First Class Oneworld RTW Award - your experience? was it worth it?

[ejd711]

I appreciate the help! thank you
Am I actually allowed to do 6 reward flights? (provided it is 5 continental zones?), I haven't quite figured how that works

You can actually do up to I think 16 flight segments, just only 5 stopovers (international transits <24 permitted on top - can't remember the rule for domestic transits). So provided you wan't to stop at all your listed ports, and didn't want to stop at LA it's fine to include (provided it meets the km max without actually working it out). If you wanted to stop in LA for a couple of days then I the 'overland'/buy a separate ticket option could work (overland section included in total km).

Haven't done this award in F, but had some good trips on the J and Y versions and have nested other flights in the middle of the itineraries (including flying back to Australia for 5 months in the middle of a OneWorld award). Could also think of starting outside Australia and buying a cheap return flight to SIN or HKG to position.

 

[serfty]

I appreciate the help! thank you
Am I actually allowed to do 6 reward flights? (provided it is 5 continental zones?), I haven't quite figured how that works

For all you ever wanted to know, see the extensive Wiki at the top of this dedicated thread: Wiki - "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

(Moderator Note: further discussion regarding the ins and out of booking QF oneworld awards should be discussed there; this thread is about the merit (or not) of actually booking a 420K points first class award.)

 

[JohnM]

... this thread is about the merit (or not) of actually booking a 420K points first class award.)

Except that the thread title says ‘RTW’ which implies that the topic is an AONEx, not a OneWorld F Award.

 

[serfty]

Except that the thread title says ‘RTW’ which implies that the topic is an AONEx, not a OneWorld F Award.

Despite what the original thread title was, it became clear the OP was referring to a Qantas First Class oneworld award.

 

[Flymeanywhere]

And after reading through this thread, I am still none the wiser whether doing an F (unofficial) RTW Award is merited. I am more a lurker than poster and I have over 500,000 points and currently Platinum and, no matter how often I try to make an itinerary, it falls down. I either get an "error" message or flights with economy legs. I have tried using Expert Flyer, KVS, Qantas and BA websites and still get frustrated. I realise I can't do all legs in First but ...
I have also checked using the maximum day out for booking for the different airlines. My question is do I still keep on trying?

 

[11sjw]

And after reading through this thread, I am still none the wiser whether doing an F (unofficial) RTW Award is merited. I am more a lurker than poster and I have over 500,000 points and currently Platinum and, no matter how often I try to make an itinerary, it falls down. I either get an "error" message or flights with economy legs. I have tried using Expert Flyer, KVS, Qantas and BA websites and still get frustrated. I realise I can't do all legs in First but ...
I have also checked using the maximum day out for booking for the different airlines. My question is do I still keep on trying?

So you're very near 560k points which is 2 x J RTW awards. I'd go with that. Platinum still gets you all the F lounges and OW J is generally pretty good.

 

[Flying mermaid]

And after reading through this thread, I am still none the wiser whether doing an F (unofficial) RTW Award is merited. I am more a lurker than poster and I have over 500,000 points and currently Platinum and, no matter how often I try to make an itinerary, it falls down. I either get an "error" message or flights with economy legs. I have tried using Expert Flyer, KVS, Qantas and BA websites and still get frustrated. I realise I can't do all legs in First but ...
I have also checked using the maximum day out for booking for the different airlines. My question is do I still keep on trying?

I think you need to break it into two components

1. Can I get the flights. - I can’t help with that, as I don’t do international awards because I can’t be bothered fiddling, but people can and do , so hopefully others can give you tips

2. Is it worth doing? That’s very subjective. I will always fly F when I can, but I know plenty of people who fly F and then say - that was OK, but not worth the extra over J, so I will stick to J. J is very good - we flew F for the first time in 1989 and J passengers these days would laugh hysterically at what we thought was good

It also comes down to points and what value you put on them and what you can do with the extra if you did a J award instead.

 

[mrsterryn]

For myself and the other half travel we both love. Both the countries and the actual travel.
As @Flying mermaid said above some people don't think F costs warrants using F over business .
I quite like the Qantas first product and very glad we have done . If travelling alone First is good but happy to travel business especially as a couple.
I am saying you should do the first trip if you can

 

[coyote25]

So you're very near 560k points which is 2 x J RTW awards. I'd go with that. Platinum still gets you all the F lounges and OW J is generally pretty good.

Not that I’ve done much F flying (2 x Emirates A380 & 1 x Emirates 777 segments), but it also comes down to which F flights you can fine.

It appears that so J flights like Qatar A350 might be better than some F maybe? ? With J getting so good picking the best Oneworld J might be almost as good for less price / points especially if you already are Platinum and get most F airport benefits and perks.

 

[Flymeanywhere]

For myself and the other half travel we both love. Both the countries and the actual travel.
As @Flying mermaid said above some people don't think F costs warrants using F over business .
I quite like the Qantas first product and very glad we have done . If travelling alone First is good but happy to travel business especially as a couple.
I am saying you should do the first trip if you can

Actually have done paid First on Qantas and Emirates so it's not so much to try it rather than the opportunity on other airlines like CX, BA, and AA for example. True, the Qantas Business in A330/787 flights is good seating but I think that has spoilt me. Even CX is so-so in my eyes. Am a solo flyer so that's why I thought First. Then again, I could make it two Business journeys for next year and in the future. Thanks to all you guys, I feel regenerated enough to continue searching.

 

[knightfall88]

From what I gathered, First has extremely limited routes but definitely an upgrade in experience over Business.

Personally for me, I haven't actually been to London, NY/LA, Qatar or HK which seems to be where all the F routes connect. Considering that the difference between 280k points and 420k points isn't a whole lot to me, the fact I haven't ever been on First Class and finally the fact that I don't have any destination preference, I think I will continue to construct a Award F itinerary.

It seems I am exactly the the type that an F award is worthwhile for (person with no destination preference, never flown F and don't mind spending the extra 140k)

 

[11sjw]

From what I gathered, First has extremely limited routes but definitely an upgrade in experience over Business.

Personally for me, I haven't actually been to London, NY/LA, Qatar or HK which seems to be where all the F routes connect. Considering that the difference between 280k points and 420k points isn't a whole lot to me, the fact I haven't ever been on First Class and finally the fact that I don't have any destination preference, I think I will continue to construct a Award F itinerary.

It seems I am exactly the the type that an F award is worthwhile for (person with no destination preference, never flown F and don't mind spending the extra 140k)

You couldn't really get the decision wrong. Great dilemma 1 x RTW F or, after a few more points, 2 x RTW J.

I have the hassle of Mrs and Jnr 11 like the idea of an around the world trip in "bed seats" so 3 x 140k is a few CC sign ups. Hence we'll stick with J!!

 

[fifo]

Qatar

You aren't missing much. Seriously, if you decide to come, try to come not in the middle of summer (aussie winter) and you probably only need 48 hrs to see and do everything worth doing (I've live in DOH for 18 months, 6-9 more to go!). I leave at every chance.

Doing a brunch on a friday is worth it if you are here, set price, food + booze from 12-330 or 4pm in a fancy hotel, but an experience you can get anywhere I guess. But its kind of a uniquely middle eastern expat experience.

 

[Franky]

There are obviously many on this thread with lots of points. To say that the difference between F and J is ‘only a few points’ is a bit wide of the mark. Let’s be honest, 420K compared to 280K is a 50% increase which I would consider more than just a few...

 

[Mattg]

There are obviously many on this thread with lots of points. To say that the difference between F and J is ‘only a few points’ is a bit wide of the mark. Let’s be honest, 420K compared to 280K is a 50% increase which I would consider more than just a few...

Yep... I would rather do 3x J RTW trips than 2x F RTW trips.

As always, YMMV!

 

[knightfall88]

You aren't missing much. Seriously, if you decide to come, try to come not in the middle of summer (aussie winter) and you probably only need 48 hrs to see and do everything worth doing (I've live in DOH for 18 months, 6-9 more to go!). I leave at every chance.

Doing a brunch on a friday is worth it if you are here, set price, food + booze from 12-330 or 4pm in a fancy hotel, but an experience you can get anywhere I guess. But its kind of a uniquely middle eastern expat experience.

Glad to hear it. I was thinking of flying to Doha (stay <24hrs) and then from Doha to Paris or London just so I can fly with Qatar and avoid the stopover count.

 

[fifo]

With one full day and using uber to get everywhere, you can easily see the major highlights. so good idea!

 

[knightfall88]

There are obviously many on this thread with lots of points. To say that the difference between F and J is ‘only a few points’ is a bit wide of the mark. Let’s be honest, 420K compared to 280K is a 50% increase which I would consider more than just a few...

Don't disagree with that. But it seems so easy replenish points these days. 140k is just 2 - 3 credit cards

 

[kermatu]

Personally, for the point differential I too would choose the 420K F option, as long as the majority of routes were actually F and ideally with a good few CX, JAL and/or QR.

For a solo traveller, the other factors are time away (one F trip vs two J trips) and the accommodation and other travel costs that come with any such trip.

This isn't for me yet, but one day I reckon (hope) to give a 420K F splurge a go!

 

[SelfFundedWP]

Last month I got back from my first Oneworld award in first thanks to info from this site.
Here's my experience:

SYD-LHR on QF1 A380. Sydney F lounge is amazing, great food and massage.
Great flights, food and seat, terrible service.

LHR-JFK with BA 777. Concorde room is amazing, private cabana and massage.Great flight all aspects.

JFK-YVR with CX 777. Access to AA flagship first dining was spectacular. Amazing flight all aspects. Cathay are consistently excellent especially their service.

LAX-HKG with CX 777. Amazing in all aspects as above. AA first lounge was great and qantas lounge there was pretty good also.

HKG-HND with CX 777. CX hong Kong lounges are superb, spent 4 hrs hopping between their lounges absolutely amazing. Private cabana room with bathtub was a highlight. Short but excellent flight. Id definitely put HKG in any trip just for their lounges! Look up Paul Stewart Qantas on YouTube for a pretty good run down on them.

NRT-BNE with QF in J. Felt like slumming it after Cathay flights.

Totally worth it going first class although I will be avoiding qantas as much as possible in the future. I can't recommend Cathay enough. Would like to use Qatar and JAL in my next reward fare, better get saving my points again!