Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Cardinal]

I tried a couple of dummy bookings on the website.

A five-stop itinerary without surface sectors came out @ 140k in Y.
Changing one stop to a surface sector came to 226k.

Then the site went down for a while.

Now I find that a five stop itinerary with two of those stops as surface sectors is pricing at 140k.

Seems to be something strange going on.

Now that you mention it, I did some previous routing myself and the quotations with two surface segments was coming up as 140,000 or 280,000. But when I tried to book via the website, the system crashed. Not unusual with a One World Award but I did get a popup message referring to an error code and too many surface segments.

 

[RoseD]

There's no need to forewarn Qantas of your intentions.

To avoid the phone fee I find the best bet is to play ignorant. Phone QF and say you're having trouble booking a oneworld five stop award because you can't any JL flights ever. The agent should automatically know that the engine doesn't display JL flights and help you out. Feed them your flights and let them do the work. If they try to charge the fee ask them if it can be waived because you can't book it online. If they say no then it might be best to HUCA (hang up, call again).

If you have to cancel you may do so before departure for a full refund of the taxes and a refund of all the points except 6k per person.

As you have a bit of mileage and a couple of stop up your sleeve I'd be looking to add some flights in. For example, LAX either side of YVR, Spain after HEL or maybe something like CDG or MXP before HEL.

Thanks Danger, will take your suggestions into consideration.

 

[rock86]

So been doing some more testing of OWE routings to visit mainly the US & a few days in Malaysia & Hong Kong on the way home. I've been through a few options and would love to try a few different airlines (as this will be my wife and I first time in J) & have a few options so far

• Option 1 – BNE-LAX(QF)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-HKG(CX)-KUL(KA)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 779.51 in taxes
• Option 2 – BNE-LAX(QF)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-DOH(QR)-KUL(QR)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 1,310.61 in taxes
• Option 3 – BNE-HKG(QF)-LAX(CX)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-HKG(CX)-KUL(KA)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 616.81 in taxes
• Option 4 – BNE-HKG(QF)-LAX(CX)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-DOH(QR)-KUL(QR)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 1,148.01 in taxes

Now, as this is for 2pax and I have no status I highly doubt option 1 & 2 will even be available for me due to BNE-LAX availability. And I really wanted to try the new QSuite on Qatar but and extra $1,062 in total taxes just doesn't seem worth it.

We don't mind extra time in the air & don't really want to pay exorbitant taxes (I'm looking at you QR), so what would everyone's thoughts be? Stick to CX as much as possible to keep taxes low? Or even add in a JL leg (is Japan Airlines a on par with Cathay)? Or a totally different route.

Oh the joys of planning!!

 

[Inuniform]

So been doing some more testing of OWE routings to visit mainly the US & a few days in Malaysia & Hong Kong on the way home. I've been through a few options and would love to try a few different airlines (as this will be my wife and I first time in J) & have a few options so far

• Option 1 – BNE-LAX(QF)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-HKG(CX)-KUL(KA)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 779.51 in taxes
• Option 2 – BNE-LAX(QF)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-DOH(QR)-KUL(QR)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 1,310.61 in taxes
• Option 3 – BNE-HKG(QF)-LAX(CX)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-HKG(CX)-KUL(KA)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 616.81 in taxes
• Option 4 – BNE-HKG(QF)-LAX(CX)-LAS(AA)-DFW(AA)-EWR(AA)/JFK-DOH(QR)-KUL(QR)-HKG(KA)-SYD(CX)-WTB(QF) = $ 1,148.01 in taxes

Now, as this is for 2pax and I have no status I highly doubt option 1 & 2 will even be available for me due to BNE-LAX availability. And I really wanted to try the new QSuite on Qatar but and extra $1,062 in total taxes just doesn't seem worth it.

We don't mind extra time in the air & don't really want to pay exorbitant taxes (I'm looking at you QR), so what would everyone's thoughts be? Stick to CX as much as possible to keep taxes low? Or even add in a JL leg (is Japan Airlines a on par with Cathay)? Or a totally different route.

Oh the joys of planning!!

We've returned from a RTW award in J not long ago. We flew QR, CX, AA and BA. I would rate each airline in that order. QR were far and away the best airline in our experience. We flew the A380 twice and an A320 twice. Both great unique flights and worth the extra money. We did have some issues with QR during the booking process but it really is a great airline in my opinion. We flew CX on the bulk of our ticket and there was quite a difference in the service we received both hard and soft. Flew the A350 which had some great features but as has been mentioned, starting to deteriorate already. Having said that, I would target the A350 again if I could.

We're already saving points for our next trip and I will definitely be seeking out QR, although CX is a fine alternative.

 

[melbkate]

Hello - would someone be able to comment on my plans - concerned about the discussion re surface sectors counted as additional stopovers..

MEL-NRT-HEL-FCO STOP surface to Naples
NAP-MAD-EAS STOP surface to Biarritz
BIQ-HEL STOP
HEL-SIN STOP
SIN-MEL

Surely if it is already a STOP departing from another airport doesn't make it into 2 stops. Thanks in advance

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hello - would someone be able to comment on my plans - concerned about the discussion re surface sectors counted as additional stopovers..

MEL-NRT-HEL-FCO STOP surface to Naples
NAP-MAD-EAS STOP surface to Biarritz
BIQ-HEL STOP
HEL-SIN STOP
SIN-MEL

Surely if it is already a STOP departing from another airport doesn't make it into 2 stops. Thanks in advance

If you're under 35,000 miles and using OW airlines. That itinerary looks fine to me. Technically you have one stopover remaining should you require it.

 

[melbkate]

If you're under 35,000 miles and using OW airlines. That itinerary looks fine to me. Technically you have one stopover remaining should you require it.

Thank you

 

[madrooster]

CX has advised agents that they will be raising fuel fines effective 01 NOV 2017. These will also apply to awards. If you have an award to book that involves CX and you would like to avoid the fuel fine increase, you will need to ensure that you are booked by 31 OCT 2017.

 

[rock86]

CX has advised agents that they will be raising fuel fines effective 01 NOV 2017. These will also apply to awards. If you have an award to book that involves CX and you would like to avoid the fuel fine increase, you will need to ensure that you are booked by 31 OCT 2017.

www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_AU/travel-information/travel-preparation/travel-advisories/fuel-surcharge-updates.html

They are pretty insignificant rises though, especially when you compare them with some of they're OW partners such as QR/BA/QF.

Still thanks for the info.

 

[Cardinal]

After a call to Oneworld HQ, Qantas were finally satisfied my routing met the Award requirements. My tickets have been issued. Planning a OWA trip should be fun. But that Qantas hold music invariably fills me with dread.

 

[Jacques Vert]

After a call to Oneworld HQ, Qantas were finally satisfied my routing met the Award requirements. My tickets have been issued. Planning a OWA trip should be fun. But that Qantas hold music invariably fills me with dread.

Congratulations. Great to hear things have worked out for you.

Maybe QF have rethought their interpretation of the rules or maybe you just got the wrong agent on the first couple of calls.

 

[ozflier]

We've returned from a RTW award in J not long ago. We flew QR, CX, AA and BA. I would rate each airline in that order. QR were far and away the best airline in our experience. We flew the A380 twice and an A320 twice. Both great unique flights and worth the extra money. We did have some issues with QR during the booking process but it really is a great airline in my opinion. We flew CX on the bulk of our ticket and there was quite a difference in the service we received both hard and soft. Flew the A350 which had some great features but as has been mentioned, starting to deteriorate already. Having said that, I would target the A350 again if I could.

We're already saving points for our next trip and I will definitely be seeking out QR, although CX is a fine alternative.

Agree with the comments re QR - i could not regard them more highly.
JAL not so highly - 2 flights BNE-NRT were not memorable - the business class food was really bland and wines not to kill for either .
Best to avoid JAL unless you really need to .

 

[rock86]

We've returned from a RTW award in J not long ago. We flew QR, CX, AA and BA. I would rate each airline in that order. QR were far and away the best airline in our experience. We flew the A380 twice and an A320 twice. Both great unique flights and worth the extra money. We did have some issues with QR during the booking process but it really is a great airline in my opinion. We flew CX on the bulk of our ticket and there was quite a difference in the service we received both hard and soft. Flew the A350 which had some great features but as has been mentioned, starting to deteriorate already. Having said that, I would target the A350 again if I could.

We're already saving points for our next trip and I will definitely be seeking out QR, although CX is a fine alternative.

Agree with the comments re QR - i could not regard them more highly.
JAL not so highly - 2 flights BNE-NRT were not memorable - the business class food was really bland and wines not to kill for either .
Best to avoid JAL unless you really need to .

That is very interesting to hear.

I just did another dummy run, looking at different destination to fly from which limit surcharges - Hong Kong is good but then limits my choices due to CX having such good avaliability everywhere! So I tried one from Manila

MNL-KUL(MH)-DOH(QR)-MAD(QR)-JFK(AA)-HKG(CX)-KUL(MH)-SIN(MH)-MEL(QF)-BNE(QF)

If I was doing a trip like this form Aus it'd cost over a grand in taxes, from HKG it was costing about 500AUD, leaving from Manila - 7,358 Phillipine Peso's = 185AUD

How is this possible!

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

That is very interesting to hear.

I just did another dummy run, looking at different destination to fly from which limit surcharges - Hong Kong is good but then limits my choices due to CX having such good avaliability everywhere! So I tried one from Manila

MNL-KUL(MH)-DOH(QR)-MAD(QR)-JFK(AA)-HKG(CX)-KUL(MH)-SIN(MH)-MEL(QF)-BNE(QF)

If I was doing a trip like this form Aus it'd cost over a grand in taxes, from HKG it was costing about 500AUD, leaving from Manila - 7,358 Phillipine Peso's = 185AUD

How is this possible!

If that is consistent i think Manila might just be seeing a fair few of us start our journeys there!

 

[rock86]

If that is consistent i think Manila might just be seeing a fair few of us start our journeys there!

I knew the the Philippines legislated no fuel surcharges on flights, but I didn't think it would apply for all segments of RTW trip so I wanted to try a few more and see.

MNL-HKG(CX)-JFK(CX)-PHL(AA)-DOH(QR)-SIN(QR)-MEL(QF)-SYD(QF) = 7,829PHP ~ 195AUD

MNL-DOH(QR)-MAD(QR)/MXP-DXB(EK)-SIN(EK)-MEL(EK) = 5,202PHP ~ 130AUD

I've tried a few with BA through England and it bumps the taxes waaaay up, but other then that it looks like MNL will be my departure point next year when we book our OWE (as long as the Philppines Govt doesn't change their legislation in the meantime).

 

[madrooster]

I've tried a few with BA through England and it bumps the taxes waaaay up, but other then that it looks like MNL will be my departure point next year when we book our OWE (as long as the Philppines Govt doesn't change their legislation in the meantime).

Whilst it's great that the Philippines has no fuel fines, unless you are actually intending on heading there anyway, you would still have to pay for a fare to get to MNL so the saving is less than it really is on face value.

BA files their fuel fines (YQR) as insurance fines (YQI) which is why if you use BA you still get hit.

 

[nat000]

Does anyone know what time of the day AA releases their award seats ?
I'm looking for mia-scl AA957 on sep17th. I can see sep 16th has been released.
I can see the lan flights via lima that day, but not the direct AA957.
Is it possible to set up an alert for that flight ?
Thank you

 

[Guvner]

Does anyone know what time of the day AA releases their award seats ?
I'm looking for mia-scl AA957 on sep17th. I can see sep 16th has been released.
I can see the lan flights via lima that day, but not the direct AA957.
Is it possible to set up an alert for that flight ?
Thank you

Not sure this is the correct thread, however I can see AA957 on the 17th Sep under AAnytime awards but not MileSAAver, but the MileSAAvers are available on the 16th and the 18th so I'd guess they have been snapped up already.

 

[nat000]

Ah ok. Thank you.
Any chance you can see how many business class seats are available on 18th ?

 

[Guvner]

Ah ok. Thank you.
Any chance you can see how many business class seats are available on 18th ?

MileSAAVer awards on 957

16th = >4
17th = 0
18th = 0
19th = 0 ( 2 x MIA-DFW-SCL available)
20th = 3

seems they are disappearing fast, is there something on that week in Santiago?

I'd be grabbing the 16th on hold for a few days and hoping some free up on the 17th soon.

Are you using AA miles or QF points?