Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[exceladdict]

Currently in W and hoping for a late opening into J on CX this weekend. Given 4 'cheap' seats are still for sale and 2 are available in U (would these be for Asia Miles only or airport upgrades?) is it likely CX would open these up to QF?

If it's genuinely available in U, it should be open and visible on QF for an award seat?

 

[blu]

Returned from our 'RTW itinerary' (HKG, LHR, DUB, LIS, LHR, AUS-PHX-SLC, SFO, SYD with NRT-SYD to come).
AA was a problem from AUS, with aircraft requiring repair, thus would miss connection in PHX. Stressed checkin agent eventually booked us on Delta (Y) direct AUS-SLC. Had no effect on remaining OW flights luckily. As an observation, AA staff would just wander off the counter for no reason (stress break?). Premium checkin was stalled (we queued for an hour) with three cancelled flights to be rebooked and only one agent. Our's took at least 20 minutes to find a flight (the queue was several hours long when we left). Spent 10 hours at airport, but I think we were lucky with others being turned away or put on standby lists with bags sent ahead.

 

[DC3]

... AA was a problem from AUS ... AA staff would just wander off the counter for no reason (stress break?). Premium checkin was stalled with three cancelled flights to be rebooked and only one agent (our's took at least 20 minutes to find a flight). Spent 10 hours at airport, but I think we were lucky ...

I’ve done a few trips to the USA, but I won’t be back there until August. Your post just makes me want to be there today. LOL.

 

[blu]

Our main concern was the effect on the OWA flights (would there be two no shows?) and using a Sky Team airline. But worked out in the end.

 

[soh]

If it's genuinely available in U, it should be open and visible on QF for an award seat?

One seat popped up this evening on the QF site and managed to get onto a call with someone who knew exactly what to do. No extra tax/fines, 5k change fee and new ticket number within 2 mins. Nothing showed on BA.

 

[acinod]

The flight I'm asking about is Finnair - AY0005 which flies direct from HEL (12:40) to JFK (14:50).

When I checked earlier in the year, I could find many business class seats but now only economy is available for the later part of the year (Nov-Dec 2020). I've checked both Qantas and BA.

Is business no long available for this flight? Looking to fly in 2020 around this time using the 318k RTW award ticket.

 

[flapper]

The flight I'm asking about is Finnair - AY0005 which flies direct from HEL (12:40) to JFK (14:50).

When I checked earlier in the year, I could find many business class seats but now only economy is available for the later part of the year (Nov-Dec 2020). I've checked both Qantas and BA.

Is business no long available for this flight? Looking to fly in 2020 around this time using the 318k RTW award ticket.

From my experince AY long haul seats are usually taken on the day they are released. But then again I haven't been checking lately so it's possible they are releasing any atm. You might have to try a BA flight.

 

[motef]

The flight I'm asking about is Finnair - AY0005 which flies direct from HEL (12:40) to JFK (14:50).

When I checked earlier in the year, I could find many business class seats but now only economy is available for the later part of the year (Nov-Dec 2020). I've checked both Qantas and BA.

Is business no long available for this flight? Looking to fly in 2020 around this time using the 318k RTW award ticket.

I have looked at many Finnair routes from just about every port in Europe including the UK to Helsinki 1 year out and have never seen any business availability

From my reading their release of business award seats is almost non-existent

 

[cjd600]

I have looked at many Finnair routes from just about every port in Europe including the UK to Helsinki 1 year out and have never seen any business availability

From my reading their release of business award seats is almost non-existent

When I was looking a few months ago, there was consistently 2 J released every day HEL-JFK, snapped up.
A year ago they were releasing 4J on that route.

 

[Marg Lennon]

hello, different topic, I'm hoping someone can help. I used the Award Flight assist to design my one world, around the world classic flight reward and there is a problem with the number of stopovers. I know 5 is the maximum however qantas are stating that the final leg landing in sydney, is stopover number 6, when the journey started in sydney also. my Award flight assist person did not count coming home as stopover number 6. Who is correct?? my first post.

 

[exceladdict]

hello, different topic, I'm hoping someone can help. I used the Award Flight assist to design my one world, around the world classic flight reward and there is a problem with the number of stopovers. I know 5 is the maximum however qantas are stating that the final leg landing in sydney, is stopover number 6, when the journey started in sydney also. my Award flight assist person did not count coming home as stopover number 6. Who is correct?? my first post.

I think you need to hang up and call again (try a different operator). Your flight home should not be a stopover. By definition a stopover is a break in a journey - your home destination is the end!
Are you getting this advice via the call centre or chat?

 

[DC3]

... qantas are stating that the final leg landing in sydney, is stopover number 6, when the journey started in sydney also. my Award flight assist person did not count coming home as stopover number 6. Who is correct?? my first post.

Five stopovers during the itinerary. The last flight does not end in a stopover, as the journey is now completed.

Anyway, when ready to book, just phone and provide your flight details.

Edit: exceladdict just beat me to it

 

[Marg Lennon]

Thank you both, thought I was going crazy!
will try Qantas agent again, hopefully one with more knowledge

 

[DC3]

Thank you both, thought I was going crazy!
will try Qantas agent again, hopefully one with more knowledge

I have not been impressed with the SA Call Centre, although others have fared better. I’ve done better with Oz and NZ. It’s the luck of the draw who answers.

If the conversation is not going to your liking, HUACA, frustrating and time-wasting as that can be.

 

[k_sheep]

Can I get you guys to error check this one for me:

mnl-syd-bne (stop 1)
syd-scl-eze (stop 2) - I think this one may be a problem thanks to LATAM leaving oneworld - presumably if I make this a surface sector, do both count as a stop? I'd quite like to avoid paying the Chile reciprocity visa.
lhr-kef (stop 3)
hel-osl (stop 4)
doh-ktm (stop 5)
hkg-mnl

Plenty of miles up my sleeve. This is only 30,375 according to GCM. 13 flights (presuming I don't have to add in any further stopovers due to unavailability).

Any other glaring issues?

 

[exceladdict]

Can I get you guys to error check this one for me:

mnl-syd-bne (stop 1)
syd-scl-eze (stop 2) - I think this one may be a problem thanks to LATAM leaving oneworld - presumably if I make this a surface sector, do both count as a stop? I'd quite like to avoid paying the Chile reciprocity visa.
lhr-kef (stop 3)
hel-osl (stop 4)
doh-ktm (stop 5)
hkg-mnl

Plenty of miles up my sleeve. This is only 30,375 according to GCM. 13 flights (presuming I don't have to add in any further stopovers due to unavailability).

Any other glaring issues?

I haven't double checked the mileage but I'm assuming you're not shooting for 5 open jaws, i.e. your second leg is actually bne-syd-scl-eze. Otherwise I think you'd run into an issue as many agents will claim both ends of an open jaws count as stops (incorrectly)

My advice following recent issues booking a trip ex MNL is do not book it planning to make changes (even changing dates of one flight). It may cause a very confusing tax recalculation where you lose the benefit of starting in MNL where you get the significantly lower fees.

 

[k_sheep]

Ah yes well picked up.

I actually have a trip ending in MNL which I need to get home from. So any tax savings are a bonus I'll have to book the SYD-SCL tickets as soon as they come out I believe, so I'll only be booking the first 2 legs first up. So presumably I'll lose the tax savings when I call to add on the other legs.

 

[k_sheep]

Interestingly I'm able to do a dummy award booking for SCL-EZE in November, after LA leaves oneworld. Wonder if that means it can still be booked up til October? Mind you, if there are issues with the flight then I'm sure you'd be up the creek without a paddle.

 

[exceladdict]

Ah yes well picked up.

I actually have a trip ending in MNL which I need to get home from. So any tax savings are a bonus I'll have to book the SYD-SCL tickets as soon as they come out I believe, so I'll only be booking the first 2 legs first up. So presumably I'll lose the tax savings when I call to add on the other legs.

I mean hopefully it won't happen to you as well, my experience with the taxes was not pleasant.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Interestingly I'm able to do a dummy award booking for SCL-EZE in November, after LA leaves oneworld. Wonder if that means it can still be booked up til October? Mind you, if there are issues with the flight then I'm sure you'd be up the creek without a paddle.

Latham is retaining a partnership with Qantas, but once it exits Oneworld you won't be able to include in a OWA.