RTW flights utilising FF points

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file51

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Is anybody aware of how many points are required for a Round The World trip in either economy or business class with QF???

I may be blind or not looking in the right place, but as a Platinum FF member and a high frequency user of the QF web site I cannot seem to find the information I need. Any assistance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you.
 
file51 said:
Is anybody aware of how many points are required for a Round The World trip in either economy or business class with QF???

I may be blind or not looking in the right place, but as a Platinum FF member and a high frequency user of the QF web site I cannot seem to find the information I need. Any assistance or suggestions would be greatly appreciated...

Thank you.

QF State on their website that for awards involving partner airlines or other OW carriers (as a RTW ticket will), you need to call the service centre directly. The best thing to do is call and speak to a QF service centre person, they will likely ask you to fax them your preferred itinerary, and will get back to you on availability & cost.

Expect around 300,000 for 1st class, 250,000 for business class.

You might need some flexibility, but award availability for Platinum members is about as good as it gets, so your actual booked itinerary should be a close match to your preferred one.

Email me directly if you need any more info.
 
Thanks Shillard, I mainly wanted to get some sort of an idea of the sort of points needed prior to making any calls to the QF call center as I am just looking at my options and when the best time to do something like this is... ie, when the demand is at its lowest so as all sectors will be available. Thanks again... if anybody else has any advice or knows any ways to maximise flights utilising minimum FF points that would also be appreciated.
 
file51 said:
Thanks Shillard, I mainly wanted to get some sort of an idea of the sort of points needed prior to making any calls to the QF call center as I am just looking at my options and when the best time to do something like this is... ie, when the demand is at its lowest so as all sectors will be available. Thanks again... if anybody else has any advice or knows any ways to maximise flights utilising minimum FF points that would also be appreciated.


One thing to be careful of, if planning any domestic sectors on AA, there are only "economy" and "first" classes available - the first is the US domestic equivalent of QF's business class. If you're booking an award, QF will require the points for a first-class award to be deducted, even though the service is only equivalent to business class.

You're better off using the extra 50K points or so for a first-class RTW, if you go for J and want domestic F on AA, you'll have to redeem extra points, something like 20K per sector.
 
File 51,

Points for RTW Economy are generally 150,000; Business Class RTW is 300,000; First is 400,000. I took advantage of a Business Class RTW points redemption ticket in July 2001, but points won't have changed. If you go over the allowed miles (26,000 miles for QF only flights or 31,000 for oneworld travel), then it will be another 30,000 points. Refer to the Frequent Flyer Benefit Book - page 51 for FF points needed for QF flights, page 66 for oneworld.

About when to book - no time like the present, but I suppose it depends on the sectors you are flying. If a busy one, try your off-peak times (if your timing allows it). When I booked mine (early July for an August departure), I got lucky - 21 sectors out of 22 I got the Business Class points seat from the flights that I wanted to take - only once did I have to settle for a non-desired (time) flight. I stress I was lucky - many aren't. Mine had stops in Asia, London, Europe, South America, USA and New Zealand. but be prepared to look at Cathay and BA as very viable alternatives to Qantas..and AA in the USA. Not sure whether this works on points tickets - but look at whether the flight has a codeshare flight number, as points may be different between the carriers.

Shillard is quite correct with his AA information about First and Economy (or as they so quaintly use the term "Coach") - but First beats cattle class any day. Some sectors (long haul like JFK/LAX on AA3, you'll get the new First Class seats) - see my post in other section about "Review of oneworld carriers".

I also remember somebody posting a message about a saving of 10,000 point when utilising a point ticket to London, using QF and another oneworld carrier rather than QF all the way. Think it was a flight Aust-London. Sometimes this can be very true, quirks of the system.

Don't forget that as Platinum member, when you ring up and enter your FF number, you are automatically connected to the Premium Desk. They will certainly have had requests like yours before (after all, they had mine last year). I tend to ring after 10pm when they generally have more time to discuss and try the options for you (and if the person is on shift for a while yet, they'd rather take your call - that's been my experience as a Platinum member).

Also, you could utilise the service that Australian Frequent flyer are offering - see below, taken from last newsletter:

"Next time you have to fork out cash, try our new Flight Booking service. Your request will be forwarded to one of our specialist frequent flyer travel consultants who will ensure that your booking earns the maximum number of points or is best suited for your individual circumstances.

You will be surprised what a little bit of inside knowledge is worth! And best of all its a free service to all clients who make their reservation with us. This service compliments our popular Award Booking service which has been featured on National TV."

I've never used it, but heh, worth the option to look at it. Best of luck in getting your desired sectors with decent flight times :wink: !!
 
Hi Lindsay et al,

Can you let me know if the information in this post is still relevant (I notice you wrote it in 2002).

I'm trying to save up for 2 RTW award tickets in Business class, and I'm a QF Platinum FF (only 380,000 points saved up at the moment tho).

Also, what is the policy when it comes to children under the age of 2 and award flights?

Thanks for any advice!

JOBU
 
Jobu said:
Hi Lindsay et al,

Can you let me know if the information in this post is still relevant (I notice you wrote it in 2002).

I'm trying to save up for 2 RTW award tickets in Business class, and I'm a QF Platinum FF (only 380,000 points saved up at the moment tho).

Also, what is the policy when it comes to children under the age of 2 and award flights?

Thanks for any advice!

JOBU
JOBU,

A few things have changed since 2002. Mainly the cost.

RTW Business now costs 280,000 each plus the associated fees, fines and a few taxes. Remember that you can now 'buy' extra FF points as a topup if required.

Have you thought of purchasing one ticket and using FF points for the other?

I have no knowledge of under 2 year olds and award flights but I'm sure someone will.

You will need to book a long way ahead due limited availability, though as a Platinum FF you can ask Yield Management to open availability if non otherwise exists.
 
Jobu said:
Also, what is the policy when it comes to children under the age of 2 and award flights?

Thanks for any advice!

JOBU

Hi JOBU,

This is from the Qantas T&C's

Qantas T&C's said:
13.2.6 Infants under two years and not occupying a seat, travel without the need to redeem Points as long as the accompanying adult is travelling on an Award Flight ticket. There is a limit of one infant per adult Award Flight traveller.

Cheers,
littl_flier
 
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Jobu said:
Also, what is the policy when it comes to children under the age of 2 and award flights?JOBU

An under 2 year old RTW without their own seat could very easily be a nightmare :!:
 
straitman said:
An under 2 year old RTW without their own seat could very easily be a nightmare :!:

Yes, not my cup of tea either but with a Bassinet seat, it might be ok. If not, the T&C's state that Children and Infants occupying a seat will pay the adult FF point rate.
 
littl_flier said:
Yes, not my cup of tea either but with a Bassinet seat, it might be ok. If not, the T&C's state that Children and Infants occupying a seat will pay the adult FF point rate.

Potentially a lose/lose situation :!: :p
 
Can someone please explain to me how the OW RTW award flight in J works?

How many QFF points?

What is the distance limit/sector limit?

What booking class are the available seats? Is it the very hard to get U class???

thanks

Chucksta
 
Chucksta said:
Can someone please explain to me how the OW RTW award flight in J works?

Most of the info you require is here:
Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Award Flights - Points Tables

Of course supplemented by the FF rules here:
Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions

Availability is mixed. Some sectors have lots of availability, some have much less. Most of it depends on your flexibility (eg perhaps SYD-HKG-LAX instead of SYD-LAX) and how far in advance you book.
 
Chucksta said:
Can someone please explain to me how the OW RTW award flight in J works?

How many QFF points?

What is the distance limit/sector limit?

What booking class are the available seats? Is it the very hard to get U class???
The OneWorld Award varies between OneWorld carriers. Assuming you are asking about the OneWorld Award from Qantas, then here is a summary:

  • It is not necessary an ATW award, but it constructed on a total distance basis including the return to point of origin even if the return is not flown
  • You can have up to 16 sectors maximum
  • You can have a maximum of 5 stopovers, with a stopover being more than 24 hours in one place
  • You can include ground sectors, but they are included in the mileage count and also count as one stopover
  • You must use at least two OneWorld carriers other than Qantas
  • On flights where no business class is available, you can book in economy class. Note that this means that 2-class AA domestic flights book into economy and not into F as is the case for paid OneWorld Explorer fares.
The booking class for business class awards on QF is U class. This is not necessarily the case for all OneWorld airlines. Business class award seats can be very hard to find on the popular long-haul flights such as trans-Pacific and to Europe. The trick is to be flexible with dates and routing and to book early. And don't expect to find multiple seats on the same set of flights.
 
NM said:
The booking class for business class awards on QF is U class. This is not necessarily the case for all OneWorld airlines. Business class award seats can be very hard to find on the popular long-haul flights such as trans-Pacific and to Europe. The trick is to be flexible with dates and routing and to book early. And don't expect to find multiple seats on the same set of flights.

Looks like i'll be booking a Done4 then next year for my wife and myself. Not much point if we can't travel together!
 
oneworld award in business up to 35k miles 282,500 points each.

go to Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Award Flights - Points Tables

oneworld award is QF and 2 other oneworld carriers combined in the one itinerary. you can login and have a little play online under the awards tab

children 2 years and over are the same number of points. hope this helps. Program changed May 2 years ago (that's in 2005) lot later than the first postings. Can all be done online now.
 
Hey Hudson, just given your postings, are you a QAN phishing?!?! ;) :D
 
Last edited:
d15.in.oz said:
Hey Hudson, just given your postings, are you a QAN phishing?!?! ;) :D

You could be right, Hudson seems to be in the know for a newbie. Maybe a FTer having look at the dark side:cool:
 
just proof read terms and conditions for a living! (sigh) and have to know these things
 
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