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

[Mr H]

Hi Team
Looking for some advice regarding a booking.
Travelling from Brisbane to Malaga next May. The only possible way has been to book two separate flights so they aren't in the same flight segment of the ticket. Both flights occur on the same day

Flight 1 - QF BNE - NRT - dep 0935 arr 1755
Flight 2 - AY NRT - HEL - dep 23:05 (then on to Malaga from Helsinki)

Would I have to collect bags and clear customs because they aren't the same flight or is the OWA considered the same ticket and interline baggage rules would apply and I can check through all the way?

Any other issues with this, outside the risk of a massive delay screwing the second flight?

I've working at it for a solid 48 hours and only looking for Y seats. Feels like I've been throwing mud at the wall and hoping anything sticks. Well done to all you veterans getting the premium seats. It has certainly been a lesson in patience

Why can't you get them on the same ticket?

 

[The Bison]

Why can't you get them on the same ticket?

Excuse my ignorance with the topic. This is me trying to book it through the multi city feature on the qantas website. The flights aren't married up, I can only select them as individual flights.

Is this a matter of making a call to the call centre and providing the flights and they will do it?
Can it be done after the fact. I secure this flights now and call later to join them?

I am a little confused with the terminology. Is the OWA considered the one ticket or are each individual flight segments separate tickets?

 

[DC3]

This is me trying to book it through the multi city feature on the qantas website. The flights aren't married up, I can only select them as individual flights.

So, you have made a booking, which includes a number of flights? You have only 1 x QF booking reference number for all of those flights? It’s in the format of six letters and numbers. Then that’s good.

Sounds quite okay so far.

Edited

 

[The Bison]

So, you made a booking, which includes a number of flights? You have 1 x QF booking reference number for all flights? It’s in the format of six letters and numbers. Then that’s good.

Sounds quite okay so far.

Edited

Six flights in the booking with one reference number. My initial question was that two of the flight segments occur on the same day and whether baggage can be checked all the way through across two flight segments

 

[DC3]

Six flights in the booking with one reference number. My initial question was that two of the flight segments occur on the same day and whether baggage can be checked all the way through across two flight segments

Oh, just about the interlining? Normally, okay, on the same ticket. At check-in, you can confirm this.

I probably got a bit distracted by “.. The only possible way has been to book two separate flights so they aren't in the same flight segment of the ticket ..” Just needed to seperate the wheat from the chaff

 

[MelbFlyer]

My initial question was that two of the flight segments occur on the same day and whether baggage can be checked all the way through across two flight segments

I've also got a flight on AY - HKG to CDG via HEL.

Everything is booked on the one ticket / PNR (the above is 1 leg of the journey).

I have a similar question - I believe my luggage should be checked all the way to CDG from HKG, but when I arrive at HEL, I will have to go from the non-Schengen area to the Schengen area via Passport control to "enter the EU".

From there, my flight to CDG is effectively "domestic / with the EU", even though it's still technically international if taking countries into account.

Is this correct? I clear immigration in HEL only, and then just walk out with my luggage at CDG / don't have to go through 2nd immigration?

Sorry for the silly question The last time I went to Europe was in 2012 (it was my first overseas trip) and I was on a Topdeck tour - Italy > Switzerland > France > England.

The only airports / ports I went through at that time were FCO (entry), Calais / Dover and LHR (coming back). All the rest was via bus / ferry.

I just remember at the time when entering Switzerland from Italy (EU to non-EU), our passports were taken by the tour guide and given to passport control. The same thing must have occurred when entering France from Switzerland (going back into the EU) but I can't quite remember it now as it's been that long.

I assume though, when landing at HEL, I will need to transfer to the Schengen area to get through to my connecting flight to CDG.

I hope a 2hr layover will be enough time for that.

 

[Mr H]

Is this correct? I clear immigration in HEL only, and then just walk out with my luggage at CDG / don't have to go through 2nd immigration?

Correct. Vantaa Airport is long and the furthest half from the exit is non-Schengen and the closest half to the exit is Schengen. The non-Schengen half is less crowded and has better shops/cafes IMO.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Correct. Vantaa Airport is long and the furthest half from the exit is non-Schengen and the closest half to the exit is Schengen. The non-Schengen half is less crowded and has better shops/cafes IMO

Thankyou, I'll be in business so I'll have lounge access - which would be better - Schengen or non-Schengen?

I'm thinking just to be safe, to enter the Schengen area ASAP and just access that lounge there.

 

[Mr H]

Thankyou, I'll be in business so I'll have lounge access - which would be better - Schengen or non-Schengen?

I'm thinking just to be safe, to enter the Schengen area ASAP and just access that lounge there.

When I was there (weekday evening) there was a long queue to get into the Schengen lounge and no queue for the non-Schengen one - hence I only saw one. I am guessing you would be directed to the Schengen one as that's where your flight would be leaving from. The non-Schengen one had some OK buffet food but the whole skandi-chic thing made it look half finished. I wouldn't go out of my way to get extra time there!

 

[MelbFlyer]

When I was there (weekday evening) there was a long queue to get into the Schengen lounge and no queue for the non-Schengen one - hence I only saw one. I am guessing you would be directed to the Schengen one as that's where your flight would be leaving from. The non-Schengen one had some OK buffet food but the whole skandi-chic thing made it look half finished. I wouldn't go out of my way to get extra time there!

My layover is 1hr 50mins and I'll be arriving into HEL at 5:45am if that makes a difference.

I think given the short layover plus the requirement for passport control within that time, I'll just go to the Schengen area as soon as I land, and then hope that the lounge is quiet given the early arrival.

 

[flapper]

My layover is 1hr 50mins and I'll be arriving into HEL at 5:45am if that makes a difference.

I think given the short layover plus the requirement for passport control within that time, I'll just go to the Schengen area as soon as I land, and then hope that the lounge is quiet given the early arrival.

I did this last month. If there is a long queue for immigration, as there was when I was there, they call people for flights departing shortly and you jump the queue. I thought the Schengen lounge was unimpressive not that I had much time there anyway.

 

[MelbFlyer]

If there is a long queue for immigration, as there was when I was there, they call people for flights departing shortly and you jump the queue. I thought the Schengen lounge was unimpressive not that I had much time there anyway.

It's okay, I'm a lowly Bronze QFF and not much of a frequent flyer, so my lounge expectations aren't quite up to a First Class passenger.

I've been to the below airline lounges:
- Qantas Business, Melbourne (pretty much the bottom of the barrel)
- The Pier and The Wing, Hong Kong (Out of this list, the best I've been to)
- Silverkris and Krisflyer Gold, Singapore (When I was there, it was crowded, not really that pleasant)

Considering it's a morning arrival and I have limited time, I don't think I'd be that critical / will expect too much.

As long as I have some time to stretch out properly, have a small breakfast, I'll be happy.

 

[Mr H]

I've been to the below airline lounges:
- Qantas Business, Melbourne (pretty much the bottom of the barrel)

Oh my goodness you have so much travelling to do. Go to Lahore, for example, and then you'll think the Melbourne Qantas lounge is paradise!

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some possible suggestions. Have a One-World Award ticketed from some time ago but Qantas have just advised a "scheduling change"

Currently booked on JL48 HEL-HND on 23/12/23 and then JL51 HND-SYD on the 24/12/23

Qantas has now advised that JL48 will now depart HEL on the 24/12/23 which means it won't arrive in Tokyo until the day after we are due to fly home on JL51. I have looked up the JAL site and note that they are only flying from HEL on Tue, Fri and Sun hence the one day change. These are the final flights of our one world award trip.

Have emailed the "rewardticketingescalation" email box but as yet have heard nothing back and flights still remain unchanged. Can't afford to come back earlier as we have booked (and paid for) a number of accommodation and travel activities and aren't arriving back to Helsinki until the night of the 22/12.

What options do you think we have?

 

[MelbFlyer]

Oh my goodness you have so much travelling to do.

That I do! I'm just a corporate office worker who WFH 50/50 with no requirement to travel via air (hence don't rack up SCs etc), and if I do, it's only once a year abroad for a holiday.

Go to Lahore, for example, and then you'll think the Melbourne Qantas lounge is paradise!

I will never do this - because I'd never choose to transit or go to the subcontinent in my lifetime. Personal choice.

 

[Mr H]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some possible suggestions. Have a One-World Award ticketed from some time ago but Qantas have just advised a "scheduling change"

Currently booked on JL48 HEL-HND on 23/12/23 and then JL51 HND-SYD on the 24/12/23

Qantas has now advised that JL48 will now depart HEL on the 24/12/23 which means it won't arrive in Tokyo until the day after we are due to fly home on JL51. I have looked up the JAL site and note that they are only flying from HEL on Tue, Fri and Sun hence the one day change. These are the final flights of our one world award trip.

Have emailed the "rewardticketingescalation" email box but as yet have heard nothing back and flights still remain unchanged. Can't afford to come back earlier as we have booked (and paid for) a number of accommodation and travel activities and aren't arriving back to Helsinki until the night of the 22/12.

What options do you think we have?

Your most obvious option would be to come back to Australia a day later - on 25/12. You will do better with the escalations team if you can propose a solution. Alternatively you could try getting from HEL to LHR or some other hub and getting back to SYD from there - but it is peak travel season.

 

[yaksha98]

Hi everyone,

Looking for some possible suggestions. Have a One-World Award ticketed from some time ago but Qantas have just advised a "scheduling change"

Currently booked on JL48 HEL-HND on 23/12/23 and then JL51 HND-SYD on the 24/12/23

Qantas has now advised that JL48 will now depart HEL on the 24/12/23 which means it won't arrive in Tokyo until the day after we are due to fly home on JL51. I have looked up the JAL site and note that they are only flying from HEL on Tue, Fri and Sun hence the one day change. These are the final flights of our one world award trip.

Have emailed the "rewardticketingescalation" email box but as yet have heard nothing back and flights still remain unchanged. Can't afford to come back earlier as we have booked (and paid for) a number of accommodation and travel activities and aren't arriving back to Helsinki until the night of the 22/12.

What options do you think we have?

Assuming JL51 runs on the next day 25/12 - I would suggest you ask for that flight to move from the rewards escalation email. I have had great resolution from them on the two times I've had to email them (FYI they took between 3-5 days to respond and call me to make the changes).

 

[Maybloomer]

Just between all of us here, I've just looked at my activity statement and I've received QFF points (over 7000) for one of the legs of a recent 318K trip. Have I just had an unexpected win or will they disappear someday?

 

[funnybrus]

Just between all of us here, I've just looked at my activity statement and I've received QFF points (over 7000) for one of the legs of a recent 318K trip. Have I just had an unexpected win or will they disappear someday?

BA flight? Well known but rarely mentioned.

 

[DC3]

Just between all of us here, I've just looked at my activity statement and I've received QFF points (over 7000) for one of the legs of a recent 318K trip. Have I just had an unexpected win or will they disappear someday?

Probably best to keep that quiet