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

[pottsy]

Hi - sorry for the silence - we've been in China and it's exceptionally difficult to get internet! Yes I researched dummy dates for all my remaining flight segments after LHR (which I had previously booked) as we won't actually be taking them until late 2020 through to March 2021. I got a really helpful agent (I know - what a surprise) who made all the bookings for me - he knew exactly what I wanted and seemed pleased that I had done the research and had a complete list of flights ready for him to book. It came in at 280k each and was ticketed within 10 minutes. I am planning to rebook all those dummy dates while we're living in Europe next year to the correct ones. I've stuck to major airport hubs and the major airlines to make it easier to snag the right flights because we can't change the route or carrier but we're so flexible with our dates (we're retired) I'm hoping we can do it successfully! But it will be late 2020 before I find out! Hope this helps!

Thanks very much for your reply! I will need to do similar as hoping to 'stretch' flights over a year, so no availability yet on dates I want. I, myself have msg Qantas with the following enquiry: 'Will points cost increase to 318,000 for any changes made after 18 Sept' and (unfortunately) received this reply today. 'Any changes made to any booking, will be as per the calculations of that day. That being said, any changes made after the points increase will be reassessed to 318,000 points per person'.

 

[pottsy]

There has been some discussion and confusion about whether the current Oneworld Award pricing will still apply if you have an existing booking and make a change after the 18 September price increase. I.e. if you pay 280,000 points for a J Oneworld Award now, will you be charged an extra 38,000 points (bringing the total amount paid to the new rate of 318,000 points) if you make a change after 18 September?

An AFF member seems to have got an answer from Qantas about this and has forwarded me the email. Here's what it says:



So, it seems that the current pricing will still be honoured if you make a date change (and possibly other types of changes) after 18 September. That said, as always, YMMV!

Dear editor, I do so hope you are right but just fyi, I myself msg Qantas today with the following enquiry: 'Will points cost increase to 318,000 for any changes made after 18 Sept' and (unfortunately) received this reply. 'Any changes made to any booking, will be as per the calculations of that day. That being said, any changes made after the points increase will be reassessed to 318,000 points per person'.

 

[flapper]

How have people gone about with advanced seat selection for non QF flights? I.e. JAL/QR/CX

Try each of the airlines websites or apps.

 

[cjd600]

JAL shows not eligible but a button at the end lets you select seat anyway.

It wont stick. Some JL are blocked, but not visibily so on RJ site.
I did the same, then checked seatmap on EF, and only the 'unblocked' one had stuck.

 

[cjd600]

Try each of the airlines websites or apps.

Good luck with qr.com.

 

[jasyoung]

Looking for some advice. Tried to book a series of flights but was told that as some were premium economy (only availablity for those flights) and some were economy (again only availability) that I wasn't able to book the flights. Didn't mind paying the extra points for all the flights even though some were economy due to limited options.

Also told that I couldn't use Air Nostrum flights in Spain. Is this correct or should I try again with a different person?

 

[adenda]

rj.com worked for me

Worked for me too where other Oneworld carries didn’t- especially with IB flights.

 

[DC3]

Dear editor, I do so hope you are right but just fyi, I myself msg Qantas today with the following enquiry: 'Will points cost increase to 318,000 for any changes made after 18 Sept' and (unfortunately) received this reply. 'Any changes made to any booking, will be as per the calculations of that day. That being said, any changes made after the points increase will be reassessed to 318,000 points per person'.

Yes, unfortunately these responses are highly variable. Nothing on the website it seems.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Looking for some advice. Tried to book a series of flights but was told that as some were premium economy (only availablity for those flights) and some were economy (again only availability) that I wasn't able to book the flights. Didn't mind paying the extra points for all the flights even though some were economy due to limited options.

Also told that I couldn't use Air Nostrum flights in Spain. Is this correct or should I try again with a different person?

HUACA

Better still, do it online if you can.

 

[pottsy]

HUACA

Better still, do it online if you can.

Could you share the response re: Air Nostrum please (I too want to use them if possible). Good luck on the phone......'that call centre'

 

[pottsy]

Could someone confirm please? Mileage is counted from dept/arrival 'city' not 'country'? If I fly out of Mel and back in to Syd I still have to include mileage back to Mel?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Could someone confirm please? Mileage is counted from dept/arrival 'city' not 'country'? If I fly out of Mel and back in to Syd I still have to include mileage back to Mel?

Confirmed.

 

[pottsy]

Confirmed.

Thankyou for prompt response!

 

[abby-line]

Should I be in a panic if I have not received updated e-tkts for my bookings by now? Hung up for (what I was hoping was) the final time yesterday at 7.30am. Have only seen taxes for one of the two bookings hit my credit card.


(Don't make me call them again *scream*)

 

[11sjw]

How have people gone about with advanced seat selection for non QF flights? I.e. JAL/QR/CX

CX: Booking Ref and name into their "Manage Booking" and I was good to go
QR: Simlar to CX. We have a peculiarity in that Mrs 11 is on a separate boking to Miss 11 and I. Whilst I was able to book Miss and I into one of the middle Q Suites I wasn't able to book Mrs 11 in without a phone call to the QR Australian contact number.
JAL: Not on my itinerary
BA: Won't let me preselect. I'm not sure if that is a function of award booking or my (lack of) status (PS)

 

[11sjw]

Should I be in a panic if I have not received updated e-tkts for my bookings by now? Hung up for (what I was hoping was) the final time yesterday at 7.30am. Have only seen taxes for one of the two bookings hit my credit card.


(Don't make me call them again *scream*)

I'd be on the phone. What does your itinerary show when you login?

 

[knightfall88]

Thanks very much, I was going to ask just that very question! What is the best ''mid point' (from Melb) when trying to squeeze two trips? Could you tell me why Tokyo/HK please, I'd be very interested...........and am trying to learn

I just tried your itinerary using Tokyo/HK instead of Singapore. It doesn't shave enough miles off. But if you use New Delhi as your mid-point, it gets you under 35000 miles. I'm not an expert at flight routes and which ones are cheap. But perhaps play around with various mid-points around that area and see if theres a place you don't mind using as a mid-point?

 

[abby-line]

I'd be on the phone. What does your itinerary show when you login?

Thanks, I'll pop a blood-pressure tablet and hit the speed-dial again.
I can see all my flights which is a good thing I hope.

 

[11sjw]

Thanks, I'll pop a blood-pressure tablet and hit the speed-dial again.
I can see all my flights which is a good thing I hope.

Yes, a positive IMO.

 

[p--and--t]

BA: Won't let me preselect. I'm not sure if that is a function of award booking or my (lack of) status (PS)

Money grabbing BA never let you pre-select until 48hrs prior to boarding unless you pay extra - even in J.