Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[GaryLG]

This is not that unusual. I book award flights as soon as availability opens. There are some airlines that release award seats at about 11 months out, while others are closer to 12 months. And some award seats may not be released until much later.

In waiting for multiple flights to show award availability before starting the bookings, there’s the risk of losing seats that could be booked now.

So I am realising.

 

[GaryLG]

Just waiting for a call back from the call centre after a horrendous online session last night.

I was booking in separate browsers for myself and my daughter and found the flights we were after and went to the payment screen. Chose the PoLi option which seemed to go through and then failed telling me that I had to start again. It happened to both of sets, so I did but then it failed as the seats were gone! Or at least one of them us.

I then noticed I had been charged the fees on my daughter's flight, so I checked our bookings and she was booked in though no points taken yet - is that normal?

And it looks like I had 3 bookings! though for the next day with some additional flights that I had selected. No money or points gone. By this morning one of them had disappeared!

Also she has access to seat selection and I don't. Not sure if that is down to the payment being processed or the fact her booking was with an infant.

Anyway hoping I hear back from them soon and get a helpful person.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

yeah - there can be some frustrations with using Poli. CC might have been an easier choice if you had one available.

 

[GaryLG]

yeah - there can be some frustrations with using Poli. CC might have been an easier choice if you had one available.

I do and when it failed I was going to use it but I didn't get the chance unfortunately.

All the flight bookings are still showing as processing so won't let me make changes myself otherwise I would have tried that.

 

[DC3]

… no points taken yet - is that normal? …

I have had the points adjustment take a day or more to show in my QFF account.

 

[GaryLG]

I have had the points adjustment take a day or more to show in my QFF account.

Thanks, that's reassuring.

 

[gfraser]

I am planning a OWA for the end of next year ( 3rd attempt)
ihave done a few dummy bookings to determine airlines etc.
The first leg is MEL to EZE and shows MEL to AKL with QF and then AKL to SCL with a QF flight number but on LATAM and then to EZE with LATAM.
Is the QF flight number on LATAM ok for a OWA acceptable?
Also in Business the points at this stage show as 548,700 - if this continues will this be included in the 318,000 that max out at this point.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am planning a OWA for the end of next year ( 3rd attempt)
ihave done a few dummy bookings to determine airlines etc.
The first leg is MEL to EZE and shows MEL to AKL with QF and then AKL to SCL with a QF flight number but on LATAM and then to EZE with LATAM.
Is the QF flight number on LATAM ok for a OWA acceptable?
Also in Business the points at this stage show as 548,700 - if this continues will this be included in the 318,000 that max out at this point.

My understanding is that LATAM is no longer part of OneWorld and you cannot redeem a OWA for travel operated by LATAM.

 

[GaryLG]

Frustrating waiting over 3.5 hours to hear back from them (they said 1-2 hours) but I guess that might not be unusual!

A question - how silly would it be for me to just do a new set of bookings for different dates in the meantime to avoid the risk of more seats/flights disappearing? Might need to cancelled later of course.

How long will it take to get the points back?

And just to double check, if this is just for MEL-LHR flight for all of us, could I do it as one booking and then add separate flights for each of us later through the call centre? (I know I asked before but this is slightly different).

Thanks

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Frustrating waiting over 3.5 hours to hear back from them (they said 1-2 hours) but I guess that might not be unusual!

A question - how silly would it be for me to just do a new set of bookings for different dates in the meantime to avoid the risk of more seats/flights disappearing? Might need to cancelled later of course.

How long will it take to get the points back?

And just to double check, if this is just for MEL-LHR flight for all of us, could I do it as one booking and then add separate flights for each of us later through the call centre? (I know I asked before but this is slightly different).

Thanks

If you are going to split the bookings later, I would start out with two separate bookings now. The you can add to each seamlessly.

 

[GaryLG]

If you are going to split the bookings later, I would start out with two separate bookings now. The you can add to each seamlessly.

Thanks. And on how long it might take to get the points back?

 

[ozflier]

I am planning a OWA for the end of next year ( 3rd attempt)
ihave done a few dummy bookings to determine airlines etc.
The first leg is MEL to EZE and shows MEL to AKL with QF and then AKL to SCL with a QF flight number but on LATAM and then to EZE with LATAM.
Is the QF flight number on LATAM ok for a OWA acceptable?
Also in Business the points at this stage show as 548,700 - if this continues will this be included in the 318,000 that max out at this point.

The Total points required should max out at 318,000 if the rules of the OWA are adhered to .
There must be something wrong with the booking - ? the use of LATAM which is no longer a OW carrier.
You may still be able to use points to fly with non OW airlines eg KLM, Emirates ,Air France but their use makes your booking ineligible for a OWA.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Thanks. And on how long it might take to get the points back?

Depends. I cancelled 2 QF awards on 27/8. The leg ex-SYD was refunded on 27/9. Still waiting on the ex-SFO refund, and I think that's not uncommon (for o/s ones to take longer.)

 

[GaryLG]

Depends. I cancelled 2 QF awards on 27/8. The leg ex-SYD was refunded on 27/9. Still waiting on the ex-SFO refund, and I think that's not uncommon (for o/s ones to take longer.)

That's no good. Well so far the ones I really want to keep are stuck "in processing" so hopefully they can transfer the payment across while cancelling the other flights. I guess I'll find out if they actually call back!

 

[GaryLG]

They did finally ring back 6 hours later and I got someone who seemed quite helpful though she keeps going back to her support staff! And the last time I was disconnected so I hope she will ring back.

She claimed the PoLi payment was actually going through it just can takes hours/days so we'll see.

 

[11sjw]

Thanks. I am just trying to get the outbound flights booked to LHR and cannot really book any further flights without contacting QF so it just felt a bit strange booking 1 flight out what will be a multi city journey.

That's the way they're done. Especially when chasing the nice seats. Book the first flight as soon as available and ring up from there.

 

[GaryLG]

That's the way they're done. Especially when chasing the nice seats. Book the first flight as soon as available and ring up from there.

So I am learning.

Never did get the call back so trying again and I'm on hold this time.

 

[Mr H]

Also she has access to seat selection and I don't. Not sure if that is down to the payment being processed or the fact her booking was with an infant.

When the time comes, you can select seats on the MH website (except for BA flights where you have to go to the BA site and pay a fee).

Post automatically merged: Oct 20, 2021

She claimed the PoLi payment was actually going through it just can takes hours/days so we'll see.

Really, don't try to use eccentric payment methods when time is critical. Just use a credit card which goes through instantly.

 

[Mr H]

A question - how silly would it be for me to just do a new set of bookings for different dates in the meantime to avoid the risk of more seats/flights disappearing? Might need to cancelled later of course.

I have heard (but have no first hand experience) that it is very hard to get award bookings split or merged.

 

[GaryLG]

When the time comes, you can select seats on the MH website (except for BA flights where you have to go to the BA site and pay a fee).

Thanks, though the BA bit is annoying.

Really, don't try to use eccentric payment methods when time is critical. Just use a credit card which goes through instantly.

I know that now! Very annoying. Hadn't realised how eccentric it is!

Post automatically merged: Oct 20, 2021

I have heard (but have no first hand experience) that it is very hard to get award bookings split or merged.

Thanks.