OW Circle Asia - Segment Rules

[Timtammi]

Hi there all

I know a few of you regularly use these so wanted to get some advice re applications of the rules.

We used this late last year for business travel in asia and found it saved a fair bit.

Trying to book another somewhat complex asia business trip itinerary as a LAS17 Qantas are insisting that any surface travel (additional segments booked separately) are not only counted towards mileage (no probs there, the rules clearly state it) but also count as a segment.

As there are only 8 segments allowed this is going to force us to pay for an additional segment I think should be included.

There is no mention in the rules that I can see that surface travel counts as a segment and I was pretty sure last time we booked that it did not.

What say you?

Cheers

 

[simongr]

True the rules don't say anything but if you compare it to a DONE4 for example surface segments do count - even in the same city. So on a DONE4 dfw-lga,jfk-lhr counts as three ratehr than 2 segments.

One option might be to say that you have a copy of the rules and it does not mention the surface segment rule - perhaps they are confused with the xONEx?

 

[serfty]

... What say you?

The oneworld page states:

• "A maximum of eight flight segments are permitted for the entire journey."

A surface segment is not a flight segment.

Other than that, If you can, book it though AA and save on fuel fines. ("Bookings can be made using a reservations office of any oneworld member airline or a travel agent.")

 

[serfty]

True the rules don't say anything but if you compare it to a DONE4 for example surface segments do count - even in the same city. So on a DONE4 dfw-lga,jfk-lhr counts as three ratehr than 2 segments. ...

With an xONEx, a surface segment counts against the maximum limit of 20 (soon 16) - it does not count against a continent's limit. In fact the rule reads thus:

• "A minimum of 3 and maximum of 20 segments (16 for tickets issued on/after 1June08), including surface segments, are permitted for the entire journey. Free flight segments within each continent are limited as follows: ..."

Note the bolded word flight, I suspect this is to differentiate between the 20(/16) segment limit for the whole booking and the 4 or 6 flight segment limits per continent.

 

[Timtammi]

Thanks for the input guys. I've never booked through AA, being a QF Gold FF member I usually just book through QF. Apart from fuel surcharges will it effect anything else? How do I book through AA? Do they have an office here?

The woman on the phone at QF had no clue. My partner was on the phone trying to book it for over an hour, supervisors were consulted etc and they had the flight rules in front of them also. They conceded the rules don't say it but insist it still applies?

Cheers

 

[simongr]

There is an AA desk in Dallas that handle around the world ticketing -> +1 8002473247

The advantage of booking through AA is that they might be able to stumble on some AA codeshares on CX flights which means you would get the status bonus even though flying CX metal...

 

[simongr]

With an xONEx, a surface segment counts against the maximum limit of 20 (soon 16) - it does not count against a continent's limit. In fat the rule reads thus (with the word flight bolded):

• "Free flight segments within each continent are limited as follows:"

The xASxx fares don't have continent limits just total limits so it is not really comparable - I was just using it as something they migth have been confused with...

 

[jasonja3]

I have had this same issue before (as well as others) and won the battle, unfortunately not all the sales staff are familiar with all the products and the sales team does not seem to be segmented to accommodate different products, so there are no experts to instantly ask for.

I usually arm myself with the latest rule sheet, and challenge them (in a nice mannor and clear reasoning). If it comes down to the interpretation of a rule, it is difficult to challenge, and be aware they make notes about the conversations you have with them, so if you try and ring someone else, the notes come up.

I have not tried the AA desk before, but I will next time as I fly a bit on CX, and would love to get the AA codeshare for better earning!

Good luck!

 

[Timtammi]

ok I'm obviously a dunce here but how is there better earning on CX if its an AA codeshare? I'm pretty sure I get status credits on CX flights when booking through QF...?

By the way, the QF agent called back and said that QF are putting the prices up on this fare tomorrow and we needed to lock it all in today if we wanted the lower pricing. She did not know what it was going up to..

Cheers

Timmi

 

[jasonja3]

On AA, you earn the status bonus for FF points, on CX you do not. So as a WP, I would earn 100% bonus FF points on AA but nothing on a CX flight number.

 

[Timtammi]

Aaaah... Bonus FF points for being a Gold or Platinum or whatever! Not status credits.. I get it..

Thanks for clarifying

Cheers

 

[Shano]

In L class you would earn 25% base miles only on a CX flight # as a WP.

If on the AA codeshare, you would earn 50% base miles + 100% status bonus, a nett result of 100% base miles.