Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[coles525]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Happy update (been on the phone most of the day adding x2 and stopping the Melb/Syd)

- Just in the last 2-3 hours, managed to add the LHR-SFO segment to the list, as the flight only became available late today!
- Earlier deleted Melb-Syd, booking online as a seperate connection.

All staff were very helpfull, with the latest call taking lots of back of house assistance. They rang me back more then once to provide updates, then the 'good to go' finalisation of UK / USA.

below is a screenshot (edited!) of the current trip, with only the flight home to be booked when the seats go on sale!



I made sure about the 'double up' (owe segment + online booking) of Melb-Syd being sorted today.

Have to agree.

Plus, the test booking LON-ORD at 130,000 QFF points and £666.90 wow! You could probably purchase a full flex for that price and save the QFF points for next years RTW.

 

[madrooster]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

SYD-SIN-CMB-DEL-HKG-JNB-LON-ORD-LAX-SYD = 34873 mi

>fqm SYDSINCMBDELHKGJNBLHRORDLAXSYD
FQM   SYD   SIN   CMB   DEL   HKG   JNB   LON   CHI   LAX
SYD


CTY   DC   TPM   cough   MPM  DC LVL  <HGL  >LWL   25M  XTRA
SYD 3
SIN 3 EH  3912  3912
CMB 3 EH  1709  5621
DEL 3 EH  1489  7110
HKG 3 EH  2328  9438
JNB 2 EH  6641 16079
LON 2 EH  5628 21707
CHI 1 AT  3958 25665
LAX 1 US  1745 27410
SYD 3 PA  7495 34905
**MPM NOT AVAILABLE SYD-SYD**

Just FYI this is actually 34905 ticketed miles. Ticketed mileage often can be less or more than what gcmap or milecalc says and this can be the make or break on oneworld awards.

You will not be able to route LAX-BNE-SYD either (35045 ticketed mileage, milecalc says 35009), it has to be LAX-SYD to remain within 35000 miles.

Flights home from LAX go to either BNE, SYD or MEL. If you fly from LAX to either BNE or SYD you don't have a problem. As pointed out by someone else LAX - SYD seats can be hard to come by so BNE might be a better option for you. Then you can tack on a BNE - SYD flight (included in your OW RTW).

This won't be possible see my explanation above.

 

[coles525]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

QF have done their own calculations yesterday, changing US destination to SFO.

I can now book SFO-SYD-MEL (to Mel, via Syd).

 

[madrooster]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

QF have done their own calculations yesterday, changing US destination to SFO.

I can now book SFO-SYD-MEL (to Mel, via Syd).

How do you intend to achieve that? You cannot transit SYD to MEL, as SYD is your origin. Once you hit your origin, your ticket is over. Even if you could transit your origin, you'd also be over on your mileage, as the distance between your endpoint and the origin needs to be included in the 35000 miles.

 

[coles525]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Other means between Syd & Melb.

Will have more then enough points for either an upgrade (hopeful...) or just a points + pay ticket.

Thank you online shopping

 

[Canoz]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi, need some help on the interpretation of the rules for RTW fare.

As part of our trip, we are looking to base ourselves in Paris and take short hop stays to European destinations. I recognise that one city - 1 stop over, 2 transfer rule and that one way flights that return to the same port incur the distance (miles) back to that port.

However, i'm not clear on whether we can fly into Paris...stay for a while...and then organise 4-5 one way flights from CDG or Orly to other destinations in the RTW ticket and then make our own way back to Paris on each occasion outside the RTW ticket. Does this contravene the RTW rules where Paris becomes the point of departure...but only a port of arrival once under the ticket? Again, think it comes down to my interpretation of the rules
Thanks

 

[Doctore1003]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi, need some help on the interpretation of the rules for RTW fare.

As part of our trip, we are looking to base ourselves in Paris and take short hop stays to European destinations. I recognise that one city - 1 stop over, 2 transfer rule and that one way flights that return to the same port incur the distance (miles) back to that port.

However, i'm not clear on whether we can fly into Paris...stay for a while...and then organise 4-5 one way flights from CDG or Orly to other destinations in the RTW ticket and then make our own way back to Paris on each occasion outside the RTW ticket. Does this contravene the RTW rules where Paris becomes the point of departure...but only a port of arrival once under the ticket? Again, think it comes down to my interpretation of the rules
Thanks

I'm not sure I'm totally clear on what you're intending, but at least a few potential problems come to mind: 1) if you make your own way back to Paris it would still count as a transit through Paris; 2) you're only allowed 5 stopovers IN TOTAL on your booking; 3) if you're only wanting to do short hops what's the point of trying to book it as a RTW award? Doesn't sound like it would save you anything.

Maybe I misunderstood you ...

 

[Canoz]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi Doctore, thanks for that. The RTW trip also includes flying to the US and over to Paris then back to Syd. We have a friends apartment in paris to use during the trip with the intent of using this as a base to make short euro trips. Was hoping to use the RTW ticket to it's fullest in Europe including legs of the short euro trips if it worked within the rules. Your point about making my own way back to Paris still counts as a transit means this idea wouldn't work. I thought this might be the case, but wasn't totally sure. Thanks for clarifying.

 

[Jacques Vert]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi Doctore, thanks for that. The RTW trip also includes flying to the US and over to Paris then back to Syd. We have a friends apartment in paris to use during the trip with the intent of using this as a base to make short euro trips. Was hoping to use the RTW ticket to it's fullest in Europe including legs of the short euro trips if it worked within the rules. Your point about making my own way back to Paris still counts as a transit means this idea wouldn't work. I thought this might be the case, but wasn't totally sure. Thanks for clarifying.

If your short trips are within, or close to, France then you may be better off using the rail system anyway. Look at the Man in Seat 61: The Man in Seat Sixty-One - the train travel guide...

JV

 

[Franky]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Have used the Seat Sixty One Man and can confirm and recommend Jacques' advice.

 

[Canoz]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Thanks Jacques. That's a great site. Just bookmarked it.

 

[Jacques Vert]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Thanks Jacques. That's a great site. Just bookmarked it.

You're welcome

 

[Tonkatough]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Just booked my first 280K OneWorld RTW Award Flight (using Qantas, Cathay and British Airways) for June 2016. I enjoyed 'researching' and 'thread reading' the intricacies of the OneWorld rules. Found the whole process interesting, time consuming, challenging and at times frustrating trying to find unique paths of availability.
One thing that became apparent was the acknowledgement by Qantas Phone Booking Operators that the Qantas website did not have all the updated available flights. This worked both ways, with some flights appearing available on-line but not bookable (because they had not been updated) but also eventually worked in my favour with a flight being bookable but not visible on the website. So best to heed previous advice and pick up the phone. I found all the operators I spoke to were knowledgable and persistent with exploring route options.
Just one question: What is a reasonable time for ticketing? It has been a week.

 

[Dr Ralph]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Just booked my first 280K OneWorld RTW Award Flight (using Qantas, Cathay and British Airways) for June 2016. I enjoyed 'researching' and 'thread reading' the intricacies of the OneWorld rules. Found the whole process interesting, time consuming, challenging and at times frustrating trying to find unique paths of availability.
One thing that became apparent was the acknowledgement by Qantas Phone Booking Operators that the Qantas website did not have all the updated available flights. This worked both ways, with some flights appearing available on-line but not bookable (because they had not been updated) but also eventually worked in my favour with a flight being bookable but not visible on the website. So best to heed previous advice and pick up the phone. I found all the operators I spoke to were knowledgable and persistent with exploring route options.
Just one question: What is a reasonable time for ticketing? It has been a week.

Care to share your intended route?

 

[snabbu]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Just one question: What is a reasonable time for ticketing? It has been a week.

A few weeks is not uncommon however I'd be checking up every few days with QF.

 

[Tonkatough]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Certainly can. Don't think this is anything mind-blowing. Probably did not make full use of the points. But had to accept that was all I could get with 7 months notice, needing to be in certain places within date limitations, and with a limited leave pass...
ADL-HKG-BKK (stop)
BKK-HGK-EWR (stop)
JFK-LHR (stop)
LHR-PVG (surface)
HGK-ADL

 

[ablecookie]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

As a novice, planning a rather involved RoundTheWorld trip of 15 segments in J over some 2 months for 2 of us.

Looking at availability, will need to book early hence I should be booking over time. To save multiple assisted booking charges, my idea is to book as much as I can on-line as seats are released and then add in ones not visible on Qantas via phone assist later on, e.g. JBN-LVI-JBN. Is that the correct approach?

 

[Danger]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

As a novice, planning a rather involved RoundTheWorld trip of 15 segments in J over some 2 months for 2 of us.

Looking at availability, will need to book early hence I should be booking over time. To save multiple assisted booking charges, my idea is to book as much as I can on-line as seats are released and then add in ones not visible on Qantas via phone assist later on, e.g. JBN-LVI-JBN. Is that the correct approach?

Just to be clear, are you booking a paid oneworld Explorer ticket? It sounds like you are. This thread discussed the Qantas five stop oneworld award (frequent flyer) ticket.

 

[ablecookie]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

As a novice, planning a rather involved RoundTheWorld trip of 15 segments in J over some 2 months for 2 of us.

Looking at availability, will need to book early hence I should be booking over time. To save multiple assisted booking charges, my idea is to book as much as I can on-line as seats are released and then add in ones not visible on Qantas via phone assist later on, e.g. JBN-LVI-JBN. Is that the correct approach?

Definitely to redeem FF Points for the trip, hence wanting to jump in early for the limited availability.

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

As a novice, planning a rather involved RoundTheWorld trip of 15 segments in J over some 2 months for 2 of us.

Looking at availability, will need to book early hence I should be booking over time. To save multiple assisted booking charges, my idea is to book as much as I can on-line as seats are released and then add in ones not visible on Qantas via phone assist later on, e.g. JBN-LVI-JBN. Is that the correct approach?

Ablecookie, with a 280K OW RTW award you can only make your first booking online - all subsequent additions or changes to flights can only be done over the phone. That first booking may involve multiple flights but I suspect you may think that it's OK to book multiple flights online as they are released (i.e. as separate bookings) with the intention of getting them combined into a single award booking later on but you can not do that. It's not possible to merge two or more bookings into a single award itinerary either by doing it yourself online or via the call centre.

Depending on which airlines you intend using (which determines when flights are released) it will probably be inevitable that you will need to stump up for some change fees. If you are confident that some sectors will have good availability you might be able to combine adding those flights by delaying until some later flights are released. This is not without risk though. Maybe post your proposed itinerary with details of dates and airlines etc. so we can comment specifically.