Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[KingHuang]

Hey guys - would it be possible to book 6 flights via the multicity tool first, then add another 2 legs over the phone on the same PNR to finish the trip? Or is there a way to get around this and book it all online?

Also would the below be an acceptable way to maximise the itinerary, or are there improvements to this?

SYD > HKG (Qantas)
HK > HEL (AY)
HEL > FCO (AY)
FCO > LHR (BA)
LHR > ATH (BA)
ATH > CDG (IB)
CDG > BKK/Haneda (JAL)
BKK/Haneda > SYD (JAL)

 

[Captain Halliday]

would it be possible to book 6 flights via the multicity tool first, then add another 2 legs over the phone on the same PNR to finish the trip?

Yes. However, this would likely incur a change fee for adding the additional flights.

If you can’t get all the flights via multi-city in one go, you may be better off booking the whole thing by phone. They generally waive the phone service fee when the routing is too complex, or too long, for the multi city tool.

would the below be an acceptable way to maximise the itinerary, or are there improvements to this?

If you’re wanting to visit those locations it looks like a good trip, but from the perspective of best use of the redemption its hard to say as you’ve not indicated which are transits and which are stopovers.

The way you’ve set it out looks like seven stopovers and I’m guessing that’s not your intention, nor would it be valid.

But if you can make six of the sectors work via multi city then well done. That’s an achievement in itself.

 

[KingHuang]

Yes. However, this would likely incur a change fee for adding the additional flights.

If you can’t get all the flights via multi-city in one go, you may be better off booking the whole thing by phone. They generally waive the phone service fee when the routing is too complex, or too long, for the multi city tool.

If you’re wanting to visit those locations it looks like a good trip, but from the perspective of best use of the redemption its hard to say as you’ve not indicated which are transits and which are stopovers.

The way you’ve set it out looks like seven stopovers and I’m guessing that’s not your intention, nor would it be valid.

But if you can make six of the sectors work via multi city then well done. That’s an achievement in itself.

I redid it a little bit to the below to try avoiding it booking over the phone - it adds up all the points to 318k (I haven't gone ahead and booked yet though)

SYD> HKG (QF) Stopover
HKG> HEL (AY) Stopover
HEL > FCO (AY) Stopover/surface sector?
LHR > CDG (BA) Stopover
CDG > HND (JL) Stopover
NRT > SYD (JL + QF) Finish

Based on the above it is 5 stopovers plus a surface sector between FCO and LHR (which i want to go to athens separately, would this work? I hope I also got the term surfance sector correct haha)

If it all adds up correctly and is just bit over $1k to pay in cash, would that be ok to then proceed with the booking?

Ya i was quite happy about it!! feeling super proud after studying for like 15-20 hours over the last few weeks and watched the webinar recording!

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I've done this several times and accepted the change via the MMB link in the email from Finnair. They then issue a new (Qantas) ticket - i.e the ticket number starts with 081. Sometimes I get an updated ticket/notification from Qantas too, sometimes I don't. I think it depends on the itinerary.

I just accepted a 5 minute schedule change, eTicket from Qantas was basically instantaneous.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Based on the above it is 5 stopovers plus a surface sector between FCO and LHR (which i want to go to athens separately, would this work? I hope I also got the term surfance sector correct haha)

ATH can be tricky, but not impossible, for oneworld, especially if coming from AU.

BA from LHR on a separate ticket would work, but so would booking a separate cash fare from one of those other EU stopovers. It may also be cheaper and avoided the UK departure taxes.

If it all adds up correctly and is just bit over $1k to pay in cash, would that be ok to then proceed with the booking?

If you’re happy with the itinerary, sure.

 

[elanshin]

For the purposes of OWA is airports like NRT / HND considered the same or separate for transits?

 

[DC3]

For the purposes of OWA is airports like NRT / HND considered the same or separate for transits?

I had always considered them both as TYO, i.e., the same city

 

[nomadscientist]

Merry Christmas everyone! Still a newbie here and have read through the last few months of posts but:

Do we have any kind of "statistic"/consensus how risky re-ticketing is nowadays?

I've collated some recent comments below, which show mixed experiences. Sincere apologies if I misinterpreted anyone's view or missed a major post on this. Thank you to those who posted!

nickfromeastryde: Dec 13, 2024​

pyramidforce: Dec 11, 2024​

flapper: Jul 13, 2024​

VPS: Jun 9, 2024​

Background:
Managed to get dream itinerary below with 8 flights in my very first OWA (2 pax, all Business, Bronze).
MEL-NRT-FRA JL mid-2025
HEL-DFW AY Nov
DFW-CUN AA Nov
CUN-MIA-KIN AA Nov
MBJ-ORD-LAX AA Nov

Now wanting to book the flight home from U.S./YVR to Australia, or even just to NRT/HKG/HNL and finish there. (Am aware of 35K miles max and return to origin calculated as surface sector.) However, after reading some posts I'm now worried about adding this last segment and invoking re-ticketing...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Merry Christmas everyone! Still a newbie here and have read through the last few months of posts but:

Do we have any kind of "statistic"/consensus how risky re-ticketing is nowadays?

I've collated some recent comments below, which show mixed experiences. Sincere apologies if I misinterpreted anyone's view or missed a major post on this. Thank you to those who posted!






Background:
Managed to get dream itinerary below with 8 flights in my very first OWA (2 pax, all Business, Bronze).
MEL-NRT-FRA JL mid-2025
HEL-DFW AY Nov
DFW-CUN AA Nov
CUN-MIA-KIN AA Nov
MBJ-ORD-LAX AA Nov

Now wanting to book the flight home from U.S./YVR to Australia, or even just to NRT/HKG/HNL and finish there. (Am aware of 35K miles max and return to origin calculated as surface sector.) However, after reading some posts I'm now worried about adding this last segment and invoking re-ticketing...

People add segments to OWA itineraries. Presumably most of the time it goes ok. There are cases where it won’t.

You need to keep a keen eye on any re-ticketing and ensure it’s done within 24 hours.

However, that being said… if it’s a qantas ticketing error, you have options, Rather than MEL-FRA on JL, Qantas can create two award seats on their London flight for you, and connect you across on BA.

So it wouldn’t be the end of the world if somehow the JL legs dropped off and all QF efforts to get those re-instated failed… you’d have a viable alternative.

 

[nomadscientist]

People add segments to OWA itineraries. Presumably most of the time it goes ok. There are cases where it won’t.

You need to keep a keen eye on any re-ticketing and ensure it’s done within 24 hours.

However, that being said… if it’s a qantas ticketing error, you have options, Rather than MEL-FRA on JL, Qantas can create two award seats on their London flight for you, and connect you across on BA.

So it wouldn’t be the end of the world if somehow the JL legs dropped off and all QF efforts to get those re-instated failed… you’d have a viable alternative.

Excellent, thank so much for your reply, MEL_Traveller! Yes, I also presume that for every "bad" reticketing experience there are many many ones that go through as normal, but the latter wouldn't necessarily be worth a post. Nonetheless, I really appreciate your advice and this great community!

 

[elanshin]

2025 trip booked in.

A few alterations needed as the call centre couldn't see a couple of flights.

KUL - SIN - HND
HND - SYD
SYD - ZQN
CHC - MEL (couldn't see BNE- MEL so i guess i lose some SCs)
MEL - HKG - HEL - LHR (couldn't see CX HKG - LHR, so going with AY)
AMS - HEL - HKG - KUL

 

[elanshin]

Merry Christmas everyone! Still a newbie here and have read through the last few months of posts but:

Do we have any kind of "statistic"/consensus how risky re-ticketing is nowadays?

I've collated some recent comments below, which show mixed experiences. Sincere apologies if I misinterpreted anyone's view or missed a major post on this. Thank you to those who posted!






Background:
Managed to get dream itinerary below with 8 flights in my very first OWA (2 pax, all Business, Bronze).
MEL-NRT-FRA JL mid-2025
HEL-DFW AY Nov
DFW-CUN AA Nov
CUN-MIA-KIN AA Nov
MBJ-ORD-LAX AA Nov

Now wanting to book the flight home from U.S./YVR to Australia, or even just to NRT/HKG/HNL and finish there. (Am aware of 35K miles max and return to origin calculated as surface sector.) However, after reading some posts I'm now worried about adding this last segment and invoking re-ticketing...

Any change would need a reticket issue. Luckily for you most of your airlines don't disappear the flight within 24h, but you'd still want to reissue sooner rather than later.

 

[elanshin]

2025 trip booked in.

A few alterations needed as the call centre couldn't see a couple of flights.

KUL - SIN - HND
HND - SYD
SYD - ZQN
CHC - MEL (couldn't see BNE- MEL so i guess i lose some SCs)
MEL - HKG - HEL - LHR (couldn't see CX HKG - LHR, so going with AY)
AMS - HEL - HKG - KUL

Ok. Missed the call from the ticketing team and i knew it'd takr a fair bit of time to get sorted.

25min call to finalise payment, 48min call for e tickets. All done now.

Wasn't going to mess around with MH ticket departing in 3 days time. Everything now ticketed and should be locked in.

 

[flapper]

Merry Christmas everyone! Still a newbie here and have read through the last few months of posts but:

Do we have any kind of "statistic"/consensus how risky re-ticketing is nowadays?

I've collated some recent comments below, which show mixed experiences. Sincere apologies if I misinterpreted anyone's view or missed a major post on this. Thank you to those who posted!






Background:
Managed to get dream itinerary below with 8 flights in my very first OWA (2 pax, all Business, Bronze).
MEL-NRT-FRA JL mid-2025
HEL-DFW AY Nov
DFW-CUN AA Nov
CUN-MIA-KIN AA Nov
MBJ-ORD-LAX AA Nov

Now wanting to book the flight home from U.S./YVR to Australia, or even just to NRT/HKG/HNL and finish there. (Am aware of 35K miles max and return to origin calculated as surface sector.) However, after reading some posts I'm now worried about adding this last segment and invoking re-ticketing...

I have found that reticketing when making changes has improved and there seems to be greater awareness of the airlines that require reticketing within 24 hours, like CX & MH(which I try and avoid). I email rewards ticketing escalations and FB messenger and then follow up if not reticketed after 24 hours.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

I email rewards ticketing escalations and FB messenger and then follow up if not reticketed after 24 hours.

Call me cynical, but doesn't sound like much of an improvement? I would love if they were reticketed while on the phone making the change.

 

[nomadscientist]

Call me cynical, but doesn't sound like much of an improvement? I would love if they were reticketed while on the phone making the change.

I actually managed to get it reticketed on the same phone call. Have to give kudos to the agent (most likely not HBA) though, who noticed: "This is Cathay, so we have to get it re-ticketed right away." That was then my cue to say "I will stay on the line... Since it's Monday the reticketing office should be open." All done in 48mins total. +1 for the positive experience statistic.

Without this forum and all of you who shared your experiences I wouldn't have been that wise. Thank you & have a great 2025 everyone!!

 

[DC3]

I actually managed to get it reticketed on the same phone call. Have to give kudos to the agent (most likely not HBA) though, who noticed: "This is Cathay, so we have to get it re-ticketed right away." That was then my cue to say "I will stay on the line... Since it's Monday the reticketing office should be open."

You were very fortunate. I’ve had the call terminated, with “It will be sent to Ticketing”. Then having to try and escalate the next day when no e-ticket has been received.

 

[elanshin]

You were very fortunate. I’ve had the call terminated, with “It will be sent to Ticketing”. Then having to try and escalate the next day when no e-ticket has been received.

Not necessarily. There's definitely better responses now and understanding compared to 12months ago when i was doing my last OWA.

This time around when i said, everything is ok with the tickets and route, i just need ir reticketed immediately, the response was "ok understood, ill call our ticketing department but it might take a bit so I'll put you on hold" and checks in every 15mins.

Last time it was more waved off.

 

[DC3]

Not necessarily. There's definitely better responses now and understanding compared to 12months ago when i was doing my last OWA.

I’m happy for you in receiving good service.

However, when I talked to a Call Centre (Manila) in late October this year, a simple one-segment change resulted in him cancelling the whole itinerary of about 9-10 flights for my OWA. I only discovered the disaster when I checked MMB over the next day and I noticed that the bookings no longer appeared.

Can you imagine how I must have felt after having cobbled together a good itinerary over some months just to end up with this result. I had also booked accommodation and car rentals based on the confirmed flights.

Fortunately for me, the QF Escalations Team did a great job and managed to have the QF, JL and AA flights re-instated within about 48 hours, or so.

I guess that this is why I say that we are fortunate when ticketing goes as we hope it will.

 

[CaptainCurtis]

This time around when i said, everything is ok with the tickets and route, i just need ir reticketed immediately, the response was "ok understood, ill call our ticketing department but it might take a bit so I'll put you on hold" and checks in every 15mins.

Reticketing should be standard operating procedure, not something a customer should need to ask for.