relatively new USDM booking.

What I had booked (only a few weeks ago):

BNE-SYD (QF J), SYD-DXB (QF F), DXB-LHR (QF J) + dummy return: LHR-DXB (QF Y), DXB-HKG (CX J), HKG-BNE (CX J)

I fully intended to change the return, was just trying to catch two first class QF seats SYD-DXB at the time as there were virtually no QF F seats showing in availability so I wanted to jag them while I could. They charged me the correct mileage for an award one way in F, one way in J as per new rules meaning they average the points - 135,000.

Three weeks later, seats come online for the return, so I ring to change the return - in the meantime 2 QF F seats open up DXB to LHR so I try to change up to those too (unbelievably lucky really!).

What happens with taxes in that scenario? Do they get refunded? Or netted against the change fees?

 

[baggyred]

When I booked it I did a dummy return. The flight was leaving the same day. The us agent thought it was strange and had a laugh but she did it.
I believe that if u don't book a dummy return and just book it one way they may want to cancel the original booking and start all over again and there your seat may not be available on the new booking, safest option is to book a dummy return. You just need to remember that on the dummy booking every leg needs to be open before u can book it.

Thanks so much!

 

[Flippantflyer]

What happens with taxes in that scenario? Do they get refunded? Or netted against the change fees?

They are refunded. In this case $221 per ticket (mostly because no longer flying out of lhr)

 

[baggyred]

They are refunded. In this case $221 per ticket (mostly because no longer flying out of lhr)

Thanks!

Your change has given me confidence. I'm trying to book a dummy back out of any euro destination.

My biggest hurdle I think will be convincing USDM that from Perth - Budapest/Vienna will be my destination and London my stopover!!

 

[sergeyvzn]

Thanks!

Your change has given me confidence. I'm trying to book a dummy back out of any euro destination.

My biggest hurdle I think will be convincing USDM that from Perth - Budapest/Vienna will be my destination and London my stopover!!

I've done this before. Out of SYD - LED was my destination and LHR was my stopover. The first agent said no (significant backtracking) and the second agend said yes

 

[Flippantflyer]

Thanks!

Your change has given me confidence. I'm trying to book a dummy back out of any euro destination.

My biggest hurdle I think will be convincing USDM that from Perth - Budapest/Vienna will be my destination and London my stopover!!

i reckon that should be fine. As per my previous (longish) post just do make sure that your dummy booking is in the class you will actually be looking for when you go to book the real return - ideally all in the class you'll look for if you can at all help it.

 

[paultiffen]

Hi all,

I have a few interesting choices to make coming up. I currently have booked:



SYD NRT
Sydney, Australia to Tokyo(Narita International Airport) , Japan
Friday, September 4, 2015


FLIGHT # 21 Operated By Qantas Airways


DEPART 09:30 PM SYD AIRCRAFT Boeing 747-400


ARRIVE 06:20 AM NRT CABIN --


TRAVEL TIME 9h 50m SEATS --


MEAL --




Flight # 21 : Arrives next day , Saturday, September 5, 2015






HND ZRH
Tokyo(Haneda Airport) , Japan to Zurich, Switzerland
Tuesday, September 8, 2015


FLIGHT # 43 Operated By Japan Airlines Co. Ltd.


DEPART 11:20 AM HND AIRCRAFT Boeing 777-300


ARRIVE 03:50 PM LHR CABIN --


TRAVEL TIME 12h 30m SEATS --


MEAL --


Stop: Change plane in London, ENGL (LHR)




FLIGHT # 720 Operated By British Airways


DEPART 07:45 PM LHR AIRCRAFT Airbus A319


ARRIVE 10:25 PM ZRH CABIN --


TRAVEL TIME 1h 40m SEATS --
[TABLE="width: 100%"]
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[TD]

[/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="align: right"]MEAL[/TD]
[TD]

[/TD]
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[/TR]
[/TABLE]


With a dummy return. We had a few tough constraints:

1) Two seats in first on at least one and preferably two of the legs
2) Stopover in Asia preferred especially Japan
3) Leaving on a specific Friday night
4) Arriving back 3 weeks later either with a comfortable last leg to arrive in the morning in Sydney or arrive back in Sydney at night to be able to go to work the next day
Y.
In the booking above the HND LHR leg is in JAL First for two people, the LHR ZRH is in J and the QF flight is in Y :-(

I figured we could wait for a bit then change when we had to change the dummy leg but two first class seats were hard to find. With the upcoming merger the most interesting option back is Etihad as an AA partner which has great availability and a great hard product (we flew two years ago). However with current AA routing rules:

1) Can't stopover in Tokyo
2) Can't route via Middle East to Aus

What do you think the chances are post merger of convincing an agent to:
1) Keep current routing there or allow stopover on oneway award
2) Allow routing back via ZRH and AUH on EY

If not our options for F flight back are limited unless we can snag space on CX. Options for getting back in J on QF/CX are also limited from HKG/BKK. MH is a good option but they only release 1 in J and 1 in F on the relevant flights (although thats always available).

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks,
Paul

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I figured we could wait for a bit then change when we had to change the dummy leg but two first class seats were hard to find. With the upcoming merger the most interesting option back is Etihad as an AA partner which has great availability and a great hard product (we flew two years ago). However with current AA routing rules:

1) Can't stopover in Tokyo
2) Can't route via Middle East to Aus

What do you think the chances are post merger of convincing an agent to:
1) Keep current routing there or allow stopover on oneway award
2) Allow routing back via ZRH and AUH on EY

If not our options for F flight back are limited unless we can snag space on CX. Options for getting back in J on QF/CX are also limited from HKG/BKK. MH is a good option but they only release 1 in J and 1 in F on the relevant flights (although thats always available).

Any ideas welcome.

Thanks,
Paul

If it moves to AA rules then as they currently stand you won't be able to route back through AUH, or any other middle east point with change of flight number. It won't be a case of finding an agent to convince, as they just don't allow it. (AA agents are pretty up on their rules.)

I would try and make any changes/lock down the itinerary before the merger. I don't think anyone knows yet which system they will adopt, or when.

 

[paultiffen]

If it moves to AA rules then as they currently stand you won't be able to route back through AUH, or any other middle east point with change of flight number. It won't be a case of finding an agent to convince, as they just don't allow it. (AA agents are pretty up on their rules.)

I would try and make any changes/lock down the itinerary before the merger. I don't think anyone knows yet which system they will adopt, or when.

Ok, so I guess similar rules to the Middle East routing for converting to a one way that contains a stopover :-(

On another question if I can see CX award space on 27th Sept next year how do I know if it's legit? I can see it on QF but not on BA and it's slightly too far out for JAL. Other tests I have done it shows up on both QF and JAL but not BA. Any fool proof methods? I'm sure it's been answered before but things change all the time.

I was also looking at getting Qatar F DOH-BKK any idea if they will stop blocking A380 seats?