"oneworld" award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Re: itinerary planners / apps

Hi all - I have a J OWR trip booked very excited and was kindly informed by a few people on this thread about the mytrips app which allows you to sync all your bookings into your phone and to get updates. It's brilliant.

My question is, and send me to another thread if there is one, apart from using ical and mytrips app is there an itinerary excel template or app people could recommend so I can put in all my land travel and hotels and flights etc into one place? I'm not that good at excel to create one and hoping someone can recommend.

Thanks in advance

Have a try of an App called TripCase (free).
One feature that I like about it is that you can forward your confirmation emails to the TripCase website and *usually* the details will show up automatically in your itinerary. When it works, it's like magic, but when it doesn't work it's a simple procedure to add the item in manually.
There are plenty of other similar Apps available: give a few a try and see how they work for you.

 

[melbkate]

Re: itinerary planners / apps

Thanks Daver6 and There'sOnlyOneJimmy shall investigate.

 

[Radio8tiv]

Re: itinerary planners / apps

Hi all - I have a J OWR trip booked very excited and was kindly informed by a few people on this thread about the mytrips app which allows you to sync all your bookings into your phone and to get updates. It's brilliant.

My question is, and send me to another thread if there is one, apart from using ical and mytrips app is there an itinerary excel template or app people could recommend so I can put in all my land travel and hotels and flights etc into one place? I'm not that good at excel to create one and hoping someone can recommend.

Thanks in advance

The one I used a bit was tripomatic now Sygic travel, it's more for exploring whats around and you can't add your flights, but I still find it useful at times.

 

[N860CR]

Seems QR J availability has dried right up. Nothing really in J ex MEL or SYD with only ADL available (although plenty in F).

Seems the hidden city issue has come up again too. Was having no issues booking SYD-ADL-DOH-NBO previously however now need to schedule 24 hours in DOH. Also seems they aren't releasing award seats at all to EBB or KGL.

 

[fairbasa]

Seems QR J availability has dried right up. Nothing really in J ex MEL or SYD with only ADL available (although plenty in F).

Seems the hidden city issue has come up again too. Was having no issues booking SYD-ADL-DOH-NBO previously however now need to schedule 24 hours in DOH. Also seems they aren't releasing award seats at all to EBB or KGL.

Ive been keeping an eye on QR U award seats ex-MEL and finding the same issue. Having to go via ADL instead.

 

[blu]

Can you depart from the country of original departure twice (but different cities)? It appears not?

 

[immature]

Can you depart from the country of original departure twice (but different cities)? It appears not?

I don't believe so, as per this rule in the QFF T&Cs:

14.3.5 A Classic Flight Reward Itinerary must contain no more than one departure from the city or country of first departure on that Itinerary.

 

[blu]

(thanks, final questions)

I may have to book two flights through my WP son's account.
Does that mean the whole booking/itinerary would have to be done through his account?
Are there travel insurance coverage implications in doing that (in event of disruption to travel)? Technically his points?

 

[grussellt]

Could your son transfer points to your account to complete the booking?

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm considering changing my ticketed 280K award and would appreciate input/advice.

My ticketed trip is:
SINxDOH-VCE on QR (stop 1)
own arrangements VCE-DUB-LON-FRA
FRA-HKG on CX (stop 2)
HKGxCNS-BNE on CX (stop 3)
BNE-LAX on QF(stop 4)
own arrangements LAX-LAS-JFK-YVR-LAX
LAX-BNE-DRW on QF in Y due no J availability (stop 5)
Add in miles back to SIN to validate award = 34,996 miles

I'm considering changing to:
SINxDOH-VCE on QR (stop 1)
own arrangements VCE-DUB
DUB-LHR on BA (stop 2)
LHR-FRA on BA-HKG CX (stop 3)
HKGxCNS-BNE on CX (stop 4)
BNE-LAX on QF -LAS on AA in Y due no J availability (stop5)
own arrangements LAS-JFK-YVR
YVRxHKG-SIN (end)
34,502 miles

So my questions are:
1. Anyone see issues with the routing/transits/stops/awardrules?
2. Is my maths right - 34,502 miles?
3. Can I add LHR-FRA on BA to the existing FRA-HKG provided there's <24hrs in FRA as a transit? I've confirmed availability for my intended travel date. In other words, will MSC be an issue here from CX perspective?
4. If I add LHR-FRA (BA) will fines and UK departure tax be calculated on LHR-FRA, or LHR-HKG?
5. LHR-FRA in Y is ~AUD350 for 3 pax. Is it even worth adding it into this award or am I better off paying cash? I seem to have no other use for that stopover.

 

[froggerADL]

I'm considering changing my ticketed 280K award and would appreciate input/advice.

My ticketed trip is:
SINxDOH-VCE on QR (stop 1)
own arrangements VCE-DUB-LON-FRA
FRA-HKG on CX (stop 2)
HKGxCNS-BNE on CX (stop 3)
BNE-LAX on QF(stop 4)
own arrangements LAX-LAS-JFK-YVR-LAX
LAX-BNE-DRW on QF in Y due no J availability (stop 5)
Add in miles back to SIN to validate award = 34,996 miles

I'm considering changing to:
SINxDOH-VCE on QR (stop 1)
own arrangements VCE-DUB
DUB-LHR on BA (stop 2)
LHR-FRA on BA-HKG CX (stop 3)
HKGxCNS-BNE on CX (stop 4)
BNE-LAX on QF -LAS on AA in Y due no J availability (stop5)
own arrangements LAS-JFK-YVR
YVRxHKG-SIN (end)
34,502 miles

So my questions are:
1. Anyone see issues with the routing/transits/stops/awardrules?
2. Is my maths right - 34,502 miles?
3. Can I add LHR-FRA on BA to the existing FRA-HKG provided there's <24hrs in FRA as a transit? I've confirmed availability for my intended travel date. In other words, will MSC be an issue here from CX perspective?
4. If I add LHR-FRA (BA) will fines and UK departure tax be calculated on LHR-FRA, or LHR-HKG?
5. LHR-FRA in Y is ~AUD350 for 3 pax. Is it even worth adding it into this award or am I better off paying cash? I seem to have no other use for that stopover.

From what I've read here, you need to be very careful about changing anything with a QR flight included as it can to flights being cancelled.

 

[timi2fly]

I am looking to book my QANTAS oneworld Classic Flight Reward for a "round the world trip".

I am struggling to find a definitive answer on the following questions because I am reading information supporting both sides.

Could someone please help me with a definitive answer for the following in relation to the QANTAS oneworld Classic Flight Reward:
(1) Does the rule apply that restricts you from visiting the same continent twice? I cannot seem to read this anywhere on the QANTAS site, however many 'expert' and 'advice' sites seem to suggest this rule applies.
(2) Do I need to continue in the "same direction" (east or west) in my trip? Again, I cannot find this in the QANTAS literature and some sites seem to suggest this.

I recognise that these rules would apply if I was booking a tradition (ie paid) Oneworld RTW trip, however my understanding is that the QANTAS oneworld Classic Flight Reward is not bound by these rules.

I am greatly looking forward to some resolution to these questions so that I can crack on and lock in some flights.

Regards,

Tim

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm considering changing my ticketed 280K award and would appreciate input/advice.

My ticketed trip is:
SINxDOH-VCE on QR (stop 1)
own arrangements VCE-DUB-LON-FRA
FRA-HKG on CX (stop 2)
HKGxCNS-BNE on CX (stop 3)
BNE-LAX on QF(stop 4)
own arrangements LAX-LAS-JFK-YVR-LAX
LAX-BNE-DRW on QF in Y due no J availability (stop 5)
Add in miles back to SIN to validate award = 34,996 miles

I'm considering changing to:
SINxDOH-VCE on QR (stop 1)
own arrangements VCE-DUB
DUB-LHR on BA (stop 2)
LHR-FRA on BA-HKG CX (stop 3)
HKGxCNS-BNE on CX (stop 4)
BNE-LAX on QF -LAS on AA in Y due no J availability (stop5)
own arrangements LAS-JFK-YVR
YVRxHKG-SIN (end)
34,502 miles

So my questions are:
1. Anyone see issues with the routing/transits/stops/awardrules?
2. Is my maths right - 34,502 miles?
3. Can I add LHR-FRA on BA to the existing FRA-HKG provided there's <24hrs in FRA as a transit? I've confirmed availability for my intended travel date. In other words, will MSC be an issue here from CX perspective?
4. If I add LHR-FRA (BA) will fines and UK departure tax be calculated on LHR-FRA, or LHR-HKG?
5. LHR-FRA in Y is ~AUD350 for 3 pax. Is it even worth adding it into this award or am I better off paying cash? I seem to have no other use for that stopover.

From what I've read here, you need to be very careful about changing anything with a QR flight included as it can to flights being cancelled.

Thanks froggerADL. I'm aware of the QR issue and have already had to deal with that on one previous change to this award.

But I'm keen to hear from those with experience in these award is my proposed changes are valid and/or practical.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I am looking to book my QANTAS oneworld Classic Flight Reward for a "round the world trip".

I am struggling to find a definitive answer on the following questions because I am reading information supporting both sides.

Could someone please help me with a definitive answer for the following in relation to the QANTAS oneworld Classic Flight Reward:
(1) Does the rule apply that restricts you from visiting the same continent twice? I cannot seem to read this anywhere on the QANTAS site, however many 'expert' and 'advice' sites seem to suggest this rule applies.
(2) Do I need to continue in the "same direction" (east or west) in my trip? Again, I cannot find this in the QANTAS literature and some sites seem to suggest this.

I recognise that these rules would apply if I was booking a tradition (ie paid) Oneworld RTW trip, however my understanding is that the QANTAS oneworld Classic Flight Reward is not bound by these rules.

I am greatly looking forward to some resolution to these questions so that I can crack on and lock in some flights.

Regards,

Tim

The short answer...
#1 - NO
#2 - NO

Refer to the rule summary at the top of this thread: all the major points are listed there.

 

[blu]

Many thanks to a QF CSO in the NZ call centre who overcome a couple of frustrating roadblocks in our itinerary (booking engine shows availability, only to fail when confirming). Call was two hours with no points cost. For peak holiday season, two J awards:
SYD-SIN, SIN-MAN, LHR-ARN, LHR-ARN, LHR-DUB, DUB-LHR, LHR-TOK, TOK-SYD





s

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hs anyone had issues adding a CX flight to an existing OW Award booking?

I've tried to add YVRxHKG-SIN. Availability shows on both QF and BAEC websites, but the QF CSA says it is "showing no availability."

In both QF and BAEC I searched YVR-SIN because im aware of the MSC issues, so I don't think it's that.

Any ideas or is it a case of HUACA?

 

[EestiTiger]

Hs anyone had issues adding a CX flight to an existing OW Award booking?

I've tried to add YVRxHKG-SIN. Availability shows on both QF and BAEC websites, but the QF CSA says it is "showing no availability."

In both QF and BAEC I searched YVR-SIN because im aware of the MSC issues, so I don't think it's that.

Any ideas or is it a case of HUACA?

It isn't to do with needing to do a 24hr stopover in Hong Kong? I had a lot of trouble last year trying to get my award ticketed due to CX and being required to have a stopover when flying JFK-HKG-BNE. Once I added the HKG-BNE leg to the following day, it ticketed fine.

 

[Captain Halliday]

It isn't to do with needing to do a 24hr stopover in Hong Kong? I had a lot of trouble last year trying to get my award ticketed due to CX and being required to have a stopover when flying JFK-HKG-BNE. Once I added the HKG-BNE leg to the following day, it ticketed fine.

It could be. But I already have a HKG stopover, so breaking the trip won't be possible without significant changes to the itinerary.

YVR-SIN is available on QF and BA as an award seat with a 50 min connection in HKG, so it seems strange it can't be added into the existing booking.

 

[wokstar]

I have added a CX flight without issue before, also without needing to do a 24 hour stopover. Also had HKG as a previous transit on the itinerary too.

In my case I had booked BNE-HKG-JFK all on CX with an 8 hour transit in HKG, and then later added HEL-HKG-SGN on AY (HEL-HKG) and CX (HKG-SGN) with a 20 hour transit in HKG.

I did have a minor drama at the time of booking when there was only Y available for the CX leg HKG-SGN, but has since been fixed once J seats became available for that particular flight.

**************************

Trying to book Japan domestic flights on JAL is proving to be difficult, with available seats shown on BAEC but the QF call centre operators cannot see any available seats. I am wanting to book flights in September and I am wondering if I am calling too early, assuming this because JAL's own award system doesn't allow for booking domestic flights greater than 2 months away. However when asking the QF call centre to check for award availability 1-2 months away, they still can't see anything, despite award seats showing on both BAEC and JAL.

Has anyone here been able to book Japan domestic flights on JAL as part of a 280k award fare?

 

[blu]

What is the cost for changing flight times (same day) - for DUB-LHR-NRT.
Thinking of taking a later flight, but only for convienience.
Is it 5,000 points Change fee per seat + 5,000 points Service Centre assistance (ie: 15,000 points per pax)?