Oneworld Explorer (xONEx) Help and Discussion

[serfty]

Why is QF terrible to ticket with for a DONE4? Also because our current draft itinerary is Tokyo to Hong Kong on Cathay, could we call Cathay to ticket? Or should we change our first flight to Tokyo to Sydney with Qantas to ticket with Qantas?
Thanks to any and all for any assistance and info!

Ticketing is OK.

However if you book and tickets through Qantas and modifications are needed, it is a coughshoot whether you get an agent competent enough, let alone having the resources/tools required to ensure rules are properly followed and any changes are properly ticketed.

Using a Travel Agent (who knows what they are doing) can make things far simpler.

 

[Mwenenzi]

<snip>
One other issue to consider if say you book yr itinerary and something changes and you need a spare segment (not an involuntary change) then you’ll need to scalp it from somewhere.. Some of my proposed flights are 1 per day. So a consideration when booking 9-12 months out.

Once a trip is ticketed, if the airline changes the schedule or cancels a route it is up to the airline to fix. For example on FT are reports that AA have issued a 17th segment. A PNR can have 2 e-tickets.

If the pax volunteery change the routes or dates/schedule it the pax problem to comply with the rules

 

[Mwenenzi]

Say I’m planning to fly MEX to JFK on AA as one of my 16, there is only 1 direct flight a day, but multiple connecting flights via DFW or MIA. AA cancels the flight 2 months out and wants to put you on a connecting flight. It’s a voluntary change & you need to find a spare segment or potentially it becomes an open jaw?

Supposedly, it’s a different story if it’s an involuntary change for operational reasons at the last minute. Say the QF1 A380 breaks down and they reroute you and using 2-3 segments in the process. But still without a TA or a SME you might be hassled for going over the 16.

If AA cancels a flight that is an involuntry change. AA to fix. Does not need a "spare" segment. Do not over think changes.
Involuntary change = by airline
Voluntary change = by pax
Given the ticketing limits 330 days [AA AS] and ~365 days [others] many people will extend the dates, even if they want to keep the same routes.

 

[Cynicor]

If AA cancels a flight that is an involuntry change. AA to fix. Does not need a "spare" segment. Do not over think changes.
Involuntary change = by airline
Voluntary change = by pax

Absolutely. But as serfty says, either way with QF ticketing you may get shafted by an agent who screws things up for you!

Problems with finding an agent to ticket- fares starting from overseas attract 0 commission. These fares are harder to find availability for and 16 sectors over a year usually with have some involuntary changes. That’s all money and time.

Anyone using Sabre needs to ticket on the last operating airline or they will have issues with the PNR at the end of the trip, so this is another hassle for agents.

I’d consider just trying the various airlines over the phone. JAL, Cathay. Or move flights to get som AA and try them.

 

[Sydney]

Have you downloaded and understood the OW RTW rules? FAQ - What are the rules?

RTW Flights: Round The World Airline Tickets - RTW

Book Round The World airline tickets. Search multi-city flights to hundreds of destinations worldwide from oneworld Alliance member airlines.

www.oneworld.com

Crediting the trip to QF ffp?
Just because a flight exists, does not mean D business class (or class as specified for the operating airline in the rules) is available for a OW RTW.
Is SYD-NAN-SYD. SYD-ZQN-SYD etc just a mileage run? Noted you did not list a stopover, but guess this in an error.
Limited to 2 stopovers in continent of origin [Asia], but no limit in others. Must have a stopover somewhere. Other than that transit (<24hrs) vs stopover {>24hrs) are not in the rules. But does effect real taxes and possibly YQ YR carrier surcharges.
Are subject to 4 - 6 segments in the regions.
Is Los Angeles → Seattle a cruise. so no airline? Would be a ground segment

Hey @Mwenenzi, yes, both of us have extensively studied the rules, but weren't 100% sure about the 2 return flights to Sydney because the rules do not explicitly forbid it.
LAX-SEA is a flight on Alaska Airlines. The cruise is just what we're thinking of doing there. Every sector is a flight.

*Oh, and yes, there is a stopover for each and every flight on the above draft itinerary. Sorry I wasn't clearer.
Here are our main focus:

• Holidays throughout our membership year.
• We want to max out the 4 segments in QF for mini holidays to NZ and Fiji.
• Would like to retain Platinum status but not a status run per se.
• Also trying to return home to Sydney over the year for our kids/grandkid! Hence the 4 Syd stopovers in between travelling. So, need to buy separate return tickets LAX-SYD-LAX so we're not away from family too long.

 

[Sydney]

If AA cancels a flight that is an involuntry change. AA to fix. Does not need a "spare" segment. Do not over think changes.
Involuntary change = by airline
Voluntary change = by pax
Given the ticketing limits 330 days [AA AS] and ~365 days [others] many people will extend the dates, even if they want to keep the same routes.

When we did the Qantas Oneworld Classic Reward in Business Class for 2025/26, Finnair made 2 flight changes as we missed our connecting flight in Helsinki due to a delay in Tokyo, and it was fine as Finnair just reticketed for us. We didn't have to do anything except claim the €600 Finnair voucher.

 

[Bundy Bear]

Good afternoon, am hoping for some help and advice please.
We're retiring at the end of the year and have been trying to piece together our first DONE4 with the help of AI.
Is this route legitimate please?

Also, where do you suggest we buy it from? Read a thread that suggested calling up AA in the US.
Thanks very much!

@QF WP to the courtesy phone I think he has just looking into 1 at the moment, he might have some ideas.

Before you retire look into another credit card sign up before you official retire, once you retire credit card companies won't want to know you.

 

[funnymummy]

Last year for my done4 I used mad rooster

 

[justinbrett]

So how did you book through QF? Through the automated OW tool? How was the ticketing process? Any ticketing changes/charges?

Im sort of interested to accrue the bonus credit card points and maybe a DSC in late Feb, but I ask because the issue seems to be they have no dedicated SME team and seemingly the general call centres can be a nightmare and/or it’s a US$125 charge for everything. Things can and usually do go wrong, so having someone that can rebook you is a must.

One other issue to consider if say you book yr itinerary and something changes and you need a spare segment (not an involuntary change) then you’ll need to scalp it from somewhere.. Some of my proposed flights are 1 per day. So a consideration when booking 9-12 months out.

I booked through a travel agent.

I would never book directly with an airline for RTW.

Ticketing is OK.

However if you book and tickets through Qantas and modifications are needed, it is a coughshoot whether you get an agent competent enough, let alone having the resources/tools required to ensure rules are properly followed and any changes are properly ticketed.

Using a Travel Agent (who knows what they are doing) can make things far simpler.

I don't think QF is alone in this - especially if you want to do anything remotely non-standard (such as multiple stops in the same city or booking on codeshares - even though completely within the rules). Apparently BA outright refuse to book on codeshares.

I’d consider just trying the various airlines over the phone. JAL, Cathay. Or move flights to get som AA and try them.

That wouldn't be my recommendation - you lose the ability to book add on tickets to extend your DONE4 and get bags connected etc. A good agent will save you more that the extra commission cost. If they're not doing that find another one!

 

[Sydney]

@QF WP to the courtesy phone I think he has just looking into 1 at the moment, he might have some ideas.

Before you retire look into another credit card sign up before you official retire, once you retire credit card companies won't want to know you.

Thanks for the tip re credit card!

 

[moa999]

would never book directly with an airline for RTW.

In the past many booked through AA due to their dedicated RTW phone number which was answered by folks with experience in these tickets
(Not sure if this is still the case)

 

[pyffii]

In the past many booked through AA due to their dedicated RTW phone number which was answered by folks with experience in these tickets
(Not sure if this is still the case)

Yep AA RTW desk still exists and they are brilliant...there have been reports that they will ticket even with no AA over water segment

 

[wandering_fred]

The AA RTW desk may actually work for for your ticketing as AY 15 has a codeshare AA 8985.
There are reports a codeshare flight will "suffice".
Whatever assists in the simplification of wandering
Fred

 

[Mwenenzi]

Yep AA RTW desk still exists and they are brilliant...there have been reports that they will ticket even with no AA over water segment

Also reports on FT that the AA RTW desk will at times, unrequested, just use the AA codeshare flight number on another airline prime flight.
And will not put another airline codeshare flight number on an AA prime flight.

 

[justinbrett]

In the past many booked through AA due to their dedicated RTW phone number which was answered by folks with experience in these tickets
(Not sure if this is still the case)

As you’ve pointed out in later posts you’re bound to AA.

No adding QFd tickets to your PNR, and the lack of codeshares is a deal breaker especially for P1 when you need QF codes.