Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[DC3]

Does anyone know if the Qantas change fee waiver until 31 October applies to NEW OneWorld Classic Rewards? I possibly made the wrong choice in getting a full points/cash refund of my 280k itinerary as I'll now need to burn 318K but if I can book our itinerary piece by piece as availability appears without being charged change fees it may will actually work out.

You should keep the existing booking "alive" as long as possible (i.e., up to 12 months from the originally booked flight) by not cancelling an existing 280,000 point award itinerary. Instead, make an interim flight booking (just one flight will do) for sometime in the future, replacing all existing flights, and therefore keeping the same PNR. For example, I can see QF domestic award flights currently available as far out as 5/6/21.

All changes (including additions) to your itinerary before 31/10/20 should not incur any change fees. However, cancelling the current award flights and starting all over again will cost 318,000points.

Depending upon how long ago you cancelled the itinerary, you could try contacting the Call Centre to see if the PNR can be kept alive.

Also, following cancellation, all QFF points will be returned to your FF account and the taxes will (at some point) be recredited to your credit card.

Edit: My understanding is that cancellation of both old and new award bookings have no change fees until 31/10/20. However, someone else may have better information on this

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Does anyone know if the Qantas change fee waiver until 31 October applies to NEW OneWorld Classic Rewards? I possibly made the wrong choice in getting a full points/cash refund of my 280k itinerary as I'll now need to burn 318K but if I can book our itinerary piece by piece as avaialbility appears without being charged change fees it may will actually work out.

While I don’t *know* for sure...

On this page:

Flexible Classic Flight Rewards | Qantas Frequent Flyer

Book an eligible Classic Flight Reward using your points, we’ll waive any change or cancellation fees until 31 October 2020.

www.qantas.com

It says:
“When you use Qantas Points to book a Classic Flight Reward seat on any Qantas or Jetstar flight, you'll be able to change the date or cancel your booking, free of charge until 31 October 2020.”

And:
“^ Fees will be automatically waived on changes or cancellations to any Classic Flight Reward booking, until 31 October 2020. To be eligible for the fee waiver, all flights in your booking must be Classic Flight Rewards. If you combine Classic Flight Rewards with non-Classic Flight Reward fares ("Commercial Fares"), the fee waiver will not apply. Reward Assistance and Service Fees may apply.”

So I *think* you should be OK.

 

[nightelves]

Hi this is my first time at booking a rtw in J class. Is it possible to book the first leg and start adding them on as you go? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[adenda]

You should keep the existing booking "alive" as long as possible (i.e., up to 12 months from the originally booked flight) by not cancelling an existing 280,000 point award itinerary. Instead, make an interim flight booking (just one flight will do) for sometime in the future, replacing all existing flights, and therefore keeping the same PNR. For example, I can see QF domestic award flights currently available as far out as 5/6/21.

All changes (including additions) to your itinerary before 31/10/20 should not incur any change fees. However, cancelling the current award flights and starting all over again will cost 318,000points.

Depending upon how long ago you cancelled the itinerary, you could try contacting the Call Centre to see if the PNR can be kept alive.

Also, following cancellation, all QFF points will be returned to your FF account and the taxes will (at some point) be recredited to your credit card.

Edit: My understanding is that cancellation of both old and new award bookings have no change fees until 31/10/20. However, someone else may have better information on this

Thanks DC3 - unfortunately I acted before someone came up with the idea but it's likley our new trip will not complete within 1 year of originally scheduled departure. I will try and get them to honour the 280,000 points level, as you suggest - no harm asking.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Hi this is my first time at booking a rtw in J class. Is it possible to book the first leg and start adding them on as you go? Any help would be appreciated.

yes. but the change fees can make that expensive, especially if there are a number of you travelling together.

 

[adenda]

yes. but the change fees can make that expensive, especially if there are a number of you travelling together.

It's a toss up between getting the flights you want and the added cost in points to make changes. In planning our trip last year I found I had to make changes twice to lock in exactly what we wanted but we did end up getting every flight in J. And then it all got cancelled. ☹

 

[DC3]

... Is it possible to book the first leg and start adding them on as you go? ....

Yes. You can book any number of flights, and then add to the itinerary as more flights become available.

You could book the first flight(s) online if you want to (or through the Call Centre) but all additions/changes are made by phoning the Call Centre.

 

[adenda]

Does anyone know if the Qantas change fee waiver until 31 October applies to NEW OneWorld Classic Rewards?

It seems the answer is Yes. Started a chat with Qantas last night asking just this question and got this response (at 5.28 am this morning):

"Yes, this will also apply to Oneworld Classic Reward bookings too"

Only concern is that I've received conflicting advice before from Qantas regarding OW rewards. Maybe if someone else is talking/chatting to Qantas they could enquire?

 

[nightelves]

yes. but the change fees can make that expensive, especially if there are a number of you travelling together.

But now that change fees don’t come into affect until end of October right?

 

[DC3]

.... Only concern is that I've received conflicting advice before from Qantas regarding OW rewards ....

However, Manila and Cape Town Call Centres are currently closed. So, all should be good.

 

[Captain Halliday]

It seems the answer is Yes. Started a chat with Qantas last night asking just this question and got this response (at 5.28 am this morning):

"Yes, this will also apply to Oneworld Classic Reward bookings too"

Only concern is that I've received conflicting advice before from Qantas regarding OW rewards. Maybe if someone else is talking/chatting to Qantas they could enquire?

Which is why it is very important to be clear about exactly which points redemption is being discussed, both on AFF and with the QF call centre.

This thread is about the One World Classic flight reward. There is no requirement to go RTW.*


One World’s round-the-world product is very different. It’s called the Oneworld Explorer. Details of can be found here.

 

[nightelves]

So with the One World Classic flight reward is it possible to book one leg at a time and then add additional ones later on without incurring change fees? Also when does the point change from being individual leg to 318k for the whole trip?

 

[Captain Halliday]

So with the One World Classic flight reward is it possible to book one leg at a time and then add additional ones later on without incurring change fees? Also when does the point change from being individual leg to 318k for the whole trip?

Yes. If you meet all the terms for the award, the points cost will increase with each sector you add and max out at 318k.

Technically one free change is being permitted, so you may be charged the change fee for the second and subsequent changes.

 

[nightelves]

Yes. If you meet all the terms for the award, the points cost will increase with each sector you add and max out at 318k.

Technically one free change is being permitted, so you may be charged the change fee for the second and subsequent changes.

So it’s best to map out all your sectors first before you book to avoid the change fees?

 

[get me outta here]

I would phone QF with yr first sector and ask if what you plan falls under the ‘no fees till end Oct’ rule.

I had 4 sectors and this rule came in the day before I started booking. It’s a pain having to keep calling Qantas but it means you can lock in sectors as you go right up until the end of October. It’s worth a phone call to ask.

So it’s best to map out all your sectors first before you book to avoid the change fees?

 

[Danger]

With the latest information on the QF website regarding changes, cancellations, flight credits etc., does anyone see any opportunity to argue for an extension of the 12 month ticket validity? Is there something in the language about flight credit validity being extended to 12/21 that could be used to argue the case?

 

[11sjw]

Hi this is my first time at booking a rtw in J class. Is it possible to book the first leg and start adding them on as you go? Any help would be appreciated.

That's generally how it's done. If you wait for the last flight to be available the first, usually, won't be. So yes your 318k will become 338k but you'll get closer to your desired itinerary.

 

[monzandpete]

With the latest information on the QF website regarding changes, cancellations, flight credits etc., does anyone see any opportunity to argue for an extension of the 12 month ticket validity? Is there something in the language about flight credit validity being extended to 12/21 that could be used to argue the case?

I am also interested if anyone has had experience in extending 12months validity. My family and I are part way through a trip and we were due to fly from USA to Australia and back in August. Has anyone had success in extending?

 

[DC3]

I am also interested if anyone has had experience in extending 12months validity. My family and I are part way through a trip and we were due to fly from USA to Australia and back in August. Has anyone had success in extending?

I don’t recall any posts reporting success with extending beyond 12 months, even though the question has been raised previously. Please let us know how you go.

And welcome to AFF, even though you seemed to have joined in 2011.

Edit: There have been some posts regarding Call Centre responses to this question. However, when changing my flights this week, the Call Centre, with 2 different CSOs, confirmed that it was 12 months (no extension)

 

[Danger]

I am also interested if anyone has had experience in extending 12months validity. My family and I are part way through a trip and we were due to fly from USA to Australia and back in August. Has anyone had success in extending?

There are two or three reports earlier in this thread from a month or so ago about people having success with extending the validity.