The next DONE4 planning thread

[Kiwi Flyer]

Ask QF to provide a copy of the rule that says that. In my experience for something as clear cut as this they will let you book if you politely persist along these lines.

 

[simongr]

OK just off phone with QF (again) and AGAIN they will not ticket it. I asked him to check before I went through the itinerary. He came back and said he was unable to send me the fare rules that prohibited this - and then read the phrase "Travel may not be via original point of origin".

I explained my prior ticket and he said that was an illegal itinerary and the TA would in all likelihood have been on billed the additional amount by the airlines - I will just leave it for my US office to book

 

[Mwenenzi]

The DONE4 rule "Travel may not be via original point of origin" was deleted several years ago.
Look at http://www.christen.demon.co.uk/CXRule/ and The oneworld explorer ticket FAQs on FT

 

[simongr]

The problem is not the rules but pusuading QF that they can do it - I just dont have teh evidence that they will believe at this point.

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Why are they unwilling to send a copy of the rules?

 

[simongr]

He just refused - he "wasnt allowed to send them". Its very frustrating but I am hoping the US TA will book them on Monday. My only concern is availability on one of the flights that is currently D3 - I will just wait and see at this point..

It was almost like he just didnt want it to be booked he said something like "you're just trying to get cheap domestic fares"...

 

[NM]

He could be looking at the rules for OneWorld Global Explorer (mileage based) and not for OneWorld Explorer (continent based) fare. The Global Explorer does indeed have that rule included.

 

[simongr]

I just got an email from the US (I asked our US corporate travel d agent to to book it) saying that the LHR-DXB-LHR ticket is not possible as you can't backtrack... These are the a same people that booked LGW-PFO,LCA-LHR...

How hard does this have to be?

 

[Dave Noble]

I just got an email from the US (I asked our US corporate travel d agent to to book it) saying that the LHR-DXB-LHR ticket is not possible as you can't backtrack... These are the a same people that booked LGW-PFO,LCA-LHR...

How hard does this have to be?

As hard as you want it to be ... can you go to AA and get the reservation held and costed and just use the corporate travel people to ticket it .. or even skip them altogether and just buy it direct?

Dave

 

[simongr]

I could do that. What I am doing now is getting our US colleagues to hold the reservation if that is possible and not ticket it as yet. Then I will call the US ATW desk (if I can find the number) to see what they can do. If they will book it then fine - and I will use them in future

 

[Dave Noble]

Then I will call the US ATW desk (if I can find the number) to see what they can do.

+1 800 247 3247

You will find it a fairly painless and easy activity booking direct; plus you avoid QF fuel fines of course

Dave

 

[simongr]

I have currently dropped the OZ parts of the trip and am letting the US book it. I will see how much time I have at LAX and whether I want to add it in (unless TA manages to pursuade CX to ticket it - reminds me I need to send them the fare rules).

So now I am close to this being a happening event

syd-hkg-fra-hel-lhr-dxb-lhr,lgw-bgi-jfk-dfw-lax-jfk-nrt-hkg-syd - 43K miles and EXP!

Not the behemoth I originally conceived but big enough

A couple of questions are starting to pop up - firstly for my DXB mileage run will I need a visa. I need a visa to enter the country and that can be issued on arrival - just not sure if I dont go through inbound immigration whether I will still need a visa - and if I just go through immigration to get a stamp in my passport.

A little more planning to come once booked regarding lounges (best recommendations rather than access as I should research that myself).

The other question is left luggage facilities at JFK Terminal 8 or Term 1(I am doing my US mileage run from Term 8 and returning to T9 and then depart from T1 - is this walking distance? SHould I leave luggage at T1 and then walk to T8 for departure?

Cheers
S

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

No visa for DXB. Not easy walking between most terminals at JFK but airtrain is quick and easy - just be careful to get one heading the right direction

 

[serfty]

- just be careful to get one heading the right direction

Et tu K/F?

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Et tu K/F?

Nope. But I had 20 minutes to kill before lounge or check in opened so rode the airtrain a bit and people watched etc. Surprisingly often I'd see someone hop on a train in one direction only to see them go past in the opposite direction a few minutes later

 

[serfty]

Exactly!

Transferring T8/9 to T7, I thought any direction would be fine and the trains would simply loop one way or the other.

I decided to go the long way around to have a view. Nup, mine left the loop to my surprise. :shock:

I was able to hop off at "Federal Circle" Station and take the next one coming back.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - something to think about then

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

It's fairly easy to use. They even have helpful directories of which airlines use which terminals.

 

[serfty]

It's just that ~2/3 the trains branch out of the loop between T1 and T8/9 and head to the carparks/subway. You need to look for the "All Terminals - Inner Loop" Trains, or travel clockwise if going down in terminal number and and anti-clockwise if going up.

 

[simongr]

OK then - town car to Terminal 1, drop off lugage, train to T8, 4500 miles later, arrive T9, train to T1 and check in for JAL flight to NRT.

I am looking forward to JAL - I have heard good reports about their J class.