Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[JohnM]

So as others have mentioned about JQ, I'll skip this part.

Firstly get back in contact with QF (and be prepared to play phone whack a mole with a consultant that knows what they're doing). Also whilst it'll be frustrating, try not to take it out on the operators, it reduces the odds of them trying to help you. Politely hang up and decline if you find they don't know what they're doing although give them a chance yo understand your request as it'll be off script for them.

Firstly, ask for them to try and pull your itinerary back (they should have a copy of what you asked for). Explain the situation and sre if they can reinstate some of the flights. You don't need thr final leg (one with JQ) to ticket and secure the others first. You can pay a 5k change fee per person later if you can't immediately figure out your options.

Also if you're willing to share what you've done here route wise, we can also double check if there are any other problematic segments as well as suggest potential alternatives. Sometimes it just takes a bit of out of the box thinking and routing.

But if anyone starts talking to the operator about 'RTW' and 'Global Explorer' or 'Oneworld Explorer' in the context of a OWA, that is an immediate catalyst for confusion.

Not pointing the finger at the OP, but if the customer is naive or simply careless about this, yet is convinced they are correct, and similarly in the case of the operator, there could be elements of tunnel vision fixation that bog the process down to the point of impasse, leading to angst.

I long railed against using 'RTW' for OWA - to the point of giving up long ago to keep mentioning it on this thread, because it just would not cease.

 

[Hydra911]

Hi everyone, thanks very much for all the guidance. Absolutely am being respectful to staff as part of my negotiations with them, but they are steadfast that the original amount was priced incorrectly. Currently looking at alternative solutions to take roundabout trips through various countries and switching to economy class to be able to have enough points. May have found a route through Nadi. Not quite the business class dream but might allow me to have a holiday at least!

 

[Mr H]

Hi everyone, thanks very much for all the guidance. Absolutely am being respectful to staff as part of my negotiations with them, but they are steadfast that the original amount was priced incorrectly. Currently looking at alternative solutions to take roundabout trips through various countries and switching to economy class to be able to have enough points. May have found a route through Nadi. Not quite the business class dream but might allow me to have a holiday at least!

If you fly through NAN then I presume you are flying FJ which is also not a One World carrier, so will also mean your itinerary will not cap out at 318k points. I recommend you read the rules before proceeding.

 

[HECL]

Hi everyone, thanks very much for all the guidance. Absolutely am being respectful to staff as part of my negotiations with them, but they are steadfast that the original amount was priced incorrectly. Currently looking at alternative solutions to take roundabout trips through various countries and switching to economy class to be able to have enough points. May have found a route through Nadi. Not quite the business class dream but might allow me to have a holiday at least!

Take a look at this article, it breaks down the rules and requirements of the fare

How to fly around the world in Business Class with Qantas Points

It's not easy, but those who persevere can enjoy one of the best uses of points.

www.pointhacks.com.au

 

[Hydra911]

Thanks. I do understand this - in my dates there is no OneWorld flights into Australia from any location that I can find so I was just saying I am trying to do it without the points cap and instead have reverted to just doing multi-city classic rewards essentially. All good.

If you fly through NAN then I presume you are flying FJ which is also not a One World carrier, so will also mean your itinerary will not cap out at 318k points. I recommend you read the rules before proceeding.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks. I do understand this - in my dates there is no OneWorld flights into Australia from any location that I can find so I was just saying I am trying to do it without the points cap and instead have reverted to just doing multi-city classic rewards essentially. All good.

With multi city awards you might find it becomes expensive. Every time you switch between partner tables you’ll be charged the sector price, not the ‘through fare’.

An alternative might be to piece together your oneworld award starting outside australia. Or ending outside australia. The first or last sector you could buy a cheap jetstar or scoot flight to connect.

That way you’ll enjoy business class for everything except one or two legs. Better than trying to cram it all on to one ticket with economy.

If starting or ending outside australia, allow a 24 hour buffer for your connecting flight, Just in case of delays.

 

[elanshin]

Thanks. I do understand this - in my dates there is no OneWorld flights into Australia from any location that I can find so I was just saying I am trying to do it without the points cap and instead have reverted to just doing multi-city classic rewards essentially. All good.

If you want to post your current proposed itinerary, we can offer suggestions on creative routing to research into. There are definitely routes that don't show up if you don't break it apart.

Eg US > AUS will never show US> HKG> AUS on CX but will potentially if you break up the searches.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If you want to post your current proposed itinerary, we can offer suggestions on creative routing to research into. There are definitely routes that don't show up if you don't break it apart.

Eg US > AUS will never show US> HKG> AUS on CX but will potentially if you break up the searches.

Yes. Or via Tokyo, Honolulu, santiago… etc

 

[melbkate]

Hi all I am Bronze and I looking to add segments to a OWA home from Tokyo. I can see seats available 360 days out on JL on the Qantas multi-city search.

Will I be able to book it over the phone as Bronze are meant to only book 297 days out or is that only Qantas flights?

I remember once on another booking being told even though I could see availablilty the operator said they were not bookable but cannot remember the reason of if that was JL.

Thanks in advance for any assistance as I am dreadin calling up and attempting this.. Kate

 

[jeza]

Hi all I am Bronze and I looking to add segments to a OWA home from Tokyo. I can see seats available 360 days out on JL on the Qantas multi-city search.

Will I be able to book it over the phone as Bronze are meant to only book 297 days out or is that only Qantas flights?

I remember once on another booking being told even though I could see availablilty the operator said they were not bookable but cannot remember the reason of if that was JL.

Thanks in advance for any assistance as I am dreadin calling up and attempting this.. Kate

If you can see it you should be able to book it.

I believe you are correct, QF Bronze used to only get QF flight availability from 297 days.

 

[Mr H]

Will I be able to book it over the phone as Bronze are meant to only book 297 days out or is that only Qantas flights?

You would be able to a answer your own question quite easily by lifting the phone and giving it a try.

 

[melbkate]

You would be able to a answer your own question quite easily by lifting the phone and giving it a try.

It's never easy calling Qantas so just trying get get prepared beforehand

 

[Mr H]

It's never easy calling Qantas

It's not actually that hard.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Will I be able to book it over the phone as Bronze are meant to only book 297 days out or is that only Qantas flights?

That's only for Qantas flights.

 

[melbkate]

That's only for Qantas flights.

Thank you

 

[Mike65]

If you fly through NAN then I presume you are flying FJ which is also not a One World carrier, so will also mean your itinerary will not cap out at 318k points. I recommend you read the rules before proceeding.

So, you can book the US -> AUS leg of an OWA with FJ (108.4k pts + $98 in J) but the mileage wont be calculated as part of the 318k limit? How does that make sense? Can you then use those miles on other legs to end with a OWA itinerary that shows under the 35,000 mile cap but is actully more like 40,000 miles?

 

[cjd600]

So, you can book the US -> AUS leg of an OWA with FJ (108.4k pts + $98 in J) but the mileage wont be calculated as part of the 318k limit? How does that make sense? Can you then use those miles on other legs to end with a OWA itinerary that shows under the 35,000 mile cap but is actully more like 40,000 miles?

As soon as you use FJ it is no longer a OWA. Your whole trip will price out at the points amount sector by sector. And not cap at 318k as mentioned.

 

[DC3]

So, you can book the US -> AUS leg of an OWA with FJ (108.4k pts + $98 in J) but the mileage wont be calculated as part of the 318k limit? How does that make sense? Can you then use those miles on other legs to end with a OWA itinerary that shows under the 35,000 mile cap but is actully more like 40,000 miles?

Oneworld member carriers only, for OWA. FJ is not a oneworld member. So, FJ is bookable, as are some other airlines, but not as part of a OWA.

See the attachment in post #1: “… you can’t include Jetstar, Emirates, LATAM Airlines or Fiji Airways flights because these are not oneworld airlines …”.

 

[MelbFlyer]

FJ is not a oneworld member. So, FJ is bookable, as are some other airlines, but not as part of a OWA.

Once / if they become one though, it'll be quite attractive to travel to the US via Nadi (as classic reward business seats on QF direct flights are very limited) as part of a OWA.

 

[SAM_95]

Hi Everyone,

I am thinking of doing OneWorld RTW using Qantas FF.

Is it possible to book 3 business class seats (2 adults + 1 child)?

My travel itinerary is flexible.
We can travel any month. Just need 3 weeks before the travel start date to get the leave approved and 25–35 days to complete the trip.
Plan to stopovers
JFK (New York)
LHR (London)
HND(Tokyo) plus
Any one or two stopovers,


Thanks