Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[flightobserver]

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

Hello,

I am getting together an itinerary for a 280K RTW trip for 2. We went for 3 places we want to see and I have tried to build it around those choices. I will now hand it over to those who know what they are doing for advice. We are based in ISA so have included ISA-BNE to keep costs down.
The places selected were 1- Tokyo, Dubai & Edinburgh & Northern Lights , Havana & Iguazu Falls.
So based on this, this is what I came up with.
ISA-BNE-SYD-NRT -Stop
NRT-LAX-SCL -Stop
SCL-LIM Surface Iguazu Falls & 2 other spots in South America.
LIM-MIA-CUN -Stop (Arrange return flight to HAV)
CUN-MIA-CDG Stop (Have done this to avoid UK charges???)
CDG-OSL Surface (Northern Lights & Edinburgh)
OSL-DOH Stop (Quick flight to DXB and look around DOH too)
DOH-PER-BNE-ISA
Open to all suggestions about how to improve or change things
Thank you
Brendan

Have you considered a routing of Australia - Tokyo - Doha/Dubai - Europe - Cuba - South America - Australia or v.v.? This would bring your mileage down below the 35K limit.

 

[Familyman1]

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

I will organise flights from CDG to OSL then when finished up north, will arrange flights to EDI

I recommend you check out Norwegian Airlines for your extra Oslo flights. They are very cheap.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

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

Hi All

I have 600k qantas points ( through credit cards ) but have not ever redeemed on QF or really flown on QF, so I have limited knowledge.

Can you please clarify a few things re J ( 280k award OW redemption ).

I will have to go to MCO, YVR and NRT at some point and feel it is a good excuse to burn these points.

If I was to do 2 x J something like this

SYD - JFK ( via DOH on QR )
JFK - MCO ( AA )
MCO - YVR ( AA )
YVR - NRT ( JL )
NRT - SYD ( QF or any other carrier )

or home via HKG

My query....

So I search QF classic awards on multi city search to locate flights and then call to book ?

And with the method of booking 1 flight then adding later. I assume that means I can book SYD - JFK and when I call to add it becomes a OW redemption once i exceed the 280k points ?

Thanks everyone for your help on this thread. Have read so much info in the last 2 days..

Cheers

 

[hutch]

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

Hi All

I have 600k qantas points ( through credit cards ) but have not ever redeemed on QF or really flown on QF, so I have limited knowledge.

Can you please clarify a few things re J ( 280k award OW redemption ).

I will have to go to MCO, YVR and NRT at some point and feel it is a good excuse to burn these points.

If I was to do 2 x J something like this

SYD - JFK ( via DOH on QR )
JFK - MCO ( AA )
MCO - YVR ( AA )
YVR - NRT ( JL )
NRT - SYD ( QF or any other carrier )

or home via HKG

My query....

So I search QF classic awards on multi city search to locate flights and then call to book ?

And with the method of booking 1 flight then adding later. I assume that means I can book SYD - JFK and when I call to add it becomes a OW redemption once i exceed the 280k points ?

Thanks everyone for your help on this thread. Have read so much info in the last 2 days..

Cheers

Generally can't book Qatar J online with Qantas, so you may need to ring up and book that flight.

Also worth noting that AA dont release seats as far out as other airlines.

Once you exceed the 280k points it will cap at 280 assuming your booking is within the rules.

 

[Familyman1]

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

I suspect it's because of YQ sharing agreements between carriers. That's effectively a black box to us...

I've seen scenarios where adding a certain carrier to the ticket would actually reduce the YQ (effectively a fuel dump).

Yes. OK. I guess my main concern now is that, when I put all those flights into the qantas multi-city tool, it gives a lower amount for fees than I have been charged. I have been charged $71/person more than the qantas tool shows.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

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

CJEMNMAC, also remember that each time you ring to make a change, there'll be a 7,000 point change fee (3,500 per pax), over and above the 280k point cap.

Note:
1. You can make numerous changes on a single call, but that will only attract 1 change fee (per pax);
2. If you call but end up not making any changes (eg. What you want to do can't be done), then there's no change fee;
3. Each call you make will also cost you a small piece of your soul while you wait to get through...

Good luck with your booking - it's certainly worth the effort.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

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

CJEMNMAC, also remember that each time you ring to make a change, there'll be a 7,000 point change fee (3,500 per pax), over and above the 280k point cap.

Note:
1. You can make numerous changes on a single call, but that will only attract 1 change fee (per pax);
2. If you call but end up not making any changes (eg. What you want to do can't be done), then there's no change fee;
3. Each call you make will also cost you a small piece of your soul while you wait to get through...

Good luck with your booking - it's certainly worth the effort.

Thanks so much

One further point on calling up, do you need to instruct the operator that you are wanting the OW redemption or do they assume when exceeding in this case the 280K that is the reward you want

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

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

Thanks so much

One further point on calling up, do you need to instruct the operator that you are wanting the OW redemption or do they assume when exceeding in this case the 280K that is the reward you want

I don't believe that it's strictly necessary to declare your intentions, but I think that it's worthwhile mentioning in your introductory comments. Many of the operators have a great deal of experience, and are usually willing to help you through the maze.

 

[CJEMNMAC]

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

I don't believe that it's strictly necessary to declare your intentions, but I think that it's worthwhile mentioning in your introductory comments. Many of the operators have a great deal of experience, and are usually willing to help you through the maze.

Cheers

Appreciate your help

 

[vetrade]

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

Hi All

I have 600k qantas points ( through credit cards ) but have not ever redeemed on QF or really flown on QF, so I have limited knowledge.

Can you please clarify a few things re J ( 280k award OW redemption ).

I will have to go to MCO, YVR and NRT at some point and feel it is a good excuse to burn these points.

If I was to do 2 x J something like this

SYD - JFK ( via DOH on QR )
JFK - MCO ( AA )
MCO - YVR ( AA )
YVR - NRT ( JL )
NRT - SYD ( QF or any other carrier )

or home via HKG

My query....

So I search QF classic awards on multi city search to locate flights and then call to book ?

And with the method of booking 1 flight then adding later. I assume that means I can book SYD - JFK and when I call to add it becomes a OW redemption once i exceed the 280k points ?

Thanks everyone for your help on this thread. Have read so much info in the last 2 days..

Cheers

Just some general comments..........
Do you have to visit the places listed in the order you have them? Could you fly to MCO then to NY and then on to YVR? The reason is that AA for most domestic flights only has Y and F so on a J reward you would be booked into Y. Taking MCO - YVR as the example, there are no direct flights so you would have to connect through DFW, PHX or LAX etc. AA nowadays makes it near on impossible to get awards on connecting flights for what you envisage (especially for 2 people travelling together). Also AA do have J on flights into Canada but there is virtually never 2 awards available on the same flight - and often you will struggle to get even one J award.
An alternative would be to go to MCO first then fly to JFK (only Y available on that leg but it's a relatively short flight. From JFK you could fly CX to YVR - unfortunately it's a late night flight but availability in J will be very good - which is a big plus compared to trying to get AA awards for 2 pax with connections.
Any reason you have selected the long route to NY? Going via DOH is probably more than 4000 miles longer than via LAX - did you just want to fly on QR?
Do you have tentative dates?

 

[vetrade]

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

CJEMNMAC, a couple of other thoughts.....if you went to MCO before NY you could fly SYD - DFW - MCO. Or could go via LAX. Need to get in as soon as award seats are released for both these flights though. Alternatively if you wanted to go the long way around (via Europe) you would probably have to get to MCO via MIA

 

[CJEMNMAC]

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

Just some general comments..........
Do you have to visit the places listed in the order you have them? Could you fly to MCO then to NY and then on to YVR? The reason is that AA for most domestic flights only has Y and F so on a J reward you would be booked into Y. Taking MCO - YVR as the example, there are no direct flights so you would have to connect through DFW, PHX or LAX etc. AA nowadays makes it near on impossible to get awards on connecting flights for what you envisage (especially for 2 people travelling together). Also AA do have J on flights into Canada but there is virtually never 2 awards available on the same flight - and often you will struggle to get even one J award.
An alternative would be to go to MCO first then fly to JFK (only Y available on that leg but it's a relatively short flight. From JFK you could fly CX to YVR - unfortunately it's a late night flight but availability in J will be very good - which is a big plus compared to trying to get AA awards for 2 pax with connections.
Any reason you have selected the long route to NY? Going via DOH is probably more than 4000 miles longer than via LAX - did you just want to fly on QR?
Do you have tentative dates?

Tentative dates are October ( which I know will be tough ) or January 2017


The QR trip was more just to try out QR in J also I did a random date mid October and could book SYD-JFK in J straight off the website

I also saw a QF1 SYD-DXB and EK219 DXB-MCO as another option

I don't mind your suggestion for the CX option JFK to YVR

 

[FrankC]

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

Tentative dates are October ( which I know will be tough ) or January 2017


The QR trip was more just to try out QR in J also I did a random date mid October and could book SYD-JFK in J straight off the website

I also saw a QF1 SYD-DXB and EK219 DXB-MCO as another option

I don't mind your suggestion for the CX option JFK to YVR

Don't think you can use EK in OW 280k award

 

[CJEMNMAC]

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

Don't think you can use EK in OW 280k award

oh Yes .... My mistake

thanks

I can also see in October SYD-MIA on QR in J... so maybe a better option if I go the long way

 

[hutch]

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

CJEMNMAC, also remember that each time you ring to make a change, there'll be a 7,000 point change fee (3,500 per pax), over and above the 280k point cap.

Note:
1. You can make numerous changes on a single call, but that will only attract 1 change fee (per pax);
2. If you call but end up not making any changes (eg. What you want to do can't be done), then there's no change fee;
3. Each call you make will also cost you a small piece of your soul while you wait to get through...

Good luck with your booking - it's certainly worth the effort.

Re point 3. I can confirm a large piece of my soul is missing after my 280J booking

 

[vetrade]

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

oh Yes .... My mistake

thanks

I can also see in October SYD-MIA on QR in J... so maybe a better option if I go the long way

Yes , you will struggle to get any J awards flying via LA or DFW for those dates. That SYD - MIA option looks like a good option if you fly to MCO before NY. My rough estimate is that the total should be about 30,000 miles going outbound via DOH. QR is definitely worth trying - their J is very good and, better still IMO, is their DOH Lounge which must be just about the best anywhere - it is well worth trying so if possible try not to have too short a transit time so you can take full advantage of the opportunity

 

[BassDogg]

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

Hi there!
I am heading over to NY to live for 3 months and am planning to head to singapore/europe on the way (hmmm...on the way....)

I am looking at the 140,000 One world award and am thinking the following trip ADL-SYD-SIN-LHR-JFK-ADL

I am looking at economy, so there is quite a lot of inventory available.

My options are looking like the following:

QFXX: ADL - SYD
QF5 or BA16 - SYD- SING
BA12: SING-LDN
or
CX176+ CX251:SING-HKG-LDN
or
EK353+EK9:SING-DUB-LDN


AA105 or BA174: LDN to NY
QF12 +QF739 NY-SYD-ADL
or
CX841+CX173:NY-HKG-ADL

I have changed up with a few combos, and some of them push me over the miles travelled limit. The fee is around about $700-900 range depending on the combo of flights. The questions I have are:
1 - Recommend any flights in there I take/avoid?
2 - I have heard to avoid BA as much as possible. Is this also the same with AA? If so, is there a better route out of Europe to NY? I am happy to make my way to another city in Europe.
3 - If I need to change the date of my flight back to Adelaide, will it be easier to do that on a QF flight, rather than the CX? And is that a matter of changing it online and paying the points change fee.
4- Are you peeps legends for helping me out? (I already know the answer is yes!)

Thanking all of you in advance.

 

[exceladdict]

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

Hi there!
I am heading over to NY to live for 3 months and am planning to head to singapore/europe on the way (hmmm...on the way....)

I am looking at the 140,000 One world award and am thinking the following trip ADL-SYD-SIN-LHR-JFK-ADL

I am looking at economy, so there is quite a lot of inventory available.

My options are looking like the following:

QFXX: ADL - SYD
QF5 or BA16 - SYD- SING
BA12: SING-LDN
or
CX176+ CX251:SING-HKG-LDN
or
EK353+EK9:SING-DUB-LDN


AA105 or BA174: LDN to NY
QF12 +QF739 NY-SYD-ADL
or
CX841+CX173:NY-HKG-ADL

I have changed up with a few combos, and some of them push me over the miles travelled limit. The fee is around about $700-900 range depending on the combo of flights. The questions I have are:
1 - Recommend any flights in there I take/avoid?
2 - I have heard to avoid BA as much as possible. Is this also the same with AA? If so, is there a better route out of Europe to NY? I am happy to make my way to another city in Europe.
3 - If I need to change the date of my flight back to Adelaide, will it be easier to do that on a QF flight, rather than the CX? And is that a matter of changing it online and paying the points change fee.
4- Are you peeps legends for helping me out? (I already know the answer is yes!)

Thanking all of you in advance.

1) QF and BA will have large surcharges. Perhaps try CX via HKG to LHR, where you could go direct from ADL, or even QF to SIN then AY via HEL.
2) yes, and IB via MAD, AY via HEL to JFK. Even QR via DOH.
3) I don't believe you can change once a journey starts.
4) it's up to the questioner to say if the answer is useful

 

[vetrade]

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

Hi there!
I am heading over to NY to live for 3 months and am planning to head to singapore/europe on the way (hmmm...on the way....)

I am looking at the 140,000 One world award and am thinking the following trip ADL-SYD-SIN-LHR-JFK-ADL

I am looking at economy, so there is quite a lot of inventory available.

My options are looking like the following:

QFXX: ADL - SYD
QF5 or BA16 - SYD- SING
BA12: SING-LDN
or
CX176+ CX251:SING-HKG-LDN
or
EK353+EK9:SING-DUB-LDN


AA105 or BA174: LDN to NY
QF12 +QF739 NY-SYD-ADL
or
CX841+CX173:NY-HKG-ADL

I have changed up with a few combos, and some of them push me over the miles travelled limit. The fee is around about $700-900 range depending on the combo of flights. The questions I have are:
1 - Recommend any flights in there I take/avoid?
2 - I have heard to avoid BA as much as possible. Is this also the same with AA? If so, is there a better route out of Europe to NY? I am happy to make my way to another city in Europe.
3 - If I need to change the date of my flight back to Adelaide, will it be easier to do that on a QF flight, rather than the CX? And is that a matter of changing it online and paying the points change fee.
4- Are you peeps legends for helping me out? (I already know the answer is yes!)

Thanking all of you in advance.

Firstly, EK is not a OW airline so you can't fly with them on a OW reward. Those fees of $700 - 900 seem low to me especially as you have a stop & departure (as opposed to a transit) from London (LHR) where there are quite expensive airport departure taxes. BA also tend to have higher taxes than most airlines. AA's fees are low in comparison and I prefer their in flight service too. I routinely fly between Europe and NY on IB via Madrid although this is primarily because I'm usually looking to book 2 x J reward seats and IB tend to have better availability - plus they have a good long haul product (their intra-Europe quality is average though). Maybe keep IB as an option - alternatively there are flights from CDG to JFK as another option.

The itinerary you posted should be within the distance limits - I didn't check it but the route from NY - HKG - ADL on CX would be longer than flying JFK - LAX - SYD - ADL

My guess is that if you need to change flights to ADL you might find CX has better availability but I don't have personal experience flying into ADL from HKG. You can book your initial flight/s online but you can't make any changes to a OW reward itinerary online - all additions or changes must go through the call centre - the fee is 3500 points plus $80 for a Y award each time you make changes.

 

[hutch]

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

Firstly, EK is not a OW airline so you can't fly with them on a OW reward. Those fees of $700 - 900 seem low to me especially as you have a stop & departure (as opposed to a transit) from London (LHR) where there are quite expensive airport departure taxes. BA also tend to have higher taxes than most airlines. AA's fees are low in comparison and I prefer their in flight service too. I routinely fly between Europe and NY on IB via Madrid although this is primarily because I'm usually looking to book 2 x J reward seats and IB tend to have better availability - plus they have a good long haul product (their intra-Europe quality is average though). Maybe keep IB as an option - alternatively there are flights from CDG to JFK as another option.

The itinerary you posted should be within the distance limits - I didn't check it but the route from NY - HKG - ADL on CX would be longer than flying JFK - LAX - SYD - ADL

My guess is that if you need to change flights to ADL you might find CX has better availability but I don't have personal experience flying into ADL from HKG. You can book your initial flight/s online but you can't make any changes to a OW reward itinerary online - all additions or changes must go through the call centre - the fee is 3500 points plus $80 for a Y award each time you make changes.

vetrade basically covered it all!

1. I would look at taking the SIN-HKG-LHR option on CX. Otherwise, maybe AY or QR. Avoid BA. CX would have the cheapest taxes though.
2. Agree on looking at Iberia... if you can't do Iberia, basically try to fly to the US from a non-UK port.
3. I don't think it matters much. If you need to change your booking, when you ring up you should be able to book whatever is available at the time (if anything!). Just because you book QF the first time, I don't think that means you're stuck with them if you change your booking.