Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[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.

 

[Noah Count]

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.

 

[flapper]

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.

Having battled the ineptitude of the Cape Town CC many times I would choose online when possible every time.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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.

If you need the points from the current booking to make the new booking, it might be a consideration as to how quick the points come back.

 

[Spacetravel]

If you need the points from the current booking to make the new booking, it might be a consideration as to how quick the points come back.

I do the need the points for the new booking, how long would they take to come back?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I do the need the points for the new booking, how long would they take to come back?

I have no recent experience - hopefully someone else has the answer!

 

[Noah Count]

I do the need the points for the new booking, how long would they take to come back?

I can be hot and miss, I have had points returned within a couple of days, some a week or two and others had to ring QF and they sent them back. There seems to be no consistency at the moment.

 

[flapper]

I do the need the points for the new booking, how long would they take to come back?

I have had the points refunded almost immediately. You can ask them to refund the the points whilst you are on the phone. I have also had them take weeks (Cape Town CC) so you will need to ask them to do it. That may be beyond the ability of Cape Town though. If you need the points you may was well make changes to to the current booking on the phone.