Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[levelnine]

Can anybody assist me in explaining how I could use Qantas FF on partner airlines?

Wanting to get to UK mid August 2023.

The Qantas booking system is broken as anything. for example. It says 45K points from Singapore to London in the top calendar bar, but if you click it it says "no flights available"....

The best option is to use the multi-city search tool (even if you are searching for a single flight).

Here is the link to the tool: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/multi-city.html

Put in your details and voila:

 

[Danger]

I've now had a second experience with this.

Two days ago I wanted to add CX LAX-xHKG-MEL to an existing oneworld award. Like everyone else when they go to do this, the flights were available online, but when I asked the HBA-based agent to add them, he couldn't see them. I said I could see them online; why can't he? He told me there's often a "synchronisation issue" that means availability is not updated across platforms at the same time and that if I tried to book the seat myself, it would fall at the payment page. Challenge accepted! I proceeded to book and confirm the very seat he couldn't see. I gave him the reference and he went away to investigate. After a few minutes on hold he returned to the call to tell me that it's a limitation imposed by Cathay and out of Qantas's control.

There's obviously multiple accounts of this sort of issue occurring. I'm now convinced it's not a limitation of offshore call centres (either through incompetence or poor training). Equally, I'm not convinced that the two excuses I've been given (different available from different currencies (rather than point of sale) in the case of the AY issue and a third party limitation in the case of CX) are accurate. They may well be true but my feeling is it's a Qantas deficiency somewhere in the booking system and it's much easier to blame someone or something else.

And now a third experience.

Speaking with Rehan in HBA, I wanted to add PHX-xDFW-PDX into an existing oneworld award. The Qantas website showed multiple options; Rehan could not find any. He said he's seen this "many, many, many times" and that it has to do with "fare combinability for a brand-new booking", although he couldn't (or wouldn't) explain to me what "fare combinability" meant.

This gives me even more confidence that even when an offshore agent tells you 'no flights', despite what you can see online, they aren't doing anything wrong. Equally, as I said above, I think this is a Qantas system issue, rather than a limitation being imposed by partner airlines and there's no undoubtedly no impetus to look into it.

 

[PaulyB]

Yes - I had a version of that a couple of days ago where the agent told me she couldn't see particular JAL bookings yet I could. Yet 24 hours later another agent could see them. Now, the first agent said a few things that were wrong but with the other poster's experiences, the possibility is that this could have been genuine.

 

[Warragul]

Yes - I had a version of that a couple of days ago where the agent told me she couldn't see particular JAL bookings yet I could. Yet 24 hours later another agent could see them. Now, the first agent said a few things that were wrong but with the other poster's experiences, the possibility is that this could have been genuine.

Likewise, especially with JAL on the day they become available on the website (350 days ahead I think), whereas the next day the agents could see it. One did say its because 'their' system takes longer to refresh with new flights/seats. Bulls**t, Amadeus Altea issue or somewhere in between, its a guess really.

 

[gfraser]

I have sometimes found that if the agent can’t see what you can see, if you give them the flight number they can locate what you’re are seeing

 

[PaulyB]

I have sometimes found that if the agent can’t see what you can see, if you give them the flight number they can locate what you’re are seeing

Interesting. Yes - in the same way that I sometimes can't see Reykjavík but typing in KEF brings it up! Thanks!

 

[Atlascat]

I'm in the same boat as you k_sheep, just saw your post and decided to check my OWA as I have a business class Qatar flight (Barcelona to Sydney), realised that it has dropped off and I'm no longer ticketed. I had added a flight segment to my booking a couple of days ago, took 5-6 calls to hassle Qantas to ticket within 24 hours but eventually got there. I thought it was all fine since I paid the taxes & points and received a new itinerary with new ticket numbers. Seems that even when you have a ticketed booking, your flights can still drop off.

Just called Qantas and they said they have put in a reinstatement request to Qatar. Does anyone know what the chances of this reinstatement being successful are, and how long it typically takes to find out? If reinstatement is unsuccessful, should I push for Qantas to re-book me on a Qantas flight? Would appreciate any other advice on what to do here.

Giving an update on my post from 3 weeks ago in case it helps others.

The past 3 weeks have been a nightmare trying to get our QR business flights from Barcelona to Sydney reinstated after Qantas failed to ticket promptly, or have an alternative flight provided on Qantas metal. I made more than 35 phone calls, sent 6 complaints via Qantas Customer Care, sent messages via Twitter and Facebook, and sent multiple emails to Stephanie Tully and the new Chief Customer Officer. I experienced many calls dropping out after waiting for hours (without call backs), incompetent agents who flat out lied to me, Qantas ignoring my emails/complaints/messages etc.

I’m sad to say that towards the end it was really having an effect on my mental well-being and affecting my work and relationships. I know that at the end of the day it’s just some flights and there are much bigger problems in the world, but it was stressful and very frustrating knowing that the remaining unticketed flights could also disappear anytime and that Qantas simply doesn’t care. I wanted to make sure that Qantas didn’t get away with treating their customers like this.

Fortunately, a couple days ago, just as I was about to give up on the whole idea of a OWA, the booking was surprisingly ticketed while I was on the phone to try and add another leg - they hadn’t notified me about this ticketing status until the end of the call. I’m not sure if Qantas or Qatar ever resolved the reinstatement request that was pending for 3 weeks, I’m guessing that my attempt to add another leg to the flight may have had something to do with it but I’m not sure.

I’ve added the last remaining leg of the flight to the itinerary now and have a new e-ticket, so things are looking good now. Unfortunately like others have been saying above, I had issues with Qantas agents not seeing availability with JAL flights so had to make a separate classic rewards booking online to secure a Seoul to Tokyo flight (which was supposed to be stop 5 below).

Final OWA itinerary below:
Stop 1: SIN to ROM via HEL with AY (J class)
Stop 2: LIN to MAD with IB (J)
Stop 3: BCN to SYD via DOH with QR (J)
Stop 4: SYD to GMP via HND with JAL (J)
Return: HND to SYD with JAL (PE)

Total taxes of $2568 pp are a bit high but overall still good value I think. The Singapore/Europe flights are May next year, and we resume the OWA in Oct to Korea/Japan. We’re catching a SQ J flight from SYD to SIN to start the trip, booked using Velocity points.

Overall I’m happy that it seems this ordeal is over (but will have to monitor it closely for any flight changes), but extremely disappointed with the way I was treated by Qantas. I have enough points for another OWA business trip but don’t think it is worthwhile trying to do this again given Qantas’ horrendous ticketing problems, terrible customer service and issues with agents in viewing/booking the same availability that you see online. Holidays are supposed to be something you look forward to, and the prospect of dealing with Qantas again is the opposite of that for me.

Thank you all for your invaluable advice and guidance, best of luck with your OWA planning!

 

[levelnine]

I’m sad to say that towards the end it was really having an effect on my mental well-being and affecting my work and relationships. I know that at the end of the day it’s just some flights and there are much bigger problems in the world, but it was stressful and very frustrating knowing that the remaining unticketed flights could also disappear anytime and that Qantas simply doesn’t care. I wanted to make sure that Qantas didn’t get away with treating their customers like this.

This is a powerful, albeit very sad, example of something I've been saying for a long time now — the 'value' of a OWA has significantly diminished for customers without Platinum status, to the point that I would not advise someone to try it. Yes, you might get lucky and have no ticketing issues, but one change of schedule by one carrier and you risk entering this sort of customer service purgatory. A sobering lesson for all.

 

[PaulyB]

I’m sad to say that towards the end it was really having an effect on my mental well-being and affecting my work and relationships. I know that at the end of the day it’s just some flights and there are much bigger problems in the world, but it was stressful and very frustrating knowing that the remaining unticketed flights could also disappear anytime and that Qantas simply doesn’t care. I wanted to make sure that Qantas didn’t get away with treating their customers like this.

I’m sad to say that towards the end it was really having an effect on my mental well-being and affecting my work and relationships. I know that at the end of the day it’s just some flights and there are much bigger problems in the world, but it was stressful and very frustrating knowing that the remaining unticketed flights could also disappear anytime and that Qantas simply doesn’t care. I wanted to make sure that Qantas didn’t get away with treating their customers like this.

Totally my experience too. Fortunately, it is rare that I would say something has negatively affected my mental health and well-being but this really has. I am incredibly fortunate to have a wonderfully understanding and supportive wife and family but it has definitely affected the focus I have been able to put on my work and other things.

And I also know this is a first-world problem so I find myself feeling a bit guilty that I am so upset by it. But it is a contract that a supplier (QANTAS) has entered in with us and they are failing to deliver.

And not having the confidence that a flight will stay ticketed really blows it out. So it's not over once ticketed but is potentially ongoing until we return home. Scary and depressing.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Hi everyone,
Long time since I have been on this page. Looking at options for OWA next year departing SYD to Europe. Found a few via HKG on QF and CX and noted taxes seemed very high, more than double than similar flights through SIN which I have now booked.

Has CX and HKG airport become an expensive transit destination. Used to be almost no fees or taxes out of there even flying QF.

 

[kingzac]

Just an example of what we've just booked for Sept 2023, all J:

HBA-SYD-MNL-HND
NRT-CMB-MLE
MLE-CMB-CDG
ZRH-AMM-DOH

318k points + $1032 pp x2

Looking at two possible options to add on depending on what opens up:
DOH-MEL booked with Velocity (avail now)
Or DOH-CGK booked with Virgin and Add CGK-SYD on to this one.
I'm struggling to find anything else back to Aus or even to CGK so looking at options but happy with the starting point we've locked in without having to call. Hoping Europe to HKG-BNE opens up but no luck at the moment and locking in Qsuites this far in advance and being able to kick back and relax is very appealing.

 

[SydneySwan]

locking in Qsuites this far in advance and being able to kick back and relax is very appealing.

You can never relax if you have QR sectors in your booking until you board the plane.

 

[kingzac]

You can never relax if you have QR sectors in your booking until you board the plane.

We started with 4 QR legs and ended up with 2 in this years OWA, so I definitely understand that.

 

[Mr H]

Yet another Fiji F-up.

I had a fully ticketed ADD-DOH-DAC-KUL-MEL in QR/MH J.

Travel plans meant that I called this morning to change to LHE-CMB-DAC-KUL-MEL in UL/MH J.

This was correctly showing in CMT and I was sent a booking itinerary. All that needed to happen was a ticketing. I told multiple agents this had to be ticketed immediately because MH cancel bookings within a few hours.

Guess what. MH has cancelled my booking and the flight is no longer available.

Still no news about getting the lost flights reinstated.

But it has made me pause for thought. I was wedded to this route because of the DAC-KUL-MEL flights. Part of my reason for wanting to change had been my realisation that Dhaka - originally a week's stopover, was going to be monsoon. So I decided to move the stopover to Pakistan, but I was sacrificing three days in Pakistan to travel back through DAC and would still have two days of Bangladeshi monsoon.

So, yesterday, I decided this was stupid and that I should do LHE-CMB-MEL instead. Not as flash, but more time in Pakistan, fewer FF points, and still an opportunity to expand it into a OWA with a cheeky return to Saudi Arabia in 2024.

 

[Rach1616]

I tend to agree with landl. Have you changed the first flights departure date since it was first ticketed? If so maybe it relates to the original departure date...Just a thought.
Having multiple agents say it can't be done, doesn't necessarily make them right. Could be a case of finding someone with the right know how. I've had several say I couldn't make any changes to an award booking.

No the original departure date never changed. There was obviously an error coning up that the agents couldn't resolve and I didn't have the mental resolve or energy to fight anymore after many phone calls to many agents so gave up and booked flights home on a separate booking

 

[Jarrard Scott]

The best option is to use the multi-city search tool (even if you are searching for a single flight).

Here is the link to the tool: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/multi-city.html

Put in your details and voila:

View attachment 305802
View attachment 305803

View attachment 305808

this is what i've always experienced in the past.

If you don't have flights on a day it'll throw you to that calendar.

Now, if you don't have flights it just gives you an error and says "search again".

Also, when it does show the calendar, e.g. I searched Singapore to London, 16/8 2 people. and it showed me 1 business classic reward on 14/8. and didnt even show the whole month. just 13/8-19/8

If I actually select that date and click continue it errors out and says

Please review the following items

• Trip from Singapore to London is not available on the 14 Aug. Alternative dates can be selected below.

Go figure.

Then shows me a whole month of Jul/Aug 23 from 30-29 which i assume is basically all of august. there was availability for economy on the 11/8 so I click that and click continue.

So whats it do then, decides to show me the month of september. I have to then click previous 14 day and click 11th again and continue for it to work.

Its so damn broken...

Can I ask what browser you're using?

 

[levelnine]

Can I ask what browser you're using?

Chrome is my default.

I would clear all cookies in my broweser and try again.

If there are no flights available, you will get that 'Please review ...' error.

 

[PaulyB]

I would clear all cookies in my broweser and try again.

Agreed. I have needed to do this on a regular basis searching for flights. It's not a QANTAS thing but a Chrome thing. I am using Chrome on a Mac

 

[Danger]

My turn!

Three flights on a oneworld award lost due to the ticket going unissued for over a week. One on MH and 2 on CX.

As a Platinum I reached CPT (of course). The MH flight is back but, surprise, surprise, the CX flights are no longer available. The agent has booked seats in India in the reservation and allegedly sent a request to the oneworld helpdesk (or CX) to have the flights converted to award seats, a process she tells me takes "7 to 14 days". I warned her that if the ticket goes unissued again, then the same issue will happen again and the MH flights will be lost. It fell on deaf ears: "This is the process."

Why wasn't it reissued? Presumably because the SUV agent I spoke with not doing what she was supposed to.

My flights have been reinstated.

The HBA-based agent I spoke with most recently gave me a rundown of my taxes with each of the 2-character codes which on my relatives' 15-sector, 5-carrier booking meant some 26 codes. A quick online search revealed this very handy glossary that listed all but one of the 26 codes.

 

[PaulyB]

Just when I thought it was safe......

Thought I'd finally settled everything Monday morning. Even had a credit of $800 each passenger for the fees coming my way (I havent seen it yet) and was advised it would be ticketed in 24-48 hours.

This morning? HALF! the Business Class Qantas One World award were returned (318,000 )but the flights are still sitting on the Qantas site. Riddle me THAT one, Batman.
Apoplectic isn't the word and now someone is "investigating..." I knew I should have rung yesterday and not trusted the process......

update. 65 mins passed..
Points reimbursed.. except charged 10,000 points! Part of the book by Sept deal so will get them back...
Now 2 hours to wait for ticketing. Number 96 in the queue.....
Nup = queue cleared and actually - I can't believe it - ticketed.
If it hadn't been for this forum I think I would have gone grey (er). The girl - in Manila was actually pretty good which helped. Although telling her I wasn't hanging up til it was done may have helped!

Now - for the plane to be on time....