Avoiding rookie mistakes [booking awards]

[leppo]

Greetings from drizzly Adelaide.

As a first time poster and first time user of reward points I was hoping for some help in planning our first RTW trip in business - a once in a lifetime trip for wife & I next year using using some LSL and our accumulated 600K QFF points.

We are pretty flexible
- not fussed what direction we go
- dates (ex ADL any time after April 17) & return around 5 weeks
- city priorities
- 3 full days in HK
- 6 full days in Mumbai
- 14 full days in New York
& depending on timing of flights could do 3 or 4 nights in London or other Euro city/LAX/Hon to break things up & depending on rules.

I have tried different itineraries online and it is really frustrating - the OWT map is great but when trying to book reward flights its a real pain for a rookie.

Would it just be eaiser to book via the help desk or do they have to have exact dates for every leg.

any advice greatly appreciated.

Leppo

PS is there a 'secret' phone number to get help with this type of enquiry - I'm assuming not, being a NB. What is the preferred number & average wait time?

 

[Cynicor]

Remember there is no "round the world" award for oneworld. You can go in any and both directions so this may help things. Booking via the help desk is probably the best way, esp as they can see availability not bookable online. Very occasionally they can waive the booking fee if you couldn't book it online.

 

[casanovawa]

Anything other than basic routes and you almost have to use the help desk don't you, and pay the associated fees... Pleny of airports that OW fly to but you can't do it on the mutli city planning tool...

 

[harvyk]

Anything other than basic routes and you almost have to use the help desk don't you, and pay the associated fees... Pleny of airports that OW fly to but you can't do it on the mutli city planning tool...

IME I've found you only have to pay the associated fee if it's for a ticket you can't book online, of course like everything YMMV depending on the consultant you get on the day.
Another suggestion, take your planned itinerary into a TA, they have the ability to book far more complex itineraries than online sites can, and there are those who will match online prices (this is where I found flight center to be good, provided you didn't want specific advice and just bookings made which couldn't be done online)

 

[Bundy Bear]

Greetings from drizzly Adelaide.

As a first time poster and first time user of reward points I was hoping for some help in planning our first RTW trip in business - a once in a lifetime trip for wife & I next year using using some LSL and our accumulated 600K QFF points.

We are pretty flexible
- not fussed what direction we go
- dates (ex ADL any time after April 17) & return around 5 weeks
- city priorities
- 3 full days in HK
- 6 full days in Mumbai
- 14 full days in New York
& depending on timing of flights could do 3 or 4 nights in London or other Euro city/LAX/Hon to break things up & depending on rules.

I have tried different itineraries online and it is really frustrating - the OWT map is great but when trying to book reward flights its a real pain for a rookie.

Would it just be eaiser to book via the help desk or do they have to have exact dates for every leg.

any advice greatly appreciated.

Leppo

PS is there a 'secret' phone number to get help with this type of enquiry - I'm assuming not, being a NB. What is the preferred number & average wait time?

Because I don't want to do any work on a Friday afternoon, here are some suggestions.

• I would check each segment individually, so pick ADL-HKG in J for dates you want, and see what routes and or dates are available, you would think that ADL-SYD-HKG would be best, but the computer may suggest ADL-PER-HKG "write this down"
• then do the same for each segment, HKG-BOM, eg BOM-LHR, LHR-JFK, JFK-LAX, LAX-ADL, so you are doing each one individually.
• some segments won't be available, so you use the round the world planner to get the flight dates and times, as some times there is no flights or not many flights.
• when you have a list of dates and flights, then you ring the Qantas number, there is no special number for Qantas bronze.
• JFK-LAX on American is economy or First, you need Economy unless you can find 3 class flights with business, if you add one segment with First then the whole thing prices at the higher fare, if some segments are in Y but some are in J you don't get a discount.
• once you have your list, ring, that way you know the flight numbers and you might have some idea what is available,

I just did a few searches, being Qantas Platinum, I sometimes will have more availability, most days after the 15 April had availability for 2 people in business, Hong Kong to Mumbai had either direct or flights via Bangkok available on Cathay Pacific, British Airways flights from Mumbai to London twice a day, there is the option of Royal Jordian if the BA option is not available.

Although the flights are cheap, you may still be paying up to $1000 in taxes, maybe best to avoid LHR unless you want to pick a transit point.

You can have up to 5 stops, so Hong Kong, Mumbai, London, New York, LAX, home.

I hope this helps, good luck and please enjoy your flight.

 

[casanovawa]

The couple of times i had to do it they made me pay up, no discretion, when they ticket it the points are taken... And i tried to be my sweetest, most reasonable self explaining that the airports i wanted were impossible to get online... no dice..

 

[leppo]

Anything other than basic routes and you almost have to use the help desk don't you, and pay the associated fees... Pleny of airports that OW fly to but you can't do it on the mutli city planning tool...

thanks folks - that was what was annoying me.
Do they cahrge you points any time you make an enquiry for a RTW flight or only when you actually complete the booking?
What is the best number to call them on?
thanks

 

[leppo]

many thanks Bundy for checking those legs and providing a "how to" plan a trip without going crazy.
13 11 31 it is then once I have done some homework.
I will try to avoid LHR if the taxes mount up.
cheers

 

[harvyk]

Do they cahrge you points any time you make an enquiry for a RTW flight or only when you actually complete the booking?

Only when you make the booking...

 

[leppo]

following Bundy's sage advice, we were very pleased to book the following for April next year.ADL>MUM>LHR>NYK>HKG>ADL. Help desk were very obliging and helpful.
Couldnt really avoid LHR & the extra taxes but all legs are in business, so exciting for my wife & I.
We decided to spend longer time in mumbai and hong kong as both are new cities for us. flights in and out of LAX were problematic so we were happy to drop that.
no doubt I will be back for more help and suggestions but a big thumbs up from us for AFF.com

Thanks all

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Flights in and out of LAX were problematic so we were happy to drop that. No doubt I will be back for more help and suggestions but a big thumbs up from us for AFF.com

If going to LA is still something you want to do you could always do a side trip & purchase a separate ticket for approx US$100.00 to 150.00 pp one way.

Alternatively you could use QF ff points & do a classic partner award on AA in whY, however IMO it's better value to pay for a ticket when fares are that cheap & hang on to your points.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Only when you make the booking...

And it coud take some while so the fee can be earned.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I thought we had a helpline on AFF to help people like leppo out?

 

[Sprucegoose]

We decided to spend longer time in mumbai and hong kong as both are new cities for us. flights in and out of LAX were problematic so we were happy to drop that.


Thanks all

Good call dropping lax you missed out on nothing really, harsh but true.

Honkers and Mumbai what two great cities! Do some base research but don't make too many rigid plans as you will enjoy the energy of these two great cities and no doubt be influenced by it while you are there. A good central hotel as your base would be mandatory for first time visits.

Again this site will be invaluable if you outline what you want.




Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[Sprucegoose]

- 3 full days in HK
- 6 full days in Mumbai
- 14 full days in New York
& depending on timing of flights could do 3 or 4 nights in London or other Euro city/LAX/Hon to break things up & depending on rules.

Consider cutting NYC down and adding Boston and washington dc. Both accessible by high speed rail and luxury coach.

Both cities have interesting histories and are vibrant in different way.

The Capitol building and smithonian museums are mandatory.

Hop on off trolley bus tours are a simple way around.

DC can get hot and humid




Sent from my iPhone using Aust Freq Fly app

 

[BensAdventures]

Consider cutting NYC down and adding Boston and washington dc.

+1 for Washington DC! Really impressive city. Boston is also on my "To Do" list....

 

[Robert Qld]

Boston is wonderful, I spent a week there last year and there is so much to do and so much to breath in.

To have a Samuel Adams beer, in a bar while looking out across the street at Samuel Adams grave is definately bucket list material!

Mumbai is... interesting... though I much prefer going down the coast to Goa or Kerala (Kerala is amazing!)

Personally for the OP - you're holiday looks amazing! Definately give us a wrap up when you return!

 

[grussellt]

Congrats on booking a RTW J award. There are those who say that QFF points are worthless but it's good to see that you have proven otherwise. Unfortunately the current high level of taxes/charges may have lowered the real value of points but in my experience they are always useable if you can book well in advance.
Have a good trip!

 

[ozbeachbabe]

following Bundy's sage advice, we were very pleased to book the following for April next year.ADL>MUM>LHR>NYK>HKG>ADL. Help desk were very obliging and helpful.
Couldnt really avoid LHR & the extra taxes but all legs are in business, so exciting for my wife & I.
We decided to spend longer time in mumbai and hong kong as both are new cities for us. flights in and out of LAX were problematic so we were happy to drop that.
no doubt I will be back for more help and suggestions but a big thumbs up from us for AFF.com

Thanks all

If you don't mind me asking what did it end up costing you in points & $$$?

As you're travelling in J you can pre-allocate your seats anytime from now to make sure you get your preferences. If you have your individual airline pnrs you'd be able to do it yourself on each airlines' own website.

You can check out the website www.seatguru.com which has seat maps for just about all airlines and the aircraft types they have in their fleet.

 

[leppo]

If you don't mind me asking what did it end up costing you in points & $$$?

As you're travelling in J you can pre-allocate your seats anytime from now to make sure you get your preferences. If you have your individual airline pnrs you'd be able to do it yourself on each airlines' own website.

You can check out the website seatguru. which has seat maps for just about all airlines and the aircraft types they have in their fleet.

thanks again good people for the tips and ideas for our trip. Fortunately we have travelled and lived in Asia for couple of years without ever going to India hence this will be a little taster to hopefully further trips - esp to the coastal regions. I have spent good times in Boston and upstate NY in previous life as a camp counsellor and just love all the NYC & East coast offers. I love street and urban photography so again considerable time in NYC is appealing. We are both pretty relaxed travellers so dont lock in the fine details til a lot closer to the date and tend to move around based on whats avaialble at the time using wotif etc. I will no doubt rely heavily on the wisdom and experience of AFF members when underway.

Re costs - 560 000 points and just under $3000 in taxes so while not cheap, we are happy to splurge for a once in a lifetime trip in comfort..with no kids either!

I was going to ask re booking our seats in business - getting seated together may be tricky if I dont know the ropes. We are on CX and BA for all int'l legs and on QF for internal flights. how far in advance can I secure our business seats?

thanks everyone - this information has been very reassuring especially since I broke the golden rule when booking (ie a few too many under the belt but fortunatlely my wife kept things on an even keel whilst we booked)

cheers
Leppo