Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Daver6]

So looking at rebuilding the OWA that we had to cancel due to COVID

And having a look at taking advantage of two trips in the one OWA for 2 pax

Dec 2021-Jan 2022

From To
SYD HND 4,837 mi JL (F) stop for less than 24hrs
HND HEL 4,874 mi JL (J) stop
HEL DOH 2,732 mi QR (J)
DOH MLE 2,055 mi QR (J) stop
MLE CMB 483 mi UL (Y)
CMB SIN 1,709 mi UL (Y) stop

SIN-SYD-SIN (outside of OWA)

Jul 2022 - Aug 2022
From To
SIN LHR 6,765 mi BA (F) stop
LHR HKG 5,994 mi BA (F)
HKG SYD 4,581 mi QF or CX (J)

34,029 miles in total

A few questions
- am I cutting it too close on the miles?
- has anybody seen anything other than Y for UL on the MLE-SIN?
- open to suggestions on other routings. Definite stops need to be HEL, MLE, SIN, and LHR

Thanks

I have seen J on MLE - CMB in the past. However, it's a pretty short sector and no big deal in Y. It's a shame CX cut MLE. The only other option that readily springs to mind is QR for MLE-DOH and then potentially QR from DOH - SIN or DPS. But you'll run out of miles doing that.

 

[GaryLG]

And having a look at taking advantage of two trips in the one OWA

I have something similar in mind ex MEL with, at this stage the first trip around October next year and the second one around March-April 2022.

I was going to ask why SIN as the "break" out of OWA but I see it was an essential stop. Any other reason?

Looking at something like this, assuming SIN is that break point. And I might get rid of the first stop in HKG

MEL	HND					5,048 mi
HND	HKG					1,805 mi
HKG	SIN					1,587 mi
SIN	AMM					4,884 mi
AMM	LHR					2,292 mi
LHR	KEF					1,180 mi
KEF	LHR					1,180 mi
LHR	HKG					5,994 mi
HKG	MEL					4,590 mi
						28,561 mi

I would also like to maximise my use of availability in F so changes that would help would be appreciated. I think the flights to and from KEY might be the main challenge?

The essential stops for me are HND (or similar), AMM, LHR, and KEF.

And if I understand correctly, I can only book the first 3 flights now and the rest would have to wait till next year which I would need to do through the call centre and get them to add them to my existing booking number?

 

[DC3]

... if I understand correctly, I can only book the first 3 flights now and the rest would have to wait till next year which I would need to do through the call centre and get them to add them to my existing booking number?

The bookings will be based on award seat availability, which will be at under 12 months, and depending on when each airline actually releases them for those routes/flights. Once you have a booking reference number, all changes/additions are made through the Call Centre by phone.

 

[GaryLG]

The bookings will be based on award seat availability, which will be at under 12 months, and depending on when each airline actually releases them for those routes/flights. Once you have a booking reference number, all changes/additions are made through the Call Centre by phone.

Thanks.

 

[motef]

I have something similar in mind ex MEL with, at this stage the first trip around October next year and the second one around March-April 2022.

I was going to ask why SIN as the "break" out of OWA but I see it was an essential stop. Any other reason?

Looking at something like this, assuming SIN is that break point. And I might get rid of the first stop in HKG

MEL	HND					5,048 mi
HND	HKG					1,805 mi
HKG	SIN					1,587 mi
SIN	AMM					4,884 mi
AMM	LHR					2,292 mi
LHR	KEF					1,180 mi
KEF	LHR					1,180 mi
LHR	HKG					5,994 mi
HKG	MEL					4,590 mi
						28,561 mi

I would also like to maximise my use of availability in F so changes that would help would be appreciated. I think the flights to and from KEY might be the main challenge?

The essential stops for me are HND (or similar), AMM, LHR, and KEF.

And if I understand correctly, I can only book the first 3 flights now and the rest would have to wait till next year which I would need to do through the call centre and get them to add them to my existing booking number?

The "break" at SIN is when we return home to Australia in between the two separate trips

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2020

My route map looks like this

 

[GaryLG]

The "break" at SIN is when we return home to Australia in between the two separate trips

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2020

Sorry I should have been clearer. I understood that. I was just wondering about why SIN and why not MNL or KUL?

Also given the taxes you might save, had you considered making one of those the start point?

For example,

SIN HND
HND HEL
HEL DOH
DOH MLE
MLE CMB
CMB SYD

Jul 2022 - Aug 2022
From To
SYD LHR
LHR HKG
HKG SYD

With an extra flight needed from SYD - SIN at the start.

 

[Guvner]

Keep an eye out for AA awards special offers.
Can be a "cheap" way to get QF or BA biz/first one way SYD to SIN

 

[motef]

Sorry I should have been clearer. I understood that. I was just wondering about why SIN and why not MNL or KUL?

Also given the taxes you might save, had you considered making one of those the start point?

For example,

SIN HND
HND HEL
HEL DOH
DOH MLE
MLE CMB
CMB SYD

Jul 2022 - Aug 2022
From To
SYD LHR
LHR HKG
HKG SYD

With an extra flight needed from SYD - SIN at the start.

That routing takes me to 40,023 miles so would be over the 35k. Also if I commence the OWA in SIN then if the final leg is HKG-SYD wouldn't SYD to SIN then also be included as you must include returning to the origin?

 

[motef]

Keep an eye out for AA awards special offers.
Can be a "cheap" way to get QF or BA biz/first one way SYD to SIN

Would you require AA miles to book this?

 

[Guvner]

Would you require AA miles to book this?

You can buy them.
Look for AA Advantage offers (sign up). Two or three times a year they offer 100% bonus miles (sometimes more).
So, for example, you need 40,000 miles for one way SYD-SIN in business. That's ~AUD 1800 to buy + credit card costs per pax.
With the 100% bonus (double miles) you would be paying around $900 per pax for SYD-SIN business (miles) + ~$200 in taxes. so ~AUD1100 per pax.
Cheaper than a revenue SYD-PER J ticket.
I used BA16 as an example dummy booking just now. Revenue ticket on same flight, same date is ~$3000 per pax.

If you see a bonus offering, book the flights you want, put them on hold (you have 24 hours to finalise award booking), then buy the miles. Pretty low risk. I have purchased miles plenty of times for domestic J (MEL>CNS return on QF A330 biz for example) and International (SIN>LHR>BCN) and saved a considerable sum.
The AUD to USD is not great, but for some of the more expensive sectors in premium cabins (especially CX F) it's still a bargain if there's a bonus offer.

 

[GaryLG]

That routing takes me to 40,023 miles so would be over the 35k. Also if I commence the OWA in SIN then if the final leg is HKG-SYD wouldn't SYD to SIN then also be included as you must include returning to the origin?

Sorry, I might have been thinking more about my trip and if it would be a worthwhile option.

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2020

Keep an eye out for AA awards special offers.
Can be a "cheap" way to get QF or BA biz/first one way SYD to SIN

Would Alaska be another way to do this?

I think they do similar offers.

 

[Guvner]

Sorry, I might have been thinking more about my trip and if it would be a worthwhile option.

Post automatically merged: Dec 8, 2020

Would Alaska be another way to do this?

I think they do similar offers.

Yes they do. The ability to put flights on hold and then buy points with AA is an.. err. advantage though. Horses for courses.

 

[motef]

Am i cutting it close on the miles?
34,029 miles in total

As i read that Qantas calculations and GCMapper dont match up always

 

[Noah Count]

SYD HND 4,837 mi JL (F) stop for less than 24hrs

You may want to check this, looking at the JL availability from around late Oct 21 the aircraft changes from a 777 to a 789 and there are no F seats on the JL 789. As @ozflier mentioned you will be using a lot of extra point just for the x2 BA F flights.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Am i cutting it close on the miles?
34,029 miles in total

As i read that Qantas calculations and GCMapper dont match up always

Shouldn't be a problem. While QF and GCM don't always agree on the miles calculations, it is usually only by a couple of miles, on a couple of legs.

 

[ozflier]

Hi,
I am checking on taxes payable on qantas partner awards.
For the life of me , I can remember reading in this forum an announcement that Qatar Airways started to max out at a certain number of miles - but I cannot find the actual thread - may have been authored by Madrooster.
Can anyone help out with a link please ?

 

[Noah Count]

Hi,
I am checking on taxes payable on qantas partner awards.
For the life of me , I can remember reading in this forum an announcement that Qatar Airways started to max out at a certain number of miles - but I cannot find the actual thread - may have been authored by Madrooster.
Can anyone help out with a link please ?

I am not sure if this is the thread you were looking for however @madrooster did post something about surcharges and taxes

 

[motef]

I am not sure if this is the thread you were looking for however @madrooster did post something about surcharges and taxes

That thread has not been active for some time now.

 

[ozflier]

I am not sure if this is the thread you were looking for however @madrooster did post something about surcharges and taxes

Ta for that.

 

[GaryLG]

I must be doing something wrong and hoping some one here can help.

I wanted fine tune plans for a OWA trip and will need some help. But my first question is why is my proposed trip telling me it will cost 412k points under classic points awards in Business Class?

I thought it was meant to max out at 318k?

The trip I put in was

MEL-DOH-AMM-LHR-KEY-LHR-MEL

Not the final route as I want to do a second half before I return to MEL