Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Mr H]

O

Hi, an easy question for the experts hopefully. I've tried searching but found mixed responses.

If I try to add 3 separate legs to an existing One world Classic Reward PNR over the phone in 1 single phone call, would I get charged 5,000 points change fee in total or (5,000 x 3) = 15,000 points?

Trying to understand how expensive it is to add flights in a couple of batches.

One 5,000 charge regardless of the number of flights you are adding/changing in a single phone call - but you pay two fees if there are two pax on the booking.

 

[roc_world_tour]

Hi all,

Hoping to get some guidance on my updated itinerary (adding/removing segments to existing booking), any help would be much appreciated!

<start>
MEL-HKG-PVG Stopover #1 [Adding MEL-HKG]
PVG-KIX Stopover #2
KIX-HND (Surface Segment only)
HND-TSA Stopover #3
TSA-KUL (Surface Segment only)
KUL-BKK Stopover #4
BKK-AMM-MUC-HEL-LHR Stopover #5
LHR-HEL-HKG-KHH [Replacing LHR-AMM-RUH-HKG]
<end>

Have been trying to call Qantas to make the booking but keep getting knocked back due to pricing issues, and hearing different reasons each time. I've double checked and the updated itinerary is within 35,000 miles, no more than 5 stopovers, and no more than 2 transits in any one city. Where stopover is not listed above, the departure of the connecting flight is less than 24 hours after arrival.

List of reasons I've heard over the past 5 phone calls for why they are getting errors with repricing:

• Can't have mixed classes. (MEL-HKG, KUL-BKK is in economy, all other segments in business)
• Need a trans-atlantic or trans-pacific flight
• Too many flights into Asia
• Surface segment counts as an additional stopover, bringing total stopover count to more than 5

I keep pointing out to them that they are confusing my ticket for the Oneworld RTW, but still get nowhere as they aren't able to fix the pricing issue...

Have I missed something or is this just typical Qantas incompetence?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hi all,

Hoping to get some guidance on my updated itinerary (adding/removing segments to existing booking), any help would be much appreciated!

<start>
MEL-HKG-PVG Stopover #1 [Adding MEL-HKG]
PVG-KIX Stopover #2
KIX-HND (Surface Segment only)
HND-TSA Stopover #3
TSA-KUL (Surface Segment only)
KUL-BKK Stopover #4
BKK-AMM-MUC-HEL-LHR Stopover #5
LHR-HEL-HKG-KHH [Replacing LHR-AMM-RUH-HKG]
<end>

Have been trying to call Qantas to make the booking but keep getting knocked back due to pricing issues, and hearing different reasons each time. I've double checked and the updated itinerary is within 35,000 miles, no more than 5 stopovers, and no more than 2 transits in any one city. Where stopover is not listed above, the departure of the connecting flight is less than 24 hours after arrival.

List of reasons I've heard over the past 5 phone calls for why they are getting errors with repricing:

• Can't have mixed classes. (MEL-HKG, KUL-BKK is in economy, all other segments in business)
• Need a trans-atlantic or trans-pacific flight
• Too many flights into Asia
• Surface segment counts as an additional stopover, bringing total stopover count to more than 5

I keep pointing out to them that they are confusing my ticket for the Oneworld RTW, but still get nowhere as they aren't able to fix the pricing issue...

Have I missed something or is this just typical Qantas incompetence?

Miles, routing, number of segments and stopovers all look okay to me.

What airlines?

There is no issue with mixed cabin. I have one of these ticketed at present.

 

[roc_world_tour]

Miles, routing, number of segments and stopovers all look okay to me.

What airlines?

There is no issue with mixed cabin. I have one of these ticketed at present.

Appreciate it!

[QF: MEL-HKG] [CX: HKG-PVG] Stopover #1
[JL: PVG-KIX] Stopover #2
KIX-HND (Surface Segment only)
[JL: HND-TSA] Stopover #3
TSA-KUL (Surface Segment only)
[MH: KUL-BKK] Stopover #4
[RJ: BKK-AMM-MUC] [AY: MUC-HEL-LHR] Stopover #5
[AY: LHR-HEL-HKG] [CX: HKG-KHH]

So basically: QF, CX, JL, MH, RJ, AY - all Oneworld carriers.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Appreciate it!

[QF: MEL-HKG] [CX: HKG-PVG] Stopover #1
[JL: PVG-KIX] Stopover #2
KIX-HND (Surface Segment only)
[JL: HND-TSA] Stopover #3
TSA-KUL (Surface Segment only)
[MY: KUL-BKK] Stopover #4
[RJ: BKK-AMM-MUC] [AY: MUC-HEL-LHR] Stopover #5
[AY: LHR-HEL-HKG] [CX: HKG-KHH]

So basically: QF, CX, JL, MY, RJ, AY - all Oneworld carriers.

You have me stumped.

Perhaps one of the other members will spot something I haven't.

The other option is specifically ask QF which of the Oneworld Classic Flight Award the itinerary is breaching.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Appreciate it!

[QF: MEL-HKG] [CX: HKG-PVG] Stopover #1
[JL: PVG-KIX] Stopover #2
KIX-HND (Surface Segment only)
[JL: HND-TSA] Stopover #3
TSA-KUL (Surface Segment only)
[MY: KUL-BKK] Stopover #4
[RJ: BKK-AMM-MUC] [AY: MUC-HEL-LHR] Stopover #5
[AY: LHR-HEL-HKG] [CX: HKG-KHH]

So basically: QF, CX, JL, MY, RJ, AY - all Oneworld carriers.

Have you included the milage at the end, KHH-MEL?
I assume that MY = Malaysian (MH) - not trying to be a smartar$e, just making sure that all carriers are OneWorld…

 

[Captain Halliday]

Have you included the milage at the end, KHH-MEL?
I assume that MY = Malaysian (MH) - not trying to be a smartar$e, just making sure that all carriers are OneWorld…

MY is Malaysia Wings.

So if the OP has included an MY code flight it won’t be eligible under this award.

It would need to be MH code even if MY is the operator.

A bit like in Australia Alliance wouldn’t count, but if the flight was a QF code but operated by Alliance it would.

 

[madrooster]

Have I missed something or is this just typical Qantas incompetence?

I suspect it is because IATA don't file a distance for KHH-MEL so the system is falling over on not being able to determine the mileage. Try ending in TPE as a test.

 

[roc_world_tour]

Have you included the milage at the end, KHH-MEL?
I assume that MY = Malaysian (MH) - not trying to be a smartar$e, just making sure that all carriers are OneWorld…

Sorry, typo on my end... It is Malaysian Airlines (MH) not MY.

I suspect it is because IATA don't file a distance for KHH-MEL so the system is falling over on not being able to determine the mileage. Try ending in TPE as a test.

Good tip, let me give it a shot today and report back!

Update:
Ended up messaging the FB social media team and was advised that the two surface segments count as stopovers too (which would've brought it to 7 stopovers based on original planned itinerary). Removing the HND-TSA and KUL-BKK allowed them to finally price it. New e-ticket came through right after.

Still a bit confused in my head but at least finally got on to someone competent who was able to help me sort it out.

Would recommend the FB team if your enquiry isn't urgent!

 

[Mr H]

Ended up messaging the FB social media team and was advised that the two surface segments count as stopovers too (which would've brought it to 7 stopovers based on original planned itinerary).

That may have solved the glitch but it’s also nonsense. The source is the city where you start the surface sector. The surface sector counts towards your 15 permitted sectors and the mileage counts towards the 35,000 but it is not an additional stopover in addition to the one on the city where it starts. The QF team were basically counting a surface sector as two stopovers.

 

[Jacques Vert]

That may have solved the glitch but it’s also nonsense. The source is the city where you start the surface sector. The surface sector counts towards your 15 permitted sectors and the mileage counts towards the 35,000 but it is not an additional stopover in addition to the one on the city where it starts. The QF team were basically counting a surface sector as two stopovers.

I agree it's nonsense but unfortunately this error has been hanging around for a number of years. Sometimes the computer/agent counts a surface sector two stopovers, sometimes correctly as one.. I've never been able to figure out why and unless you get an experienced agent in HBA there is no point arguing with them. Booking a Oneworld Reward can be one of life's most frustrating experiences.

 

[elanshin]

Maybe the issue is TSA? Given that's not a port that too many airlines go to compared with TPE.

 

[AFF Editor]

AFF writer Stephanie shared this case study of booking a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward for two, using it on a "circle Pacific" routing rather than to fly around the world:

Case Study: How Stephanie Booked Her Honeymoon with Qantas Points

For her honeymoon, Stephanie wanted more than just a regular trip. Using Qantas Points, she booked a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward in Business Class, helping to make this an unforgettable trip.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[serfty]

AFF writer Stephanie shared this case study of booking a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward for two, using it on a "circle Pacific" routing rather than to fly around the world:

Case Study: How Stephanie Booked Her Honeymoon with Qantas Points

For her honeymoon, Stephanie wanted more than just a regular trip. Using Qantas Points, she booked a Oneworld Classic Flight Reward in Business Class, helping to make this an unforgettable trip.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I've been doing this for some years.

I currently have a Melbourne-Darwin-Kuala Lumpur-Singapore-Tokyo-Kuala Lumpur-London-Helsinki-Hong Kong-Melbourne booking.

Also, you don't have to originate in Australia. Last year I flew one Malaysia-Thailand-Hong Kong-Singapore-Malaysia. The points cost was 20% less than the same routing on a Trip basis.

In fact, if you can start one in Asia/Middle East the effects of the 35000 miles / 16 segment limitations can be extensively mitigated.

 

[Bell21]

Loved your article STephanie and congrats on the wedding and probably, nearly as importatly, successfully booking your first QF RTW ticket

I haven't done this before, but I'm looking at possibly doing this shortly - 2 questions that came to mind reading your article:

1) I assume you were checking monitoring seat release batches via seats.aero?

2) I've never been sure how to actually go about bookiing a RTW ticket, but I haven't looked into this closely before - it sounds like you booked some of the initial trip segments and then called QF to add legs, and turned the initial Classic Reward bookings into a RTW booking - have I understood that correctly?

 

[elanshin]

Ive done 2 in the last 2 years and considering another one next year. So far all trips start overseas so I can nest Australia in as a stop and we can take 2-3 week trips at one go rather than one big trip.

I even managed to get DSC tagged onto my current OWA.

1) I assume you were checking monitoring seat release batches via seats.aero?

I'd suggest finding your initial launch and then booking as many flights as you can at that point. Some may not even be released yet so you have to do a bit of a blind faith booking that you can find award flights in the future to complete the journey.

2) I've never been sure how to actually go about bookiing a RTW ticket, but I haven't looked into this closely before - it sounds like you booked some of the initial trip segments and then called QF to add legs, and turned the initial Classic Reward bookings into a RTW booking - have I understood that correctly?

I would hazard a guess thats how most people are currently booking OWA in 2025/2026. Its definitely the most recommended method as it becomes hard to find a whole trip all in one go.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Loved your article STephanie and congrats on the wedding and probably, nearly as importatly, successfully booking your first QF RTW ticket

I haven't done this before, but I'm looking at possibly doing this shortly - 2 questions that came to mind reading your article:

1) I assume you were checking monitoring seat release batches via seats.aero?

2) I've never been sure how to actually go about bookiing a RTW ticket, but I haven't looked into this closely before - it sounds like you booked some of the initial trip segments and then called QF to add legs, and turned the initial Classic Reward bookings into a RTW booking - have I understood that correctly?

A key thing to remember is that you DON’T mention you are booking a Oneworld award (which is not technically a RTW, although it can be used for that).

The system automatically caps your points total once you satisfy all the rules. Telling an agent you’re booking a OWA/RTW will confuse them. Just say ‘I’d like to book the following flights…’

You can add flights at any time, subject to the problems identified in the article.

If your first segment is not out of australia, and you intend to add that flight later, put in a dummy Aussie flight… MEL-SYD will do. That ensures the ticket is priced in AUD and will make things 1000x easier in future, avoiding them having to reprice the tickets in local currency, potentially delaying ticketing, and potentially losing all your flights.

 

[Bell21]

A key thing to remember is that you DON’T mention you are booking a Oneworld award (which is not technically a RTW, although it can be used for that).

The system automatically caps your points total once you satisfy all the rules. Telling an agent you’re booking a OWA/RTW will confuse them. Just say ‘I’d like to book the following flights…’

You can add flights at any time, subject to the problems identified in the article.

If your first segment is not out of australia, and you intend to add that flight later, put in a dummy Aussie flight… MEL-SYD will do. That ensures the ticket is priced in AUD and will make things 1000x easier in future, avoiding them having to reprice the tickets in local currency, potentially delaying ticketing, and potentially losing all your flights.

lol, 'don't talk about the war' basically... so I may have misinterpreted Stephanie's comments about this re change fees, as presumably change fees only apply if you have to change original flights NOT b/c you're turning classic reward flights into a RTW award!

When you say 'put in' a dummy Aussie flight, what do you actually mean you need to do? (makes sense what you're saying re later complexity)

Also, I presume when you're adding flights, you want the agent to use the same booking refence number, as I assume that's the way the system knows when to 'cap' your points?

I love a good mystery - thank you.

 

[elanshin]

lol, 'don't talk about the war' basically... so I may have misinterpreted Stephanie's comments about this re change fees, as presumably change fees only apply if you have to change original flights NOT b/c you're turning classic reward flights into a RTW award!

Correct, anytime you need to change an award flight it'll cost 5000points per person unless the change was initiated by the airline. Adding more flights to your ticket for the purpose of OWA isn't any different.

When you say 'put in' a dummy Aussie flight, what do you actually mean you need to do? (makes sense what you're saying re later complexity)

So say you want to start your award in Singapore - Tokyo as the first leg. When making the booking you start with a Mel - SYD first then leg 2 is SIN - HND. Later you can remove the MEL - SYD.

Note you can get the call centre to price it in AUD as well but not the online system unless you're using a Aus based flight.

I had the hassle of dealing with IDR (Indonesian Rupee) and it was a hassle and a half to get sorted.

Also, I presume when you're adding flights, you want the agent to use the same booking refence number, as I assume that's the way the system knows when to 'cap' your points?

I love a good mystery - thank you.

Yes you need to ammend an existing flight. When your itinerary qualifies it will automatically cap the point. Sometimes there are edge cases the computer doesn't like, which you'll see members posting here to do sanity checks. But foe the most part the system will be able to detect that you have a valid itinerary and cap the points.

Often it doesn't cao because people forget something like Jetstar is not Oneworld.

 

[Bell21]

Correct, anytime you need to change an award flight it'll cost 5000points per person unless the change was initiated by the airline. Adding more flights to your ticket for the purpose of OWA isn't any different.


So say you want to start your award in Singapore - Tokyo as the first leg. When making the booking you start with a Mel - SYD first then leg 2 is SIN - HND. Later you can remove the MEL - SYD.

Note you can get the call centre to price it in AUD as well but not the online system unless you're using a Aus based flight.

I had the hassle of dealing with IDR (Indonesian Rupee) and it was a hassle and a half to get sorted.


Yes you need to ammend an existing flight. When your itinerary qualifies it will automatically cap the point. Sometimes there are edge cases the computer doesn't like, which you'll see members posting here to do sanity checks. But foe the most part the system will be able to detect that you have a valid itinerary and cap the points.

Often it doesn't cao because people forget something like Jetstar is not Oneworld.

got it - thanks - so I assume if you wanted to add flights online to an existing booking (presuming one can do this in addition to a phone call), the 5000 points fee will apply too?

Lol, yes I once forgot JQ wasn't Oneworld when trying to access a lounge in HND (not my best moment)