Classic reward booking on one ticket vs two

[frodo]

I was hoping to get an answer in the thread about free changes and cancellations to classic reward bookings but was unable to do so.

Given the free cancellation/changes policy on reward bookings, is there any advantage or disadvantage in booking a return trip as two separate bookings rather than as one booking?
I have currently booked the outbound leg of a return trip ex-Sydney, and rather than adding the return leg on the same ticket, I was thinking of just making a separate booking. Is there any advantage or disadvantage to doing this?

For example, if I were to add the return booking to my existing ticket, can I do this online, and if so, how does it differ to a separate booking?

 

[Lynda2475]

For domestic bookings no disadvantages. Can be beneficial where you think you may need to change the return leg, as no refund once journey has begun, not an issue if a separate booking.

For international if outbound leg is ex Aus, the advantage is having all taxes/fees charged in AUD. Anytime you start a booking outside Aus you will be directed to the site for that country then pay fees/taxes in the foreign currency which may result in additional credit card fees.

 

[frodo]

Thanks, it is an international booking - I assume the taxes/fees being charged in AUD would be equivalent to the foreign currency apart from any credit card fees.

Would changing 1 leg of the trip be easier on separate bookings or would it make no difference? With 2 separate bookings I can just cancel and re-book 1 leg (although it would be subject to more credit card fees if it is the return leg) whereas I am unsure what the process is like with 1 booking. Can I just manage my booking and change flights or would I need to ring up?

 

[N860CR]

Depends if you intend to change anything as well… if they’re single sectors, it’s very easy to cancel. If they’re combined on one ticket, you would need to call to remove one sector (which takes a significant amount of time).

 

[Scr77]

I always go with seperate. There are cards without foreign transfer fees. Gives a lot more flexibility to cancel or make changes. If a better return flight comes up, you can book it and cancel unwanted flight without calling.

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

I always do separate, much easier to change or cancel a single sector than the whole ticket

 

[frodo]

I always go with seperate. There are cards without foreign transfer fees. Gives a lot more flexibility to cancel or make changes. If a better return flight comes up, you can book it and cancel unwanted flight without calling.

Thanks for the input everyone. I currently have SYD-DXB-ZRH booked and need to book a return leg which I may want to change in the future as there are currently no reward seats available on my ideal dates.
Sounds like it will be much easier to change that return leg if they're on separate bookings especially if I want to avoid the potentially long wait times of the call centre.

 

[Lynda2475]

Sounds like it will be much easier to change that return leg if they're on separate bookings especially if I want to avoid the potentially long wait times of the call centre.

Yes it will be. If you cant change online, you can always make a new one way booking then cancel the other online.

 

[Spacetravel]

The only "downside" I've had when doing separate tickets is into USA. I've done it twice, and both times I got hit with SSSS when I did it. Which made for several inconveniences during the trip. Along with US border officials on arrival wanting to see the outbound flight booking. Could be a coincidence but it scared me off and made me avoid split bookings into US where possible. At least OP isn't going to US so besides the currency issues covered I don't see a problem.

 

[jpp42]

I believe the UK also flags travellers who aren't on a return/onward booking for extra questioning - at least this occurred to me on my last visit. It only affected my entry at immigration though, not any further flights such as my departure.

 

[ChrisMars]

My vote goes to separate booking at the moment. Rather prefer to answer a couple of questions at the airport or border control and showing return flight on separate booking than having to struggle with airline and or insurance if I can't show the required negative test prior to return departure.

 

[ronlon]

Hi I also have several sector to sector award seat bookings for a trip to Europe in June of next year. (MEL to FRA and back from BUD) The reason is that despite being able to book NOW it does not necessarily mean that the airlines will actually fly these booking dates. Eg I have booked MEL to FRA with Cathay but I have also booked MEL to FRA with JAL. Will Japan open open up and start flights? Will Cathay run flights given Hong Kong zero covid ambitions? .......So many unknowns..... Coming home to MEL I I also have booked two options.

The dilemma is do I keep it all as sector to sector given QANTAS flexible award policy or do I bight the bullet at some stage closer to departure and convert it all into a ONEWORLD booking hence save some points and maybe taxes?