Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[DC3]

.... How can I increase my chances of getting through to Aus or NZ call centre? Calling at a specific time? Are they open on weekends too?

There are reports, upthread, that Oz starts by about 6.30am. NZ is earlier (may be 4.30am, Melbourne time). Not sure on weekend hours but worth a try, if you have nothing better to do. . Manila and SA never seem to sleep.

HUACA, although time-wasting and frustrating, is sometimes best.

 

[DC3]

... it looks like I am going to have to book this whole thing over the phone as QF site isnt liking one of my flights (but confirmed availability on the phone today) ...

You could book as many flights on-line as you are able (just leave out the problem flight/s) and then phone to add the rest. May be easier.

When you phone, you will have the PRN and then just add more flights, at 5,000 points per passenger, per phone call.

And, until you have the e-ticket you have nothing, as evidenced upthread.

 

[Arlindo]

Hi guys. I made my OWA booking online. Could only muster up enough for economy unfortunately, but that's ok for me. Anyhow, I want to make some changes before I leave in a couple weeks, checked out availability online already and still ok. A couple questions if someone could help out

a) at what point does the change/booking service fees kick in when I call the customer support centre? If I don't like the added taxes I'm quoted or can't come to a solution, do I still automatically get slugged the service fee just for having spoken to them?

b) I had plans to include a couple successive transit segments <24 hours in the US. If I missed one of these, or I guess any other connections along the way because of an airline issue or force majeure event - basically not my fault - how do you ensure other airlines that feature later on the ticket keep hold of your reservation as I thought one missed segment automatically voids the remainder?

 

[DC3]

.... a) at what point does the change/booking service fees kick in when I call the customer support centre? If I don't like the added taxes I'm quoted or can't come to a solution, do I still automatically get slugged the service fee just for having spoken to them?

b) I had plans to include a couple successive transit segments <24 hours in the US. If I missed one of these, or I guess any other connections along the way because of an airline issue or force majeure event - basically not my fault - how do you ens other airlines that feature later on the ticket keep hold of your reservation as I thought one missed segment automatically voids the remainder?

There is no charge to speak with the Call Centre. The points change fee applies for actual changes (per passenger, per phone call, doing as many changes as you like in the call).

I have no experience with missed flights on a Oneworld Award. The Call Centre may be able to address your concerns.

Edit: And welcome to AFF.

 

[onetonnerodeo]

There is no charge to speak with the Call Centre. The points change fee applies for actual changes (per passenger, per phone call, doing as many changes as you like in the call).

I have no experience with missed flights on a Oneworld Award. The Call Centre may be able to address your concerns.

Edit: And welcome to AFF.

I think in the discussion about recent changes to Qantas fees this came up the other day, but with the other poster that you responded to travelling in economy, I'd expect they would be subject to a change fee (5,000) and service fee (now 7,700). Business and First Class aren't subject to the service fee. Per below. I suspect this also answers that poster's question as it mentions "amount must be paid at the time of making your changes". So, if no changes are agreed to, then no service fee (or change fee) would be my assumption. However, I don't exactly understand what would happen if you ask them to check changes and calculate taxes on them but then pull the pin.


Service Fees
Service Fees are payable in addition to any applicable Change Fees.
Payable where changes are made to Classic Flight Reward bookings via Qantas Contact Centres.
Money payment option is available for Reward Flight booking changes made in Australia or in New Zealand (except as otherwise stated). Amount must be paid at the time of making your changes.
Service Fees will not be applied when changing Classic Flight Rewards booked for travel in Business or First class.
Fee for International:
For changes made to bookings prior to 18 December 2019: 8,000 Qantas Points per passenger
For changes made to bookings on and from 18 December 2019: 7,700 Qantas Qantas Points per passenger

 

[Jacques Vert]

However, I don't exactly understand what would happen if you ask them to check changes and calculate taxes on them but then pull the pin.

You just thank them for their time and say something like "I'll think about it".

 

[Arlindo]

Thanks guys. I'll try understand from the call centre then regarding the missed flights aspect. That's what has me nervous about adding successive layovers. Miss one, better than even odds you miss the next. Then potentially plenty of unknowns.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks guys. I'll try understand from the call centre then regarding the missed flights aspect. That's what has me nervous about adding successive layovers. Miss one, better than even odds you miss the next. Then potentially plenty of unknowns.

When doing a surface sector or flying on a different ticket or airline, I always allow one or two nights in my next departure city before rejoining my Oneworld Award, just in case I get delayed.

 

[Arlindo]

When doing a surface sector or flying on a different ticket or airline, I always allow one or two nights in my next departure city before rejoining my Oneworld Award, just in case I get delayed.

Good suggestion thanks I think I've got those surface segments and/or other tickets covered with a buffer. I was more concerned to same ticket connections/segments, like the following example

a) AA SFO - CHI 'aug' 15
b) AA CHI - JFK 'aug' 16 (<24 hours)
c+d+e) other segments from alternative carriers on the same ticket/PRN (>1 month later)

I made up the above dates as an example, but if (a) was cancelled or delayed, I'd potentially miss (b) by the time I got re-booked/re-routed...I assume b also gets rescheduled by AA but what would happen to c+d+e, if anything, as I thought automatically a miss cancels the rest of the ticket..and does (a) all of a sudden become a 24+ hour stopover

I'm on the phone now with 3 hour wait time

 

[onetonnerodeo]

So as it turns out, I tried to make some changes to my own OWA. I've posted this in the LATAM forum as well, but might have some relevance here.

---------

So I recently went ahead and made a booking for a OWA ticket (it was after the recent exit changes announced by LATAM). There were a couple or so segments on the itinerary with LATAM. I wanted to make some changes, including to one of those LATAM segments. Naturally, this re-issues the ticket. However, the Qantas centre (I reached NZ) was having complications (on more than one occasion) processing this change, as the amendment was no longer being recognised as a points booking and instead it was automatically being re-priced as a full-fee booking.

One of the workers advised from their supervisor that they are waiting on a waiver code (or something to that effect) from LATAM to effectively get around this issue, but haven't had word of a timeline and in the meantime weren't really sure how to deal with it. It wasn't expected to otherwise interrupt with the booking if unchanged, nor prevent you from making new bookings with the points as you can still do, but changes seem to be the sticking point.

Not sure if anyone has encountered any problems or had success with changes, but maybe something to be aware of.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Good suggestion thanks I think I've got those surface segments and/or other tickets covered with a buffer. I was more concerned to same ticket connections/segments, like the following example

a) AA SFO - CHI 'aug' 15
b) AA CHI - JFK 'aug' 16 (<24 hours)
c+d+e) other segments from alternative carriers on the same ticket/PRN (>1 month later)

I made up the above dates as an example, but if (a) was cancelled or delayed, I'd potentially miss (b) by the time I got re-booked/re-routed...I assume b also gets rescheduled by AA but what would happen to c+d+e, if anything, as I thought automatically a miss cancels the rest of the ticket..and does (a) all of a sudden become a 24+ hour stopover

I'm on the phone now with 3 hour wait time

If you miss a connection because of something the airline does (delayed or cancelled flight, schedule change, etc.), then it's up to the airlines (specifically Qantas in most instances), to rebook you, including all remaining flights, if necessary. A missed connection caused by one of the airlines on your ticket will not cancel the remainder of your ticket (or if it does, it is up to them to reinstate it).

If you miss your flight because of something that you do (sleep in, go to the wrong gate or at the wrong time, etc.), then that's an entirely different story.

 

[blu]

We had a delayed AA domestic flight last month, due to mechanical problem, that would have missed an AA connecting flight. AA booked us on a Delta flight going direct without a connection. Even though it was not One World, it had no impact on our remaining award flights

 

[squid01]

So as it turns out, I tried to make some changes to my own OWA. I've posted this in the LATAM forum as well, but might have some relevance here.

---------

So I recently went ahead and made a booking for a OWA ticket (it was after the recent exit changes announced by LATAM). There were a couple or so segments on the itinerary with LATAM. I wanted to make some changes, including to one of those LATAM segments. Naturally, this re-issues the ticket. However, the Qantas centre (I reached NZ) was having complications (on more than one occasion) processing this change, as the amendment was no longer being recognised as a points booking and instead it was automatically being re-priced as a full-fee booking.

One of the workers advised from their supervisor that they are waiting on a waiver code (or something to that effect) from LATAM to effectively get around this issue, but haven't had word of a timeline and in the meantime weren't really sure how to deal with it. It wasn't expected to otherwise interrupt with the booking if unchanged, nor prevent you from making new bookings with the points as you can still do, but changes seem to be the sticking point.

Not sure if anyone has encountered any problems or had success with changes, but maybe something to be aware of.

Did they say if this was happening because you were trying to change one of the Latam legs? Or even if you were just changing a different airline leg the existence of a Latham flight elsewhere on the PNR was causing it?

 

[onetonnerodeo]

Did they say if this was happening because you were trying to change one of the Latam legs? Or even if you were just changing a different airline leg the existence of a Latham flight elsewhere on the PNR was causing it?

I asked the hypothetical that if it was just a change to another partner flight on the ticket, which I was trying to do anyways, what would happen. And similarly, since that would result in a reissued ticket, the advice I received was that it would create the same issue as well. First operator actually had the same problems without informing me or trying to troubleshoot it and then disconnecting on me. Second operator had the same issue but actually delved deep into it and was speaking with his supervisor. Nonetheless, they really didn't have a solution, at least just right now until LATAM works through it with them.

 

[pagebb]

I'm having some trouble finding J availability for AA through the Qantas search. I have found that I can often find a seat when searching through the AA website that isn't available on Qantas. For example, on this flight MAD>JFK I can find a J seat through AA but not through Qantas.

Would I be able to book this seat as part of my OWA or not? In general, how do you guys go about finding availability for seats that aren't well captured by the Qantas search engine?

 

[Oubline]

I'm having some trouble finding J availability for AA through the Qantas search. I have found that I can often find a seat when searching through the AA website that isn't available on Qantas. For example, on this flight MAD>JFK I can find a J seat through AA but not through Qantas.

Would I be able to book this seat as part of my OWA or not? In general, how do you guys go about finding availability for seats that aren't well captured by the Qantas search engine?

View attachment 202497
View attachment 202498

British Airways is the most accurate in my experience. There might be a chance that the award space is only available to AA’s own customers. Still, you can really only know for sure by calling Qantas.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Is this a Business MileSAAver or an Anytime award? Award availability to Qantas will be from the SAAver category only whereas AA miles can be used in either category of award.

 

[DC3]

There's limited AA MileSAAver Business availability MAD-JFK showing on AA.com throughout the whole of the second half of 2020 when I just checked. There's no availability on 14th October. On 13th, there's availability showing, but this is on IB/AA, MAD-IAD-LGA. However, I understand that there may be issues with booking IB seats.

Economy is pretty much wide open. If connections are important, you could book Economy now, and change that later if/when Business seats open up, if that suits. I've only looked for one seat, as not sure how many passengers you have.

Business availability:



Economy availability:


And, welcome to AFF.

Edit: Edited several times due to some possible AA.com website issues

 

[pagebb]

Is this a Business MileSAAver or an Anytime award? Award availability to Qantas will be from the SAAver category only whereas AA miles can be used in either category of award.

Thanks! How can I check whether results on the AA website are MileSAAver or Anytime award?

 

[pagebb]

There's limited AA MileSAAver Business availability MAD-JFK showing on AA.com throughout the whole of the second half of 2020 when I just checked. There's no availability on 14th October. On 13th, there's availability showing, but this is on IB/AA, MAD-IAD-LGA. However, I understand that there may be issues with booking IB seats.

Economy is pretty much wide open. If connections are important, you could book Economy now, and change that later if/when Business seats open up, if that suits. I've only looked for one seat, as not sure how many passengers you have.

Business availability:

View attachment 202509

Economy availability:

View attachment 202510
And, welcome to AFF.

Edit: Edited several times due to some possible AA.com website issues

Thank you very much for your help and for making me feel so welcome! I'm amazed that I've had 3 people offer help since yesterday.

At the moment I'm planning for a trip for the middle of next year (for two people) so I still have plenty of time to put together an itinerary that works. It's a good suggestion to book an economy seat and change later.

We're planning on travelling CPH>JFK (or somewhere in north-east US - IAD, PHL, etc. would be fine). We're open to travelling through any nearby airport but perhaps not as far as DOH as we would likely exceed the 35k mile limit. It would be great to have a J class seat but not essential.

In general, how do I go about checking AA MileSAAver availability?