Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[knightfall88]

Status with Qantas will only effect QF flights.

Therefore:
QR = 360 days
JL = 330 but moving to 360 on 1/4
AA =330 days
QF = 297 days (for you).

Not sure when you are travelling but, if peak period, maybe book first two flights then add last two later.

You will be charged a 5,000 point change fee per person plus taxes will be recalculated every time you make a change or add a flight so try to keep changes to a minimum without taking too much risk on flights disappearing.

I am looking to travel in April 2020. So I've been trying to navigate the Qantas website this month to be prepared for April/May 2019 when I'll actually book the first legs. I can understand the complaints, there is little to no F class awards anytime, even at the furthest dates out. And for those flights that are available, its CA and not QR. I understand that JL can only be done via phone booking as well so it's also not in the search. I read a lot of this thread and knew it to be hard but didn't expect it to be this impossible.

 

[blu]

I'm trying to find AA business class awards (TransPACific & TransATLantic), looks like nothing currently being released (milesAAver).

 

[N860CR]

I literally laughed so loud I woke the SO up and got a dressing down.... I figured there was no chance of it going through online.

SYD-ADL-DOH-SKPx-DOHx-ADDx-DOH-HKGx-SYD (J)

All on QR except for the last sector.

$2500 in taxes for 2 pax. Done in 10 minutes online. New OneWorldAward record!

 

[Aussiejosh]

I'm trying to find AA business class awards (TransPACific & TransATLantic), looks like nothing currently being released (milesAAver).

A lot of the time AA business awards do not show on qantas website. Either call, sms or use webchat to ask about availability

webchat link - Engagement Window

 

[knightfall88]

I literally laughed so loud I woke the SO up and got a dressing down.... I figured there was no chance of it going through online.

SYD-ADL-DOH-SKPx-DOHx-ADDx-DOH-HKGx-SYD (J)

All on QR except for the last sector.

$2500 in taxes for 2 pax. Done in 10 minutes online. New OneWorldAward record!

Congrats! Those QR flights, how many days out did you book? On the qantas website, it seems it shows dates 352 days out but QR flights open up to us 360 days out? So I expected them to be mostly booked via phone?

 

[ellen10]

I literally laughed so loud I woke the SO up and got a dressing down.... I figured there was no chance of it going through online.

SYD-ADL-DOH-SKPx-DOHx-ADDx-DOH-HKGx-SYD (J)

All on QR except for the last sector.

$2500 in taxes for 2 pax. Done in 10 minutes online. New OneWorldAward record!

Well done @N860CR ! Thats amazing to be able to grab the first and last flights at the same time. When is the trip for? Do you have QF status?

 

[knightfall88]

Status with Qantas will only effect QF flights.

Therefore:
QR = 360 days
JL = 330 but moving to 360 on 1/4
AA =330 days
QF = 297 days (for you).

Not sure when you are travelling but, if peak period, maybe book first two flights then add last two later.

You will be charged a 5,000 point change fee per person plus taxes will be recalculated every time you make a change or add a flight so try to keep changes to a minimum without taking too much risk on flights disappearing.

I read in the pointshack article that if you are using Qantas Points then the release point for all partner airlines will be aligned with QF. Since I'm on silver currently, that means 297 days ahead regardless of which oneworld airline I choose to fly with.

 

[rock86]

I read in the pointshack article that if you are using Qantas Points then the release point for all partner airlines will be aligned with QF. Since I'm on silver currently, that means 297 days ahead regardless of which oneworld airline I choose to fly with.

Incorrect.

QF is 297 days, all others are when they are released to partners (most are in the Wiki).

 

[N860CR]

Congrats! Those QR flights, how many days out did you book? On the qantas website, it seems it shows dates 352 days out but QR flights open up to us 360 days out? So I expected them to be mostly booked via phone?

Well done @N860CR ! Thats amazing to be able to grab the first and last flights at the same time. When is the trip for? Do you have QF status?

It’s a year away. Departing on 15 Feb and returning 8 March. The last few weren’t actually searchable. Couldn’t do it on the BA website as it was too far in advance. Had to select the “flexible with dates” on QF and it brought up the calendar that went much further in advance. Searching HKG-SYD was difficult as it seems to bring up MU flights well into the future, however managed to find a CX on the 8th.

 

[ellen10]

It’s a year away. Departing on 15 Feb and returning 8 March. The last few weren’t actually searchable. Couldn’t do it on the BA website as it was too far in advance. Had to select the “flexible with dates” on QF and it brought up the calendar that went much further in advance. Searching HKG-SYD was difficult as it seems to bring up MU flights well into the future, however managed to find a CX on the 8th.

It worked out well for you. Yes those MU flights get in the way. You get excited when you see Business class icon only to click on it and discover a MU flight.

 

[cjd600]

It worked out well for you. Yes those MU flights get in the way. You get excited when you see Business class icon only to click on it and discover a MU flight.

I just assume the J’s close to 360 are MU now, and get excited if they are actually CX or QR when you click thru

 

[knightfall88]

It’s a year away. Departing on 15 Feb and returning 8 March. The last few weren’t actually searchable. Couldn’t do it on the BA website as it was too far in advance. Had to select the “flexible with dates” on QF and it brought up the calendar that went much further in advance. Searching HKG-SYD was difficult as it seems to bring up MU flights well into the future, however managed to find a CX on the 8th.

Do you have gold status?

 

[wentworthmeister]

Well I've finally booked my OWA for this Aug-Dec after nearly 8 months of research and planning. Wifey and I are doing the following in Y:

MEL-SYD-xSIN-LHR (QF)
LHR-BCN (surface sector around Europe)
BCN-MAD-JFK (IB)
JFK-YYZ (AA)
YYZ-YYC, YYC-YVR (WS - not on OWA)
YVR-SFO (surface sector down the US west coast)
SFO-DFW-SCL (AA)
SCL-PNT, PNT-SCL (LA - not on OWA)
SCL-SYD-MEL (QF)

Ended up only costing $1500 total in taxes and surcharges which I think was a good outcome. We avoided BA for the Europe-USA leg which would have added a couple of hundred $. We tried to get the Patagonia leg on the OWA with LATAM but A) PNT doesn't exist in the QF booking system and B) when I called the QF service centre they couldn't see any award availability on those flights. Also wanted the SCL-MEL direct flight with LATAM but they're not releasing award seats during Dec-Jan, so we're stuck with QF home via SYD. At least we can use the lounges as I'm Gold FF.

 

[ellen10]

Well I've finally booked my OWA for this Aug-Dec after nearly 8 months of research and planning. Wifey and I are doing the following in Y:

MEL-SYD-xSIN-LHR (QF)
LHR-BCN (surface sector around Europe)
BCN-MAD-JFK (IB)
JFK-YYZ (AA)
YYZ-YYC, YYC-YVR (WS - not on OWA)
YVR-SFO (surface sector down the US west coast)
SFO-DFW-SCL (AA)
SCL-PNT, PNT-SCL (LA - not on OWA)
SCL-SYD-MEL (QF)

Ended up only costing $1500 total in taxes and surcharges which I think was a good outcome. We avoided BA for the Europe-USA leg which would have added a couple of hundred $. We tried to get the Patagonia leg on the OWA with LATAM but A) PNT doesn't exist in the QF booking system and B) when I called the QF service centre they couldn't see any award availability on those flights. Also wanted the SCL-MEL direct flight with LATAM but they're not releasing award seats during Dec-Jan, so we're stuck with QF home via SYD. At least we can use the lounges as I'm Gold FF.

Well done @wentworthmeister ! Looks like a great itinerary, you are packing a lot into a great trip.

 

[N860CR]

Do you have gold status?

Nope. No QF status at all these days.

 

[appaz]

I've booked 2x of these in J before but unsure of the rules regarding infants - we have a new addition.

Does Qantas' rules apply to infants (added free of charge to all legs irrespective of airline flown) or do the individual airline's own rules apply for every individual leg of the journey? 10-25% of the full fare could add up to an astronomical amount if there are all charged as one-ways.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I've booked 2x of these in J before but unsure of the rules regarding infants - we have a new addition.

Does Qantas' rules apply to infants (added free of charge to all legs irrespective of airline flown) or do the individual airline's own rules apply for every individual leg of the journey? 10-25% of the full fare could add up to an astronomical amount if there are all charged as one-ways.

From the book of rules (with added bolding):
14.3.4 Infants under two years and not occupying a seat, travel without the need to redeem Qantas Points as long as the accompanying adult is travelling on a Classic Flight Reward. There is a limit of one infant per adult travelling on a Classic Flight Reward. Taxes, fees and carrier charges (including GST) may be payable in relation to infants as specified by Qantas Loyalty at the time a Member books a Classic Flight Reward.

It looks like there’s provision for some extra charges, so I suggest you contact the call centre to get an idea of how it works (always keeping in mind that what one call centre agent tells you may not equal what another might say...)

 

[appaz]

From the book of rules (with added bolding):
14.3.4 Infants under two years and not occupying a seat, travel without the need to redeem Qantas Points as long as the accompanying adult is travelling on a Classic Flight Reward. There is a limit of one infant per adult travelling on a Classic Flight Reward. Taxes, fees and carrier charges (including GST) may be payable in relation to infants as specified by Qantas Loyalty at the time a Member books a Classic Flight Reward.

It looks like there’s provision for some extra charges, so I suggest you contact the call centre to get an idea of how it works (always keeping in mind that what one call centre agent tells you may not equal what another might say...)

I understand the rules for Qantas Classic Rewards when flying Qantas metal, just unsure what applies when using Qantas to book with other OW airlines.

For example, I'm flying Cathay HKG-PER later this year booked via Alaskan Mileage Plan. Alaskan cannot add an infant to the ticket, only Cathay can. Cathay charge 10% the full adult revenue fare ($600 one way!). If these rules applied to a 280k J award, i'd almost be better off saving an additional 280k points and booking the little one a seat. 10% of the full fare for multiple one-way flights in J would get very expensive

If because it is a Qantas award, booked via Qantas AND they can add the infant too all OW flights, then its a great deal (essentially the infant is free).

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I understand the rules for Qantas Classic Rewards when flying Qantas metal, just unsure what applies when using Qantas to book with other OW airlines.

For example, I'm flying Cathay HKG-PER later this year booked via Alaskan Mileage Plan. Alaskan cannot add an infant to the ticket, only Cathay can. Cathay charge 10% the full adult revenue fare ($600 one way!). If these rules applied to a 280k J award, i'd almost be better off saving an additional 280k points and booking the little one a seat. 10% of the full fare for multiple one-way flights in J would get very expensive

If because it is a Qantas award, booked via Qantas AND they can add the infant too all OW flights, then its a great deal (essentially the infant is free).

I think that you need to contact the call centre & do a dummy booking and see how it prices out. There’s no cost to you if you don’t make a booking (other than losing a small part of your soul while waiting to get through...).

 

[Kangol]

Has anyone had problems with adding JL flights to their OWA recently?
Phone agent can see availability but can't go to the next step of booking. Had to send a request off to JL.
Apparently this is the case for all JL flights in any class.