Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Mr H]

Some of the comments back to you are a bit disappointing as it sounds like QANTAS have given you some wrong information about modifying bookings.

It would be lovely to tell the OP that everything will be wonderful, but realistically that itinerary is likely not to be available. There is no real way to sugar coat it. And yes, QF did give some incorrect advice.

And whilst this OWA product is not the same as a paid RTW ticket, you can still get around the world with the 35000 mile limit. (Not to mention this thread is tagged "round the world".)

The OWA and RTW rules are different. It is sensible to keep the discussions on separate threads because otherwise people risk receiving incorrect advice that was given with good intentions. This may also mislead others who read the thread for inspiration and tips and may not realise that what works for one type of booking does not work for the other.

 

[Rich]

The OWA and RTW rules are different. It is sensible to keep the discussions on separate threads

I don't want to argue with you over an OP who hasn't responded to any follow up questions asked, but which thread should they have used? From what I can see, if you want to visit 3 to 6 places on all corners of the globe on QF points, then this OWA is the best option you have with the points cap. (In fact given the ability to backtrack it is even better that you might expect in some respects.)
Correct me if I am wrong but if you wanted to book the equivalent of a 16 leg RTW ticket on points you would be paying for each segment individually which in business would have to be setting you back 800000+ points.

 

[Mr H]

I don't want to argue with you over an OP who hasn't responded to any follow up questions asked, but which thread should they have used? From what I can see, if you want to visit 3 to 6 places on all corners of the globe on QF points, then this OWA is the best option you have with the points cap. (In fact given the ability to backtrack it is even better that you might expect in some respects.)
Correct me if I am wrong but if you wanted to book the equivalent of a 16 leg RTW ticket on points you would be paying for each segment individually which in business would have to be setting you back 800000+ points.

The OWA is done with points. The RTW options (Explorer tickets) are revenue. The rules are different, and the OP mentioned limits on Europe which suggests he/she was considering an Explorer ticket. This illustrates quite nicely why it is important not to discuss RTW tix on the OWA thread - it confuses people. If there is no obvious existing thread for a discussion then the option is there to start a new thread.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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

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

Guide to the Oneworld Explorer Round-The-World Ticket

 

[Rich]

The OWA is done with points. The RTW options (Explorer tickets) are revenue. The rules are different, and the OP mentioned limits on Europe which suggests he/she was considering an Explorer ticket. This illustrates quite nicely why it is important not to discuss RTW tix on the OWA thread - it confuses people. If there is no obvious existing thread for a discussion then the option is there to start a new thread.

All good and fair enough. I guess I interpreted (perhaps wrongly) that the OP was saying they wanted help as they wanted to book a OWA and was only looking at a RTW reluctantly because of award availability.

 

[djkelly69]

looking at booking a classic rewards oneworld RTW ticket via QFF points

OP mentioned limits on Europe which suggests he/she was considering an Explorer ticket

Their first line was about booking a rewards RTW with points and they mentioned award seats a number of times, so pretty sure they were talking about an OWA.

Perhaps just conflating some other information they had read with the OWA rules.

 

[Mr H]

Their first line was about booking a rewards RTW with points, so pretty sure they were talking about an OWA. Perhaps just conflating some other information they had read.

Perhaps. There were two conflicting sentences in the post. That's why it is really important to get the terminology right and when someone makes a slip (as we all do from time to time), it is corrected. It's nothing personal, just trying to make sure that future readers are not confused.

 

[blu]

What's the current Agents fee situation post 31 Sept changes, for:
. cancelling a pre Sept 22 flight and substituting a new flight (5k points/pax).
. ringing back to see if ticketing queue has stalled (say at 24hrs).

 

[Mr H]

What's the current Agents fee situation post 31 Sept changes, for:
. cancelling a pre Sept 22 flight and substituting a new flight (5k points/pax).
. ringing back to see if ticketing queue has stalled (say at 24hrs).

Both of those should be fee free. If you cancel and start a new booking then you won't be able to change the new booking fee free, whereas if you change your existing booking then you can still change it fee free until the end of December.

 

[Warragul]

I'm having trouble getting my head around the 'Stopover' and 'Transfer' limits in a city, grateful for advice on the following scenario -

Arrive Amman and booked to depart 10 days later for Frankfurt. Can I add a day return flight to somewhere (eg Tel Aviv or Cairo) on day 9 and still be OWA compliant? In essence Amman will be stopover city and a transit point as the stay from the return on day 9 to departure on day 10 will be less than 24 hours.

Given the risks in changing an already ticketed OWA booking, it maybe safer though unfortunate, to make a separate points booking - 40K pp return in Y.

 

[Mr H]

I'm having trouble getting my head around the 'Stopover' and 'Transfer' limits in a city, grateful for advice on the following scenario -

Arrive Amman and booked to depart 10 days later for Frankfurt. Can I add a day return flight to somewhere (eg Tel Aviv or Cairo) on day 9 and still be OWA compliant? In essence Amman will be stopover city and a transit point as the stay from the return on day 9 to departure on day 10 will be less than 24 hours.

Given the risks in changing an already ticketed OWA booking, it maybe safer though unfortunate, to make a separate points booking - 40K pp return in Y.

Provided you have less than 24 hours between arriving back in AMM and leaving again, it is transit and not a stopover. If it is more than 24 hours it is a stopover.

Be aware that Jordan is expensive, including visas and taxi fares too and from the airport. Also, taxes and fees on flights to Terence Aviv are extremely high, even on award flights.

 

[blu]

you can still change it fee free until the end of December.

That was my understanding too, wasn't going to press the point until ticketing completed. Another possible mistatement was not being able to fly on BA CityFlyer service (said "codeshare") out of LCY, even though showing availability. Took BA ex LHR. Otherwise was happy with changes.

 

[Mr H]

That was my understanding too, wasn't going to press the point until ticketing completed. Another possible mistatement was not being able to fly on BA CityFlyer service (said "codeshare") out of LCY, even though showing availability. Took BA ex LHR. Otherwise was happy with changes.

I flew BA CityFlyer LCY-MXP on a OWA earlier this year.

 

[Easy Tiger]

Thanks @levelnine booked a couple of these for partner and I for 28 days in March 2023. The surcharges sting - not new news I know but a dose of reality when you book into and out of LHR! Thanks again

Huge release of Qantas seats to Singapore and London from late Jan to end of March.

 

[blu]

Guessing you can't lose a Qantas flight because of ticketing delay, possibly a charges miscalculation, Will followup (other OW partner flights still show old ticket number. )

 

[Wolf creek]

Hi everyone,
Nob question trying to reassure myself.
Fly into Doha with Qatar have a 1hr 40 mins change of flights to Royal Jordanian.Will they transfer bags from Qatar to RJ,and am I cutting it fine changing flights.

 

[Mr H]

Hi everyone,
Nob question trying to reassure myself.
Fly into Doha with Qatar have a 1hr 40 mins change of flights to Royal Jordanian.Will they transfer bags from Qatar to RJ,and am I cutting it fine changing flights.

They should check your bags through and although most flights at &DOH seem to involve buses, you should have plenty of time.

 

[blu]

Had a Doha transit close to minimum connection time, seems to be common. They seem prepared for it.

 

[sunny_aus]

Hi all,

Total noob, I'm hoping for some assistance in booking a OW classic flight reward for our honeymoon with a stack of Qantas points I have accrued over the years.
I have been looking on British Airways website to find flights, and have found some I think would suit us, however I am unable to see the same flights when searching on Qantas to book.

Eg. SIN-DOH-LHR with Qatar, leaving 30th May. The British Airways website shows there are two seats left in business class (and I have ticked the option to pay with Avios points). However when searching on the Qantas multi-city section, it doesn't show these flights as an option at all.

Does this mean that I am unable to book the flights at all? If I call up the Qantas Service Centre, will they be able to see those Qatar flights and book for us?
Or do I have to relook for flights on the Qantas website?

Thanks

 

[levelnine]

SIN-DOH-LHR with Qatar, leaving 30th May. The British Airways website shows there are two seats left in business class (and I have ticked the option to pay with Avios points). However when searching on the Qantas multi-city section, it doesn't show these flights as an option at all.

Qatar business class reward seats are basically no longer bookable with Qantas points.

You'll need to find an alternative.

(To the more experienced readers who will say they are still bookable 119 days from departure: I mentioned in the QR withholding seats thread that not even business class flights within 119 are now appearing on Qantas' website.)