Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[MEL_Traveller]

Is it possible to call and get an FJ let added based that it complies with the rules but just can't be added on the web site. I used to program websites for a living before I retired and the Qantas website has to up there with the worst functionally I have seen.

Unfortunately not.

 

[Aeryn]

Is it possible to call and get an FJ let added based that it complies with the rules but just can't be added on the web site. I used to program websites for a living before I retired and the Qantas website has to up there with the worst functionally I have seen.

I do not believe it is, as the points don't cap out when FJ is on the itinerary.

Yes its a blatant breach of their own product terms; and programmatically should be simply to add the airline code into the logic. They wasted no time removing LA when Latam left OW but one can only assume the tardiness is not based on difficulty of coding required but on limiting value for customers.

 

[Warren Mason]

They wasted no time removing LA when Latam left OW but one can only assume the tardiness is not based on difficulty of coding required but on limiting value for customers.

Like fixing the site to allow more than 6 flight sectors. Mamy problems that make things better for them and not their loyal customers.

 

[Mr H]

Like fixing the site to allow more than 6 flight sectors. Mamy problems that make things better for them and not their loyal customers.

Start with the assumption that nothing they do is going to provide more availability. Then ask yourself whether you think simplifying the system will help you, or whether it would massively hinder you by making the scarce awards more accessible to more people.

 

[DC3]

… but Qantas are saying I can't because the booking was made in April i am unable to book anything past this date …

 

[panda6]

Hi hivemind, after countless hours trawling through the helpful posts in this forum (and just as many on the phone to Qantas), I managed to book myself and my partner onto the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward below in J.

We’re one day out from taking our very first business class flight, but Typhoon Ragasa has thrown us a curveball - our first two legs (CX270 and C434) have just been cancelled. We received a cancellation email from Cathay a few hours ago saying we’d be rebooked on the next available flight, but so far the reservation hasn’t been updated. We’re currently en route to the airport (self-booked EDI-AMS), feeling a little stressed, and just want to make sure we’re across the likely options here.

• For reward flights, is Cathay obliged to rebook us onto the next available flight regardless of award availability?
• Flight was cancelled ~26h before departure – does that timing affect their rebooking responsibility?
• What are the likely outcomes here? Could we reasonably request AMS-DOH-ICN to minimise delays given HKG is closed for 36h?

Any advice (even if it’s just “hold tight”) would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks so much in advance - this forum has been a lifesaver already.

Itinerary: AMS-HKG-ICN-surface-NRT-KUL-surface-CMB-HKG-HND-NRT-JFK-DFW-BOG-MAD-LHR-EDI

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi hivemind, after countless hours trawling through the helpful posts in this forum (and just as many on the phone to Qantas), I managed to book myself and my partner onto the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward below in J.

We’re one day out from taking our very first business class flight, but Typhoon Ragasa has thrown us a curveball - our first two legs (CX270 and C434) have just been cancelled. We received a cancellation email from Cathay a few hours ago saying we’d be rebooked on the next available flight, but so far the reservation hasn’t been updated. We’re currently en route to the airport (self-booked EDI-AMS), feeling a little stressed, and just want to make sure we’re across the likely options here.

• For reward flights, is Cathay obliged to rebook us onto the next available flight regardless of award availability?
• Flight was cancelled ~26h before departure – does that timing affect their rebooking responsibility?
• What are the likely outcomes here? Could we reasonably request AMS-DOH-ICN to minimise delays given HKG is closed for 36h?

Any advice (even if it’s just “hold tight”) would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks so much in advance - this forum has been a lifesaver already.

Itinerary: AMS-HKG-ICN-surface-NRT-KUL-surface-CMB-HKG-HND-NRT-JFK-DFW-BOG-MAD-LHR-EDI

Even though you have an award booking, Cathay’s contract of carriage applies. They have to accommodate you on the next available on of their services. Award availability is irrelevant. They may try and redirect you to Qantas as the issuing carrier, but I would get Cathay to find new flights, and all qantas needs to do it re-ticket. Getting qantas to first contact cathay, then wait, then re-issue is going to take time.

Under EU261 you likely wont be afforded monetary compensation for a typhoon, but they airlines still have duty of care to look after you… re-routing, accommodation and meals.

If you day’s travel is AMS-ICN, HKG is only a stopover/transit. So under the contract of carriage and EU261 they can just take you straight to ICN.

You don’t have a right to ask for routing via DOH. CX just needs to get you there one way or another… it could be Asiana, or Korean, or Thai or Singapore, etc.

They will have thousands of pax to rebook, so it can take time. But once you’re at the airport the ground staff can pretty much handle everything.

Very important… once you are re-routed and get to ICN, you need to check your booking carefully, even call qantas, to confirm the rest of the ticket is still in tact. Sometimes during rebooking for IRROPS the initial flights can appear as a no show, cancelling the rest of the ticket. Understandably, for complex tickets, agents are more interested in getting you there and sometimes the reticketing doesn’t always work.

 

[elanshin]

Hi hivemind, after countless hours trawling through the helpful posts in this forum (and just as many on the phone to Qantas), I managed to book myself and my partner onto the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward below in J.

We’re one day out from taking our very first business class flight, but Typhoon Ragasa has thrown us a curveball - our first two legs (CX270 and C434) have just been cancelled. We received a cancellation email from Cathay a few hours ago saying we’d be rebooked on the next available flight, but so far the reservation hasn’t been updated. We’re currently en route to the airport (self-booked EDI-AMS), feeling a little stressed, and just want to make sure we’re across the likely options here.

Hi @panda6, welcome to AFF
I would say that right now given the status of HKG and CX it would be pretty crazy to sort out on a call center. I would suggest still heading to AMS for now and then heading to the CX desk there (hopefully they have staff there) and asking them about rerouting or booking via other options.

• For reward flights, is Cathay obliged to rebook us onto the next available flight regardless of award availability?

Yes although they typically want to do it on their own, but when pushed they can book you on other carriers

• Flight was cancelled ~26h before departure – does that timing affect their rebooking responsibility?

Ticket will be under airport control at this point (usually 72h before departure) so CX can take over and do anything to get you to the destination.

• What are the likely outcomes here? Could we reasonably request AMS-DOH-ICN to minimise delays given HKG is closed for 36h?

Yes you could request it although it'll be up to CX on how they want to send you. I believe there is J3 for Korean Air KE926 on 23/09/2025 right now showing. Qatar QR284 (22:15 departure 23/09/2025) has J6 available however the connecting flights QR858 only has J1 left.

Finnair (AY) has J2 available for 23/09/2025 but it departs AMS at 11:55 am (not sure if thats enough time for you).

Emirate (EK) also has J2 Availability on EK148 connecting onto EK322/324.

Any advice (even if it’s just “hold tight”) would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks so much in advance - this forum has been a lifesaver already.

Itinerary: AMS-HKG-ICN-surface-NRT-KUL-surface-CMB-HKG-HND-NRT-JFK-DFW-BOG-MAD-LHR-EDI

Worst case scenario would be they try to shuffle you onto the next CX flight but I'd try and push against that option. This can be a stressful time, but it's also one of opportunity if you do a little bit of searching.

Often, if you present the person your talking to with some researched options, they are more likely to accept the solution as long as it's reasonable.

 

[Kefci2000]

Having trouble getting a classic reward booking on QF in J to anywhere in Europe, however there are certain classic J rewards out of Asia

Question is would you trust JQ with only one flight daily or go with a carrier with 2 flights daily. We would likely go the day before to allow some wriggle room but I don't think that would benefit if JQ cancelled, as we would have to scramble and likely pay up for other flights.

QF desk won't release any classic rewards out of MEL

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Having trouble getting a classic reward booking on QF in J to anywhere in Europe, however there are certain classic J rewards out of Asia

Question is would you trust JQ with only one flight daily or go with a carrier with 2 flights daily. We would likely go the day before to allow some wriggle room but I don't think that would benefit if JQ cancelled, as we would have to scramble and likely pay up for other flights.

QF desk won't release any classic rewards out of MEL

Depends how much stopover time.

If your initial JQ flight was cancelled, but the JQ flight the next day would still make your connection to the OWA, I’d take JQ.

If the JQ flight was less than daily, take another carrier.

 

[Kefci2000]

Depends how much stopover time.

If your initial JQ flight was cancelled, but the JQ flight the next day would still make your connection to the OWA, I’d take JQ.

If the JQ flight was less than daily, take another carrier.

Yep the flight is 11:20am to CDG so next day flight wouldn't connect, will take your advice and maybe go Thai to BKK as they have a day and night flight, so if day flight cancelled, night flight is a back up

 

[algae]

Hi hivemind, after countless hours trawling through the helpful posts in this forum (and just as many on the phone to Qantas), I managed to book myself and my partner onto the Oneworld Classic Flight Reward below in J.

We’re one day out from taking our very first business class flight, but Typhoon Ragasa has thrown us a curveball - our first two legs (CX270 and C434) have just been cancelled. We received a cancellation email from Cathay a few hours ago saying we’d be rebooked on the next available flight, but so far the reservation hasn’t been updated. We’re currently en route to the airport (self-booked EDI-AMS), feeling a little stressed, and just want to make sure we’re across the likely options here.

• For reward flights, is Cathay obliged to rebook us onto the next available flight regardless of award availability?
• Flight was cancelled ~26h before departure – does that timing affect their rebooking responsibility?
• What are the likely outcomes here? Could we reasonably request AMS-DOH-ICN to minimise delays given HKG is closed for 36h?

Any advice (even if it’s just “hold tight”) would be hugely appreciated!
Thanks so much in advance - this forum has been a lifesaver already.

Itinerary: AMS-HKG-ICN-surface-NRT-KUL-surface-CMB-HKG-HND-NRT-JFK-DFW-BOG-MAD-LHR-EDI

Curious to know how this goes for you Panda6, please keep us updated!

 

[Kefci2000]

Update, found some cheap 34,000 point redemption flights on MH to BKK via KUL in Y, get to do 2 F lounges so there is some upside
Will go a day early and there are multiple backup flights on MH

 

[mt4789]

Is anyone seeing any business availability for QF51,52,53 or 54 (BNE/SIN) for any time from now for the next 300 days?
I was expecting to see the odd stray ticket but nothing all year in either direction on any of the 4 flights - which is making me think it might be a system error? or has availability really tightened up?

 

[panda6]

Thanks @MEL_Traveller and @elanshin for your help and advice, especially checking the
alternatives and seat availability

Update: we took the EDI–AMS flight and by the time we landed we’d received rebooking confirmation for KL855 AMS–ICN in J direct, for the following evening. Felt like a very good result - with it being an evening departure we managed to avoid the AMS airport strikes entirely and were able to catch up with some friends in Amsterdam.

We did spend some time trying to track down Cathay staff at AMS to confirm hotel/food entitlement, but there was nobody available in person or on the phone. The general advice we got agreed that we should book and claim reimbursement which we went ahead with and will submit claim through Cathay. Our booking looks updated and onward legs intact on the Qantas site so I think we’re all set.

We’ve now been in Seoul for 24 hours and what an amazing city, I'd almost say it's been worth the 12 months of booking stress already thanks again all!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks @MEL_Traveller and @elanshin for your help and advice, especially checking the
alternatives and seat availability

Update: we took the EDI–AMS flight and by the time we landed we’d received rebooking confirmation for KL855 AMS–ICN in J direct, for the following evening. Felt like a very good result - with it being an evening departure we managed to avoid the AMS airport strikes entirely and were able to catch up with some friends in Amsterdam.

We did spend some time trying to track down Cathay staff at AMS to confirm hotel/food entitlement, but there was nobody available in person or on the phone. The general advice we got agreed that we should book and claim reimbursement which we went ahead with and will submit claim through Cathay. Our booking looks updated and onward legs intact on the Qantas site so I think we’re all set.

We’ve now been in Seoul for 24 hours and what an amazing city, I'd almost say it's been worth the 12 months of booking stress already thanks again all!

Good result!

Reading other sites it looks like Cathay was not reaccommodating passengers on other airlines within asia or to the USA. So looks like the EU261 works!

Just double check the ticket is still valid.

 

[05flyer]

Is anyone seeing any business availability for QF51,52,53 or 54 (BNE/SIN) for any time from now for the next 300 days?
I was expecting to see the odd stray ticket but nothing all year in either direction on any of the 4 flights - which is making me think it might be a system error? or has availability really tightened up?

I search this route fairly often and don't recall seeing any business seats recently. Have had a bit more luck on QF61/62.

 

[BP.]

Might be a silly question, but is updating the initial departure flight any harder than updating any other part of the itinerary?

It's looking likely my ex-HKG J class will be made available before a J class from MEL-HKG. So I'm planning on book a Y class ticket from MEL-HKG to get my ticket priced in AUD along with the ex-HKG flight. Then hoping to change the first flight to a different J class flight later, once that becomes available.

Thanks in advance

 

[elanshin]

Might be a silly question, but is updating the initial departure flight any harder than updating any other part of the itinerary?

It's looking likely my ex-HKG J class will be made available before a J class from MEL-HKG. So I'm planning on book a Y class ticket from MEL-HKG to get my ticket priced in AUD along with the ex-HKG flight. Then hoping to change the first flight to a different J class flight later, once that becomes available.

Thanks in advance

If you already have MEL - HKG in Y thrn changing it to J then there's not too much difficulty. If you're doing ex HKG to ex MEL, in theory it shouldn't be hard but sometimes the systems or the agent may have troubles doing it.

 

[BP.]

If you already have MEL - HKG in Y thrn changing it to J then there's not too much difficulty. If you're doing ex HKG to ex MEL, in theory it shouldn't be hard but sometimes the systems or the agent may have troubles doing it.

Great, thank you. Might not be the same flight from MEL-HKG per se, but that will definitely be the departure and arrival destination.