Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Radio8tiv]

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

If you a referring to an award booking, when you book Emirates it will be an EK code.

May I ask, what difference will it make to you?

no difference really just learning, I know I'm flying on Emirates to NZ in July on a paid ticket but using QF flight number for points and status, was just wondering what the rules were with award tickets, I'm only new to the rewards thing and keen to learn but I'm not starting small my first award flights will be an one world for two in J

 

[exceladdict]

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

Thanks for the clarification, here's hoping Finnair will use a new a350 to New York by then in that case, it won't be till late 2017 so still in the looking/planning stage

Their A330 Hel-JFK J isn't too bad I wouldn't not take it because of that plane specifically.

 

[vosadrian]

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

Thanks so much to everyone for your help. I will verify everything with my wife and book tonight online. I will later call to see if there are better flight options and only make the changes if there are. I will try to get access to BA so I can check flights myself with JAL and CX etc. You have been a great help. I wish Qantas made this all clearer on their website. It almost seems as if they are trying to avoid people knowing about it.

Booking made. Taxes went up $200 since this afternoon... I guess some exchange rate must have changed for the worse. So the end result was 560,000 points and $4800 in tax etc. Thanks again everybody. I will look into some legs and see if I can find a way to reduce costs, but I am happy where I am at. Would be just a little happier if the tax/fuel costs were around $3k. It seems you are up for around $250 per person in and out of Australia (to Europe/USA) either way you do it if you use rewards. So that is $2k before you even do any transfer abroad.

Now the fun of booking accomodation and working out what we want to do!

 

[travelislife]

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

Well done, good you managed it all online for 4 people! The fuel surcharges are extortionate aren't that!

 

[hutch]

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

Booking made. Taxes went up $200 since this afternoon... I guess some exchange rate must have changed for the worse. So the end result was 560,000 points and $4800 in tax etc. Thanks again everybody. I will look into some legs and see if I can find a way to reduce costs, but I am happy where I am at. Would be just a little happier if the tax/fuel costs were around $3k. It seems you are up for around $250 per person in and out of Australia (to Europe/USA) either way you do it if you use rewards. So that is $2k before you even do any transfer abroad.

Now the fun of booking accomodation and working out what we want to do!

My taxes were around $900 for my J ticket. I had no BA flights and only 1 QF flight. The sole QF flight was around 20%-25% of the entire taxes charged.

You can definitely get cheaper... but its get hard with 4 pax, peak time of year and short notice. So overall, you've done pretty good.

 

[vosadrian]

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

My taxes were around $900 for my J ticket. I had no BA flights and only 1 QF flight. The sole QF flight was around 20%-25% of the entire taxes charged.

You can definitely get cheaper... but its get hard with 4 pax, peak time of year and short notice. So overall, you've done pretty good.

So that is $900 for one ticket? My $4800 was for 3 adults and 1 child. So about $1200 per person. Not too bad all considering. When I can get the BA site to work I will search some other flight options and consider calling to make adjustments. If I can save $1000 that would buy some accommodation.

The fuel charges are extortion, but I guess if I tried to do the same paying for flights, it would be close to $20k for 4 people. So my 560,000 points saved me at least $10k, and 560,000 points in gift cards on qantas store is only about $3.5k, so good value for the points I say.

I have had the points building up for quite some time and not doing anything with them. I wanted to get as good value as I could for the points, and I think this is it.

On a related question... I am a keen cyclist and the tour de france is on when I am in Paris, but it is in the far south of France. Is there any quick/economical transport I could use to travel south (Lac de payolle etc) for one night and return (or maybe a tour from south back to Paris over a few days)? Not sure if there is fast trains etc.

Cheers,

Adrian

 

[vetrade]

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

On a related question... I am a keen cyclist and the tour de france is on when I am in Paris, but it is in the far south of France. Is there any quick/economical transport I could use to travel south (Lac de payolle etc) for one night and return (or maybe a tour from south back to Paris over a few days)? Not sure if there is fast trains etc.

Cheers, Adrian

Everything about trains is at "The man in Seat 61" i.e. seat61.com
Getting to a city close to the Tour via train is only step 1 - after that you really need road transport to get to see the race itself i.e. hire car. Would need to book early I would imagine because demand will be high.

 

[zackary]

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

@vosadrian what routes did you end up booking in the end?

 

[vosadrian]

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

@vosadrian what routes did you end up booking in the end?

Here is the current itinerary:

 

[hutch]

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

So that is $900 for one ticket? My $4800 was for 3 adults and 1 child. So about $1200 per person. Not too bad all considering. When I can get the BA site to work I will search some other flight options and consider calling to make adjustments. If I can save $1000 that would buy some accommodation.

The fuel charges are extortion, but I guess if I tried to do the same paying for flights, it would be close to $20k for 4 people. So my 560,000 points saved me at least $10k, and 560,000 points in gift cards on qantas store is only about $3.5k, so good value for the points I say.

I have had the points building up for quite some time and not doing anything with them. I wanted to get as good value as I could for the points, and I think this is it.

On a related question... I am a keen cyclist and the tour de france is on when I am in Paris, but it is in the far south of France. Is there any quick/economical transport I could use to travel south (Lac de payolle etc) for one night and return (or maybe a tour from south back to Paris over a few days)? Not sure if there is fast trains etc.

Cheers,

Adrian

Fuel charges can still be crazy! But yeah, it's not an exact like for like scenario as my ticket was in business and I had 8 flights that were all medium/long haul.

No doubt that savings could be made, but finding the 4 seats will be the tough part... and then you need to factor in the service/change fees even if you do find them.

As always, the best frequent flyer point is the one you use. You've extracted a pretty good return and you're happy.

 

[penegal]

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

On a related question... I am a keen cyclist and the tour de france is on when I am in Paris, but it is in the far south of France. Is there any quick/economical transport I could use to travel south (Lac de payolle etc) for one night and return (or maybe a tour from south back to Paris over a few days)? Not sure if there is fast trains etc.

Everything about trains is at "The man in Seat 61" i.e. seat61.com
Getting to a city close to the Tour via train is only step 1 - after that you really need road transport to get to see the race itself i.e. hire car. Would need to book early I would imagine because demand will be high.

I did the 2008 Tour and has 2 different experiences over 2 days.

Saint-Brieuc - Finish line of second stage.
We drove to St Brieuc in the morning, and had to park a fair distance from the finish line (managed to get free parking and a free ~2KM walk). There was a small grandstand set up right at the finish line, but there was free public access spot just to either side of the grandstand. We got a position on the "course" side (e.g. before the finish line). We got one of the prime positions and were there approx 4 hours before the end of the stage. 4 hours of waiting was pretty boring, and I'm not sure I would do it again. We had to take turns to go to the bathroom, etc. The crowd at the finish line area was quite substantial and they had a "caravan" of floats and people passing through the course for a few hours entertaining and giving out free stuff.

But when the main event came it was absolutely fantastic. We were on the barrier and the crowd was 10-15 deep behind us. Thor Hushovd won the stage. The course had a slight incline into the finish line and we saw them come around the bend and speed up the final stretch. It was all very quick. Even the slower riders we not far behind, and naturally most of the field crossed the line in the peloton. Total time of the main event was probably less than 90 seconds, and then some of the support vehicles also came through the finish area as well.

Overall a fantastic rush to see it live. Definitely recommended for cycling fans and non-cycling fans to do once.

Saint-Malo - Start of third stage - nondescript corner
We stayed two or three nights in St Malo, but were a little out of town in a new are (not the old town). After the excitement and exhaustion of the day before we didn't want to bother getting there early. The front desk person at our hotel had a map up showing the course, and some recommended vantage points. We could walk to the end of the street and stand on a corner (maybe 1km into the day's stage). There was still a few people around, but a lot less. (The fanatics were probably at the start line). Again everyone zoomed past in a flash, but we were a lot closer to the riders as there was no barrier. I actually took a step back at one point because we were SO close to the action. Got a close up view of Cadel Evans as he was riding on "our side" of the group. This is how many of the locals see the tour, especially in the little villages. They just wander out and stand on the side of the course.

Once again it was fantastic to see it live. This time the total experience took half an hour - wander down, wait for 10 mins, a few seconds of action, then walked back to the hotel.

Summary
Do it - You have to do it once, it really is fantastic. Try to get 2 days (the end of one stage and the start of another). In hindsight you probably don't need to spend a whole day waiting around, but that is how you get the best view. If you came an hour before you could probably get a reasonable view, especially if you find a short French person to stand behind. You go in person for the atmosphere and the experience. Let's be fair - you get the best view on TV. The broadcast team really do an amazing job bringing the event to our living rooms.

Transport
Trains in France are generally fast and efficient. If you are creative you should be able to fit the Tour into your plans. A hire car may be handy depending which stage you choose to watch.

The Bordeaux line isn't operational for another year or two, so your best bet is probably the TGV to Lyon, then onto Marseille (or the Marseille line), then change for a local train. The SNCF website has timetables, etc.

 

[vosadrian]

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

Great advice Re Tour de France. I will look into it. Thanks!!

 

[Jacques Vert]

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

Here is the current itinerary:

View attachment 66849

Firstly well done and congratulations.

I second the suggestion to look at the Man in Seat 61 (www.seat61.com). The information on here will be invaluable in the next stage of planning your trip. I have used their information on numerous times.

For example, I see you are looking at travelling overland from Venice to Rome. We did this by train in 2014. Following seat61's advice we got our tickets for EUR18 each adult - BARGAIN.

Good luck.

JV

 

[penegal]

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

Sounds like I need to get onto Seat61 also...

 

[Jacques Vert]

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

For example, I see you are looking at travelling overland from Venice to Rome. We did this by train in 2014. Following seat61's advice we got our tickets for EUR18 each adult - BARGAIN.
JV

Sounds like I need to get onto Seat61 also...

And we have also done Milan to Venice for EUR9, Helsinki to St Petersburg for Eur 22-50, etc., etc.

Back to topic?

 

[penegal]

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

Start a frequent train thread?

 

[gbetox]

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

Hi all,

After more than 1 year of planning, my RTW trip will start this Thursday!

CBR/BNE/NRT - stopover in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka
NRT/HKG - 20h in Hong Kong
HKG/BOS - stopover in Boston
BOS/LHR/ATH - 15h in London, stopover in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
ATH/PRG - 'surface sector' on Aegean, stopover in PRG
PRG/TXL - 23h in Berlin
TXL/VIE - 12h in Vienna
VIE/HEL - stopover in Helsinki
HEL/CPH - 26h in Copenhagen (it was <24h, but Qatar changed the flight to DOH)
CPH/DOH/BKK - stopover in BKK
BKK/SIN/MEL/CBR

However, it may not start well, as 'The largest strike in the public sector's two year industrial battle is set to disrupt the Easter travel plans of thousands of travellers across Australia'!

I'm leaving on the exact day the strike is supposed to happen...

I rang Qantas, asking if there's anything they/me could do to minimise any chances of delays. They said there's nothing that can be done at the moment; based on previous experiences, my flights CBR/BNE/NRT shouldn't be affected much.

What if they DO get affected? Who is responsible for eventual expenses (meals/hotels/alternative transportation)? Qantas? My travel insurance? The Unions? Mr. Turnball?

If anyone is interested, I'll be posting photos on Instagram (@WORLD_EXPLORER2016) and Twitter (@W_Explorer2016).

Cheers

 

[exceladdict]

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

Hi all,

After more than 1 year of planning, my RTW trip will start this Thursday!

CBR/BNE/NRT - stopover in Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka
NRT/HKG - 20h in Hong Kong
HKG/BOS - stopover in Boston
BOS/LHR/ATH - 15h in London, stopover in Athens, Mykonos and Santorini
ATH/PRG - 'surface sector' on Aegean, stopover in PRG
PRG/TXL - 23h in Berlin
TXL/VIE - 12h in Vienna
VIE/HEL - stopover in Helsinki
HEL/CPH - 26h in Copenhagen (it was <24h, but Qatar changed the flight to DOH)
CPH/DOH/BKK - stopover in BKK
BKK/SIN/MEL/CBR

However, it may not start well, as 'The largest strike in the public sector's two year industrial battle is set to disrupt the Easter travel plans of thousands of travellers across Australia'!

I'm leaving on the exact day the strike is supposed to happen...

I rang Qantas, asking if there's anything they/me could do to minimise any chances of delays. They said there's nothing that can be done at the moment; based on previous experiences, my flights CBR/BNE/NRT shouldn't be affected much.

What if they DO get affected? Who is responsible for eventual expenses (meals/hotels/alternative transportation)? Qantas? My travel insurance? The Unions? Mr. Turnball?

If anyone is interested, I'll be posting photos on Instagram (@WORLD_EXPLORER2016) and Twitter (@W_Explorer2016).

Cheers

Qantas and/or your travel insurance will make sure you get to your destination. Just make sure it's not your own fault you miss a flight!

 

[Eija]

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

Thu 24 March - Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns
Fingers crossed for you. I'm 30 March out of SYD

 

[prozac]

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

Thu 24 March - Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Brisbane, Cairns
Fingers crossed for you. I'm 30 March out of SYD

I am not sure what your post means, but I welcome you to AFF regardless.
You must be Finnish with a name like that?