Classic Reward: One-way vs Return?

[ish]

Hi all,

I'm looking to book a classic reward J return flight (Aus to Europe) on QF / OW next year, but currently short of enough points for return. Curious to understand if there is any downside to booking these as two separate one-way reward flights, so I can book one leg now and the other in a month or so when I should have enough points for the second leg?

Are the points required the same if booked as two one-way legs vs a return trip? Any premium on the taxes and carrier charges for booking separately?

And if one were to call up as a WP and kindly request (i.e., beg) for J seat release, would the two one-way vs return strategy make this any less (or more) likely?

Cheers,

ish

 

[exceladdict]

Main downside is you pay change or cancel fees twice if plans change.

 

[Lynda2475]

Is this a domestic or international trip?

For domestic no disadvantage at all to booking 2 one ways, except if you cancel/change as exceladdict pointed out above. The points and taxes are the same.

For international, the return sector will have to be booked on the international site for that country and any taxes and fees will therefore be charged in that foreign currency. Not an issue for places where QF has a presence i.e. UK, USA, NZ etc. But if you are trying to book a one way from somewhere like DBX then it cant be done online due to the currency and a call will be necessary.

So the extra cost applies if your credit card charges fees for a foreign currency.

The other option if you have enough points to cover the change fee and call centre fee (the latter of which is waived if the fare in is J or F) is to call up and add the return flight to the existing boking once you have enough points.

Since you are Platinum and have a good chance to get through to Hobart call centre, as soon as you have the points Id call up and request a seat release and ask for it to be appended to the existing outbound booking.

Having outbound and return flights on the same booking is most beneficial when there are more than 2 legs and you are flying 2 other OW partners so that you can benefit from the OWA points cap.

 

[ish]

Is this a domestic or international trip?

For domestic no disadvantage at all to booking 2 one ways, except f you cancel/changes as excel addict pointed out above.

For international, the return sector will have to be booked on the international site for that country and any taxes and fees will therefore be charged in that foreign currency. Not an issue for places where QF has a presence i.e. UK, USA, NZ etc. But if you are trying to book a one way from somewhere like DBX then it cant be done online due to the currency and a call will be necessary.

The other option if you have enough points to cover the change fee and call centre fee (the latter of which is waived if the fare in is J or F) is to call up and add the return flight to the existing boking once you have enough points.

Ah, good point! I should have mentioned - it is international (Aus-to-Europe)...

Good point on the return leg needing to be booked via the international site - hadn't considered that. And that's a great idea re: adding the return leg onto existing PNR later.... thanks!