Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[vetrade]

oneworld needs to recruit new members asap. Either that or UL and MH need to add more routes.

S7 is dead. CX is grounded. AY and JL are restricted.

We're counting ourselves lucky but still have our fingers crossed that hostilities don't escalate and cause more cancellations. Had LHR - HEL - HND - SYD booked about 6 months ago for end of Sept this year on AY, AY & JL but when Russian airspace was closed last week I decided it was safest to find another route home if possible. Managed to get LHR - BRU - DOH - KUL - MEL (all in J) with a stop in BRU and the added bonus of some QSuites, but wouldn't have been able to get the same availability today.

I sympathise with others who could well see their 12 months of OWA planning trashed or killed off outright.

I’ll ‘third’ that. Always had good flights on RJ, at least in business. In economy probably a better product on the 787.

Yes RJ for me too - their service in J is very good IME.

 

[Mr H]

Given the choice, would you fly with RJ or BA?

It's about a 5 hour flight and according to the schedule the RJ flight should be a 787 and the BA one would be a A320neo

I made the choice two days ago in a redemption booking. I went RJ because when else will I get a chance to try RJ? The flight should get lunch service instead of breakfast, and I will not have to get up super early to get the (BA) flight.

On the debit side, the BA planes currently flying the AMM route have a few throne seats...

 

[jase05]

I’ll ‘third’ that. Always had good flights on RJ, at least in business. In economy probably a better product on the 787.

Yep, I’ll “fourth” that. RJ can have their issues like most airlines amd perhaps I’m lucky as I’ve only flown with them a handful of times but was pretty impressed with their J service especially on the 787

 

[GaryLG]

All sounds good, Thanks.

 

[Mr H]

Does anyone know how often a normal person should look at their booking on Check My Trip? I suspect my current practice of checking at least every half hour may be excessive. Is there a risk that such frequent checking could damage it?

 

[ketsuzei]

Does anyone know how often a normal person should look at their booking on Check My Trip?

You're probably not asking in the right place.

 

[GaryLG]

Well just changed my flights to go to Jordan with the operator first offering me a flight on Emirates and then asking me what flights I had found!!

Then charged me extra taxes and no idea how to check them. Also appears to have been charged 5 times! Hopefully by the time the statement comes through it will just be once.

 

[Mr H]

Well just changed my flights to go to Jordan with the operator first offering me a flight on Emirates and then asking me what flights I had found!!

Cool bananas! When are you going? My trip is in October near the end of a long itinerary.

I always lead off with the options I have identified - I don't mention names of destinations - just dates and flight numbers. This avoids an agent getting attached to their own solution about how to get from A to B or arguing about whether connections or long layovers are really necessary. I only ask them for their suggestions if/when my preferred flight shows as being unavailable. This strategy has worked with British Midland, Singapore Airlines and now Qantas.

 

[GaryLG]

Leaving the end of this month!

I gave them all the flights in the end though I just realised one of them was a day later than I needed as it crossed midnight so I'm on the phone again to fix it. This new agent seems to think she needs to check the points even though all I did was change a date not an airline!

 

[cambriamarsh]

Does anyone know how often a normal person should look at their booking on Check My Trip? I suspect my current practice of checking at least every half hour may be excessive. Is there a risk that such frequent checking could damage it?

Nah, they never wear out

 

[stirlo]

Hey apart from the atrocious wait times and being hung up on 5 times in the last 4 days I've finally got onto someone who is trying to book my OneWorld Classic Flight Reward.

I'd booked the first 2 legs online and was going to add the remaining 12 over the phone (I have a destination which cannot be booked online in the itinerary).

But now she's saying she cannot add segments to my existing confirmed (and ticketed) booking. Is this correct? I thought it was simply a matter of modifying this booking to add the legs then it will reprice to the OneWorld award price.

I'm really hesitant to HUACA as I've been waiting 3-4 hours each time and been getting even worse service than the consultant I have right now most of the time.

 

[vetrade]

Hey apart from the atrocious wait times and being hung up on 5 times in the last 4 days I've finally got onto someone who is trying to book my OneWorld Classic Flight Reward.

I'd booked the first 2 legs online and was going to add the remaining 12 over the phone (I have a destination which cannot be booked online in the itinerary).

But now she's saying she cannot add segments to my existing confirmed (and ticketed) booking. Is this correct? I thought it was simply a matter of modifying this booking to add the legs then it will reprice to the OneWorld award price.

I'm really hesitant to HUACA as I've been waiting 3-4 hours each time and been getting even worse service than the consultant I have right now most of the time.

You certainly can add sectors to your confirmed booking. CSA obviously doesn't know what OWAs are all about

 

[stirlo]

You certainly can add sectors to your confirmed booking. CSA obviously doesn't know what OWAs are all about

HUACA time then.

After talking further she clarified that it was a business rule restriction for the call centre I was talking to (I think she said Fiji). So seems there's now a junior /low level call centre that does not have the authority to modify awards bookings.

 

[Guvner]

That's such a ridiculous thing for Qantas to do that I actually believe it.

 

[Jacques Vert]

HUACA time then.

After talking further she clarified that it was a business rule restriction for the call centre I was talking to (I think she said Fiji). So seems there's now a junior /low level call centre that does not have the authority to modify awards bookings.

Maybe ask her to transfer you to someone who can!

 

[encryptededdy]

After talking further she clarified that it was a business rule restriction for the call centre I was talking to (I think she said Fiji). So seems there's now a junior /low level call centre that does not have the authority to modify awards bookings.

What a big brain decision by Qantas
Step 1: Route users who pick "International Award Booking" in the automated phone menu to the Fiji call center
Step 2: Don't allow said Fiji call center to modify award bookings

 

[stirlo]

Maybe ask her to transfer you to someone who can!

Don't worry I asked her to and she said sure, the number is 13 11 31 and to expect a 5 minute wait before being answered

Step 1: Route users who pick "International Award Booking" in the automated phone menu to the Fiji call center

With the number of random disconnections being transferred or coming off hold I've had in the last week I'm surprised I even got routed to someone in the first place.

 

[Sydney BE]

does anyone know if there is a number that you can use on the weekend? I'm coming up to 3 hours on 13 11 31 and I know that previously this number I would get a message to say call between 7am - 7pm mon-fri.

I've got my booking already done but currently have a not so pleasant 17 hour wait in Haneda airport which i accepted at the time because there wasn't any alternatives. I just found an alternative option so would prefer to switch flights as i'm not sure if Japan will open to tourists anytime soon allowing me to leave the airport

 

[aikman]

I don't know how you guys do it but I have nothing but admiration for everyone who has the patience to keep their OWA alive despite the cancellations and border uncertainties. I know planning is half if not most of the fun but it must be hard work finding availability and calling Qantas over and over again.

 

[flapper]

HUACA time then.

After talking further she clarified that it was a business rule restriction for the call centre I was talking to (I think she said Fiji). So seems there's now a junior /low level call centre that does not have the authority to modify awards bookings.

I don't believe that. I think they just don't know how to do it or can't be bothered as changing a OWA takes them time. I've been told that so many time by Cape Town I've lost count and it's just not true.