Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[fairbasa]

Cuba and the USA are not permitted. No US carrier is allowed to participate in an itinerary where Cuba is involved. Even though the trade sanctions have changed and there are no direct US services into Cuba, the rule is still being applied for RTW.

I find the whole situation so confusing. There are direct AA flights from Cuba to both Miami and Charlotte. I read somewhere foreigners can't fly USA-Cuba as we're not covered by some OFAC exemption which will prevent us from being cleared to board, but Cuba-USA is theoretically possible although I've not read of anyone trying it either. I gave up and am looking at heading to CUN or SXM instead.

 

[prozac]

Purchase xx_-Cuba as a side trip.

 

[fairbasa]

Purchase xx_-Cuba as a side trip.

Yea, that's definitely an option. I'm already doing about 13 segments in a 5 week trip, don't want to cram unnecessary segments in if I can avoid it.

 

[prozac]

Yea, that's definitely an option. I'm already doing about 13 segments in a 5 week trip, don't want to cram unnecessary segments in if I can avoid it.

How is it crammed if you were already planning a Cuba trip? No need to include mileage as a surface segment.

 

[fairbasa]

I just mean, instead of adding on two more segments (say CUN-VRA return) I might just stay in CUN. Don't have to go to Cuba, was just after somewhere nice in that region.

 

[aussiel]

Purchase xx_-Cuba as a side trip.

Is this possible if xx_ is a USA port, without satisfying the US criteria to travel?

 

[Global Tripper]

A big thank you to all who have contributed to this thread. Over the last few weeks I have read all 410+ pages and have learned so much.
I have now started on the journey towards booking my first 280K trip starting in August 17. The seven week trip is emerging as follows
SYD-DFW-xMIA-SCL-MAD-xLHR-DUB-xHEL-xDOH-SIN-SYD
It seems to be valid according to the rules?
So I would appreciate any general comments on it, but specifically.
1. Does anyone know of any success getting U on the direct DFW-SCL service on AA?
2. I have worked out that two of the options for DUB-SIN are via HEL/DOH [QR] or via HEL/HKG [AY/CX]. Does anyone know better options (avoiding LHR). Is there likely to be a major difference in surcharges/taxes etc.
3. Any comments as to which of QR or CX is better for long haul business class.
4. Any comments on general QF U availability on SIN-SYD. Almost 11 months out nothing!
Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[fairbasa]

Is this possible if xx_ is a USA port, without satisfying the US criteria to travel?

No one seems to quite know.

However, it may all be a moot point. I read in another thread recently that although Qantas can see the AA flights to Cuba in their system, they are unable to book them as yet.

 

[Kerrodt]

<snip>
3. Any comments as to which of QR or CX is better for long haul business class.
<snip>

I can only comment on this question.

In late August I flew QR from DOH-HKG in Business Class on their 787 and I thought it was exceptional in all regards. Comfort, food and beverages, peace and quiet, crew, flight, very modern and fresh cabin layout - all were very good and I'd recommend them.

Also worth adding, in early August I flew AY from HKG - HEL in Business Class on their new A350. It was equally as impressive as QR. I'd highly recommend them.

 

[prozac]

No one seems to quite know.

However, it may all be a moot point. I read in another thread recently that although Qantas can see the AA flights to Cuba in their system, they are unable to book them as yet.

The suggestion was not to book it on a Oneworld airline as part of your itinerary but as a separate paid side trip with any airline from any location that will allow a Cuba booking.

 

[SOPOOR]

sorry for the newbie question
last year I flew Melb to KL (2 hr) to Paris and back, I booked via briitsh exec club (spelling?) and flew byMalaysia air
i aid about 278k points, is htis considred a oneworld award??

I also paid $1100 odd in tax

hypotheitecally if I were to do
Melb - Asia (1 week) - Europe - USA - Melb

what would the rough taxes be?
just trying to work out since I paid $1100 return last time, if the taxes are like $3000, it would make hte trip pretty uneconimcal

 

[hutch]

sorry for the newbie question
last year I flew Melb to KL (2 hr) to Paris and back, I booked via briitsh exec club (spelling?) and flew byMalaysia air
i aid about 278k points, is htis considred a oneworld award??

I also paid $1100 odd in tax

hypotheitecally if I were to do
Melb - Asia (1 week) - Europe - USA - Melb

what would the rough taxes be?
just trying to work out since I paid $1100 return last time, if the taxes are like $3000, it would make hte trip pretty uneconimcal

The 140/280/420 Oneworld award discussed here, is an option available via the QFF program. My understanding is not every program necessarily offers these awards (ie I don't think AA do). So, you would need to explore options via BAEC.

 

[Danger]

sorry for the newbie question
last year I flew Melb to KL (2 hr) to Paris and back, I booked via briitsh exec club (spelling?) and flew byMalaysia air
i aid about 278k points, is htis considred a oneworld award??

I also paid $1100 odd in tax

hypotheitecally if I were to do
Melb - Asia (1 week) - Europe - USA - Melb

what would the rough taxes be?
just trying to work out since I paid $1100 return last time, if the taxes are like $3000, it would make hte trip pretty uneconimcal

Those taxes are on the high end but that's probably got a lot to do with using BA and MH. In your proposed itinerary, booked through QF and using AA for at least a couple long haul flights, I wouldn't expect to pay much more than that in taxes, if any, in Economy.

 

[Sumnerned]

Hello,
Looking to book a 280k Oneworld Classic flight reward and want to fix the first leg (SYD-SCL) before getting the rest booked. Have been looking on QF & BA websites but no J flights are available anytime in Sep 17. I rang Qantas today and talked to them and they also stated their was no J available.
Just like to know my options

Trans-Pacific flights to and from SCL have been notorious for lack of J award seats for some years. The situation may have changed recently, my info is about a year old.

 

[fairbasa]

The suggestion was not to book it on a Oneworld airline as part of your itinerary but as a separate paid side trip with any airline from any location that will allow a Cuba booking.

Understand the suggestion, but it doesn't address what aussiel asked which was what I also originally asked: can you book a trip to Cuba directly from the US as part of the award as a non-citizen.

If we can avoid additional segments and cost, why not?

 

[ozflier]

I am getting close to be able to buy a OWA business class award for next year.
We'll be going thru the US likely on AA.
Has the situation changed where a QF business class award does not get a first class domestic seat.
It always seemed a little unfair where AA members using a J award could get the front cabin on QF in Australia but not vv ( except on only a few domestic routes) - eg not possible to get J seats LAX/SFO/DFW to IAD/DCA.
I'm guessing that things have not changed but would love to be wrong.

 

[hutch]

I am getting close to be able to buy a OWA business class award for next year.
We'll be going thru the US likely on AA.
Has the situation changed where a QF business class award does not get a first class domestic seat.
It always seemed a little unfair where AA members using a J award could get the front cabin on QF in Australia but not vv ( except on only a few domestic routes) - eg not possible to get J seats LAX/SFO/DFW to IAD/DCA.
I'm guessing that things have not changed but would love to be wrong.

Nope. You can certainly book a leg of AA domestic F in your award, but you'll be charged 420,000pts which is hardly worth it (will be pretty dumb frankly)

If an AA passenger was booking a J seat in Australia... they would get a J seat. I don't see the comparison.

By all means, AA F/J (apart from transcon A321) are hardly worth their classifications, but it is what it is.

 

[ozflier]

Ta for that.

 

[Global Tripper]

I can only comment on this question.

In late August I flew QR from DOH-HKG in Business Class on their 787 and I thought it was exceptional in all regards. Comfort, food and beverages, peace and quiet, crew, flight, very modern and fresh cabin layout - all were very good and I'd recommend them.

Also worth adding, in early August I flew AY from HKG - HEL in Business Class on their new A350. It was equally as impressive as QR. I'd highly recommend them.

Thanks Kerrodt. I will go the QR option.

 

[SOPOOR]

Those taxes are on the high end but that's probably got a lot to do with using BA and MH. In your proposed itinerary, booked through QF and using AA for at least a couple long haul flights, I wouldn't expect to pay much more than that in taxes, if any, in Economy.

ok thanks, I was under the impression that going through London airports is what made the taxes high and not the airline or the program?

im still very green to this,

so if Iwere to do hyphetically melb to france and back , assuming avaiability, what would be the way to pay the least taxes? avoid going through London? or BA or Malaysia air?

so my proposal of melb, asia, eu, usa melb, if Ichose the right airlines/airports I could get away with paying $1100 all up in taxes???

i hope this is true, it seems that Ialwas end up paying coughpy amounts of taxes

what do other people do to minimse taxes?

also another question, I assume that I got charged 290k points (if i recall) while oneworld is 280k because I didnt satisfy the oneworld conditions?
or did Ichoose the wrong airline?