Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[jetset]

Hey guys, got another question:

If some of the returning flights I want to book aren't available yet (>330 days), would I be better off to:

a) only book the first part of my trip and add the later flights as they become available
b) book the entire trip at earlier dates then change the flight dates as later flights become available

 

[jeza]

I’ll qualify this by saying I’m no expert but I believe option a) would be the way to go. That way you are not reducing an already limited supply of award flights by booking flights which you do not intend to use.

 

[jetset]

I’ll qualify this by saying I’m no expert but I believe option a) would be the way to go. That way you are not reducing an already limited supply of award flights by booking flights which you do not intend to use.

I agree but if the later flights do not materialise for some reason then I would take the trip at the earlier date booked.

Also if I cancel the flights then they should return to the award pool, no?

 

[cambriamarsh]

I agree but if the later flights do not materialise for some reason then I would take the trip at the earlier date booked.

Also if I cancel the flights then they should return to the award pool, no?

Unfortunately cancelled award flights dont necessarily go back into an award pool. Revenue management will be constantly reviewing likely demand and adjusting fair buckets, including award availability, to maximise profitability.

I expect Tripping the Rift could, or maybe did, write a PhD dissertation on that topic.

 

[11sjw]

Interesting data point. Looking to make an award booking KRK-LHR. The QF website won't let me search for Krakow, or KRK, in the "From" or "To" fields. I've found a BA flight that works and tried to book it via the SMS service. They wouldn't relent on the Booking Fee (7k points pp). A quick phone call, with surprisingly little wait time, and all was sorted with a "Because you couldn't do it online we won't charge a Booking Fee." Happy me!

 

[Guvner]

Did you try multi city search?

 

[11sjw]

No I didn't as I was just after the One Way flight. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[wentworthmeister]

I could use some advice on the first leg of our OWA booking - what are the best flights to do MEL-LHR in Economy?

• Option 1: QF9 MEL-xPER-LHR on the 787. Advantages are the new plane, new IFE, decent legroom (I'm 189cm). Disadvantages are the narrower seat and the 17hr flight which could be hell in Economy.
• Option 2: QF35 MEL-SIN then BA12 SIN-LHR (both on an A380). Advantages are the small & quiet upper deck section in Economy, slightly wider seats, better breakup of flight times. Disadvantages - would we have to collect our bags at SIN and re-check them through to LHR with BA?
• Option 3: QF MEL-SYD then QF1 SYD-xSIN-LHR on the A380. Same A380 advantages. Disadvantages are the domestic leg MEL-SYD first, but I guess we could chill in the SYD QF international lounge and our bags would be checked all the way through.

For some reason I don't get any QR flights showing up on the multi-city tool, but from all accounts long-haul Economy in the A350 isn't anything to write home about either.

 

[Daver6]

I could use some advice on the first leg of our OWA booking - what are the best flights to do MEL-LHR in Economy?

• Option 1: QF9 MEL-xPER-LHR on the 787. Advantages are the new plane, new IFE, decent legroom (I'm 189cm). Disadvantages are the narrower seat and the 17hr flight which could be hell in Economy.
• Option 2: QF35 MEL-SIN then BA12 SIN-LHR (both on an A380). Advantages are the small & quiet upper deck section in Economy, slightly wider seats, better breakup of flight times. Disadvantages - would we have to collect our bags at SIN and re-check them through to LHR with BA?
• Option 3: QF MEL-SYD then QF1 SYD-xSIN-LHR on the A380. Same A380 advantages. Disadvantages are the domestic leg MEL-SYD first, but I guess we could chill in the SYD QF international lounge and our bags would be checked all the way through.

For some reason I don't get any QR flights showing up on the multi-city tool, but from all accounts long-haul Economy in the A350 isn't anything to write home about either.

I'd avoid BA Y at all costs. QF is significantly better.

For QR, search MEL to LHR rather than breaking it down into stops.

 

[wentworthmeister]

For QR, search MEL to LHR rather than breaking it down into stops.

Yeah that's what I'm doing in the multi-city tool, but they never appear in the results.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Yeah that's what I'm doing in the multi-city tool, but they never appear in the results.

When are you travelling?

 

[Welshie]

Question about booking for someone else:

Does my (WP) status confer any benefit when booking a RTW oneworld award for my partner (NB) or should I just transfer her the 280k points?

 

[wentworthmeister]

When are you travelling?

Somewhere around 4-5 August this year.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Somewhere around 4-5 August this year.

As you say, nothing showing at present ex Aus; but plenty of availability ex AKL...not sure where you are situated but maybe you need to head east to go west

 

[cjd600]

Question about booking for someone else:

Does my (WP) status confer any benefit when booking a RTW oneworld award for my partner (NB) or should I just transfer her the 280k points?

You will have earlier access to QF metal J awards than she

 

[Welshie]

You will have earlier access to QF metal J awards than she

So if her intended travel is <353 days away then there's not much reason to do it on my account?

 

[Jacques Vert]

So if her intended travel is <353 days away then there's not much reason to do it on my account?

Actually, <297!

Also on QF metal, if the seat she wants is not available, you can ask for them to be opened up; she can't

 

[cjd600]

So if her intended travel is <353 days away then there's not much reason to do it on my account?

If its between 353 and 290-odd there is, if less than 290-odd, then not so much......although your WP status will allow you to request release of a J QF metal award where there is none available....which may or may not be successful...but as less than WP you can't even lodge the request

 

[Aus ATC]

I could use some advice on the first leg of our OWA booking - what are the best flights to do MEL-LHR in Economy?

• Option 1: QF9 MEL-xPER-LHR on the 787. Advantages are the new plane, new IFE, decent legroom (I'm 189cm). Disadvantages are the narrower seat and the 17hr flight which could be hell in Economy.
• Option 2: QF35 MEL-SIN then BA12 SIN-LHR (both on an A380). Advantages are the small & quiet upper deck section in Economy, slightly wider seats, better breakup of flight times. Disadvantages - would we have to collect our bags at SIN and re-check them through to LHR with BA?
• Option 3: QF MEL-SYD then QF1 SYD-xSIN-LHR on the A380. Same A380 advantages. Disadvantages are the domestic leg MEL-SYD first, but I guess we could chill in the SYD QF international lounge and our bags would be checked all the way through.

For some reason I don't get any QR flights showing up on the multi-city tool, but from all accounts long-haul Economy in the A350 isn't anything to write home about either.

Option 3 sounds much better. Option 2 should allow through checking of the bags (if on the one PNR). Either (apparently) beats 9 abreast in the B787 - I have not flown it, but read plenty of reviews. Even BA15 would probably be better (9 abreast in the B777).

 

[wentworthmeister]

Some more newbie questions, this time about our USA to Chile sector in November:

1. Would you choose LAX-xMIA-SCL or SFO-xDFW-SCL (both with AA)? I've been warned about trying to get domestic flights from LAX.
2. In either of the above scenarios, would we clear immigration/customs on departure at LAX/SFO, or during the layover at MIA/DFW?
3. How long should we allow for the layover/connection between the domestic leg and the international leg? The QF multi-city tool lets me choose options with as little as a 50min layover, but I'm assuming that's not a smart move.