US Dividend Miles - post your SUCCESSFUL award bookings here.

[MEL_Traveller]

When doing the research for this how do you get award traveller to show routes through both Europe and Asia. Or is there another tool??

break your itinerary down into chunks via stopover points in Asia or Europe. So AU-ICN then ICN-USA and for the return USA-FRA (or wherever) then FRA-AU

 

[NDiddy]

Just did a booking for a buddy of mine and his g/f tonight on the floowing itin:

SYD->BKK TG F B747
BKK->CDG TG F A380
CDG->FRA LH J A320 (stopover)
FRA->EWR UA F B777-200 new F suite (destination) - I think?
EWR->BRU UA F B777-200 new F suite - again I'm assuming according to seatguru
BRU->FRA LH J E190
FRA->BKK TG F A380
BKK->SYD TG F B747

Total points was 140K and taxes was $392.57USD (including the $50 booking fee). The taxes seemed high but hey look at what he got Very jealous but extremely happy for him

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just did a booking for a buddy of mine and his g/f tonight on the floowing itin:

SYD->BKK TG F B747
BKK->CDG TG F A380
CDG->FRA LH J A320 (stopover)
FRA->EWR UA F B777-200 new F suite (destination) - I think?
EWR->BRU UA F B777-200 new F suite - again I'm assuming according to seatguru
BRU->FRA LH J E190
FRA->BKK TG F A380
BKK->SYD TG F B747

Total points was 140K and taxes was $392.57USD (including the $50 booking fee). The taxes seemed high but hey look at what he got Very jealous but extremely happy for him

those taxes do look high. I paid USD211 for a similar itinerary (but out via ICN back via FRA on the A380).

 

[Spizz]

Nicely done.

 

[NDiddy]

those taxes do look high. I paid USD211 for a similar itinerary (but out via ICN back via FRA on the A380).

Don't disagree with you MEL. In fact when he told me while on the phone I thought he meant 290...but what are you going to do. Tbh I was just so stoked for him. We spent the best part of about 6 hours trying to devise an itin for him and then I made a noob mistake by saying he could stopover in FCO (not a *A hub) and that wasted about 3 calls. Fourth went through fine but took about 30 mins or so.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Don't disagree with you MEL. In fact when he told me while on the phone I thought he meant 290...but what are you going to do. Tbh I was just so stoked for him. We spent the best part of about 6 hours trying to devise an itin for him and then I made a noob mistake by saying he could stopover in FCO (not a *A hub) and that wasted about 3 calls. Fourth went through fine but took about 30 mins or so.

the only thing you can do is have a look at ITA or call US back and ask them to have another look at the taxes. The latter sometimes works and they reduce them if necessary.

 

[NDiddy]

Nicely done.

Thanks spizz - It's actually part of a very elaborate plan for the 4 of us to meet in LAS. His g/f is being told that they're flying Y to EU only. Of course she'll find out once they check in but hey, all part of the surprise. When they check in in FRA that's the only time she'll know that their going to the States. She will completely freak out. They're then flying down to meet us in LAS and we're going to surprise her. Really can't wait for this trip!!

 

[NDiddy]

the only thing you can do is have a look at ITA or call US back and ask them to have another look at the taxes. The latter sometimes works and they reduce them if necessary.

Thanks for the tip. Got a link for ITA? Otherwise I'll let him know to call back.

 

[Flashback]

those taxes do look high. I paid USD211 for a similar itinerary (but out via ICN back via FRA on the A380).

I'd say it's because of the extra short flights intra-EU.... but worth checking on ITA I guess.

 

[Flashback]

Thanks for the tip. Got a link for ITA? Otherwise I'll let him know to call back.

Matrix - ITA Software

 

[robd]

SYD - BKK Thai F (747)
BKK - CDG Thai F (A380) destination
CDG - ZRH Swiss J (A320)
ZRH - BKK Thai F (A340) stopover
BKK - SYD Thai F (747)

150,000 miles plus $303.90 each.

Just as a followup to the above - phoned TG & LX this morning and have allocated all seats - too easy

This whole thing - never in my wildest dreams ......

 

[Benn49]

Have just made my first UDSM redemption and wanted to say thanks to everyone that has shared information about how to do this on this site.

SYD-BKK TG F
BKK-CDG TG F
CDG-FRA LH J (Stopover)
FRA-EWR UA F (Destination)
EWR-ORD UA F
ORD-ICN OZ F
ICN-BKK OZ J (21 hour stop)
BKK-SYD TG F

140,000 miles and $353USD(taxes and booking fee)

 

[hummel]

Have just made my first UDSM redemption and wanted to say thanks to everyone that has shared information about how to do this on this site.

SYD-BKK TG F
BKK-CDG TG F
CDG-FRA LH J (Stopover)
FRA-EWR UA F (Destination)
EWR-ORD UA F
ORD-ICN OZ F
ICN-BKK OZ J (21 hour stop)
BKK-SYD TG F

140,000 miles and $353USD(taxes and booking fee)

Wow that's one of my favourite redemptions! Great work!

 

[smit0847]

Had an original booking:

MEL-BKK (TG)
BKK-FRA (TG A380)
FRA-OSL (LH)
OSL-KEF (SK)

then back

ASR-IST (TK)
IST-SIN (TK)
SIN-MEL (SQ)

all J for July this year (booked last November).

Decided we wanted to change our dates to arrive a bit earlier and leave a bit later, and leave from a different location. Was hoping to get to KEF via PEK on CA but was advised several times that it was not a valid routing to go so far north when via BKK or SIN is much more direct (bcworld had warned me of this).

After several calls on Sat night managed to change it to the following:

SYD-BKK (TG)
BKK-IST (TK)
IST-OSL (TK)
OSL-KEF (SK)

then back

ZAG-CDG (OU)
CDG-BKK (TG A380)
BKK-MEL (TG)

all J. Flying out of SYD because there was no MEL-BKK availability. I was very happy that we were allowed to fly back into MEL rather than having to fly back to our point of origin (SYD). Agent said in 8 years of booking redemptions she had never done one to Iceland. (she didnt know what it was).

A couple of questions:

- Me and my partner have to split up from IST-OSL as there was only one seat (J or Y) on the direct flight (my partner has to go IST-CPH-OSL). He is not too pleased that I get the direct and he has to take an extra flight (I'd be happy to do it) - I assume they will not let us 'swap' in IST without going back to US Air?
- The TG SYD-BKK (the 3:55pm flight) is currently scheduled to be a 747 (I thought it was a 340?). Looking at the seat map, is it really the J layout with the galley up the side? The pics are most unusual.

 

[bcworld]

- The TG SYD-BKK (the 3:55pm flight) is currently scheduled to be a 747 (I thought it was a 340?). Looking at the seat map, is it really the J layout with the galley up the side? The pics are most unusual.

The A340 hasn't served SYD for ages now...2 daily 747 flights. Yes the lower deck has the unusual galley arrangement on all TG 747s. Ideally you should be looking for seats upstairs anyway. Nice work with the double open jaw!

 

[anat0l]

Have just made my first UDSM redemption and wanted to say thanks to everyone that has shared information about how to do this on this site.

SYD-BKK TG F
BKK-CDG TG F
CDG-FRA LH J (Stopover)
FRA-EWR UA F (Destination)
EWR-ORD UA F
ORD-ICN OZ F
ICN-BKK OZ J (21 hour stop)
BKK-SYD TG F

140,000 miles and $353USD(taxes and booking fee)

You did a fantastic job getting all of those F sectors!

My scouting so far shows spotty availability across the Atlantic, even on UA. It's easy to find pockets here or there but then flexibility is a big issue.

Oddly enough, finding domestic USA F (or J, viz. UA BusinessFirst) is really tough for me; notwithstanding the regional aircraft used I just can't find the availability.

A couple of questions:

- Me and my partner have to split up from IST-OSL as there was only one seat (J or Y) on the direct flight (my partner has to go IST-CPH-OSL). He is not too pleased that I get the direct and he has to take an extra flight (I'd be happy to do it) - I assume they will not let us 'swap' in IST without going back to US Air?
- The TG SYD-BKK (the 3:55pm flight) is currently scheduled to be a 747 (I thought it was a 340?). Looking at the seat map, is it really the J layout with the galley up the side? The pics are most unusual.

If Turkey were only part of the Schengen area (like the other countries you mentioned are), you might have had a slight chance (but it would still be technically illegal).

You can't just "swap" since you'll probably fail the identity check somewhere along the lines (unless you get really lazy officials), and they will likely not allow you just to "swap" when you're at the airport, as that basically involves messing with the tickets in the same way that you would have to go back to US and tell them to change the flights.


I've never flown on a TG 747, but I did notice that rather unusual layout when I checked a seat map and when I viewed a photo of the J cabin somewhere online (can't remember where now).

 

[robd]

Had an original booking:

MEL-BKK (TG)
BKK-FRA (TG A380)
FRA-OSL (LH)
OSL-KEF (SK)

then back

ASR-IST (TK)
IST-SIN (TK)
SIN-MEL (SQ)

all J for July this year (booked last November).

Decided we wanted to change our dates to arrive a bit earlier and leave a bit later, and leave from a different location. Was hoping to get to KEF via PEK on CA but was advised several times that it was not a valid routing to go so far north when via BKK or SIN is much more direct (bcworld had warned me of this).

After several calls on Sat night managed to change it to the following:

SYD-BKK (TG)
BKK-IST (TK)
IST-OSL (TK)
OSL-KEF (SK)

then back

ZAG-CDG (OU)
CDG-BKK (TG A380)
BKK-MEL (TG)

all J. Flying out of SYD because there was no MEL-BKK availability. I was very happy that we were allowed to fly back into MEL rather than having to fly back to our point of origin (SYD). Agent said in 8 years of booking redemptions she had never done one to Iceland. (she didnt know what it was).

A couple of questions:

- Me and my partner have to split up from IST-OSL as there was only one seat (J or Y) on the direct flight (my partner has to go IST-CPH-OSL). He is not too pleased that I get the direct and he has to take an extra flight (I'd be happy to do it) - I assume they will not let us 'swap' in IST without going back to US Air?
- The TG SYD-BKK (the 3:55pm flight) is currently scheduled to be a 747 (I thought it was a 340?). Looking at the seat map, is it really the J layout with the galley up the side? The pics are most unusual.

Nice. Wish I could have gotten the return direct into MEL :mrgreen:

 

[smit0847]

The A340 hasn't served SYD for ages now...2 daily 747 flights. Yes the lower deck has the unusual galley arrangement on all TG 747s. Ideally you should be looking for seats upstairs anyway. Nice work with the double open jaw!

Thanks, there's 2 pairs of 'exit row' J seats upstairs that I've got my eyes on!

I don't think the agent fully understood I was asking for a double open jaw, I mentioned SYD and MEL airports were very close together in the scheme of the trip and I was only flying out of SYD because there was no availability from MEL. I think she thought MEL was SYD's second airport because she mentioned something about them being a 'city pair' (I assume she had some knowledge of the UA MEL-SYD-LAX tag) - I said 'umm, yeah it is'......

 

[MEL_Traveller]

bcworld[/B] had warned me of this).

Again YMMV... friend of mine yesterday booked AU-BKK-LHR and the return LHR-FRA-PEK-MEL.

As for the 747 seating - down stairs is extremely spacious. yes there is the galley wall - but high ceilings, full size overhead lockers and probably one of the widest aisles you'll see. Downstairs would be my preference.

 

[Spizz]

Have just made my first UDSM redemption and wanted to say thanks to everyone that has shared information about how to do this on this site.

SYD-BKK TG F
BKK-CDG TG F
CDG-FRA LH J (Stopover)
FRA-EWR UA F (Destination)
EWR-ORD UA F
ORD-ICN OZ F
ICN-BKK OZ J (21 hour stop)
BKK-SYD TG F

140,000 miles and $353USD(taxes and booking fee)

Oh nice. OZ First Class on their ORD-ICN route in the Suites (only route with the new F product). Very nice work. Did you get 2 people on this ITN or only yourself?