Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

Hello all, I'm starting the long trek to what will hopefully be my second RTW booking. This thread was an incredible source of help in 2018-19, thanks again to everyone.

Apologies for a rookie question ... but wanted to clarify rules re surface sectors (and whether they're still counted as a stopover).

For example, if we fly into CDG, spend a week in France then catch the train to London and fly out of LHR a few weeks later ... would this count as (a) 1 surface sector or (b) 1 stopover + 1 surface sector?

Also, I have no status and have noticed the availability for business to Singapore & Tokyo from anywhere in Australia on any date is now pretty grim (certainly relative to what it was 6 years ago).

Does anybody have any recent experience managing to add one of these legs to an itinerary? TIA 🙏
 
Hello all, I'm starting the long trek to what will hopefully be my second RTW booking. This thread was an incredible source of help in 2018-19, thanks again to everyone.

Apologies for a rookie question ... but wanted to clarify rules re surface sectors (and whether they're still counted as a stopover).

For example, if we fly into CDG, spend a week in France then catch the train to London and fly out of LHR a few weeks later ... would this count as (a) 1 surface sector or (b) 1 stopover + 1 surface sector?
In your example it would be the latter. It would both be a surface sector and a stopover. The main thing is keeping your stopovers to a max of 5.

Also, I have no status and have noticed the availability for business to Singapore & Tokyo from anywhere in Australia on any date is now pretty grim (certainly relative to what it was 6 years ago).

Does anybody have any recent experience managing to add one of these legs to an itinerary? TIA 🙏
Singapore is a bit tough long time out right now with it being part of the trunk route to London. Tokyo on Qantas planes is also a bit hit or miss and is tough during peak season. On JL however they release them everyday like clockwork.

Your other solid option is Hong Kong right now. QF has reasonable amount of choice and from Hong Kong Cathay has a lot of destinations or you could go with other partners like Finair.
Otherwise using Jakarta or Kuala Lumpur opens up solid offerings to Japan as well.
 
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Hello all, I'm starting the long trek to what will hopefully be my second RTW booking. This thread was an incredible source of help in 2018-19, thanks again to everyone.

Apologies for a rookie question ... but wanted to clarify rules re surface sectors (and whether they're still counted as a stopover).

For example, if we fly into CDG, spend a week in France then catch the train to London and fly out of LHR a few weeks later ... would this count as (a) 1 surface sector or (b) 1 stopover + 1 surface sector?

Also, I have no status and have noticed the availability for business to Singapore & Tokyo from anywhere in Australia on any date is now pretty grim (certainly relative to what it was 6 years ago).

Does anybody have any recent experience managing to add one of these legs to an itinerary? TIA 🙏
It is (b), it counts as one of your 5 stopovers.
Regarding availability, I had a similar issue when I booked mine in the last few weeks. Travelling in J the only way I could make it work for both outbound from and inbound to AUS near the dates I wanted (Feb-Apr 2026) was to use my status to request sale fares be converted for me. Even then I had to accept a connection via MEL for the outbound flight instead of direct from SYD.
 

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