US Dividend Miles - Oneworld Award Booking Questions and General Discussion

[Limewood]

Thanks heaps, looking at August 2015. Any idea on USDM required for Qanats J?

This USDM Chart should help.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks heaps, looking at August 2015. Any idea on USDM required for Qanats J?

In terms of value is it worth it? Works out to about AUD2345 for a round-trip plus taxes and fees. Not a bad deal. Not as good as Lifemiles.

But with USDM if you were to fly on Cathay would could build a stop over in Hong kong.

 

[Limewood]

In terms of value is it worth it? Works out to about AUD2345 for a round-trip plus taxes and fees. Not a bad deal. Not as good as Lifemiles.

But with USDM if you were to fly on Cathay would could build a stop over in Hong kong.

and those excellent CX lounges

 

[k_sheep]

Any suggestions for getting to Central or South America with USDM? I'm trying to get to Cuba before the americans invade, but of course, QF transpac to north or south america is out of the question (looking at July/August, so they'll all be well and truly gone). LAN via AKL to SCL would be fine, but I can't seen to find any availability using the ba.com tool.

Thought via Asia might work, but it doesn't seem anyone flies that route. Would love to avoid USA but not sure that's going to be an option.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Any suggestions for getting to Central or South America with USDM? I'm trying to get to Cuba before the americans invade, but of course, QF transpac to north or south america is out of the question (looking at July/August, so they'll all be well and truly gone). LAN via AKL to SCL would be fine, but I can't seen to find any availability using the ba.com tool.

Thought via Asia might work, but it doesn't seem anyone flies that route. Would love to avoid USA but not sure that's going to be an option.

Via asia you can take CX. BNE-HKG then your choice of say ORD or JFK. I don't know if USDM can actually ticket you to Cuba given the current sanctions. But from ORD or JFK you could fly to the gateway city (I think canadia has flights to Cuba?)

 

[k_sheep]

No definitely can't get to Havana on any ticket that includes USA stops. Was trying to get to MEX or anywhere else in Central america and get a revenue ticket from there - but besides Doha - Sao Paulo (and the SYD/AKL-SCL which have zero availability in J), I can't see any OW flight into central or south america that isn't from USA or Europe.

Sigh.

 

[Alanslegal]

Get to MEX and purchase separate tix from there to HAV. Otherwise the poor cost way which a friend of ours took get to CDG and then they paid for$1800 Y tickets on Air Chance to HAV.

 

[k_sheep]

Sadly BNE-HKG-LAX-MEX is 13132 miles which goes over MPM.

TICKETED POINT SURCHARGES APPLY.
GI M 5M 10M 15M 20M 25M

MPM PA 10458 10980 11503 12026 12549 13072

However PTY goes up to 15267 for 25M so I might be able to give that a go ...

 

[k_sheep]

Okay, I can manage to get 2 seats to SAL (BNE-HKG-LAX-DFW-SAL) but can't figure out a way home. Can get to HKG okay but nothing from there. Even MH only has 1 J seat available on any date I try! Any bright ideas for this? I know JAL is out because it's too far in advance.

Also, is it even possible to book for 5 flights as above if it doesn't go above 25M MPM??


Edit: nevermind, it does go over 25M MPM. Also breaks the >4hr rule for USA stopovers. *throws up hands* I give up.

 

[diningdecadence]

couple of questions if someone could please indulge...

is SYD-NRT return on JAL F 120k using USDM?
also 120k if using AA miles? (SWP-Asia1)
would there be any difference in taxes (given it's JAL metal). just potential booking fee differences?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

couple of questions if someone could please indulge...

is SYD-NRT return on JAL F 120k using USDM?
also 120k if using AA miles? (SWP-Asia1)
would there be any difference in taxes (given it's JAL metal). just potential booking fee differences?

the taxes fees and charges on the ticket should be the same. AA will want to charge you more for booking fees (Aussie based, unless you can wangle your way out of those by faking a US address).

Where USDM will be significantly different will be on stopovers (USDM will allow) and any add-ons. With USDM you could continue your ticket to PVG, HKG, PEK, ICN for example (using NRT as a stopover). You can't do that on AA, who would require two tickets.

 

[diningdecadence]

the taxes fees and charges on the ticket should be the same. AA will want to charge you more for booking fees (Aussie based, unless you can wangle your way out of those by faking a US address).

Where USDM will be significantly different will be on stopovers (USDM will allow) and any add-ons. With USDM you could continue your ticket to PVG, HKG, PEK, ICN for example (using NRT as a stopover). You can't do that on AA, who would require two tickets.

awesome thanks. some number crunching pre 31/12 required i think! (purchase AA in this calendar year or not)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

awesome thanks. some number crunching pre 31/12 required i think! (purchase AA in this calendar year or not)

AA is quite restrictive. While there are some benefits - particularly one way travel - USDM has better flexibility and routings. AU-HKG-USA is not possible on a single AA award for example. Far better and cheaper on USDM.

For asia - LM currently wins (assuming miles were/are bought at 2-4-1, and flying business class).

 

[diningdecadence]

AA is quite restrictive. While there are some benefits - particularly one way travel - USDM has better flexibility and routings. AU-HKG-USA is not possible on a single AA award for example. Far better and cheaper on USDM.

For asia - LM currently wins (assuming miles were/are bought at 2-4-1, and flying business class).

yep but it's a simple AUS-NRT return, no interest in other destinations on this occassion so straight cost will be leading priority.

didn't realise USDM could be used for AU-HKG-USA - so CX can be used here? i thought MPM was an issue.

and yep, have utilised LM in the past, but didn't take up the cyber monday offer and have then watched that thread get very upset re: SQ availability issues!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

didn't realise USDM could be used for AU-HKG-USA - so CX can be used here? i thought MPM was an issue.

MPM is just ok for a straight MEL/SYD/BNE-HKG-LAX/SFO. For other ports in the USA MPM is more generous and no problems.

 

[Limewood]

AA is quite restrictive. While there are some benefits - particularly one way travel - USDM has better flexibility and routings. AU-HKG-USA is not possible on a single AA award for example.

Is that right, wow its a run I've done using AS miles, was going to buy some more USDM for that route once they merge, not now, is there some reason for this restriction?.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is that right, wow its a run I've done using AS miles, was going to buy some more USDM for that route once they merge, not now, is there some reason for this restriction?.

AA has a bunch of routing restrictions.

Firstly, to redeem an award an airline must have a published fare for the route you want. That rules out many USDM type awards where extra segments and airlines are included 'for fun'.

Secondly, there's a whole set of rules around connections... SWP to Asia 1 (incl Japan) can connect in Asia 2 (china/hong kong/singapore etc), but the same doesn't apply the other way around... you can't connect in Asia-1 to get to Asia-2 (ruling out China/Hong Kong/Guam via Japan).

Most importantly, as the rules now stand, you can't connect in the middle east to get to Europe from SWP. So that rules out QF to DXB connecting to QR to Europe. (You can however connect in SIN/BKK/NRT as examples).

But as mentioned, under AA travel to the USA via Asia would require two awards. So business class would be minimum 85k each way (35k to asia 1 plus 50K Asia 1 to USA)

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

AA has a bunch of routing restrictions.

Firstly, to redeem an award an airline must have a published fare for the route you want. That rules out many USDM type awards where extra segments and airlines are included 'for fun'.

Secondly, there's a whole set of rules around connections... SWP to Asia 1 (incl Japan) can connect in Asia 2 (china/hong kong/singapore etc), but the same doesn't apply the other way around... you can't connect in Asia-1 to get to Asia-2 (ruling out China/Hong Kong/Guam via Japan).

Most importantly, as the rules now stand, you can't connect in the middle east to get to Europe from SWP. So that rules out QF to DXB connecting to QR to Europe. (You can however connect in SIN/BKK/NRT as examples).

But as mentioned, under AA travel to the USA via Asia would require two awards. So business class would be minimum 85k each way (35k to asia 1 plus 50K Asia 1 to USA)

Ohhhh no this is terrible news. It seems like it is going to be near impossible to get seats if they keep all the AA rules. It's hard enough as it is to get to Europe from oz let alone with all those new restrictions coming in eg not being able to go via Asia to dxb or doh on to Europe. Terrible news.

 

[gwaipor]

Is MPM important only if you want to stop at different cities on the way. Just trying to understand the discussions on MPM

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is MPM important only if you want to stop at different cities on the way. Just trying to understand the discussions on MPM

essentially yes... but not just 'stop', 'transit' as well.

MPM is the maximum allowed miles to complete your journey.

if you can find a non-stop flight from point A to point B, it will be within MPM.

if you stopover or transit a city that is kind of in a straight line on your journey, it will likely be within MPM.

if you start to take detours (for example flying from Australia to usa via asia) MPM may be an issue.

MPM is not easily available, and you can't calculate it yourself. values are defined. there is a chart here in AFF (prepared by bcworld) that gives MPM for key destinations in Europe, Asia and the usa.

i dont have have the link, but if you google australian frequent flyer MPM it should bring up the thread.