Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Mr H]

Can you explain the purpose of booking dummy dates? I don't understand how this could be useful.

I was going to ask the same thing - just stops someone else getting those flights who might want them.

 

[Mr H]

After more reading here, am I correct in thinking that if I route back home through HEL with AY (LHR-HEL-SIN-SYD), I would reduce the taxes/fees out of LHR given shorter distance to HEL?

No, it would still be priced as LHR-SIN as SIN is the final destination using connecting flights. The only way to get the lower rate for HEL would be to take a stopover there.

 

[pye1201]

I was going to ask the same thing - just stops someone else getting those flights who might want them.

I have booked all my OWA's this way primarily because I wanted to get the full ticket priced and the points paid up front. When I booked my first trip, I was not confident that I could get the rest of the trip added on and it would convert to a points capped OWA. My experience with Qantas agents before I gained Platinum status this year has been horrendous - as has been said so many times in this thread. The second half of this OWA is so straight forward with only the one possible stopover that I knew I would probably only make date changes to it anyway. I guess there's a point in booking award space now knowing I won't use it on those date, however it should be released for someone else to book it when I make my changes? AY has pretty good availability for most of the time and the QF flight is in Econ also which, again, has much more availability than Business.

 

[pye1201]

No, it would still be priced as LHR-SIN as SIN is the final destination using connecting flights. The only way to get the lower rate for HEL would be to take a stopover there.

Thank you for that - I keep learning more things on this forum all the time.... and I've already used up all my stopovers!! Hoping to a 24hr transit through on the way to LHR - never been to Helsinki and 24 hrs is better than nothing!!

 

[Mr H]

never been to Helsinki and 24 hrs is better than nothing!!

2 hours would be even better

 

[pye1201]

2 hours would be even better

Nothing to see there?

 

[Mr H]

Nothing to see there?

In fairness, there are some things - the Sibelius monument, the rock church, some Russian style buildings down by the harbour. But mostly it is quite a utilitarian city that is braced to deal with harsh winters, inhabited by a uniquely dour population. It was used as the location for the filming of Gorky Park. Finns were proud of this, but they presumably didn't reflect too long on the way it was chosen because it was a credible stand-in for Soviet Moscow suburbs.

 

[pye1201]

In fairness, there are some things - the Sibelius monument, the rock church, some Russian style buildings down by the harbour. But mostly it is quite a utilitarian city that is braced to deal with harsh winters, inhabited by a uniquely dour population. It was used as the location for the filming of Gorky Park. Finns were proud of this, but they presumably didn't reflect too long on the way it was chosen because it was a credible stand-in for Soviet Moscow suburbs.

Hmmmmm..... perhaps I rethink my layover time..... really not into the moscow vibe...
Thanks!

 

[Jacques Vert]

In fairness, there are some things - the Sibelius monument, the rock church, some Russian style buildings down by the harbour

You could also consider a cruise to Soumenlinna Island or one around the Harbour and islands.

 

[Catweazle]

Yes, they never sleep. They are waiting for your call.

Thanks.

Turns out the MEL - NAN flight wasn't available, despite the website indicating availability. However, the agent knew her stuff and as able to book as MEL - SYD - NAN - APW instead which worked. I don't mind a 30 minute breakfast smash in the lounge at SYD. We can do that.

Then we added APW - NAN - TBU before returning home via SYD again (the latter on purpose because we'll try the Back to the Future musical. Will have to add that to a trip report!)

 

[jeza]

In fairness, there are some things - the Sibelius monument, the rock church, some Russian style buildings down by the harbour. But mostly it is quite a utilitarian city that is braced to deal with harsh winters, inhabited by a uniquely dour population. It was used as the location for the filming of Gorky Park. Finns were proud of this, but they presumably didn't reflect too long on the way it was chosen because it was a credible stand-in for Soviet Moscow suburbs.

Oodi?

 

[Marina2983]

Anyone have experience adding an infant to a OWA rtw flight? We just booked our first rtw trip but our baby hasn’t been born yet so we couldn’t add them to the same booking. Was hoping it won’t be so hard to add them once they’re born and we have a passport for them

 

[DC3]

We just booked our first rtw trip but our baby hasn’t been born yet so we couldn’t add them to the same booking

Welcome to AFF Marina2983

 

[tassie6]

Anyone have experience adding an infant to a OWA rtw flight? We just booked our first rtw trip but our baby hasn’t been born yet so we couldn’t add them to the same booking. Was hoping it won’t be so hard to add them once they’re born and we have a passport for them

Should be pretty straightforward and I have added one in the past. I recommend using the chat function on Messenger, it can take 24 hours for a reply but if you are not in a rush, lets you write down exactly what you want (i.e. avoid spelling mistakes, wrong dates etc) and they can do most things there

Then if you need to pay an amount (which you will for some taxes/charges), they call you up for the payment over the phone

 

[chiken_nugets]

Nothing to see there?

• Sauna
• Disc golf
• Sauna
• Disc golf
• Finnish delicacies

 

[chiken_nugets]

Anyone have experience adding an infant to a OWA rtw flight? We just booked our first rtw trip but our baby hasn’t been born yet so we couldn’t add them to the same booking. Was hoping it won’t be so hard to add them once they’re born and we have a passport for them

The only issue I've run into is that they couldn't add our infant to the same PNR due to partner airline issues. So the infant is on a separate but linked PNR. This has meant we cannot select bassinet seats ahead of time and have to just hope for the best (they put in a request but that's it).

Ironically the partner airlines that allegedly resulted in the system issue (AY and JL) both gave me bassinet seats without any issues or payment required.

 

[skobuffs]

Thanks all for the sound advice in this thread. It's making it a lot easier to understand the nuances of the OW classic flight reward, which I messed up last time I took a big trip!! Happy flying!

 

[elanshin]

Question:

OWA capped, ticketed, everything ok and already started.

We now have an involuntary change. Can we request a non OW airline as a replacement flight? (EK in this case for CHC-SYD - if i can get away with this that would be ek a380 J instead of 737... )

 

[dizz]

Question:

OWA capped, ticketed, everything ok and already started.

We now have an involuntary change. Can we request a non OW airline as a replacement flight? (EK in this case for CHC-SYD - if i can get away with this that would be ek a380 J instead of 737... )

You may have to push, but it should be possible, depending on what alternatives are available (and maybe how soon the flight is??).
December last year BA cancelled my SFO-LHR the day before. All the OW options offered were indirect and after a while on the phone I was able to get onto Virgin Atlantic direct. Don't know how much the time crunch impacted, but it's worth a crack. (Even got the points and SCs!!)

 

[JohnM]

You may have to push, but it should be possible, depending on what alternatives are available (and maybe how soon the flight is??).
December last year BA cancelled my SFO-LHR the day before. All the OW options offered were indirect and after a while on the phone I was able to get onto Virgin Atlantic direct. Don't know how much the time crunch impacted, but it's worth a crack. (Even got the points and SCs!!)

But were you on a OWA flight or a paid flight?