Combining a DONE with a QF Award

[moa999]

My father (current QF Plat, will drop to Gold in July) is looking at buying a DONE (probably ex CMB) for himself and a biz-oneworld award (probably ex SYD) for his wife. Aim to split the ticket over a few trips using a couple of other award flights to link up.

They are still thinking about where they want to go, but does anyone have any experience in trying to construct an itinerary.

What differences between the tickets does one need to look out for?
(one I have noticed is that the DONE books into First on AA, the Award into Coach)
Which should you book first?
Any routes that are off limits?

Many thanks

 

[NM]

Major differrences are:

• QF FF OneWorld Award is limited to 5 stopovers maximum. Cannot "purchase" any more than than.
• QF FF award is limited to 16 sectors maximum, while DONE4 is up to 20 sectors.
• QF FF OneWorld Award in Business Class will book into economy cabin on 2-class AA flights, while DONE4 will book into First Class on the same flight.
• QF FF OneWorld Award is limited to a maximum of 2 transits at any one locations, and a maximum of one stopover at any one locations, DONE4 is not limited in number of transits or stopovers at any single location.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Some flights it will be easy to get a business award + discount business seat (D class) on the same flight. Others will be near impossible, because award availability goes around 11 months ahead of departure which for most people is too early to book a RTW (unless you are happy with a quick 2 week jaunt and know your plans).

Which brings me to the next difference - much easier to change a RTW after booking than an award.

Having 2 people travel together in business class, one on a RTW and one on an award can be done, but not easy. To improve chances be prepared to fly on different flights (maybe even different routing) for some sectors.

 

[NM]

Having 2 people travel together in business class, one on a RTW and one on an award can be done, but not easy. To improve chances be prepared to fly on different flights (maybe even different routing) for some sectors.

Or different cabins :shock: .

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Or different cabins :shock: .

I wasn't going to go there!

 

[moa999]

Yes, wasn't wanting to go there either, execpt in the US where the lAAck of difference between First and Coach is not so much of a problem. Obviously want to minimse them not travelling together where I can help it.

Assume that booking the OneWorld award first is key given it is likely to have lower availabilities.

Thinking doing the Award ticket in two loops - Mum would do a circle to Europe, then a separate circle to the US/Asia. The DONE3 would go to Europe, flip over to SFO/LAX, then award returns to link up later to US/Asia for stage 2.

Would ticket the first award and DONE3 as far out as I could on a short itin, then date change the US/Asia later.

 

[NM]

Yes, wasn't wanting to go there either, execpt in the US where the lAAck of difference between First and Coach is not so much of a problem. Obviously want to minimse them not travelling together where I can help it.

I would say the difference in the USA is more than the difference in Europe. Certainly the seats in AA domestic F offer significantly greater improvement over coach seats than BA's Club Europe seating does over Europe Traveller (width, pitch and recline).

Assume that booking the OneWorld award first is key given it is likely to have lower availabilities.

indeed that will be the only way to approach it.

Thinking doing the Award ticket in two loops - Mum would do a circle to Europe, then a separate circle to the US/Asia. The DONE3 would go to Europe, flip over to SFO/LAX, then award returns to link up later to US/Asia for stage 2.

Would ticket the first award and DONE3 as far out as I could on a short itin, then date change the US/Asia later.

If the DONEx is to include Australia (SWP region) then it must be at least a 4-continent fare (DONE4). A DONE3 can only be done wholly within the Northern Hemisphere at the moment.

Note that relying on changing dats for business class award trips is a dangerous move. What it you cannot find availability when you go to change?

 

[moa999]

If the DONEx is to include Australia (SWP region) then it must be at least a 4-continent fare (DONE4). A DONE3 can only be done wholly within the Northern Hemisphere at the moment.

Planning the DONEx ex-CMB, so can do it via a DONE3, although may consider a DONE4 to save burning points to get back to Australia at some point

Note that relying on changing dats for business class award trips is a dangerous move. What if you cannot find availability when you go to change?

Understood - but targeting Europe 9-10 mths out, and US/Asia probably 15-16 mths out so most of the schedules for the later part I assume won't be loaded yet and will have to tie in with availability for Award tickets when they come online