Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Lennuk]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi,

I'm looking at going travelling around the world after getting my health on track and I have rough plans in place. Although suddenly this has been brought forward by months and now I'm in a hurry ie planning on leaving late June/early July.
I have roughly 275K points but I'm not sure if business class is worth it as I'm going "backpacking" in an ripe old age, hence thinking of saving a bunch of points for later.

Can some one please help me understand if I can land say in Europe in Germany for example and then fly out from say London? Is that allowed?

Can I land in Canada, then have couple internal flights in the states and then fly out say SF to somewhere in South America?

Can I add/change points destinations once I'm in the states?

Thanks heaps for your help,
L

 

[travelislife]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi,

I'm looking at going travelling around the world after getting my health on track and I have rough plans in place. Although suddenly this has been brought forward by months and now I'm in a hurry ie planning on leaving late June/early July.
I have roughly 275K points but I'm not sure if business class is worth it as I'm going "backpacking" in an ripe old age, hence thinking of saving a bunch of points for later.

Can some one please help me understand if I can land say in Europe in Germany for example and then fly out from say London? Is that allowed?

Can I land in Canada, then have couple internal flights in the states and then fly out say SF to somewhere in South America?

Can I add/change points destinations once I'm in the states?

Thanks heaps for your help,
L

You can 100% do all of the above, except for changing flights (officially but has been a couple of stories of people doing it). I would 100% say stump up for J. Is 280k points. Much better value because the taxes will be similar. The only thing you might struggle with is availability though it could be a blessing in disguise because it is so close to departure there might be some random availability, especially if there is only 1 of you travelling.

It doesn't have to be around the world. All that matters is that it is less than 35,000 miles travelled. 16 segments. 5 stopovers. This could be:

1. MEL-DOH-MUC
2. LHR-YVZ
3. SFO-GIG
4. SCL-SYD-MEL

That is about 32,000 miles using gcmap. You need to include the 'ground distances' MUC-LHR, YVZ-SFO and GIG-SCL in your mileage calculation.

Would recommend avoiding flying out of LHR if you can as it will be more expensive in charges.

 

[Economy_Gold]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hello experts:
I am considering my first 280k Oneworld award and have two specific questions:
1. I want to fly SYD-LHR-FRA and then FRA-DOH-LHR-JFK-.... Is that possible? (it works mile-wise, but is kind of "backtracking" via DOH)
2. Also, will I avoid the UK APD if it is all one ticket and no stopover in LHR?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hello experts:
I am considering my first 280k Oneworld award and have two specific questions:
1. I want to fly SYD-LHR-FRA and then FRA-DOH-LHR-JFK-.... Is that possible? (it works mile-wise, but is kind of "backtracking" via DOH)
2. Also, will I avoid the UK APD if it is all one ticket and no stopover in LHR?

Thanks a lot in advance for your help!

Yes and Yes

I presume you intend to fly back to SYD from JFK - the distance calculations require you to include the distance to return to your original city of departure so make sure your round trip is less than 35,000 miles.

 

[casanovawa]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

There is no backtracking with this award, you can go in any direction and it doesn't have to be around the world... Just fall within the requirements of 35k miles, 5 stops and 16 legs (including ground legs)...

As long as you just transit through LHR (or most UK airports) you won't get charged APD, that's only if you are there for more than 24 hours on a stopover....

 

[Economy_Gold]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Yes and Yes

Thanks for the superfast response!

 

[Economy_Gold]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

There is no backtracking with this award, you can go in any direction and it doesn't have to be around the world... Just fall within the requirements of 35k miles, 5 stops and 16 legs (including ground legs)...

As long as you just transit through LHR (or most UK airports) you won't get charged APD, that's only if you are there for more than 24 hours on a stopover....

Thanks a lot for the comprehensive answer! I am so glad that my planning works
Now to find the reward seats...

 

[Ultan Lankford]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

So, I am learning more and more about this award.
First of, it appears you can do a loop again and again within the criteria.

E.g. If I book
Dub-LHR-NBO
surface to JNB
JNB - GIG - Rio
SCL - DUB

This would be comfortably within the miles and would only use 3 stops or would it be 2 as the last flight is back to DUB?
Anyway, I would have miles and stopover left over, so I could also add, say

Dub-LAX
JFK-DUB

On top of the above in the same booking?

Last question is, I am looking at award flights on BA. Are these always available if booking with Qantas? I don't see the same availability online but if I ring up, I could grab these flights I presume?
Many flights of course seem to go via LHR, something I want to avoid because of taxes, or is the taxes and fees only really a factor if I originate my flight from there. Say DUB-LHR-NBO would be OK, but LHR-NBO would be extra $$$ for us.

Very little availability of Qatar flights which is a pity but then again, Qantas people on the phone may be able to help in this regard.

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Heading in and out of DUB isn't within the rules, Ultan Langford.
From QF's Ts & C's:
14.3.5 A Classic Award Itinerary must contain no more than one departure from the city or country of first departure on that Itinerary.

If you can find awards on BA the QF call centre should be able to book them for you
You don't pay the LHR departure taxes if you are only transiting LHR

 

[Ultan Lankford]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Oh, OK I thought at least I could return to the same country, say another city and continue on my Journey elsewhere. There are a few other airports I can avail of if this was the case. If not, well places like AMS or CDG or not that far either, I could start in AMS and return to DUB or ORK a few times..?

 

[prozac]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Maybe start in EDI?

 

[Ultan Lankford]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Yes, that is an option too. Would Aer Lingus operated flights but under a BA codeshare be enough to qualify for the oneworld award flights, as Aer Lingus are not yet a full one world member?

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Yes, that is an option too. Would Aer Lingus operated flights but under a BA codeshare be enough to qualify for the oneworld award flights, as Aer Lingus are not yet a full one world member?

No - you can't use Aer Lingus - just the same as you can't use EK on QF codeshare

 

[hutch]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Oh, OK I thought at least I could return to the same country, say another city and continue on my Journey elsewhere. There are a few other airports I can avail of if this was the case. If not, well places like AMS or CDG or not that far either, I could start in AMS and return to DUB or ORK a few times..?

People who use this ticket for several trips (from Australia), tend to position via revenue fare to Asia and commence award travel from there. Hence they can return to Australia, break up their trip and start again down the track.

You could do something similar by positioning and starting the trip, probably best in mainland Europe. You would then be able to break up the trip with a 'stop-over' in Dublin

 

[Lennuk]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Thanks travelislife.

How long can I have a stop over with this? Can I book a flight to europe, then call up and add another flight to the states? etc? is that possible?

 

[travelislife]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Thanks travelislife.

How long can I have a stop over with this? Can I book a flight to europe, then call up and add another flight to the states? etc? is that possible?

The whole ticket needs to be completed within 12 months. You will need to book the whole itinerary before leaving on the first flight, you can't just keep adding flights as you go.

 

[Jacques Vert]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

People who use this ticket for several trips (from Australia), tend to position via revenue fare to Asia and commence award travel from there. Hence they can return to Australia, break up their trip and start again down the track.

You could do something similar by positioning and starting the trip, probably best in mainland Europe. You would then be able to break up the trip with a 'stop-over' in Dublin

Alternatively, Ultan could, of course, start in Dublin and come back to somewhere close (e.g., MAD) and have the "stop-over" there while in fact heading back to Dublin on a separate fare. In fact, when I say "close", I mean wherever is cheap and convenient to pick up a flight/ferry to DUB.

The OP could also see a bit of somewhere new in the process.

 

[Pablo]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Has anyone had any luck booking AA Business seats for April 2017 lately? I'm trying to get GIG-MIA and MIA-SYD but from what I can tell on the AA, BA, QF and ExpertFlyer websites, they don't seem to be releasing "U" Class until around 298 days out. Is this correct, or am I just too slow in booking each day?

I should add, all the flights I'm looking at have J Class (i.e., they are 777's so have Y, J and F).

and does anyone know what time AA release seats each day?

getting hard to book my last two stops on by 280k award.

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Pablo, AA officially release their flights 330 days out but it's common for award seats to be released at around 300 days and occasionally they can be released quite spasmodically. Sometimes there may on be "U" awards on one or 2 days of a whole month. How many seats are you searching for? Often nowadays AA only releases one J award seat per flight which can be disheartening for couples wanting to fly together especially on routes from US to Canada or Sth America (which do have J class).

The GIG - MIA and MIA - SYD routes are notoriously difficult to get awards on. Are you aware that most AA domestic services are Y and F only? I think there is still one 3 class flight from MIA - LAX on random days of the week but most are only 2 class. Any awards from LAX - SYD are exceptionally hard to get, so you might have more luck routes through HKG or NRT. Alternatively from the East coast of USA you are probably better flying back via Europe through DOH, CDG, MAD etc i.e. routed serviced by IB or QR etc.

 

[Pablo]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Pablo, AA officially release their flights 330 days out but it's common for award seats to be released at around 300 days and occasionally they can be released quite spasmodically. Sometimes there may on be "U" awards on one or 2 days of a whole month. How many seats are you searching for? Often nowadays AA only releases one J award seat per flight which can be disheartening for couples wanting to fly together especially on routes from US to Canada or Sth America (which do have J class).

The GIG - MIA and MIA - SYD routes are notoriously difficult to get awards on. Are you aware that most AA domestic services are Y and F only? I think there is still one 3 class flight from MIA - LAX on random days of the week but most are only 2 class. Any awards from LAX - SYD are exceptionally hard to get, so you might have more luck routes through HKG or NRT. Alternatively from the East coast of USA you are probably better flying back via Europe through DOH, CDG, MAD etc i.e. routed serviced by IB or QR etc.

Thanks Vetrade

thats helpful to know about the 300 day "norm" as that is about what I can see at the moment, not the 330 day availability. I really wanted to check.

Im trying for 2 seats, and also trying to stay on the 777 from MIA-LAX so I can stay in J - well aware of the limited J on AA.

Unfortunately i I will be over my miles to go via HKG on the way home, or Europe for that matter, although I did discover that if I come home via NRT and fly into BNE instead of SYD I will come just under 35,000 miles.

Ill L wait till I'm around the 300 day mark and see what I do. Ultimately, if I can't get these last seats, we might have to change our whole trip and bypass the Americas. But I have plenty of time to work that out.

Cheers