The next DONE4 planning thread

[simongr]

Well - after much internal wrangling - I think SOB is going to become little SOB

I think I am going to drop the DFW-LAX-JFK completely and convert JFK-BGI-LGW into JFK-LHR,LGW. The 9:30PM flight out of JFK to LHR gets in at 9:30AM and is currently showing as Flagship suites - and I could use 1 eVIP to upgrade NRT-DFW-JFK-LHR. It would give me 5 hours to transit LGW-LHR and I am thinking of just travelling with hand luggage on this trip now (subject to the one bag rule at LHR being relaxed - or not?) Even if it is one bag at LHR then my risk is only LGW-PFO and LCA-LHR-HKG-SYD - which I have never had trouble with.

I am just reworking my schedule now to trim this down.

I think it will drop from 43,457 miles to just 38,380 miles - mind you that is still more than enough on one trip for two return business class returns in SWP...

I am half tempted to see if I can really rejig this (will check availbility today) and maybe get home a day early or spend an extra day in Cyprus.

I have ticketed this already and as I had two open segments it is paper - I assume (perhaps wrongly) if I fixed the dates for those segments and get it all to 16 segments or below then it will be an eticket?

Sorry for letting down those who were expecting continued hard core mileage - but I think the BEHEMOTH might have broken me

Mind you if I do travel with only hand luggage then BGI wont be so bad...

 

[NM]

... and I could use 1 eVIP to upgrade NRT-DFW-JFK-LHR.

Cool. So where do you sit on the upgraded DFW-JFK flight ?

... and I am thinking of just travelling with hand luggage on this trip now

Ahh, just like most of your last trip

I have ticketed this already and as I had two open segments it is paper - I assume (perhaps wrongly) if I fixed the dates for those segments and get it all to 16 segments or below then it will be an eticket?

If it meets all the e-ticket criteria, then a re-issue can be as e-ticket.

 

[simongr]

Cool. So where do you sit on the upgraded DFW-JFK flight ?

I assume I will be the only one getting their pre-flight champagne in a real glass

Ahh, just like most of your last trip

OI!!!!

If it meets all the e-ticket criteria, then a re-issue can be as e-ticket.

The question is - can I bring myself to give up the points....

All I am gaining is avoiding BGI baggage - which may not be a problem if I can get by with no checked luggage.

Decisions decisions...

 

[tscharke]

Note that ORD-JFK is likely to a Beagle flight, so Y only.

simongr in whY:!:

i'd like to see that

 

[simongr]

Yeah right - like trhat is going to happen any time soon

 

[simongr]

As an aside - if I have an existing paper ticket that has two open segments on it - can that be converted to electronic by fixing the dates? I could pick two dates at random and then change them in the future as needed - I would just have an electronic ticket then which would be a lot easier...

 

[serfty]

From answers to similar questions on the oneworld FlyerTalk Forum it seems that it can be done, but it's complicated and often much easier to "pick two dates ... and then change them in the future as needed".

I would not pick random dates; it may better to choose those your are most likely to fly. While date/time changes are "free", many airlines are now charging a service fee.

 

[Keith009]

Hm, to rescue SOB and avoid BGI baggage - why not just spend a day in the sun at BGI?

 

[NM]

As an aside - if I have an existing paper ticket that has two open segments on it - can that be converted to electronic by fixing the dates? I could pick two dates at random and then change them in the future as needed - I would just have an electronic ticket then which would be a lot easier...

Only if you pay to have it re-issued (US$125).

 

[simongr]

OK - slight tangential plan here...


mrssimongr wants to go to DRW to visit friends in october - shortly after the bulk of SOB is done. I am thinking about the following...


I have syd-per-adl-syd booked already that I was thinking about punting to next year as I dont have time for a self indulgent day trip between now and SOB. What I was thinking was booking mrssimongr a QF award to DRW in business.

I could then change my current flights on the BEHEMOTH to be:

syd-drw-bne-syd

That would get me to DRW on the same flight as mrssimongr

I could then change the end of SOB to be:

syd-bne-drw-syd

That could get me on same flight back from DRW as mrssimongr

The problem is that I then have syd-bne and bne-syd that I need to take at some point. Forgive me if I am sort of talking out loud as I think this through. The dates for the DRW trip are "fixed" at early oct - about a week after I get back from SOB.

.
.
.

Damn just worked it out and I would have to take the "connecting flights" so I could do a simple syd-drw-syd whilst I am in DRW...

Looks like mrssimongr is flying solo :shock:

 

[serfty]

... Damn just worked it out and I would have to take the "connecting flights" so I could do a simple syd-drw-syd whilst I am in DRW ...

The rules at the time of ticketing apply, so if your journey was ticketed before the surface segment rules were changed, that may not be an issue.

What may be more of an issue, is that you can only have one segment between PER-SYD/MEL on a xONEx (if that was the idea).

 

[simongr]

OK - I have bitten the bullet and am cutting down on flights - sorry guys trip report may be a little shorter this time.

The journey was ticketed only a little while ago so I think I will be stung by the surface segment rules.

The trip currently is

syd-nrt-hkg-sin-nrt-dfw-lax-jfk-bgi-lgw-pfo,lca-lhr-hkg-syd-drw-bne-syd

Being 17 segments and 48,874 miles

I was just thinking:

syd-nrt-hkg-sin-nrt-dfw-jfk-lhr,lgw-pfo,lca-lhr-hkg-syd-drw-bne-syd

Which comes in at 17 segments and 41,704 miles - which is still over the 16 segment e ticket rule.

I tried to get into ORD but the NRT-ORD flight is A0 now.

I am now thinking of dropping the SYD-NRT-HKG in favour of SYD-HKG. A 2:55PM flight getting in at 10:50PM is a little later than I would hope but it is an extra night at home with mrssimongr and could then eticket the trip.

I just need mrssimongr to commit to the DRW trip and I will book.

So the itinerary is now (hopefully):

[size=2]
Date	Airline	Origin	Des	Basis	Class	Fl Num	Depart 	Arrive	Aircraft 	Avail
09-Sep-07	CX	SYD	hkg	d	BUS	CX100	14-55	20-20	A330	D5
20-Sep-07	CX	hkg	sin	d	BUS	CX711	16-15	20-00	777	
20-Sep-07	JL	sin	nrt	d	BUS	JL710	22-40	06-40	773	
20-Sep-07	AA	nrt	dfw	d	BUS	AA176	11-30	09-20	777	
21-Sep-07	AA	dfw	jfk	a	FIRST	AA728	11-40	16-05	M83	A7
27-Sep-07	AA	jfk	bgi	d	BUS	AA1385	10-00	14-50	757	
27-Sep-07	BA	bgi	lgw	d	BUS	BA2154	16-40	05-45	777	
30-Sep-07	BA	lgw	pfo	d	BUS	BA6842	14-05	20-30	A321	
01-Oct-07	BA	lca	lhr	d	BUS	BA663	16-50	19-50	767	
01-Oct-07	BA	lhr	hkg	d	BUS	BA27	20-15	05-10	744	
01-Oct-07	QF	hkg	syd	d	BUS	QF128	09-10	07-55	744	
06-Oct-07	QF	syd	drw	d	BUS	QF842	10-50	15-00	73H	D8
10-Oct-07	QF	drw	bne	d	BUS	QF825	13-35	17-45	763	D6
10-Oct-07	QF	bne	syd	d	BUS	QF555	19-45	21-15	73H	D9

[/size]

I have only put availability if flights are changing. I will get mrssimongr commitment tonight and book fligt tomorrow morning

 

[simongr]

OK - changes made and flights booked...

A couple of observations - as the flight was ticketed I need to pay the reissue fee I am told I also can't change the first flight out without cancelling the whoel thing And - now this is the kicker - I am in Coach for DFW-JFK!!!!!! The other option was nine hours in the AC at DFW and I dont think that would have been good. I will waitlist for an upgrade to F ASAP...

Also mrssimongr has her flight booked - she wont be able to fly with me on the way up but on the way back we are on QF82 - which although it has a 5:15AM departure from DRW should mean skybeds! It does route through ADL though - so should be an interesting trip...

Routing is now:

syd-nrt-hkg-sin-nrt-dfw-jfk-bgi-lgw-pfo,lca-lhr-hkg-syd-bne-drw-syd

Running at 16 segments and 44,559 miles!

I do however have to go to the airport to get it reissued

I am assuming that I could reconsider JFK-BGI-LGW in favour of JFK-LHR,LGW (whihc would allow me to spend another day in the NY office) before I get the ticket reissued and only pay one reissue fee?

Just looking at the seat map for the DFW-JFK flight (currently at F3) the options on seatin were 13B (on teh two seat side of the aircraft) or 20B (exit row) - I chose exit row - I wont be in that much of a rush to get off the aircraft and would appreciate a little more space...

EDIT

OK - as QF82 is an international flight number - I can call and allocate seats for me and mrssimongr?

Also will I need to check in earlier - ugh an 05:15 departure will mean a 4AM cehck in?

Finally that will arrive at the international terminal yes? Definitely hand luggage only then...

 

[serfty]

OK - changes made and flights booked...

A couple of observations - as the flight was ticketed I need to pay the reissue fee I am told I also can't change the first flight out without cancelling the whoel thing ...

Since you are not commencing travel in TC1 you should not have to pay a re-issue fee.

Look here:
http://www.frequentflyer.com.au/com...ctor-10547.html?highlight=ticketed#post135206

Any changes to an xONEx are unlimited & "free" (or at least without penalty), ticketed or not - unless purchased in TC1 (N/A & S/A).

16. VOLUNTARY CHANGES/REROUTING/PENALTIES

• Rebooking/Rerouting
  1. Prior to departure
     • Origin TC1
       1. Before ticket issuance - Permitted without penalty.
       2. After ticket issuance -
          • Changes to the first international flight and preceding flights are not permitted less than seven days prior to the date of the first ticketed flight. Date/time changes to other flights permitted at no charge.
          • Date/Time/oneworld Carrier changes are permitted without reissue provided origin/destination/connecting points and inventory remain the same.
          • Changes other than to Date/Time/oneworld carrier permitted at a charge of USD125.00 per transaction.
     • Origin TC2/3
       • Unlimited changes permitted without charge.
       • Date/Time/oneworld carrier changes are permitted without reissue provided origin/destination/connecting points and inventory remain the same.
       • Local service fees may apply
  2. After Departure
     • • Date/Time changes permitted at no charge. Date/Time/oneworld carrier changes are permitted without reissue provided origin/destination/connecting points and inventory remain the same.
       • Routing changes other than to Date/Time/oneworld carrier permitted at a charge of USD125.00 per transaction. If currency of ticket origin is not shown convert the USD amount at the BSR.
     • • If the rerouting results in an increase to the number of continents or extra flight segments previously charged, the ticket shall be recalculated. Tickets may be reissued to a higher fare, eg. from A –ONE3 type to A -ONE4 type fare and the increase in fare will be collected. When flight segments are added above the free allowance, those charges will be collected. When the rerouting results in a reduction to the number of continents or extra flight segments previously charged, no refund will apply.

 

[simongr]

Hmm - maybe the ATW desk staffer was not aware of that rule.

I was informed I need to go to the airport for the ticket reissue - I might call them first before I head out to Mascot...

 

[serfty]

Hmm - maybe the ATW desk staffer was not aware of that rule.

I was informed I need to go to the airport for the ticket reissue - I might call them first before I head out to Mascot...

I would print this out and take it with me: RULE 3015.

(Along with a copy of the URL - [noparse]http://www.oneworld.com/content/library/oneworld_explorer_24jul2007.pdf[/noparse])

 

[NM]

Yes, the ticket needs to be re-issued since it involved a route change. However, as Serfty points out, since it is not a TC1 origin, there should be no re-issue fee since it is prior to departure. Last year I added a DFW-PHX-DFW to my already issued DONE4, but the day before I departed, so there was no re-issue charge.

Also note that if you are stopping in New York, look for DFW-LGA as AA have more flights to LGA than JFK from DFW and you may find a seat more aligned to the style in which you are now accustomed to travelling.

 

[simongr]

Gah - how stupid of me

I asked for DFW-JFK and wondered why the flight I wanted had gone from A7 to A0 overnight - I meant to ask for DFW-LGA at almost exactly the same time! That is showing A7 still d'oh!

Ah well - at least I now have a chance to call and change that in the morning along with dropping my JFK-BGI-LGW in favour of JFK-LHR,LGW and upgrade to F. The only "problem" being the transfer to LGW - but I will survive that and at least I wont have to spend 7 hours in the LGW F lounge...

This thing will stop moving eventually...

 

[simongr]

Well it is done - it has finally stopped moving.

Sadly it wont be an eticket I think due to numerous surface segments (I hadnt thought was a big deal before but sadly I think it might make olci harder).

Dave Noble would be half proud of me - I have a direct flight to LHR and then will catch the BUS to LGW (or I might arrange my nice limo chaps again )

It is an overnight flight but that does save a night's accommodation and I should be able to eVP into
F using one eVIP NRT-DFW-LGA,JFK-LHR (note I have now fixed the Coach situation into NYC

EDIT

Hmm- just called and am confirmed into F JFK-LHR. What was weird was that sh as I am waitlisted NDT-DFW she said that if that clears that they will use that cert for NRT-DFW and then put in another one JFK-LHR - I Thought this would only be one cert?

 

[Dave Noble]

Dave Noble would be half proud of me - I have a direct flight to LHR and then will catch the BUS to LGW (or I might arrange my nice limo chaps again )

Indeed. When going from A-B , going from A-B without passing though B,C,D,E... is a far better idea methunks

Hmm- just called and am confirmed into F JFK-LHR. What was weird was that sh as I am waitlisted NDT-DFW she said that if that clears that they will use that cert for NRT-DFW and then put in another one JFK-LHR - I Thought this would only be one cert?

If you were travelling NRT-DFW-LGW , then you would be fine since up to 3 contiguous sectors of a single fare componant can happily be upgraded. If you upgrade non contiguous sectors, then the direction of travel is taken into account to determine eligability

Given that NRT-DFW is NE , DFW-JFK is NE and JFK-LHR is NE , then I would have thought that you could have legitimately upgraded both sectors using 1 upgrade. Perhaps the agent you spoke to assumed that there was a fare break in there

I would suggest a quick call again to the EXP desk when it opens

Dave