Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[DC3]

Itinerary starts in HNL, but the miles AU-HNL will need to be included to complete the OWA and distance calculations.

Oh. So the first segment is actually HNL-PHX. The trip ends in HBA, so miles HBA-HNL need to be included.

The AU-HNL at the top of the (sequence) list threw me.

 

[Dib80]

Far too many miles.

I make 36,787miles.

Thanks Captain Halliday. What if I remove the PHX-SFO segment and just go direct to ATL?
HNL PHX
PHX ATL
ATL DFW
DFW SYD
SYD HBA
HBA SYD
SYD HKG
HKG NRT
NRT KUL
KUL PEN
PEN KUL
KUL MEL
MEL HBA

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Captain Halliday. What if I remove the PHX-SFO segment and just go direct to ATL?
HNL PHX
PHX ATL
ATL DFW
DFW SYD
SYD HBA
HBA SYD
SYD HKG
HKG NRT
NRT KUL
KUL PEN
PEN KUL
KUL MEL
MEL HBA

You’re allowed 35k miles. You can use this tool to plug in your itinerary: Great Circle Mapper

Your itinerary comes in at 35201.

 

[BecStar*]

Hi All, First post, newbie questions on the RTW points hack. When seraching for my flights to make up the RTW itinerary can I pick any reward flight no matter the points needed for it? or do I have to pick the cheapest flights for the RTW points hack to work.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi All, First post, newbie questions on the RTW points hack. When seraching for my flights to make up the RTW itinerary can I pick any reward flight no matter the points needed for it? or do I have to pick the cheapest flights for the RTW points hack to work.

Hi and welcome to AFF!

You can only use standard or ‘classic’ awards… you cannot use the higher prices ‘classic plus’ awards.

Also note that you are restricted to Qantas and oneworld airlines… so Emirates, KLM/Air France are not bookable. Also note that Fiji Airways and later Oman Air have either just recently joined OW, or will soon. But they can’t yet be used for the OWA pints cap.

 

[DC3]

Hi All, First post, questions on the RTW

Welcome to AFF. And it doesn’t have to be for travel Round-the-World, although you can if you wish. No Jetstar either, in case you are looking at any of those flights. The link on Post #1 is a pretty good start.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

A bit off topic but interested in others opinions. Travelling to Europe Sep/Oct this year on OWA. Passports expire in May 26 so more than 6 months validity left. However are also flying back to Europe on same ticket in Apr 26 where I will definitely need a new passport.

Hate to leave almost a year on current passport (it's just wrong how they charge for 10 years when you can't use all of it) but should I look at renewing prior to leaving on flight number 1 considering it's all on the one booking.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A bit off topic but interested in others opinions. Travelling to Europe Sep/Oct this year on OWA. Passports expire in May 26 so more than 6 months validity left. However are also flying back to Europe on same ticket in Apr 26 where I will definitely need a new passport.

Hate to leave almost a year on current passport (it's just wrong how they charge for 10 years when you can't use all of it) but should I look at renewing prior to leaving on flight number 1 considering it's all on the one booking.

No need. The relevant information is swiped from your passport at check-in and transmitted to the relevant authorities.

As long as your passport meet the entry requirements for a particular flight it is good to go. There is no assessment of passport validity against the totality of the ticket.

 

[Glider22]

I am looking for a couple of biz class flights from Singapore to Melbourne near the end of August, do any availability usually open up nearer to departure date?

Plan was to get the Emirates flights a couple of months before but that option has all been removed.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I am looking for a couple of biz class flights from Singapore to Melbourne near the end of August, do any availability usually open up nearer to departure date?

Plan was to get the Emirates flights a couple of months before but that option has all been removed.

Emirates is not a member of Oneworld and ineligible for inclusion in the Oneworld Classic Flight award.

 

[sydney]

Hi. I made changes to our Qantas One World Business award yesterday afternoon to evening through a lovely Manilla based agent, who unfortunately was unable to calculate the taxes, in any currency. She said it should be in Thai Baht, however, no currencies worked. She and I were on hold waiting for her to receive help.

Because I ended up deleting 3 unnecessary transit flights, I should in fact receive a refund, but we didn't even get that far as she or the system could not calculate fees and taxes.

After a long call and her even calling me back and another long call, she was unable to get help, but assured me that all flights are on hold, so not to worry, and they will sort out today after getting help sorting out the currency for fees/taxes.

I could see all flights on my account before hanging up. Should I worry? Suggestions please?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hi. I made changes to our Qantas One World Business award yesterday afternoon to evening through a lovely Manilla based agent, who unfortunately was unable to calculate the taxes, in any currency. She said it should be in Thai Baht, however, no currencies worked. She and I were on hold waiting for her to receive help.

Because I ended up deleting 3 unnecessary transit flights, I should in fact receive a refund, but we didn't even get that far as she or the system could not calculate fees and taxes.

After a long call and her even calling me back and another long call, she was unable to get help, but assured me that all flights are on hold, so not to worry, and they will sort out today after getting help sorting out the currency for fees/taxes.

I could see all flights on my account before hanging up. Should I worry? Suggestions please?

HUACA.

Especially if you have any of the high risk airlines in your booking like MH.

You can also email the ticketing escalations email address which is upthread and in the standalone thread here Qantas Promises to Fix Ongoing Reward Flight Ticketing Failures

 

[sydney]

HUACA.

Especially if you have any of the high risk airlines in your booking like MH.

You can also email the ticketing escalations email address which is upthread and in the standalone thread.

Most of my flights are with MH. She promised me she will call back and try to sort it out after she starts at 10am today.

I'll try calling now. Thanks.
*There were 2 flights missing!

 

[DC3]

I could see all flights on my account before hanging up

That doesn’t mean much. It’s what’s on the e-ticket that counts.

 

[sydney]

That doesn’t mean much. It’s what’s on the e-ticket that counts.

Yes, never got that far unfortunately. The present agent is trying to sort it out.

 

[sydney]

Yes, never got that far unfortunately. The present agent is trying to sort it out.

Ok agent can't help. Seems to be an issue with fees and taxes. Said they can try calling me back, but maybe not today or tomorrow. Really worried now.

 

[cjd600]

Ok agent can't help. Seems to be an issue with fees and taxes. Said they can try calling me back, but maybe not today or tomorrow. Really worried now.

I'd be worried too.
Have you emailed as per @Captain Halliday post a few above?
That is your best chance of getting it sorted....they have helped me previously, and know what they're doing...

 

[sydney]

I'd be worried too.
Have you emailed as per @Captain Halliday post a few above?
That is your best chance of getting it sorted....they have helped me previously, and know what they're doing...

I called first. Didn't relish sitting there waiting for an email reply that could take a week or more and lose the seats in the meantime anyway. At this point, might be best to cancel and rebook itinerary to remove the currency issue, but there is a chance we'll lose the seats.

*Does anyone know what's going on with recalculating taxes and currency?

 

[mt1552]

Hi. I made changes to our Qantas One World Business award yesterday afternoon to evening through a lovely Manilla based agent, who unfortunately was unable to calculate the taxes, in any currency. She said it should be in Thai Baht, however, no currencies worked. She and I were on hold waiting for her to receive help.

Because I ended up deleting 3 unnecessary transit flights, I should in fact receive a refund, but we didn't even get that far as she or the system could not calculate fees and taxes.

After a long call and her even calling me back and another long call, she was unable to get help, but assured me that all flights are on hold, so not to worry, and they will sort out today after getting help sorting out the currency for fees/taxes.

I could see all flights on my account before hanging up. Should I worry? Suggestions please?

Hello! First Post.

I recently made my OWA booking and then added a few flights a week later, I got the exact same issue when I called up to add those flights. There was a currency issue between CNY and AUD, my OWA starts in Shanghai.

With the first Lady I talked to she had to put me on a hold for a bit and told me she'd call back, surprise surprise there was no call back but she had saved my flights so I didn't lose the availability (shows up on the Qantas app) . So I called the next day and got another lady, same issue again, got put on hold and told me she would call me back. This time I did get the call back and she was able to charge my taxes, however it was in CNY which I was fine with because I had an international card.

Like others suggested HUACA, but this currency issue seems to be a common problem that needs escalation from the call centre. For now, just get those additional flights 'saved' so you don't lose the availability, and keep calling, not sure how long it stays saved.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hello! First Post.

I recently made my OWA booking and then added a few flights a week later, I got the exact same issue when I called up to add those flights. There was a currency issue between CNY and AUD, my OWA starts in Shanghai.

With the first Lady I talked to she had to put me on a hold for a bit and told me she'd call back, surprise surprise there was no call back but she had saved my flights so I didn't lose the availability (shows up on the Qantas app) . So I called the next day and got another lady, same issue again, got put on hold and told me she would call me back. This time I did get the call back and she was able to charge my taxes, however it was in CNY which I was fine with because I had an international card.

Like others suggested HUACA, but this currency issue seems to be a common problem that needs escalation from the call centre. For now, just get those additional flights 'saved' so you don't lose the availability, and keep calling, not sure how long it stays saved.

Some of these ‘saved’ flights can be less than 24 hours. And if there are any other flights already in the booking, depending on which airlines, those could *also* be at risk of cancellation. Your whole ticket could disappear while payment is pending.This doesn’t affect Qantas flights, just some partner airlines.

The key is to make sure all flights are ticketed within 24 hours, but preferably instantly.