Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks to all, for the amazing volumes of information on this thread. I have spent tens of hours reading and have only read a third so far I reckon.


I need someone to either tell me I am dreaming or suggest a better plan please?
I have dummy booked some 140k x 6 seats Multicity itineraries that go from SIN-Western USA then from Western Europe home through Colombo then SIN. I was thinking of catching a cheap return on Jetstar for the DAR-SIN link to connect it up to home. My cunning plan is to use my velocity points to book a return from LAX -DAR with a big 9-10 mth gap to reconnect with the last few stops of the OW award and turn the Qantas OWA into two family holidays 9-10 mths apart. In a perfect world we would ski in Utah this Christmas, visit CES in Las Vegas on the 10/1/2018 and then come back on to DAR on VFF to return to Europe 9-10 months later, coming back to DAR via Colombo and Sin in Aug Sept Oct 2018. We are a family of 6 with four small ones. Have done lots of travelling already with small kids so hoping to do more like this. I am WP on VFF and Silver QFF.


Is this a real option? Adding the later flights, hopefully in one session, would incur a booking fee I know but should be worth it if I can pull it off. Any thoughts appreciated.

As a concept, breaking an OW award into two trips is smart. I've recently done it with a trip originating in SIN but for which I'll pay a cash far DRW-SIN. See post 4438.

I can't comment on how easy 6x Award seats will be to get on all of those sectors, especially out of LAX but if you've managed a dummy booking that is a very good sign.

Also, I'm assuming you're Darwin (DRW) based? I thought for a moment you were routing via Tanzania (DAR)!

 

[EestiTiger]

I was just reading on ausbt that JL are upgrading the aircraft on the SYD-NRT route. Unfortunately this means no first class from late March

I have a OW Award booking for August so I am assuming my F seat will be downgraded to J, and meaning no QF F lounge access I am caught in two minds about if I should try changing my NRT-LHR flight from BA, to HND-LHR on JL. I was really looking forward to sampling the JL First product. If I ring up, and of course the change fee is now 5000 points, do I risk losing my BA seat by swapping to JL? I probably need to check there is a JL F seat on 9th of August first!

First world problems...

 

[flychrisfly]

I was just reading on ausbt that JL are upgrading the aircraft on the SYD-NRT route. Unfortunately this means no first class from late March

I have a OW Award booking for August so I am assuming my F seat will be downgraded to J, and meaning no QF F lounge access I am caught in two minds about if I should try changing my NRT-LHR flight from BA, to HND-LHR on JL. I was really looking forward to sampling the JL First product. If I ring up, and of course the change fee is now 5000 points, do I risk losing my BA seat by swapping to JL? I probably need to check there is a JL F seat on 9th of August first!

First world problems...

I reckon they'll waive the change fee if you explain what happened.

Also, you know they say BA first is a good business class product... Go for JL!

 

[fairbasa]

I was just reading on ausbt that JL are upgrading the aircraft on the SYD-NRT route. Unfortunately this means no first class from late March

I have a OW Award booking for August so I am assuming my F seat will be downgraded to J, and meaning no QF F lounge access I am caught in two minds about if I should try changing my NRT-LHR flight from BA, to HND-LHR on JL. I was really looking forward to sampling the JL First product. If I ring up, and of course the change fee is now 5000 points, do I risk losing my BA seat by swapping to JL? I probably need to check there is a JL F seat on 9th of August first!

First world problems...

I wish they'd put the 789 on my YVR-NRT flight instead of the 788!

 

[snabbu]

I was just reading on ausbt that JL are upgrading the aircraft on the SYD-NRT route. Unfortunately this means no first class from late March

I have a OW Award booking for August so I am assuming my F seat will be downgraded to J, and meaning no QF F lounge access I am caught in two minds about if I should try changing my NRT-LHR flight from BA, to HND-LHR on JL. I was really looking forward to sampling the JL First product. If I ring up, and of course the change fee is now 5000 points, do I risk losing my BA seat by swapping to JL? I probably need to check there is a JL F seat on 9th of August first!

First world problems...

JL F vs BA F = no comparison IMO, JL F is simply brilliant, BA F not so much.

 

[sarvowinner]

Hi, I've booked 140K RTW awards for DH & myself departure Sept 2nd - returning at the end of November. I managed to get the taxes down to ~$750 pp by doing a lot of AA flights. (QF) SYD-BKK Stop (QR) BKK-DOH-CDG Stop (IB) BOD-MAD (AA) MAD-MIA Stop (AA) MIA-GUA (AA) CUN-PHL-YYZ (AA) YYZ-LAX-SYD
After confirming and paying for the tickets, I found out that Award passengers cannot purchase MCE on AA. This is a big disappointment, especially after checking out the reviews of my AA planes on Seatguru - especially legroom and seat width. Given I have very long legs and my husband is not svelte, I am considering switching the YYZ-SYD leg to CX. I am QF Silver or OW Ruby so can select exit row. However this will incur penalties of $80pp and 5,000 points pp.
My questions are:
1. How do I find out the taxes and charges for the CX flights? I don't have enough points left to do a dummy booking
2. Other alternatives to the transatlantic? We are quite flexible on departure countries.
3. How likely is it there will be MCE availability at the airports to purchase seats?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hi, I've booked 140K RTW awards for DH & myself departure Sept 2nd - returning at the end of November. I managed to get the taxes down to ~$750 pp by doing a lot of AA flights. (QF) SYD-BKK Stop (QR) BKK-DOH-CDG Stop (IB) BOD-MAD (AA) MAD-MIA Stop (AA) MIA-GUA (AA) CUN-PHL-YYZ (AA) YYZ-LAX-SYD
After confirming and paying for the tickets, I found out that Award passengers cannot purchase MCE on AA. This is a big disappointment, especially after checking out the reviews of my AA planes on Seatguru - especially legroom and seat width. Given I have very long legs and my husband is not svelte, I am considering switching the YYZ-SYD leg to CX. I am QF Silver or OW Ruby so can select exit row. However this will incur penalties of $80pp and 5,000 points pp.
My questions are:
1. How do I find out the taxes and charges for the CX flights? I don't have enough points left to do a dummy booking
2. Other alternatives to the transatlantic? We are quite flexible on departure countries.
3. How likely is it there will be MCE availability at the airports to purchase seats?

1. Use ITA Matrix. Enter the flights and click on the price itself for a break down of the costs.
2. I'd be inclined to take the CX option, but if you need alternatives, try JL to NRT or HND then on to SYD from there. You could also try QR back via DOH as you're allowed a second transit, but I haven't calculated the miles, it may push you over.
3. I can't help with this one as I don't know AA well enough. Sorry.

 

[exceladdict]

1. Use ITA Matrix. Enter the flights and click on the price itself for a break down of the costs.
2. I'd be inclined to take the CX option, but if you need alternatives, try JL to NRT or HND then on to SYD from there. You could also try QR back via DOH as you're allowed a second transit, but I haven't calculated the miles, it may push you over.
3. I can't help with this one as I don't know AA well enough. Sorry.

Agree, try CX, QR has had larger taxes in the dummy bookings I've done lately. Also, are you sure you can't select MCE seats given you are QF Silver. In 2012-13 when I was QF Silver, I was able to select MCE seats on AA, if I remember correctly.

 

[glasszon]

Oneworld award newbie here, I quickly put together a sample itinerary based on where I want to go while sticking within the 35k miles limit, is this a valid itinerary? Just want to make sure I didn't break any rules before I start the award search:

MEL-DXB on QF (stop)
DXB-LHR on QF (stop)
CDG-HKG on CX (stop)
HKG-NRT on CX/JAL (stop)
NRT-YVR on JAL (stop)
YVR-HKG on CX
HKG-MEL on CX

According to the great circle mapper I get 34,335 miles, just under the 35k miles limit.

 

[Battymum]

I have a very similar itinerary to yours glasszon, but in reverse and avoiding QF altogether -
We hope for
SYD-HKG on CX (stop)
HKG-CDG on CX (stop)
LHR - YYC on BA (stop)
YVR- NRT on JAL (stop)
NRT - SYD on JAL

This is only 25086 miles - and avoids difficult to get QF flights from Aus. (unless you specifically want to stop in DXB)-
Would appreciate any input on this route as well.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Oneworld award newbie here, I quickly put together a sample itinerary based on where I want to go while sticking within the 35k miles limit, is this a valid itinerary? Just want to make sure I didn't break any rules before I start the award search:

MEL-DXB on QF (stop)
DXB-LHR on QF (stop)
CDG-HKG on CX (stop)
HKG-NRT on CX/JAL (stop)
NRT-YVR on JAL (stop)
YVR-HKG on CX
HKG-MEL on CX

According to the great circle mapper I get 34,335 miles, just under the 35k miles limit.

Not valid in its current form.

You currently have a second stop in HKG which isn't allowed. You will need to find award availability for YVRxHXG-MEL because CX uses MSC.

Your other issue, which doesn't void the itin, but may be a challenge will be MEL-DXB-LHR. J availability on those sectors can be tough.

 

[glasszon]

Not valid in its current form.

You currently have a second stop in HKG which isn't allowed. You will need to find award availability for YVRxHXG-MEL because CX uses MSC.

Your other issue, which doesn't void the itin, but may be a challenge will be MEL-DXB-LHR. J availability on those sectors can be tough.

Thanks Captain , so the first issue you mean I have to ask the agent to book it as MEL-YVR via HKG as 1 sector? Thought the system will automatically treat any stopover less than 24 hours as transit?

I know about the second issue, wanted to avoid QF but my wife want a stopover in DXB...., fortunately that's the first leg of the flight so I can build everything around it without incurring a massive change fee.

Do I have to at least include one non-QF sector in the initial booking or is the system smart enough to automatically convert a QF award booking to a oneworld booking once I start adding the additional sectors?

 

[flychrisfly]

Thanks Captain , so the first issue you mean I have to ask the agent to book it as MEL-YVR via HKG as 1 sector? Thought the system will automatically treat any stopover less than 24 hours as transit?

I know about the second issue, wanted to avoid QF but my wife want a stopover in DXB...., fortunately that's the first leg of the flight so I can build everything around it without incurring a massive change fee.

Do I have to at least include one non-QF sector in the initial booking or is the system smart enough to automatically convert a QF award booking to a oneworld booking once I start adding the additional sectors?

The transit (2nd visit) in HKG is fine so long as only one of the stops is > 24 hours.

The system will automatically adjust to the correct points cost once the conditions are met. With each change they reverse the previous points deduction and deduct the new amount.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks Captain , so the first issue you mean I have to ask the agent to book it as MEL-YVR via HKG as 1 sector? Thought the system will automatically treat any stopover less than 24 hours as transit?

I know about the second issue, wanted to avoid QF but my wife want a stopover in DXB...., fortunately that's the first leg of the flight so I can build everything around it without incurring a massive change fee.

Do I have to at least include one non-QF sector in the initial booking or is the system smart enough to automatically convert a QF award booking to a oneworld booking once I start adding the additional sectors?

The transit (2nd visit) in HKG is fine so long as only one of the stops is > 24 hours.

The system will automatically adjust to the correct points cost once the conditions are met. With each change they reverse the previous points deduction and deduct the new amount.

Yes, you have to ask for YVR-MEL. As flychrisfly mentioned, the system will do the rest.

But just because you can see availability for YVR-HKG and HKG-MEL, doesn't mean CX will release Award inventory for YVR-MEL. So when doing the dummy booking, look for YVR-MEL because looking for two sectors with availability and trying to add them won't be allowed with CX when transiting HKG.

Other options may include looking for YVR to SYD, BNE, CNS, or ADL then adding a QF flight through to MEL. You'd have enough miles and sectors to do this.

Depending on your timeframes, you could also skip HKG early in you trip and go CDG-NRT and do the HKG stop on the way home.

 

[glasszon]

Yes, you have to ask for YVR-MEL. As flychrisfly mentioned, the system will do the rest.

But just because you can see availability for YVR-HKG and HKG-MEL, doesn't mean CX will release Award inventory for YVR-MEL. So when doing the dummy booking, look for YVR-MEL because looking for two sectors with availability and trying to add them won't be allowed with CX when transiting HKG.

Other options may include looking for YVR to SYD, BNE, CNS, or ADL then adding a QF flight through to MEL. You'd have enough miles and sectors to do this.

Depending on your timeframes, you could also skip HKG early in you trip and go CDG-NRT and do the HKG stop on the way home.

Thanks for the explanation, I didn't know CX do married segments as well.

Unfortunately I had to stopover in HKG, it was to break my trip into two as I will do the MEL-DXB-LHR-CDG-HKG first, take a 6 months break and continue on with the HKG-NRT-YVR-HKG-MEL trip, just need to buy a cheap MEL-HKG revenue fare to break a big trip into 2.

 

[Battymum]

Has anyone ever been "bumped" from their cabin class on any of these flights?

We recently flew a US domestic flight and had booked an award seat in first - only to find we were seated in row 35?

MCO airport was chaos and when we checked in it said our seat allocation would be advised at the gate - we didn't realise until we were on the airbridge what seats we were allocated. It was only a 2 hour flight to DFW, and on return I complained to QF and my points were refunded.

But I would be annoyed if a long flight had us bumped up the back.

 

[fairbasa]

Has anyone ever been "bumped" from their cabin class on any of these flights?

We recently flew a US domestic flight and had booked an award seat in first - only to find we were seated in row 35?

MCO airport was chaos and when we checked in it said our seat allocation would be advised at the gate - we didn't realise until we were on the airbridge what seats we were allocated. It was only a 2 hour flight to DFW, and on return I complained to QF and my points were refunded.

But I would be annoyed if a long flight had us bumped up the back.

Wow, not good. I don't have experience with this but I'm booked on a few domestic First (U category) flights this year, I will not be a happy camper if that happens.

 

[Battymum]

Yes, it was my first award booking - I have no status, so I am not sure if its a regular occurrence.

I am currently planning a oneworld award in J and have accrued the points - but DH is now convinced that its all a myth.

 

[fairbasa]

Yes, it was my first award booking - I have no status, so I am not sure if its a regular occurrence.

I am currently planning a oneworld award in J and have accrued the points - but DH is now convinced that its all a myth.

I'm sure this was an isolated incident. You should follow up with AA to determine what exactly happened.

 

[aussiel]

Has anyone ever been "bumped" from their cabin class on any of these flights?

We recently flew a US domestic flight and had booked an award seat in first - only to find we were seated in row 35?

MCO airport was chaos and when we checked in it said our seat allocation would be advised at the gate - we didn't realise until we were on the airbridge what seats we were allocated. It was only a 2 hour flight to DFW, and on return I complained to QF and my points were refunded.

But I would be annoyed if a long flight had us bumped up the back.

I've had this happen with equipment changes, but they were notified in advance via email, and I had the opportunity to change without penalty. It sounds like there may have been some delays and cancellations which may have worked against you?