Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

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

Would this limit you to changing some int QF flights only? Every change I have ever made has required the ticket to be reissued.

No, our change was to a pair of QR segments through DOH.
I suspect (but do not *know*) that the reference in the rule to ticket re-issue means the re-issue of a paper ticket, as opposed to a soft copy 'itinerary' change.
In our case we were about 10 weeks into our one world award itinerary, and brought forward our homeward legs by a few weeks. I rang QFF about 9:30 am, and was flying out about 10:00 pm that night.

 

[madrooster]

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

Would this limit you to changing some int QF flights only? Every change I have ever made has required the ticket to be reissued.

QF are lazy in that regard and just reissue the ticket anyway. I've seen them reissue award tickets for a simple time change of 5 mins which is entirely unnecessary.

Basically you can make a change, providing that the change only requires a revalidation of the ticket. Most oneworld carriers support revalidation of tickets so this should generally not be an issue with most carriers. I'm unsure about JL and S7 as I don't deal with them often. All other carriers should be fine.

 

[madrooster]

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

We have just changed from SFO-LAX-YYZ in Y to SFO-JFK in J. Much more comfortable. Even if we added JFK-YYZ to this, we would have been charged baggage and sat in Y for that sector. Almost as cheap to get a J seat with cash. We were planning a side trip to the big apple anyway, so works a treat!

That's incorrect. Because the SFO-JFK is the first segment, the baggage of that segment would apply all the way to YYZ. Why not consider JFK/YYZ on JJ if their schedule suits? They fly that route Mon/Wed/Fri.

 

[Familyman1]

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

Does anyone know why Y award seat availability from Asia into Australia is so poor for January 2017? eg. No flights from Doha to Australia that I can find but lots up until the end of December (Can I expect a block of January 2017 Doha to Australia award seats to suddenly become available). At this stage, the only option to get us home to Brisbane from Europe in January is HEL to Shanghai and then Shanghai to Syd to BNE, but I'm hoping some other flts become available later in the month. (I'm looking for 5 seats for my family).

 

[penegal]

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

Availability hasn't been loaded yet.

Remember that depending on the airline, the earliest loads are around the ~353 days mark, with most others at ~330 days in advance.

 

[vetrade]

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

Yes, it may well be that availability hasn't been released yet but there used to be a quirk of the QF website (I don't know whether it still applies) which you could get around with a little trick.

To explain: Some airlines release their rewards at around 360 - 362 days out whereas QF doesn't list its rewards until 353 days out. If you search on QF for rewards on non-QF airlines by entering search dates more than 353 days out it will probably show no availability (just blank boxes) but if you enter a date at, say, 350 days out and tick the "flexible with dates" box, after the page of available flights has loaded (it will show availability up to 353 days) just click on "next 14 days" at the bottom of the page. Sometimes some more availability for airlines like CX will then show up.

I can't assure you it will work because it's about 12 months since I last tried it but might be worth a try.

 

[Familyman1]

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

OK. Thanks Penegal and Vetrade. I'll keep trying in the weeks ahead.

I'm sure there is a major bottleneck in loading award flights after December 31 for those Qatar flights from Doha to Australia. When I was looking during December, Qatar were loading award seats for those flights at about 361 days out but that all stopped at the end of 2015.

 

[prozac]

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

Hi all...

Conversely, CX delayed our flight from FRA-HKG for 4 hours 10 minutes, and a quick search online showed me we might be eligible for compensation under EU travel rules (4 hours or more for longhaul departures). Sure enough, 3 days after emailing a request, we've been promised compensation of 600 euros each (yes, even our daughter travelling on an infant award ticket!) - a great outcome.

Did you miss a connection due to the delay, or are you saying this is straight compensation for spending additional time sipping bubbly in the J lounge?

 

[adelee]

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

Did you miss a connection due to the delay, or are you saying this is straight compensation for spending additional time sipping bubbly in the J lounge?

This is straight out compensation for sipping bubbly in the lounge (albeit the mediocre CX FRA lounge) we had an 11 hour layover in HKG, so were still able to meet our original connecting flight.

I wasn't really expecting to be offered the compensation - by all accounts it's only EU airlines covered by the delayed flight compensation rule I cited, but sure enough, the reply ferom the CX rep came with an invitation to provide bank details for 3 x payments of 600 euros (for 2 adult and one infant ticket). It may have helped that we didn't get offered a meal voucher or any other form of assistance during the delay.

More on the EU regs here: EU - Air passenger rights - Your Europe - Your Europe

 

[prozac]

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

...
the reply ferom the CX rep came with an invitation to provide bank details for 3 x payments of 600 euros (for 2 adult and one infant ticket). ...

More on the EU regs here: EU - Air passenger rights - Your Europe - Your Europe

Nice pocket money.
That's a handy link to have for that rare occasion.

 

[lego man]

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

Hi guys,

I’m new here. I’ve tried reading back through past pages of this forum so as not to bother you with too many repeated questions.

I’m looking at booking a 420k fare in First Class and couldn’t see too much info on that.

So I had a couple of questions:

1. Is availability for first class any better than J class? Am I more likely to get the seat that I want? I’d be travelling by myself, so hopefully getting just one seat is a bit easier than trying to book for two.
2. Can anyone comment on my itinerary? It is as follows:

Melbourne to Los Angeles (First Class) Stopover 1
Surface to New York
New York to Paris (First Class) Stopover 2
Surface to London
London to Nairobi (First Class) Stopover 3
Surface to Jo’burg
Jo’burg to Dubai (Business) Stopover 4
Dubai to Melbourne (First Class) (Home)

From what I have read, I think I could have one more stopover on the 420k award. But I think that should be enough for me. Alternatively I might head through Asia on the way home, instead of Dubai.

I’d also note that I’m not aware of any First Class flights out of Jo’burg towards Asia, so that’s why that leg is a J fare. Any alternatives would be much appreciated!

Does this itinerary work with the terms and conditions? I most confess, it does get a little confusing!

Would love any help I can get. Thanks!

 

[ike]

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

Hello there,
I am after some very basic information on how to book the RTW 120/240/480 ticket. I am at this stage planning to use 2 x 240 RTW's in March 2017 for my 50th birthday.
Our routing will be BNE/HKG/KIX or NRT/HEL or LHR/LGW JFK BNE. (Not sure which relations to see in London or Finland yet maybe both if possible).
Basically do i have to have to find out the mileage on a website then call QF and hope for a good rep to book this? Or do I book it myself on the QF website but the flight KIX to HEL doesn't appear. But I know Finnair fly direct.
I am QFGold but will drop to Silver soon :-( and have enough points for 2 x 240
Thank you so much in advance.

 

[ejd711]

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

At a quick look, I'm wondering which OW airline flies Jo'Burg to Dubai?

Qatar seems to fly Jo'Burg to Doha, and then I guess onto Dubai to link up with QF in Dubai? or Qatar out of DoHA (but do they offer first class)?
Looks like the only transcontinental flights from Jo'Burg are: QF to Sydney, BA to London, IB to Madrid, CX to Hong Kong and Qatar to Doha.

Remember Emirates can't be included on a OW award.

Other than that looks like a good trip!

Challenge I think will be getting availability on that first flight!

Hi guys,

I’m new here. I’ve tried reading back through past pages of this forum so as not to bother you with too many repeated questions.

I’m looking at booking a 420k fare in First Class and couldn’t see too much info on that.

So I had a couple of questions:

1. Is availability for first class any better than J class? Am I more likely to get the seat that I want? I’d be travelling by myself, so hopefully getting just one seat is a bit easier than trying to book for two.
2. Can anyone comment on my itinerary? It is as follows:

Melbourne to Los Angeles (First Class) Stopover 1
Surface to New York
New York to Paris (First Class) Stopover 2
Surface to London
London to Nairobi (First Class) Stopover 3
Surface to Jo’burg
Jo’burg to Dubai (Business) Stopover 4
Dubai to Melbourne (First Class) (Home)

From what I have read, I think I could have one more stopover on the 420k award. But I think that should be enough for me. Alternatively I might head through Asia on the way home, instead of Dubai.

I’d also note that I’m not aware of any First Class flights out of Jo’burg towards Asia, so that’s why that leg is a J fare. Any alternatives would be much appreciated!

Does this itinerary work with the terms and conditions? I most confess, it does get a little confusing!

Would love any help I can get. Thanks!

 

[ejd711]

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

Technically you can book the whole trip online. I've booked 1 140 completely online, but all the flights have to be available when you want to go. To lock in the flights (particularly the out of Australia flights), you can book the first leg online using the normal booking site. Then will need to call to book the remaining tickets which will incur a change fee each time. Your route isn't too complex so shouldn't be too much trouble with a rep.

I'm a bit confused by the KIX?

AY (Finnair) fly direct from HKG-HEL, also from Japan to Helsinki. I have flown BNE-HKG-HEL.

You can definitely add a stop in London as well though it will increase your taxes, and then fly to JFK from LHR. Or you could buy a cheap revenue ticket return Helsinki-London then fly onto US from Finland. I'd just add London into this trip quite frankly.

Getting JFK-BNE could be a challenge in business, though LAX-BNE there usually is more seats that MEL or SYD. Not the A380 though obviously. So you could do AA JFK-LAX, the QF LAX-BNE. At least that's the new planes on the JFK-LAX route.

Gold to silver probably wouldn't make any difference. I've booked both my RTW as a lowly bronze.

Not sure what other info you were after?

Hello there,
I am after some very basic information on how to book the RTW 120/240/480 ticket. I am at this stage planning to use 2 x 240 RTW's in March 2017 for my 50th birthday.
Our routing will be BNE/HKG/KIX or NRT/HEL or LHR/LGW JFK BNE. (Not sure which relations to see in London or Finland yet maybe both if possible).
Basically do i have to have to find out the mileage on a website then call QF and hope for a good rep to book this? Or do I book it myself on the QF website but the flight KIX to HEL doesn't appear. But I know Finnair fly direct.
I am QFGold but will drop to Silver soon :-( and have enough points for 2 x 240
Thank you so much in advance.

 

[Daver6]

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

At a quick look, I'm wondering which OW airline flies Jo'Burg to Dubai?

Qatar seems to fly Jo'Burg to Doha, and then I guess onto Dubai to link up with QF in Dubai? or Qatar out of DoHA (but do they offer first class)?
Looks like the only transcontinental flights from Jo'Burg are: QF to Sydney, BA to London, IB to Madrid, CX to Hong Kong and Qatar to Doha.

Remember Emirates can't be included on a OW award.

Other than that looks like a good trip!

Challenge I think will be getting availability on that first flight!

No F on QR DOH - JNB. Yes to QR F on their A380s though.

 

[ike]

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

Technically you can book the whole trip online. I've booked 1 140 completely online, but all the flights have to be available when you want to go. To lock in the flights (particularly the out of Australia flights), you can book the first leg online using the normal booking site. Then will need to call to book the remaining tickets which will incur a change fee each time. Your route isn't too complex so shouldn't be too much trouble with a rep.

I'm a bit confused by the KIX?

AY (Finnair) fly direct from HKG-HEL, also from Japan to Helsinki. I have flown BNE-HKG-HEL.

You can definitely add a stop in London as well though it will increase your taxes, and then fly to JFK from LHR. Or you could buy a cheap revenue ticket return Helsinki-London then fly onto US from Finland. I'd just add London into this trip quite frankly.

Getting JFK-BNE could be a challenge in business, though LAX-BNE there usually is more seats that MEL or SYD. Not the A380 though obviously. So you could do AA JFK-LAX, the QF LAX-BNE. At least that's the new planes on the JFK-LAX route.

Gold to silver probably wouldn't make any difference. I've booked both my RTW as a lowly bronze.

Not sure what other info you were after?

Sounds great, thank you for your reply.

We have to stop over in KIX to visitor the in-laws so that is why KIX is in the planning - So my route would be BNE/HKG/KIX/HEL/LHR/JFK/LAX/BNE.
If I booked the first leg on-line then call up to get the reminding tickets will it be on ONE ticket? and one fee?
And If I want March 2017 when is the best time to start looking? 330 days out? is that correct.

Thank you!

 

[vetrade]

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

Hi Lego man,
The main limitation of OW F rewards is that F is unavailable on many routes – but your itinerary suggests you are aware of that already.

Getting an F reward seat for MEL (or SYD) – LAX will be your biggest hurdle and will necessitate that you book ASAP after the flight you want is released, which will be 353 days out at around 10.00am for QF. Demand for F (and J) rewards to LAX is high because lots of people flying on business to the US go for points upgrades and know that they have to jump in quickly to get one. A lot of those flyers are Platinums so they get preferential treatment from QF too.

You might face the same difficulty getting F from DXB – MEL so book them ASAP. It will help that you have a DXB stopover - trying to line up flights with a transit would be more difficult.

It will help if you are flexible as to which day you fly. Business flyers often fly out to US at the start of the working week (Monday) and return for the weekend. Chances you will get an F reward on a Monday are remote. Do some dummy searches online and you’ll soon get a feel for the best day to go for.

There’s no direct flights from JNB to DXB but QR does fly JNB – DOH – DXB (will be J). That route is well worthwhile just to sample the fabulous QR lounge in DOH even if you can’t fly in F. I can’t think of any alternative route home from JNB that would be better or get you into F.

My rough calcs (from gcmap.com) suggest your mileage is about 31,000 for that itinerary (max allowed is 35K) so you still have some “wriggle room” if you wanted to route through Asia on the way home. I can’t see any probs with your itinerary.

 

[vetrade]

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

Firstly ike, it might have been a typo in your post but J OW rewards are 280K, not 240K – so you’ll need 560K points not 480K for 2 pax. Plus you will probably need some more for any changes which are 3500 points per pax.

Make your first booking online. When you change or add flights to that original booking you need to be certain that the operator adds them to your booking and doesn’t make a new booking. For a OW reward all flights need to be on the same ticket (and you can’t combine separate bookings into one). Each time you make a change with the QF operator the fee is 3500 points per pax.

Don’t leave it till 330 days out to start booking – only AA releases their flights then and the other airlines release theirs earlier so be careful or you might miss out. QF releases theirs at 353 days and CX are 360 (or maybe 362??) days out.

Your strategy will depend on how long your trip is – the longer the time between departing and your return the more likely you will need to book your first flight(s) before your return legs are released. That would necessitate that you do some of your bookings through the call centre.

You should use gcmap.com to check the total mileage of the itinerary you want – no good ringing QF if you know you’re going to be above the 35000 mile limit.

You have multiple options flying to JFK if you include the possibility of routing through Paris or MAD – that could save you the extra fees associated with departing from London.

 

[lego man]

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

Thanks, ejd711, Daver6 and vetrade (especially vetrade, for being a Geelong supporter).

Sorry for the lack of detail in my earlier post but the JNB > DXB will be the QR flight, via Doha. Doesn't look like there are any other options but I'm really keen on spending a few weeks in Africa and I'm not exactly slumming it on QR business class.

I think I still have one additional stopover allowed, so i might look at booking an internal USA or Europe flight. Will see how I go.

Again, thanks for your help. Much appreciated!

 

[uiopui]

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

Hi all, i have had some issues trying to get the reward to price out at 280K online. Ive used GCMapper and even at the most extreme itinerary it comes in under 35,000 miles. Im basically trying to do the following

1. MEL-DOH-VIE (QR) 1st stop
2. MAD-EZE (IB)
3. EZE-JFK (AA)
4. JFK-YVR (CX)
5. LAX-NRT (JL)* 5th Stop
6. NRT-SYD-MEL (JL)*

*for these im using AA and Qantas just to price it up online.

Issue, when i get to the LAX-NRT leg it goes from 280K to 400K even though these legs havent passed the 35,000 mark, and i havent done more than 5 stops or two open jaws etc. Im pretty sure ive moved in one direction the whole time so i cant really think whatelse it could be. Is there something obvious that im missing or should i just give the Qantas people a call?

Ive even tried dropping to MEL - DOH and replacing it with BKK-DOH or just DOH-VIE to try and save some miles, which brought it down to <31,000. I still have the issue of it going over 280K on the NRT - MEL leg. I was also hoping that if i starting in BKK i could add another MEL - BKK a few months later for another trip, again it prices out as above.

It would be good to hear some feedback before i call Qantas just make sure i dont need to go back fully and change everything.

Thanks in advance