Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I'm planning to fly from AUST or ASIA to MOSCOW.
Then travel 9800km east by train from Moscow to Vladivostock.
Then I want to pickup S7 out of VVO to KIX or ICH, to Manila then to AUST.

My question is does the enormous land/train sector in Russia break any OWA rules? From what I've read it does not but I figure it doesn't hurt to check with the experts

I don’t believe that there’s any limit to the length of a surface sector. But... the longer the surface sector, the more of the 35,000 miles allowance it eats up...
(Keeping in mind that we’re operating on a sphere, so in some instances a *very* long surface sector would start to appear to be shorter...)

 

[pottsy]

Far stretch if you don't go all the way around the globe. I think your best bet will be something like the below, at least the long flights are covered..

mel-doh-fco-doh-syd-scl-syd-mel

-Melb to Europe via DOH
-Get surface flights around
-Head back to syd or Auckland via doh
-Get a short flight to Melb
-then you take off again from syd to SCL on second trip.

This is one way. I'm sure others will have another.

I thought with the OWA once you landed back in your country of origin on your owcountry

Far stretch if you don't go all the way around the globe. I think your best bet will be something like the below, at least the long flights are covered..

mel-doh-fco-doh-syd-scl-syd-mel

-Melb to Europe via DOH
-Get surface flights around
-Head back to syd or Auckland via doh
-Get a short flight to Melb
-then you take off again from syd to SCL on second trip.

This is one way. I'm sure others will have another.

I thought with a OWA when you landed back in your country of origin (in your example, Sydney) the award was deemed over? Please correct me if I am wrong

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'm planning to fly from AUST or ASIA to MOSCOW.
Then travel 9800km east by train from Moscow to Vladivostock.
Then I want to pickup S7 out of VVO to KIX or ICH, to Manila then to AUST.

My question is does the enormous land/train sector in Russia break any OWA rules? From what I've read it does not but I figure it doesn't hurt to check with the experts

I don’t believe that there’s any limit to the length of a surface sector. But... the longer the surface sector, the more of the 35,000 miles allowance it eats up...
(Keeping in mind that we’re operating on a sphere, so in some instances a *very* long surface sector would start to appear to be shorter...)

As Jimmy points out, the land/rail distance is not the relevant number. You should be looking at the Great Circle distance which in only 3,995 miles (6,429 km). Those 3,000+ km could come in handy for a side trip.

And there is no limit on the number of miles on a sector; for example, PER-LHR is 9,009 miles

 

[Rtw]

Every time you add a segment or make a change it will cost you a fee of 5,000 points + you will pay the tax fee for each segment added.
If the booking is within the OWA rules it will automatically cap at 280k.

Thanks Ktan! Sorry stupid question but when you add each segment is this via the qantas website or do you have to call to adjust the current booking? Thanks!

 

[cjd600]

Thanks Ktan! Sorry stupid question but when you add each segment is this via the qantas website or do you have to call to adjust the current booking? Thanks!

Unfortunately you can only commence the booking online. Subsequent flights, you need to contact (call, sms, webchat) Qantas, and have them amend the booking.

 

[knightfall88]

I would be extremely grateful for any advice/insights? on the following itinerary?! I live in Melbourne.

I'd like to do two trips, one to Europe and the following to Sth America. However, this results in too much mileage (and with my limited knowledge I can't seem to get around that!) Can anyone else?
Has anyone managed anything similar and is it at all possible?
(Have only included SIN to allow for 2nd trip (and a flight to SCL?) but have also 'global mapped' BKK, which results in similar mileage.)

1st trip: MEL-AMM (stop) -TLV-CMN (stop)-RAK-LHR(stop)-SIN (stop).
(Own way SIN to MEL/MEL to SIN)
2nd trip: SIN-SCL (stop)-MEL
Total mileage: 36542................help

Try not to use Singapore as your mid-point? It's way too far from the action. Tokyo/HK might be better?

 

[Danger]

Thank you very much for the reply and the tips! I've managed to book SYD-NRT-JFK-HND all on JAL. The return leg from Tokyo to Sydney is still TBC as waiting to confirm lenghth of stay and points. But initial search over a number of days resulted in limited choices (mostly Jetstar!!)It's 5 months away, so hoping for the best. I'll post an update to the group as soon as I get the flight confirmed.
Cheers
Maki

You're probably already aware but Jetstar cannot be included in the oneworld award.

I thought with the OWA once you landed back in your country of origin on your owcountry

I thought with a OWA when you landed back in your country of origin (in your example, Sydney) the award was deemed over? Please correct me if I am wrong

I believe the interpretation of that rule is that once you return to the country of departure you can't depart from that country again. Similarly, I think the rule is once you return to the city of departure, game over.

 

[AFF Editor]

There has been some discussion and confusion about whether the current Oneworld Award pricing will still apply if you have an existing booking and make a change after the 18 September price increase. I.e. if you pay 280,000 points for a J Oneworld Award now, will you be charged an extra 38,000 points (bringing the total amount paid to the new rate of 318,000 points) if you make a change after 18 September?

An AFF member seems to have got an answer from Qantas about this and has forwarded me the email. Here's what it says:

After many discussions with several people here in the department we have come to the conclusion that in the FAQ's it reads that "the points level will be taken according to the creation date of the booking".

So this would mean if you make a booking before 18Sep19 the old level of 280.000 points will apply, and making changes to that existing booking after this date will still take the old level of points.

I hope this has given some clarification to you. I would like to apologise about the confusion surrounding this question. At least you have it in writing now.

Kind regards
[name retracted]
Qantas Customer Care

So, it seems that the current pricing will still be honoured if you make a date change (and possibly other types of changes) after 18 September. That said, as always, YMMV!

 

[pye1201]

Hi, interested in the 'dummy' booking, (prior to Sept 18) then altering, at a later date in order to remain at 280,000 point cost! Can't see any replies to your query though? I am thinking of doing similar. Did you reach any conclusions please?

Hi - sorry for the silence - we've been in China and it's exceptionally difficult to get internet! Yes I researched dummy dates for all my remaining flight segments after LHR (which I had previously booked) as we won't actually be taking them until late 2020 through to March 2021. I got a really helpful agent (I know - what a surprise) who made all the bookings for me - he knew exactly what I wanted and seemed pleased that I had done the research and had a complete list of flights ready for him to book. It came in at 280k each and was ticketed within 10 minutes. I am planning to rebook all those dummy dates while we're living in Europe next year to the correct ones. I've stuck to major airport hubs and the major airlines to make it easier to snag the right flights because we can't change the route or carrier but we're so flexible with our dates (we're retired) I'm hoping we can do it successfully! But it will be late 2020 before I find out! Hope this helps!

 

[Aristotle9]

How have people gone about with advanced seat selection for non QF flights? I.e. JAL/QR/CX

 

[cjd600]

How have people gone about with advanced seat selection for non QF flights? I.e. JAL/QR/CX

rj.com worked for me

 

[Aristotle9]

JAL shows not eligible but a button at the end lets you select seat anyway.

 

[pottsy]

Try not to use Singapore as your mid-point? It's way too far from the action. Tokyo/HK might be better?

Thanks very much, I was going to ask just that very question! What is the best ''mid point' (from Melb) when trying to squeeze two trips? Could you tell me why Tokyo/HK please, I'd be very interested...........and am trying to learn

 

[pottsy]

You're probably already aware but Jetstar cannot be included in the oneworld award.



I believe the interpretation of that rule is that once you return to the country of departure you can't depart from that country again. Similarly, I think the rule is once you return to the city of departure, game over.

Thanks for clarifying, appreciated.

 

[pottsy]

Hi - sorry for the silence - we've been in China and it's exceptionally difficult to get internet! Yes I researched dummy dates for all my remaining flight segments after LHR (which I had previously booked) as we won't actually be taking them until late 2020 through to March 2021. I got a really helpful agent (I know - what a surprise) who made all the bookings for me - he knew exactly what I wanted and seemed pleased that I had done the research and had a complete list of flights ready for him to book. It came in at 280k each and was ticketed within 10 minutes. I am planning to rebook all those dummy dates while we're living in Europe next year to the correct ones. I've stuck to major airport hubs and the major airlines to make it easier to snag the right flights because we can't change the route or carrier but we're so flexible with our dates (we're retired) I'm hoping we can do it successfully! But it will be late 2020 before I find out! Hope this helps!

Thanks very much for your reply! I will need to do similar as hoping to 'stretch' flights over a year, so no availability yet on dates I want. I, myself have msg Qantas with the following enquiry: 'Will points cost increase to 318,000 for any changes made after 18 Sept' and (unfortunately) received this reply today. 'Any changes made to any booking, will be as per the calculations of that day. That being said, any changes made after the points increase will be reassessed to 318,000 points per person'.

 

[pottsy]

There has been some discussion and confusion about whether the current Oneworld Award pricing will still apply if you have an existing booking and make a change after the 18 September price increase. I.e. if you pay 280,000 points for a J Oneworld Award now, will you be charged an extra 38,000 points (bringing the total amount paid to the new rate of 318,000 points) if you make a change after 18 September?

An AFF member seems to have got an answer from Qantas about this and has forwarded me the email. Here's what it says:



So, it seems that the current pricing will still be honoured if you make a date change (and possibly other types of changes) after 18 September. That said, as always, YMMV!

Dear editor, I do so hope you are right but just fyi, I myself msg Qantas today with the following enquiry: 'Will points cost increase to 318,000 for any changes made after 18 Sept' and (unfortunately) received this reply. 'Any changes made to any booking, will be as per the calculations of that day. That being said, any changes made after the points increase will be reassessed to 318,000 points per person'.

 

[flapper]

How have people gone about with advanced seat selection for non QF flights? I.e. JAL/QR/CX

Try each of the airlines websites or apps.

 

[cjd600]

JAL shows not eligible but a button at the end lets you select seat anyway.

It wont stick. Some JL are blocked, but not visibily so on RJ site.
I did the same, then checked seatmap on EF, and only the 'unblocked' one had stuck.

 

[cjd600]

Try each of the airlines websites or apps.

Good luck with qr.com.

 

[jasyoung]

Looking for some advice. Tried to book a series of flights but was told that as some were premium economy (only availablity for those flights) and some were economy (again only availability) that I wasn't able to book the flights. Didn't mind paying the extra points for all the flights even though some were economy due to limited options.

Also told that I couldn't use Air Nostrum flights in Spain. Is this correct or should I try again with a different person?