Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Ktan89]

JL needs to work on their routing, especially if Japan doesn't allow you to change airports in Tokyo and you can't stay overnight at NRT.
Looks like they cancelled all flights from HND to MNL... and Philippines borders are open as of today.
No way for SYD - hnd nrt - MNL to work.

 

[renatts]

JAL Website now says that the MEL-NRT flight is cancelled but that they're considering setting up extra flights based on demand trends: https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/info/2022/inter/220501_05/

Thanks, I kept refreshing waiting for the update but it must have only just been put up.

That makes it extremely hard for us to get to Helsinki now, what a shame. It's so late in the piece to be finding 2 new award flights in business that avoid Singapore and Hong Kong.

 

[GaryLG]

Well a call first thing in the morning got through fairly quickly and after some initial questionable responses including not recognising I couldn't change this online and trying to book me into economy, I finally got new flights booked on the original dates. Seems like she had to trick the system to use "paid" tickets as award ones or that is what she said.

And QF flights rather JAL and via SYD but that will have to do until we know for sure if Japan will be open and JAL puts on more flights.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well a call first thing in the morning got through fairly quickly and after some initial questionable responses including not recognising I couldn't change this online and trying to book me into economy, I finally got new flights booked on the original dates. Seems like she had to trick the system to use "paid" tickets as award ones or that is what she said.

And QF flights rather JAL and via SYD but that will have to do until we know for sure if Japan will be open and JAL puts on more flights.

Sounds like Qantas opened up award seats on their own flights by converting paid/revenue seats over to award inventory.

Good outcome.

 

[aaa99]

When do the QF flights to HND start operating from? The website just says late 2022.

 

[GaryLG]

Sounds like Qantas opened up award seats on their own flights by converting paid/revenue seats over to award inventory.

Good outcome.

Thanks and yes I think that's exactly what happened.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks and yes I think that's exactly what happened.

Even if via sydney it’s probably better to be on qantas metal at this stage… any future changes you’ll be guaranteed your award seat. No guarantees if JL cancels in future that QF will open up seats on its own flights.

 

[renatts]

Well a call first thing in the morning got through fairly quickly and after some initial questionable responses including not recognising I couldn't change this online and trying to book me into economy, I finally got new flights booked on the original dates. Seems like she had to trick the system to use "paid" tickets as award ones or that is what she said.

And QF flights rather JAL and via SYD but that will have to do until we know for sure if Japan will be open and JAL puts on more flights.

I just had a very similar experience.

Fair warning, last time an overseas call centre booked us on paid tickets to fix a rescheduling issue I got a call two days later because the flights could not be ticketed.

The only positive is the Australian call centre will be the ones to call you to tell you the other agent has made a mistake.


That all said, I hope it goes through. QF9 to LHR then Finnair LHR to HEL works fine for us.

 

[GaryLG]

Even if via sydney it’s probably better to be on qantas metal at this stage… any future changes you’ll be guaranteed your award seat. No guarantees if JL cancels in future that QF will open up seats on its own flights.

Fair enough. I guess I'm more worried if Japan will be open by then or not.

 

[GaryLG]

I just had a very similar experience.

Fair warning, last time an overseas call centre booked us on paid tickets to fix a rescheduling issue I got a call two days later because the flights could not be ticketed.

The only positive is the Australian call centre will be the ones to call you to tell you the other agent has made a mistake.


That all said, I hope it goes through. QF9 to LHR then Finnair LHR to HEL works fine for us.

I did get sent "travel documents" straight away so I took that as confirmed ticketing but thanks for the warning.

 

[renatts]

I did get sent "travel documents" straight away so I took that as confirmed ticketing but thanks for the warning.

If it was a PDF e-ticket with the itinerary and ticket numbers up the top next to your names then happy days, you’re sorted

I haven’t got mine yet, but I’m quietly hopeful if you did

 

[GaryLG]

If it was a PDF e-ticket with the itinerary and ticket numbers up the top next to your names then happy days, you’re sorted

I haven’t got mine yet, but I’m quietly hopeful if you did

Yes sorry you are right. Looking at the original ticketing maybe in about 3 days time I can relax.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just had a very similar experience.

Fair warning, last time an overseas call centre booked us on paid tickets to fix a rescheduling issue I got a call two days later because the flights could not be ticketed.

The only positive is the Australian call centre will be the ones to call you to tell you the other agent has made a mistake.


That all said, I hope it goes through. QF9 to LHR then Finnair LHR to HEL works fine for us.

There’s a difference between booking on paid tickets, and booking award tickets which have been converted over from paid tickets. The latter shouldn’t be an issue… Qantas is still selling and ticketing you on an award, at award pricing. It’s a similar process to a platinum requesting an award seat to be released.

 

[renatts]

There’s a difference between booking on paid tickets, and booking award tickets which have been converted over from paid tickets. The latter shouldn’t be an issue… Qantas is still selling and ticketing you on an award, at award pricing. It’s a similar process to a platinum requesting an award seat to be released.

Yeah, fare class on mine is C (flex business), so I’m expecting a call from Qantas at some point.

 

[GaryLG]

Yeah, fare class on mine is C (flex business), so I’m expecting a call from Qantas at some point.

Looks like mine is J on the travel document so I think that's okay?

 

[aaa99]

So, is this ability to convert revenue/paid fares into classic rewards only possible if you are Qantas platinum? I had my MEL-NRT cancelled as well, but when I called up to request SYD-HND, the agent put me on hold for 30 minutes to check with support team and flatly said no. I am wondering if there is a magical set of words to use to get through.

 

[GaryLG]

So, is this ability to convert revenue/paid fares into classic rewards only possible if you are Qantas platinum? I had my MEL-NRT cancelled as well, but when I called up to request SYD-HND, the agent put me on hold for 30 minutes to check with support team and flatly said no. I am wondering if there is a magical set of words to use to get through.

Definitely not platinum, lowly bronze in my case.

I think it is a case of calling again and trying with someone else. Mine had to put me on hold but not for as long as that. The whole call was only about 30 minutes which amazed me - just lucky I guess.

 

[Mr H]

So, is this ability to convert revenue/paid fares into classic rewards only possible if you are Qantas platinum? I had my MEL-NRT cancelled as well, but when I called up to request SYD-HND, the agent put me on hold for 30 minutes to check with support team and flatly said no. I am wondering if there is a magical set of words to use to get through.

My experience is that if the cancelled/rearranged flight is on the same metal as the redemption (i.e. a QF flight on a QF redemption; an SQ flight on an SQ redemption) then they are more likely to open a revenue seat to make up for the cancelled award seat. But if you start looking at changing dates or routes, or trying to get a QF seat opened to make up for a cancelled partner airline flight then you are less likely to get lucky. Always there is the option of HUACA.

 

[aaa99]

Definitely not platinum, lowly bronze in my case.

I think it is a case of calling again and trying with someone else. Mine had to put me on hold but not for as long as that. The whole call was only about 30 minutes which amazed me - just lucky I guess.

Thanks, maybe it is a case of date change as well for me that makes it tricky. As the date I am originally planned to fly on is a few days before QF launch the route, there is no other option.

 

[GaryLG]

Thanks, maybe it is a case of date change as well for me that makes it tricky. As the date I am originally planned to fly on is a few days before QF launch the route, there is no other option.

Could be it. If Japan does open up I'll need to work out the land arrangements which might need a change of date so dreading dealing with that.