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

[nickfromeastryde]

I give them the date, flight number, departure & arrival cities, and departure and arrival times. If that doesn't work, HUACA, preferably late evening/early morning and phone the premium call line.

Agreed, give them all the details, worked for me twice over the last month. Not so lucky with IB however they then offered options I couldn't see.

Also as noted by Jacques, the premium line delivers a far higher level of expertise and service so get onto them if possible

 

[Kangol]

Gday

Any tips for getting Qantas phone operators to be able to see reward flights on JL? I can see them on the BA website but the operator said there is nothing.

Pele.

JL awards now bookable on Qantas website

Apparently you can now see JL flights that are available using QFF on the website.

As mentioned numerous times, just because one partner can see availability does not necessarily mean another partner can.

Another less unreliable way is to check on the JL JMB website for seats.

Sometimes you have to ask the QFF operator to "search in a different window" or "look in another screen" for partners, including JL. I have had more than one operator on more than one occasion find seats that initially were not found and tell me the above.
If it comes up again, just say "the last time I made a similar booking, the agent told me that they had to search in another window".

 

[rock86]

JL awards now bookable on Qantas website

Apparently you can now see JL flights that are available using QFF on the website.

This isn't yet the case, as has been discussed on that thread there were a couple of JL flights which popped up upon searching the OP's routes.

No other person, nor the OP has been able to see those flights again when searching on QF (even on the same route).

More the likely they were doing some testing for an impending rollout, which was mentioned last year as JL rolled out Amadeus.

 

[Kangol]

This isn't yet the case, as has been discussed on that thread there were a couple of JL flights which popped up upon searching the OP's routes.

No other person, nor the OP has been able to see those flights again when searching on QF (even on the same route).

More the likely they were doing some testing for an impending rollout, which was mentioned last year as JL rolled out Amadeus.

My statement is true, because there is some evidence that it can be done. I did not say that everyone can see said results at all times.

You don't know if no other person could see those flights again - maybe some did and have not reported it, or are not AFF members.

There could be many explanations why some can see and some cannot (selective availability, etc) - the bottom line is you lack that knowledge. For the most part, the rest of us do, too. Belief is not the same as knowledge.

I've found the JL website to be accurate for international flight availability using QFF.

 

[Pele]

Well here is the update:
After multiple calls with silly wait times on Friday arvo/evening i managed to speak to a lady who could see the seat i wanted and could book it. All looked good but after we went through the process i never got a charge on my credit card for the taxes nor were the points deducted from my account. However the BA website updated within seconds saying the seat is gone. I thought i would give it a bit of time as maybe it only gets processed during business hours. I checked now(Sunday) and the booking is there... but the passenger name was mis-spelt. FFS.

Didnt want to waste my Sunday by calling QF so did the online chat. Bloke said i had to call JL as it is operated by them. Rang JL and they said no it is QF ticket stock so they have to change it. Rang QF and the bloke said they have to initiate a request to change it to JL and I need to ring back in 48 hours to know if they will agree. What a f*ck up. All i can do now is hope they agree otherwise the family holiday is rooted.

BTW all the calls on Friday went to a South African call centre. Today's was in Australia.

Pele.

Edited per Kangol's comment.

 

[Kangol]

Well here is the update:
After multiple calls with silly wait times on Friday arvo/evening i managed to speak to a lady who could see the ticket i wanted and could book it. All looked good but after we went through the process i never got a charge on my credit card for the taxes nor were the points deducted from my account. However the BA website updated within seconds saying the ticket is gone. I thought i would give it a bit of time as maybe it only gets processed during business hours. I checked now(Sunday) and the booking is there... but the passenger name was mis-spelt. FFS.

Didnt want to waste my Sunday by calling QF so did the online chat. Bloke said i had to call JL as it is operated by them. Rang JL and they said no it is QF ticket stock so they have to change it. Rang QF and the bloke said they have to initiate a request to change it to JL and I need to ring back in 48 hours to know if they will agree. What a f*ck up. All i can do now is hope they agree otherwise the family holiday is rooted.

BTW all the calls on Friday went to a South African call centre. Today's was in Australia.

Pele.

Your use of the term "ticket" is not in line with industry standards, which is confusing for everyone here because you are speaking in a language that does not make (relative) sense.
The lady who can see the "ticket" was actually seeing seat/flight availability. When the booking is made and the segment confirmed for you and that was the only available seat, then if you check again, the seat/flight is gone. Not "the ticket is gone".

Ticketing is when the airline issues you with a ticket (and ticket number) and is not always instant, especially if the flight is not for a while. From many reports, there is a chronological ticketing queue. Your card is charged and points are deducted only when the ticket is issued (or reissued). So yes, you can have a confirmed seat without it being ticketed.

 

[rock86]

My statement is true, because there is some evidence that it can be done. I did not say that everyone can see said results at all times.

You don't know if no other person could see those flights again - maybe some did and have not reported it, or are not AFF members.

There could be many explanations why some can see and some cannot (selective availability, etc) - the bottom line is you lack that knowledge. For the most part, the rest of us do, too. Belief is not the same as knowledge.

I've found the JL website to be accurate for international flight availability using QFF.

If your statement is 'true' then it is but minutely true, and with absolutely no firm substantiation behind it apart from that flight the OP in that thread seen. Additionally, there has been absolutely no presented evidence that the flight could have actually even been booked online, it merely was presented as a possible option for that particular route on that particular date, the OP went no further.

On top of this there has been absolutely no news nor media release from QFF indicating that JL flights were now available to be redeemed using their online search tool, and this is certainly something QFF would indicate to its members as it has done in the past (à la the most recent addition to the online bookings of MH last year).

So, using deductive reasoning it would indicate the functionality whereby JL flights are redeemable via the QFF website is not yet in actve operation.

 

[tuppaware]

Did anyone say how terrible the Qantas Booking Engine is?
When you complete a route but then it errors at the end ?

Also there seems to be a bug when I can't search for availability flying AA POS-MIA. In that the multi-trip search box will let me search London to POS but not POS in the next box to anywhere. Trying to wring in some time in the Caribbean before heading home.

The only other option is to go to SXM which I've already done before. I can see MIA-POS but the aval isn't there for when I want to go in late October. Anyone else have a suggestion on routing for it? It seems I can't trick the system to show me other routes?

Unless I fly to Miami and make my own way there, but seperate flights are expensive.

 

[roomer]

I was very fortunate to be helped by members in making my first oneworld award booking in business class a couple of years ago, and using the various pointers provided by this site, have now amassed the required points to plan a trip for 2019.

Re-reading the tips and pointers, I don't seem to be able to see what the trick is, in getting to some of the lesser hubs ( for want of a better word) . Last time we landed in Rome and drove to Paris and thence flew to the US and back home. Quite a bit of work was involved in waiting for the right dates/times but, with guidance, it was successful. This time I can t see how we can fly to some of these places without having to drive.

For example, f we were to fly out from ADL to go either to HKC or DOH, there doesn't seem to be the ability to fly out say to FLR, VCE, BUD or PRG, nor does there appear availability to fly to Rome and then seek out those destinations from there. ( unless I wish to literally go out of my way to fly to LHR from Rome, DOH

Is the trick to search for Oneworld partners that are likely to have more availability such as Finnair or Royal Jordanian and say fly out from Helsinki ( Finnair) or Verona (I see that Verona a destination of Royal Jordanian) ?

Whilst I am only doing dummy searches now ( in readiness for March/April next year) there just doesn't seem to be a straightforward solution in accessing these sort of places from the major hubs. ( other than LHR as previously mentioned)

I'd really appreciate any ideas as to how I can better plan this itinerary ( BTW I'd be happy to do some driving / train travel in Europe) I'd also add that we would wish to fly to Houston Texas to see my son and his family at the end of the trip ( in case someone has a suggestion from flying to / or from the US from Helsinki)

 

[exceladdict]

Did anyone say how terrible the Qantas Booking Engine is?
When you complete a route but then it errors at the end ?

Also there seems to be a bug when I can't search for availability flying AA POS-MIA. In that the multi-trip search box will let me search London to POS but not POS in the next box to anywhere. Trying to wring in some time in the Caribbean before heading home.

The only other option is to go to SXM which I've already done before. I can see MIA-POS but the aval isn't there for when I want to go in late October. Anyone else have a suggestion on routing for it? It seems I can't trick the system to show me other routes?

Unless I fly to Miami and make my own way there, but seperate flights are expensive.

"POS" is a great way of describing the booking engine!

Error at the end suggests you may have a married segment in there that's not allowed, include carriers (Eg. EK, JQ, Westjet) that aren't allowed, or breach another rule (number of stopovers etc). Feel free to post the route here and I'm sure someone will comment/assist

QF do selectively block you from searching for space departing certain cities e.g. DOH for their own commercial advantage. Check availability on BA and then call to book, saying it's impossible to book via web so please waive fees.

...
Is the trick to search for Oneworld partners that are likely to have more availability such as Finnair or Royal Jordanian and say fly out from Helsinki ( Finnair) or Verona (I see that Verona a destination of Royal Jordanian) ?

In short, yes. But it may be an issue with married segments as well for QR or CX, see if more flights show up when you spend more than 24h in HKG or DOH.

I'd really appreciate any ideas as to how I can better plan this itinerary ( BTW I'd be happy to do some driving / train travel in Europe) I'd also add that we would wish to fly to Houston Texas to see my son and his family at the end of the trip ( in case someone has a suggestion from flying to / or from the US from Helsinki)

AY are nice and do have some availability. Just search every day within a week of your desired travel dates, and every AY destination on the east coast. You'll probably end up flying into something like BOS or JFK from HEL then heading down to IAH via CLT.

 

[roomer]

"POS" is a great way of describing the booking engine!

Error at the end suggests you may have a married segment in there that's not allowed, include carriers (Eg. EK, JQ, Westjet) that aren't allowed, or breach another rule (number of stopovers etc). Feel free to post the route here and I'm sure someone will comment/assist

QF do selectively block you from searching for space departing certain cities e.g. DOH for their own commercial advantage. Check availability on BA and then call to book, saying it's impossible to book via web so please waive fees.
PS thanks also for the tip to fly back home via Houston !


In short, yes. But it may be an issue with married segments as well for QR or CX, see if more flights show up when you spend more than 24h in HKG or DOH.


AY are nice and do have some availability. Just search every day within a week of your desired travel dates, and every AY destination on the east coast. You'll probably end up flying into something like BOS or JFK from HEL then heading down to IAH via CLT.

Great ! thank you very much exceladdict. very much appreciate that tip.

Regarding spending 24 hrs in HKG or DOH - I know that I got caught last time with transiting 5 mins over the 24 hour mark after having already booking a stopover, such that it wasnt allowed, and that last time we had a stopover in DOH. Hadn't realised thats why we were probably able to book those flights to those destinations ! A lightbulb moment , thanks again

 

[ellen10]

I have been reading this thread from the beginning and taking some notes.
But I still have thread years of reading to do! And after 2 hours I'm running out of reading time.

I am planning a trip next year to Europe and hope to be able to do a "one world" award booking for 2 in J. This would be for September/ October next year. My concern is that if I wait for all segments to become available, then the first flights will be all taken up. If I book the first start flights when they become available e.g. 353 days out and then add the segments as they become available, is this possible and once I do the final flight will the total points convert to a 280,000 J award.

 

[tuppaware]

"POS" is a great way of describing the booking engine!

Error at the end suggests you may have a married segment in there that's not allowed, include carriers (Eg. EK, JQ, Westjet) that aren't allowed, or breach another rule (number of stopovers etc). Feel free to post the route here and I'm sure someone will comment/assist

QF do selectively block you from searching for space departing certain cities e.g. DOH for their own commercial advantage. Check availability on BA and then call to book, saying it's impossible to book via web so please waive fees.

hmm I did notice that JQ would cause points to jump outside of the range Y ticket of 140k. I assume I have to finish in the same city I started in? I'd like to finish in Syd or Bris but I can just miss the last leg

My routing is :
ADL-PER-HKG QF599/CX170 18/9
BKK-HEL AY142 1/10
HEL-MUC AY1401 2/10
MAD-MIA IB6123 18/10
MIA-SXM AA1376 18/10
SXM-MIA-ORD-YVR AA2486/1277/1585 25/10
YVR-DFW AA392 31/10
DFW-SYD-MEL-ADL QF8/417/683 31/10

I count 4 stop overs, and the rest of the breaks are within 24 hours of each other. Unless I've gone over the miles ?

Haha running it through GCM shows 33927 miles

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

I have been reading this thread from the beginning and taking some notes.
But I still have thread years of reading to do! And after 2 hours I'm running out of reading time.

I am planning a trip next year to Europe and hope to be able to do a "one world" award booking for 2 in J. This would be for September/ October next year. My concern is that if I wait for all segments to become available, then the first flights will be all taken up. If I book the first start flights when they become available e.g. 353 days out and then add the segments as they become available, is this possible and once I do the final flight will the total points convert to a 280,000 J award.

Yes Ellen, to be sure of getting the seats you want you will need to get them booked in batches. As you have noted, if you wait until the final flights become available, the earlier seats may (will probably) have disappeared. You can always live in hope that they’ll still be there, but I tend to use the ‘batch method’ to make sure of it.
Of course, each time you add the next batch of sectors, that constitutes a change to the itinerary, with 6,000 point fee per passenger. Just a cost of doing business i’m afraid.

And yes, once your itinerary passes all the rules for a oneworld award booking, the points requirement will drop back to 280,000 per passenger and stay there. This isn’t dependant on adding the ‘last flight’ as you wrote - as soon as you’ve qualified under the rules (e.g. 2 non-QF carriers, etc.) the 280,000 cap will kick in.

Happy planning & good luck.

 

[ellen10]

Yes Ellen, to be sure of getting the seats you want you will need to get them booked in batches. As you have noted, if you wait until the final flights become available, the earlier seats may (will probably) have disappeared. You can always live in hope that they’ll still be there, but I tend to use the ‘batch method’ to make sure of it.
Of course, each time you add the next batch of sectors, that constitutes a change to the itinerary, with 6,000 point fee per passenger. Just a cost of doing business i’m afraid.

And yes, once your itinerary passes all the rules for a oneworld award booking, the points requirement will drop back to 280,000 per passenger and stay there. This isn’t dependant on adding the ‘last flight’ as you wrote - as soon as you’ve qualified under the rules (e.g. 2 non-QF carriers, etc.) the 280,000 cap will kick in.

Happy planning & good luck.

Thank you for your reply I appreciate it. Two years ago I booked a J award to the USA it was soo stressful trying to get the flights. I do not remember it fondly.
I am only silver so I think I need to grab the flights as I see them. So to add a flight will I need to phone Qantas or can I do it online?

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Thank you for your reply I appreciate it. Two years ago I booked a J award to the USA it was soo stressful trying to get the flights. I do not remember it fondly.
I am only silver so I think I need to grab the flights as I see them. So to add a flight will I need to phone Qantas or can I do it online?

Depending on the complexity of your itinerary, and the carriers you’re looking to use, you might be able to do it online. I always give it a go online (using the ‘multi-city’ option), and if it crashes out, then I phone up QF to get it done. If you tell them that the website crashed, then they should waive the service fee for doing it over the phone. Sometimes they resist, but just be resolute and stress that the website won’t allow it do be done, so it’s their fault not yours... (but you do have to try the website method first...).
To add the later batch(es), you will have to phone in. It can’t be done online. That’s where the 6k points per passenger change fee comes in.

 

[Danger]

hmm I did notice that JQ would cause points to jump outside of the range Y ticket of 140k. I assume I have to finish in the same city I started in? I'd like to finish in Syd or Bris but I can just miss the last leg

My routing is :
ADL-PER-HKG QF599/CX170 18/9
BKK-HEL AY142 1/10
HEL-MUC AY1401 2/10
MAD-MIA IB6123 18/10
MIA-SXM AA1376 18/10
SXM-MIA-ORD-YVR AA2486/1277/1585 25/10
YVR-DFW AA392 31/10
DFW-SYD-MEL-ADL QF8/417/683 31/10

I count 4 stop overs, and the rest of the breaks are within 24 hours of each other. Unless I've gone over the miles ?

Haha running it through GCM shows 33927 miles

You do not need to start and finish in the same city. However, if you finish in a city other than where you started, the distance between that city and the city of departure is included in the maximum mileage. But it looks like that's not an issue for you anyway.

 

[tuppaware]

You do not need to start and finish in the same city. However, if you finish in a city other than where you started, the distance between that city and the city of departure is included in the maximum mileage. But it looks like that's not an issue for you anyway.

Interestingly when I change the start part to SYD it goes through.

Taxes of $1100 though .. Haha I've even avoided using QF and BA

 

[exceladdict]

hmm I did notice that JQ would cause points to jump outside of the range Y ticket of 140k. I assume I have to finish in the same city I started in? I'd like to finish in Syd or Bris but I can just miss the last leg

My routing is :
ADL-PER-HKG QF599/CX170 18/9
BKK-HEL AY142 1/10
HEL-MUC AY1401 2/10
MAD-MIA IB6123 18/10
MIA-SXM AA1376 18/10
SXM-MIA-ORD-YVR AA2486/1277/1585 25/10
YVR-DFW AA392 31/10
DFW-SYD-MEL-ADL QF8/417/683 31/10

I count 4 stop overs, and the rest of the breaks are within 24 hours of each other. Unless I've gone over the miles ?

Haha running it through GCM shows 33927 miles

Interestingly when I change the start part to SYD it goes through.

Taxes of $1100 though .. Haha I've even avoided using QF and BA

I'd suggest QF8 is between a third and a half of the $1100. Check the MAD-MIA ones individually as well, I found IB taxes very high when making a USDM booking a while ago, although the wiki suggest it should only be 60 euros. Other one could be AY142.

 

[tuppaware]

I'd suggest QF8 is between a third and a half of the $1100. Check the MAD-MIA ones individually as well, I found IB taxes very high when making a USDM booking a while ago, although the wiki suggest it should only be 60 euros. Other one could be AY142.

Yeah I worked out with that the major costs were in the IB and AY flights. I rerouted with MH to BKK firstly and took Cathay to Europe. I couldn't avoid IB to miami without swapping it for a BA flight (which had the similar taxes)..

The site tried to send me home via HKG which is such a long way around, so I settled on QF8 and paid the extra for the direct trip. Taxes ended up at about $999 and I was fine with that tbh. I did really want to fly BKK-HEL on the A359 but I can do that another time ‍

Thanks for the tips though.