Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Aeryn]

Well wasnt an issue last 3 years, seems to be just a problem since start of this year. I only need 1 seat and was looking at shoulder season not peak holidays or summer.

 

[algae]

Well wasnt an issue last 3 years, seems to be just a problem since start of this year. I only need 1 seat and was looking at shoulder season not peak holidays or summer.

In the 4ish years I've been booking OWAs, I've never had a single Qantas flight in any of my itinerarys. I usually book 11ish months in advance, and never seen any useful Qantas award flights. I've always booked with partner airlines

 

[Aeryn]

Post Covid have done 3 * J OWAs all used QF out of / into Aus:
* 2024 - SYD-HNL + HKG-SYD on QF (+ AA, AY & CX flights in between)
* 2023 - SYD-DFW + LAX-SYD on QF (+ AA and AY flights in between)
* 2022 SYD-SIN-LHR + DFW-SYD (+ AA and BA flights in between)

Only this year was none possible. Next Year I managed a seat release for QF SYD-HKG out but likley wont be taking those flights, as could only get home on JAL 2 weeks later than ideal; so I have been looking for alternatives daily.

Back in July JAL were dropping seats to/from AUS and Europe daily; havent seen them release anything for about 10 weeks now

 

[flapper]

Post Covid have done 3 * J OWAs all used QF out of / into Aus:
* 2024 - SYD-HNL + HKG-SYD on QF (+ AA, AY & CX flights in between)
* 2023 - SYD-DFW + LAX-SYD on QF (+ AA and AY flights in between)
* 2022 SYD-SIN-LHR + DFW-SYD (+ AA and BA flights in between)

Only this year was none possible. Next Year I managed a seat release for QF SYD-HKG out but likley wont be taking those flights, as could only get home on JAL 2 weeks later than ideal; so I have been looking for alternatives daily.

Back in July JAL were dropping seats to/from AUS and Europe daily; havent seen them release anything for about 10 weeks now

I think JL stopped releasing J seats between Japan & Aus on 1 Aug 2025 before that they were released daily. Last time I looked they were still realeasing on JL website. They were still releasing some seats between Japan and Europe but very limited.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Ive been looking daily for last 6 months from SYD/PER to LHR/CDG/FCO and nothing available on QF metal in J ever shows up more than than 30 days out - I cant travel at that short notice.

I honestly dont think they have been releasing seats except via request for P1s and the odd WP.

As others have stated, you need to broaden your search to look at partner airlines. It's been 10 years since I've flown Qantas metal on a OWA and counting the one coming up, there have been 5 of them.

 

[Aeryn]

I did broaden my search and have partner flights but the timing is a problem so I check everyday in case a better QF option comes up that I can switch to. I'd happily travel later in the year if I could get better routing and so have more time at my destinations and not lose too much time flying.

 

[Mr H]

Forgive the question - I couldn't find the answer by searching. Is FJ still off limits for OWAs?

 

[bion]

I've been looking at other partners as well. Trying combos like EUR>SE ASIA>SYD etc but there is just no J availability to Sydney at all. Once a month I request release of reward seats, no luck either. I wouldn't think it would be this hard. I secured 2x J SYD-LHR on BA on my first search.

 

[jase05]

I've been looking at other partners as well. Trying combos like EUR>SE ASIA>SYD etc but there is just no J availability to Sydney at all. Once a month I request release of reward seats, no luck either. I wouldn't think it would be this hard. I secured 2x J SYD-LHR on BA on my first search.

What month?

 

[bion]

Looking at first week of June, 2 pax

 

[jase05]

Looking at first week of June, 2 pax

Looked on the June 1st and availability on QF metal BLR-SYD, CGK-SYD, MNL-SYD.
Looks not bad availability from those ports

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Forgive the question - I couldn't find the answer by searching. Is FJ still off limits for OWAs?

In the absence of positive confirmation, you could build a dummy itinerary and see if it caps out.

 

[Mr H]

In the absence of positive confirmation, you could build a dummy itinerary and see if it caps out.

Because I can't string together six flights that would meet the OWA rules without the site crashing!

 

[Mr H]

Because I can't string together six flights that would meet the OWA rules without the site crashing!

Finally did it. The answer is no, it doesn't cap out so FJ won't work on OWAs yet. If anyone is interested, this is the route I managed to do for a dummy booking:

 

[algae]

Finally did it. The answer is no, it doesn't cap out so FJ won't work on OWAs yet. If anyone is interested, this is the route I managed to do for a dummy booking:
View attachment 482245

Good to know! Thanks for checking!
Do you know about Oman air?
I also assume Alaska has been well and truely added to OWAs by now? I've just never checked. I also don't know how the new "Alaska operating as Hawaiian" flights register for OWAs. I assume they don't count for an OWA despite having an AS flight number.
I don't think Oneworld status even applies on those flights yet.

 

[05flyer]

The answer is no, it doesn't cap out so FJ won't work on OWAs yet.

Quite poor that this remains the case. It has been more than 6 months now.

 

[Aeryn]

Yep especially since FJ is the only OW with heaps of capacity out of Aus