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

[lovedbymarylane]

Did you ask for the flight number or did you tell them the route?

I've given them both.

 

[Mr H]

I've given them both.

Try it just telling them the flight number and not the route. I believe there are two different search engines.

 

[lovedbymarylane]

Try it just telling them the flight number and not the route. I believe there are two different search engines.

Oh, intriguing! Thank you - I'll try that and report back.

 

[Lynda2475]

Me again - I'm having a wild time trying to get Qantas to add a flight that originates in KEF. Finnair says it's available, it's available on Qantas multi-city if you search for it as part of a HEL-KEF, KEF-HEL itinerary, but there's no way to search for just KEF-HEL and I imagine that's something to do with why they can't find any availability when I call them. Any ideas on how to proceed?

Whilst you can search QF online and find HEL-KEF-HEL, it doesnt allow you to search for KEF-HEL by itself. I suspect the issue is they have no way to calaculate payments and take payment in Icelandic Krone (whereas HEL is Euro) if searching for the leg independetly.

However they should be able to add it to a OWA. As suggested just give them the flight number and date and see if they can figure it out that way.

How are are you planning to get to KEF? If you are also flying in should be easier to add LHR/HEL-KEF and then KEF-HEL as these show up readily as you have seen.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Me again - I'm having a wild time trying to get Qantas to add a flight that originates in KEF. Finnair says it's available, it's available on Qantas multi-city if you search for it as part of a HEL-KEF, KEF-HEL itinerary, but there's no way to search for just KEF-HEL and I imagine that's something to do with why they can't find any availability when I call them. Any ideas on how to proceed?

Any chance that it’s a Married Segment issue?

 

[lovedbymarylane]

Whilst you can search QF online and find HEL-KEF-HEL, it doesnt allow you to search for KEF-HEL by itself. I suspect the issue is they have no way to take payment in Icelandic Krone (whereas HEL is Euro). However they should be able to add it to a OWA.

How are are you planning to get to KEF? IF you are also flying in should be easier to add LHR/HEL-KEF and then KEF-HEL.

That's the tricky part - it's a surface sector. ZRH-HEL as a surface sector is what I currently have, and I'm trying to add a flight to make it ZRH-KEF (surface sector), KEF-HEL (Finnair flight - the one I'm trying to add) then HEL-JFK (already booked - Finnair flight).

Good point about the currency - I didn't realise that was the reason you can't search directly from KEF.

I've actually just gotten off the phone with an agent and he was able to find the flight in question, but he said it's coming up as being bookable as a new booking but can't be added to the OWA, as 'sometimes airlines allocate flights that can only be booked as a new booking'. He's going to get the support team to have a look at it and call me back. I don't hold out a lot of hope though. But it should be able to be added, right? There's no such thing as award seats that can only be booked as a new PNR?

 

[Lynda2475]

I've actually just gotten off the phone with an agent and he was able to find the flight in question, but he said it's coming up as being bookable as a new booking but can't be added to the OWA, as 'sometimes airlines allocate flights that can only be booked as a new booking'. He's going to get the support team to have a look at it and call me back. I don't hold out a lot of hope though. But it should be able to be added, right? There's no such thing as award seats that can only be booked as a new PNR?

Ive been told that before so have HUCA and another agent could add the same flight (via flight number) no worries. I suspect they just dont want to go on hold (or because its sunday night know there is no one is available) to get the extra taxes sorted.

Persevere.

 

[lovedbymarylane]

Any chance that it’s a Married Segment issue?

I don't think so, as I can book this as a classic award coupled with a whole bunch of different flights (for example, HEL-KEF 3rd/5th/12th July all work with my flight KEF-HEL 17th July) - it's just that I can't search originating in KEF.

 

[Lynda2475]

it's just that I can't search originating in KEF.

Im positive its a currency issue. There are several places you cant originate flights for online due to currency.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Ive been told that before so have HUCA and another agent could add the same flight (via flight number) no worries. I suspect they just dont want to go on hold (or because its sunday night know there is no one is available) to get the extra taxes sorted.

Persevere.

Agree! Such rubbish that the ‘flight is only made available by partners for new bookings’.

One of the most annoying responses.

 

[Mr H]

I've actually just gotten off the phone with an agent and he was able to find the flight in question, but he said it's coming up as being bookable as a new booking but can't be added to the OWA

So you are making progress - you now know how the agents can see the flight.

Now you just need to find an agent who can/will add it to an existing booking. You said the agent told you it couldn't be added to a OWA. If you mentioned OWA then try not mentioning it - it seems to confuse things.

Good luck!

 

[lovedbymarylane]

So you are making progress - you now know how the agents can see the flight.

Now you just need to find an agent who can/will add it to an existing booking. You said the agent told you it couldn't be added to a OWA. If you mentioned OWA then try not mentioning it - it seems to confuse things.

Good luck!

Right, good idea - I have been mentioning that it's a OWA every time. Been hung up on 8 times already ('let me put you on hold while I have a look... (3 mins later) beep beep beep') so this is quite the process. But will try that next time.

 

[Lynda2475]

Yes I usually just say I want to add a fligt to an existing award booking, no need to mention that it is a OWA.

You may also want to try again around 7am AEST to see if you might be lucky enough ot get AKL or HBA.

 

[Mr H]

Right, good idea - I have been mentioning that it's a OWA every time. Been hung up on 8 times already ('let me put you on hold while I have a look... (3 mins later) beep beep beep') so this is quite the process. But will try that next time.

As I said upthread, I find the phrase that works for me is: I want to add a flight to an existing booking. I give the booking reference, and tell them the flight number, date and class of travel. I do not mention airports until they have found the flight, and then I confirm the airports and time of flight.

Then they have to calculate the difference in points and fees, charge for the difference and get the booking reticketed.

It is time consuming and plenty of agents drop the call, but it can be done with enough persistence.

 

[lovedbymarylane]

Thanks folks. This has given me renewed confidence and a plan. Fingers crossed.

 

[lovedbymarylane]

The plot thickens. Agent is telling me that when the HEL-JFK flight in my booking (without saving), they can see the KEF-HEL flight as bookable. Doesn't make sense as I haven't used up all my sectors, and if I can add this flight I will have 2 transits and one stopover in HEL, which is exactly how many is allowed. Augh. Will try at 7am and see if I can get any further!

 

[Ktan89]

very strange. My data point on this:
I just tried adding HND - GMP on an existing booking and consultant can't see any award (U) seats available for any JL flights. I asked if they can see any economy seats and they said 0.
She (from Fiji) said that sometimes seats are only available for new bookings.
I then asked her to see if she can see another JL flight, this time it is HND - LAX and she see's it without any issue and added to my booking.
So are they really telling the truth about some flights only being available to new bookings?

 

[ms1]

Is the Hobart call centre still operating? I've called a handful of times since 9am Sydney time and have only got through to South Africa. I have platinum status.

 

[cjd600]

very strange. My data point on this:
I just tried adding HND - GMP on an existing booking and consultant can't see any award (U) seats available for any JL flights. I asked if they can see any economy seats and they said 0.
She (from Fiji) said that sometimes seats are only available for new bookings.
I then asked her to see if she can see another JL flight, this time it is HND - LAX and she see's it without any issue and added to my booking.
So are they really telling the truth about some flights only being available to new bookings?

I have experienced that scenario previously

 

[Danger]

Is the Hobart call centre still operating? I've called a handful of times since 9am Sydney time and have only got through to South Africa. I have platinum status.

I'm Platinum and regularly get routed offshore.