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

[muppet]

This brings me to my last set of questions before I pull the trigger:
1. I understood it's easy to call and add some segments after the booking (i.e. add a CBR-SYD and a SYD-CBR), right? How about more advanced rebooking requirements that I might need to do. For example, my trip is essentially composed of two half trips, but if later I need to move the first half after the second half, doable, assuming availabilities?
2. What happens to points and cash if after half of the trip, I would need to cancel the second half?
3. Did I understood correctly that it's ok to start and book the trip now, and add segments as seats are released by airlines?

1. In general I think its possible, but that’s asking a lot as the origin changes (e.g. point of sale for taxes currency etc.)

2. Once departed, its consumed so points lost I’m fairly sure, taxes refunded at great effort

3. In general yes, although in the past I’ve had issues with airlines that offer seats for new bookings but not existing bookings. I.e. I could book HKG - HEL as a new single flight but not add it to an existing PNR. Not sure if this still happens or which airlines do it. But worth thinking about. Also need to consider married segments when you add a flight, it might show available point to point but not available married with another flight.

 

[DC3]

…. Did I understood correctly that it's ok to start and book the trip now, and add segments as seats are released by airlines?

I book as soon as I see availability for flights, and gradually build/amend the itinerary.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Wooo great advice here, thanks again.
I could do some simulations testing the stopover / connection scenarios, looks good. I could find some
A->B - stopover in B
B->C - stopover in C.
C->B - (Surface segment)
B->A
I took some screenshots. At least, this fills me with confidence I could make my case with an agent without sounding uncertain if needed. Of course, the outcome would depend who is on the other side of the call.

I also got to understand the reason of the many error code at the end of the booking in my case. I was actually searching flights departing from and returning to CBR, and those search almost always failed for me (maybe too many segments in total?). Departing and returning from SYD looks much better in my simulations.

This brings me to my last set of questions before I pull the trigger:
1. I understood it's easy to call and add some segments after the booking (i.e. add a CBR-SYD and a SYD-CBR), right? How about more advanced rebooking requirements that I might need to do. For example, my trip is essentially composed of two half trips, but if later I need to move the first half after the second half, doable, assuming availabilities?
2. What happens to points and cash if after half of the trip, I would need to cancel the second half?
3. Did I understood correctly that it's ok to start and book the trip now, and add segments as seats are released by airlines?

1 It should be easy to add segments provided there is availability; however, you may run into "married segment" or similar issues so it is not a foregone conclusion. Regarding changes: if you are asking about changing the itinerary BEFORE you set off on your first flight, then yes, you can change the itinerary subject to availability of Award seats in the class you want. Normally this comes at a cost (5,000 points per pax each time a change is made) but at present changes are fee-free:

• (book) An international Classic Flight Reward with Qantas (using Qantas Points) before 28 February 2022 and you can change or cancel free of charge until 31 December 2022.

However, once the trip commences you can only change the date and time/flight number (not the routing);

2 You loose the points (but may be able to claim on travel insurance depending on the circumstances, eg, illness);

3 Yes, although as noted above, this would incur change fees in "normal" times.

Refer to clause 14.7 here: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/freque...ms-and-conditions.html#classic-flight-rewards

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

A->B - stopover in B
B->C - stopover in C.
C->B - (Surface segment)
B->A

If you Stop at B in the first leg, then you can’t Stop there again on the 3rd leg.
A Surface Segment (or any time >=24 hr) is counted as a Stop.
You are only allowed 1 Stop & 2 Transits at any Destination (Transit <24 hr).

 

[DC3]

If you Stop at B in the first leg, then you can’t Stop there again on the 3rd leg.
A Surface Segment (or any time >=24 hr) is counted as a Stop.
You are only allowed 1 Stop & 2 Transits at any Destination (Transit <24 hr).

A->B - stopover in B
B->C - stopover in C.
C->B - (Surface segment)
B->A

In the example, there are two stopovers. One in B, and one in C, the surface sector C-B being in the C stopover

Edited

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

In the example, there are two stopovers. One in B, and one in C, the surface sector C-B being in the C stopover

Edited

D’oh - My apologies, I misread it...

 

[Kangol]

The key word to use on the phone is to change your booking if you are intending to add future segments as the calendar opens up. Some agents in the past have been adamant about having to cancel and rebook, which is the worst idea you could think of in this type of instance. If so, HUACA.

For partially flown award tickets, if you cancel then you forfeit all points and taxes.
Depending on your travel insurance and provided you have a cash quote for the remaining segments, you can make a claim.
I did this in the early part of the pandemic last year after reading some advice here.
Let's just say the result was expected and why you have insurance.
Not sure what it's like with taking out policies now, with a worldwide travel ban in place...

 

[kingzac]

The key word to use on the phone is to change your booking if you are intending to add future segments as the calendar opens up. Some agents in the past have been adamant about having to cancel and rebook, which is the worst idea you could think of in this type of instance. If so, HUACA.

Had this issue before, first two agents wanted to cancel and rebook and the third in SA knew exactly what to do and made changes very quickly. I think it's very important to stand your ground or HUACA is they suggest cancelling as the only option.

 

[flapper]

Had this issue before, first two agents wanted to cancel and rebook and the third in SA knew exactly what to do and made changes very quickly. I think it's very important to stand your ground or HUACA is they suggest cancelling as the only option.

I can confirm recently I've had a number from SA CC insist you can't add flights to an existing booking. I asked one politely to check the history of my booking and see the dates I added flights. She ended up hanging up on me. The first thing I now ask is what CC they are from and if it's Cape Town I ask if they know how to add a flight to a booking. I have asked to be put through to the premium call centre but each time the call "drops out".

 

[kingzac]

I've just noticed a spelling mistake in one of the names on my OWA e-ticket and the chat is advising I will need to split that person off to create a new booking in the right name.
Annoying having people on two different bookings, has anyone had any experience with an issue like this?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I've just noticed a spelling mistake in one of the names on my OWA e-ticket and the chat is advising I will need to split that person off to create a new booking in the right name.
Annoying having people on two different bookings, has anyone had any experience with an issue like this?

How big is the spelling mistake?

 

[kingzac]

How big is the spelling mistake?

A letter missing in a first name

 

[madrooster]

A letter missing in a first name

If it has non-QF flights, you'd need to cancel the booking and recreate if you want both passengers on the same PNR. The same applies if the booking is split - they would split it, cancel the misspelt passenger and recreate the booking with the correct name.

The risk is the seats may not become available again when you cancel the seats.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If it has non-QF flights, you'd need to cancel the booking and recreate if you want both passengers on the same PNR. The same applies if the booking is split - they would split it, cancel the misspelt passenger and recreate the booking with the correct name.

The risk is the seats may not become available again when you cancel the seats.

How important is it to correct one letter missing? If it doesn't majorly change the name or gender is there potential for the OP to let it ride?

 

[kingzac]

If it has non-QF flights, you'd need to cancel the booking and recreate if you want both passengers on the same PNR. The same applies if the booking is split - they would split it, cancel the misspelt passenger and recreate the booking with the correct name.

The risk is the seats may not become available again when you cancel the seats.

Thanks, that was their idea too, they said they could secure one set of seats but not two so could make the booking then cancel the one person on the original PNR.

 

[madrooster]

How important is it to correct one letter missing? If it doesn't majorly change the name or gender is there potential for the OP to let it ride?

Some airlines don't care, but the vast majority do. The risk is being denied boarding whilst mid trip and you risk the entire award at that point.

It's just not worth the risk.

 

[Matt_01]

How important is it to correct one letter missing? If it doesn't majorly change the name or gender is there potential for the OP to let it ride?

I fundamentally agree, Matthew can also be Mathew and for girls names Isabell, also could be Isabelle or Isabella (depending on origin). I personally have not run the gauntlet and from experience which is inline with what @madrooster posted above I will not risk a mid trip problem. I think I am correct in suggesting that some airlines do allow a one time name change/ correction but others do not.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah - I thought there was some IATA rule around up to three letters being incorrect and airlines had to honour the ticket? Dunno if that's changed.

 

[ChrisMars]

That's it. I just made my first oneworld J booking. Exciting, I feel like I graduated. Thanks everyone.

I got all legs in J, except on the BA LHR-SIN-SYD where I could only get a PE on SIN-SYD. I'll keep and eye and hope I can get J a bit later. I also tried my luck with Qantas to get J released on QF2 or QF10, no succes despite I9. Could it be I requested too early for flights mid August?

 

[Spacetravel]

So due to recent flight and plan changes I need to change every single flight on my OWA. Is it wise to just cancel the booking in its entirety and start again? Or am I better off calling the GCC and changing all the flights over the phone? Personally I'd rather make my booking online as its easier to book and I don't need to put trust in someone over the phone to get it right. But the availability I need is there now and as we no they could likely disappear very fast.