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

[EestiTiger]

Hi Wokstar - more than 24hrs - ring them again is my policy! The slight annoyance is worth the peace of mind and is usually justified in all the times I have had to call. As a side note, the 'ticketing people' don't start work until I think it was 8am SYD time. Yes - I have called too many times lately...

 

[wokstar]

Which airlines do you have in your booking? If QR then I would be straight on the phone and hassling them to ticket the booking immediately.

Did you specify you want it to be sent to the "priority ticketing queue"? Whilst still manual, it shouldn't take more than 2 days or so. If not, they often won't ticket the booking for months if the flights are a long way off still.

Thanks for the replies fairbasa & ozmatt

Flights are for August & September 2017, so it's a fair way off but our initial flights have been ticketed - just these new additional flights which have not been ticketed. I'm thinking it's the JL ones which are causing the issues. The initial booking and previous changes including CX, IB, AB & AY had no problems and e-tickets issues accordingly.

No QR flights and I did read some other members having dramas with QR earlier.

I did not know that a priority ticketing queue existed so I'll mention that when I get on the phone with Qantas today sometime.

Thanks!

 

[flychrisfly]

Thanks for the replies fairbasa & ozmatt

Flights are for August & September 2017, so it's a fair way off but our initial flights have been ticketed - just these new additional flights which have not been ticketed. I'm thinking it's the JL ones which are causing the issues.

IME changes on changes are what cause delays. The initial ticketing and one change seems smooth enough (QR excepted) and then subsequent changes require greater inspection/consideration by QF staff. YMMV

 

[fairbasa]

Thanks for the replies fairbasa & ozmatt

Flights are for August & September 2017, so it's a fair way off but our initial flights have been ticketed - just these new additional flights which have not been ticketed. I'm thinking it's the JL ones which are causing the issues. The initial booking and previous changes including CX, IB, AB & AY had no problems and e-tickets issues accordingly.

No QR flights and I did read some other members having dramas with QR earlier.

I did not know that a priority ticketing queue existed so I'll mention that when I get on the phone with Qantas today sometime.

Thanks!

I don't believe the ticketing time has anything to do with the airlines involved in the booking, but is just a function of how complicated the ticket is to calculate taxes etc. Still, mine is fairly complex, includes JL and has still been completed by the ticketing bot within 30mins, not manually.

From my dealings with QF, they seem to have 3 methods of ticketing (note, this is just my understanding, could be incorrect):

1) Automatic ticketing bot - this is the fastest method and you'll see a receipt in your inbox within 30mins if this option is selected. It seems to be the standard method for vanilla and online bookings. However, sometimes it falls over with complex bookings. If the CSR is nice, I've had them offer to submit my complex booking to the bot and watch it for me to make sure it goes through, if it doesn't, they send it off to priority manual ticketing

2) Priority manual queue - second fastest method used (takes up to 3 business days or so) for bookings which need to be ticketed quickly (e.g. itinerary involves QR)

3) Regular manual queue - the slowest method, if you don't say anything to the CSR and they're not on the ball, your booking will end up here and it could be weeks before it's ticketed

Keep in mind, each time you add a flight, the whole booking needs to be re-ticketed. So say you did have QR in your booking as the first leg and it was ticketed previously, adding a second leg of AY (for example) puts your original leg at risk until the whole booking is re-ticketed.

Just ring up QF if you haven't heard anything after 24-48hrs to be safe.

You're travelling at the same time through similar areas as me by the looks of your carriers...maybe I shouldn't be so forthcoming with help until all my seats are locked down

 

[blu]

Also does anyone have any experience in booking domestic flights in Japan? Again, the operator that successfully booked the international flight but couldn't get any seats on a connecting domestic flight.

From what I've seen JL (& ANA?) domestic - open at T-120 days (for ultra adv purchase). Where their other fares can open at T-60 days. I think you can still make the booking but can't choose seats & confirm until 60 days before (for eg: the 'JAL Air Pass', sold but not confirmed until T-60days if I recall).

 

[wokstar]

From what I've seen JL (& ANA?) domestic - open at T-120 days (for ultra adv purchase). Where their other fares can open at T-60 days. I think you can still make the booking but can't choose seats & confirm until 60 days before (for eg: the 'JAL Air Pass', sold but not confirmed until T-60days if I recall).

Thank you blu!

Never thought of just trying to make a paid booking but checking JL website now it appears that domestic flight purchases can't be made greater than about T-150 days.

I was hoping it was going to be a bit better than the T-60 days which is what was showing on the JAL mileage bank under domestic only flights, as T-60 makes it a bit too close for comfort for me.

Looks like I'll be calling up again in April...

Edit: Could also be some other Japanese specific reason (?) as searching for flights on Jetstar Japan also doesn't find anything past 150 days out.

 

[blu]

Could also be some other Japanese specific reason (?) as searching for flights on Jetstar Japan also doesn't find anything past 150 days out.

My only experience is with the JJP "Winter Schedule" from November to maybe April/May(?), bookings are not open until around August. I guess the remaining period is the Summer Schedule (May-Oct) and could open in January.
Either way it is a shorter booking period than we are used to with JQ Aus, but could be longer than the other Japanese airlines & LCC's. \
Some summary information on Japanese domestic airlines/LCC's & air fares here: Discount Air Tickets for Japan

 

[Geoffrey]

My wife and I are ready to book our honeymoon business-class trip in October 2017
We're thinking of doing the following flights with these airlines:

SYD-SCL-EZE LATAM or QF+LATAM
EZE-GIG LATAM Paraguay (not yet in Oneworld, hopefully soon... Otherwise I'll pay out of pocket)
GIG-GRU-JNB-CPT LATAM + BA(Comair)
JNB-DOH-MLE QR
MLE-DOH-SYD QR or QR+QF

Question: would it be possible to book the final flights (JNB-DOH-MLE and MLE-DOH-SYD) and add the others later, and still have it ticketed as a Oneworld Award? Or do I have to create my booking with the very first flight from SYD?

Thanks!

 

[Global Tripper]

I have my 280kK trip finally organised. SYD-DFW-xMIA-SCL-MAD-DUB-xHEL-SIN-SYD. With HEL-SIN non-stop availability popping up I dropped going through DOH saving $300 in charges. Overall trip costing $1,050. With the exception of MAD-DUB, great seating on all flights.
I expressed concern to the CSR about the practice of certain carriers cancelling bookings, if not ticketed within 24 hour. She said that she was aware of it. Actually while on the 40 minute call with her she mentioned that literally only minutes after she snagged the two HEL-SIN seats, Finnair were making enquiries about them!! Before I hung up the call, she said that an itinerary had already been emailed to me.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to this very useful site (and continue to do so) I have learned so much.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Question: would it be possible to book the final flights (JNB-DOH-MLE and MLE-DOH-SYD) and add the others later, and still have it ticketed as a Oneworld Award? Or do I have to create my booking with the very first flight from SYD?

Thanks!

As long as the parts you book now still fit the rules for a OneWorld award, then it will be fine. You can do those parts now, and add others later (subject to fees, availability, etc.).
Also, if you have enough points in your account, even if the parts you want to book now DON"T fit the rules, you can still go ahead and book now. The consequence of doing that is that you'll be charged whatever points the booked sectors come out to, but then later (when you add other sectors that will bring you in line with the rules) the itinerary will drop back to the 280,000 points cap (plus change fees).
Also worth keeping in mind that if you later CAN'T get the sectors you need to get within the rules (or you can't complete your desired itinerary), you can cancel the entire thing for a relatively modest penalty (I think 5,000 points each, but am not sure exactly).
Happy planning...

 

[Geoffrey]

Thank you very much
Another question: Using the BA search engine, I can see availability for JNB-DOH-MLE, but not for MLE-DOH-SYD, at any time. Does this mean that I have to book MLE-DOH and DOH-SYD separately, and "waste" a stopover?

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Thank you very much
Another question: Using the BA search engine, I can see availability for JNB-DOH-MLE, but not for MLE-DOH-SYD, at any time. Does this mean that I have to book MLE-DOH and DOH-SYD separately, and "waste" a stopover?

That symptom MIGHT relate to the 'Married Sector' issue, but I am not familiar enough with that to guide you through.
BUT... if you are able to book the 2 legs separately, it will still only be deemed a stopover if you're in DOH for 24 hours or more. As long as you can transit in less than 24 hours, then its a transfer, not a stopover.
Keep in mind that you're only allowed 2 transfers in any one port (as well as 1 stopover).

 

[Geoffrey]

Actually I have the same issue when testing on qatarairways.com directly: I can book JNB-MLE but not MLE-SYD :?:

 

[wokstar]

Hi guys,

As an update, I have received the e-ticket for my flights but I would like to double check with you guys if you think that the taxes are correct as they look really high to me.

Previously, I was ticketed for the following flights (mostly in business class):

BNE>HKG>JFK: CX156 & CX840
JFK>MAD: IB6252
MAD>MUC: IB3190
MUC>TXL: AB6188 (economy)
HEL>HKG: AY69

And taxes totalled $380.55 per person

I have added these flights:

HKG>SGN: CX767 (economy)
SGN>NRT: JL750
NRT>SYD: JL771
SYD>BNE: QF512

Now the total taxes comes to $1508.78 per person

I've used BA Exec Club to price the CX & JL flights individually I get:
CX767: GPB 23
JL750: GBP 72
JL771: GBP 42
And the QF site gives taxes for QF512 as A$37

So roughly the additional taxes should come to A$260 per person? (so total taxes shouldn't be more than A$700 per person?)

As a sanity check, I did check what the taxes were for a common flight that was showing on both BA Exec Club and QF and they both showed the same amount. (JFK>LCY>MAD on BA2 & BA8753, QF site gives US$482.64 and BA Exec Club gives GBP390.50)

What do you guys think of this? Can I ask Qantas to review the taxes or do I just have to pay it?

Thanks again!

 

[flychrisfly]

Hi guys,

As an update, I have received the e-ticket for my flights but I would like to double check with you guys if you think that the taxes are correct as they look really high to me.

Previously, I was ticketed for the following flights (mostly in business class):

BNE>HKG>JFK: CX156 & CX840
JFK>MAD: IB6252
MAD>MUC: IB3190
MUC>TXL: AB6188 (economy)
HEL>HKG: AY69

And taxes totalled $380.55 per person

I have added these flights:

HKG>SGN: CX767 (economy)
SGN>NRT: JL750
NRT>SYD: JL771
SYD>BNE: QF512

Now the total taxes comes to $1508.78 per person

I've used BA Exec Club to price the CX & JL flights individually I get:
CX767: GPB 23
JL750: GBP 72
JL771: GBP 42
And the QF site gives taxes for QF512 as A$37

So roughly the additional taxes should come to A$260 per person? (so total taxes shouldn't be more than A$700 per person?)

As a sanity check, I did check what the taxes were for a common flight that was showing on both BA Exec Club and QF and they both showed the same amount. (JFK>LCY>MAD on BA2 & BA8753, QF site gives US$482.64 and BA Exec Club gives GBP390.50)

What do you guys think of this? Can I ask Qantas to review the taxes or do I just have to pay it?

Thanks again!

When a ticket is reissued the taxes across the WHOLE trip are recalculated - sometimes you can save money. The differential may have a component from one of your earlier flights. Also, airports can charge different amounts for transits as they do for separate arrivals and departures - it's unclear where the "real" stops are in your itinerary.

 

[fairbasa]

I had a similar jump in taxes after adding an Air Berlin flight who are known for low taxes...I didn't say anything but the next time I added more flights to the booking (happened to be QF) the CSR was really confused and said "strange..I've calculated it twice now and we owe you a $700 refund despite the addition of the flight". They put it down to "changes in fuel prices".

I put it down to the taxes being incorrectly calculated the first time...

 

[roomer]

I had a similar jump in taxes after adding an Air Berlin flight who are known for low taxes...I didn't say anything but the next time I added more flights to the booking (happened to be QF) the CSR was really confused and said "strange..I've calculated it twice now and we owe you a $700 refund despite the addition of the flight". They put it down to "changes in fuel prices".

I put it down to the taxes being incorrectly calculated the first time...

Hmm, I queried a change in taxes when I was quoted " about $400 per person" when it ended up costing almost double. The response was "the tickets wouldn't have been able to be issued if the taxes were incorrect"

 

[fairbasa]

Yea, I don't buy their response. I'm pretty sure the taxes are manually calculated on these complex bookings so it's very possible for an error to creep in. Do you have any more flights to add? If so, maybe just leave it and they'll be recalculated anyway.

 

[roomer]

Yea, I don't buy their response. I'm pretty sure the taxes are manually calculated on these complex bookings so it's very possible for an error to creep in. Do you have any more flights to add? If so, maybe just leave it and they'll be recalculated anyway.

I actually do have to add another flight, and as a result, I am also motivated to see if I can't find a cheaper solution to that costlier leg and do a change at the same time!

 

[wokstar]

I do have additional domestic Japan flights to add but it looks like I won't be able to add them until April so I'll leave the taxes as they are for now.

Looking closer at my e-ticket and credit card account, there are different amounts so I'm not sure if I've paid it all or not... any opinions on this?

At the top of the e-ticket above the flight information it has: ticket number, issued date & ticket total $1508

It then lists the flights and flight numbers (as quoted below) and with 'confirmed' against each flight.

Then below the flight information it has "additional Payment Details" with payment type and credit card number and amount paid as $762

And lastly at "Total Amount Payable" as $1128

So there appears to be a difference between what it stated as the e-ticket total at the top of the page and the amount actually paid at the bottom of page. ($1508 vs $1128)

Checking my credit card account does show the last amount charged as $762, which brings the total that I've paid so far as $1142.

Does Qantas issue e-tickets without being fully paid? (will I expect to see further charges on my credit card?)

Thanks for the comments guys, much appreciated!

TL;DR:

Ticket total beside ticket number says: $1508
Total amount payable in receipt details says: $1128
Amount that I've actually paid on my credit card account is: $1142

Which is right?

BNE>HKG>JFK: CX156 & CX840 [stop 1 - JFK]
JFK>MAD: IB6252 [stop 2 - MAD]
MAD>MUC: IB3190 [overnight transit - MUC]
MUC>TXL: AB6188 (economy) [stop 3 - TXL]
HEL>HKG: AY69 [overnight transit - HKG]

And taxes totalled $380.55 per person

I have added these flights:

HKG>SGN: CX767 (economy) [stop 4 - SGN]
SGN>NRT: JL750 [stop 5 - NRT]
NRT>SYD: JL771
SYD>BNE: QF512

Now the total taxes comes to $1508.78 per person