How To Search For oneworld Award Availability

[Jacques Vert]

When working out the flight details, does the system automatically recognise that you are limited to 280k points or do you have to nominate somewhere? Thanks in advance.

Not 100% sure I understand your question but assuming you are talking about QF search engine then you start building your itinerary and IF you are within the rules, the points count will stop at 280k even as you add more flights.

If the points count goes above 280k, you have broken one of the rules and need to "fix" the itinerary.

Hope that helps.

JV

 

[ausfox]

I want to include a couple of JL sectors. Do I book the trip up to this point and then ring assistance to have the JL added. Thanks JV

 

[Jacques Vert]

I want to include a couple of JL sectors. Do I book the trip up to this point and then ring assistance to have the JL added. Thanks JV

First, have you looked at this thread?:
http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.html

There is an awesome amount of information in there and reading at least the last 12 months worth of posts will be invaluable to you and well worth the time it takes.

To answer your specific question:
1. JL award flights are not bookable on the QF multi-city tool as you seem to be aware;
2. Assuming that all your flights are within the booking period (330 - 360 days depending on airline), then work out your itinerary and confirm available flights using BA, QF and other search engines.
3. Make a list of all flights: date, flight numbers, departure airport and time, arrival airport and time. Check the mileage on Great Circle Mapper and don't forget to allow for surface sectors.
4. When all good to go, ring QF and advise the agent that you want to book a 280k award but the on-line site will not allow you to book the JL flights. IME, if you are genuinely ringing because the on-line tool can't handle the booking AND you have obviously done your research so that the agent can book it quickly (15 minutes rather than an hour or two), you will usually have little trouble in having the booking fee waived.

5. If your itinerary extends past the eligible booking period, then book what is available using a "dummy" flight to return home. This will close the points out at 280k (assuming you are within the rules) and lock in the flights you want. Then when your desired flights open up, ring QF and amend/add the remaining flights. This will cost you 3,500 points change fee PER PERSON each time you change/add.

Good luck,

JV

 

[ausfox]

ThanksJV. I have done as you described and am able to get to Europe and across to USA within the multi city at Qantas. I enrolled with BA and have found the JL flights I want. My concern was whether to start my bookings with a dummy return from JFK or go the help desk with all of the flights and dates but no bookings. Thanks again.

 

[Jacques Vert]

ThanksJV. I have done as you described and am able to get to Europe and across to USA within the multi city at Qantas. I enrolled with BA and have found the JL flights I want. My concern was whether to start my bookings with a dummy return from JFK or go the help desk with all of the flights and dates but no bookings. Thanks again.

As indicated before, you are now ready to go direct to the help desk/QF agent; Good luck; I hope it all comes together for you.

JV

 

[kpc]

If wanting to book Cx flights with AA miles, which is now the best website to check for real (non phantom) availability? Jal > Ba > Qf ?

 

[anat0l]

If wanting to book Cx flights with AA miles, which is now the best website to check for real (non phantom) availability? Jal > Ba > Qf ?

I would still take that order for granted. From history, JL underreports the availability and BA slightly overreports it, but I haven't heard any different from that.

 

[NZflygirl]

I'm getting a "sorry there seems to be a technical problem" from BA and have never been able to search. Is it because I'm on a MAC?

 

[ausfox]

I use a mac and am able to search BA. Are you a BA Executive Club member?

 

[NZflygirl]

I use a mac and am able to search BA. Are you a BA Executive Club member?

Yes I signed up. I go to the spending avios part (not that I have any), then book reward flight but I've never got past the technical error message:
[h=1]Sorry[/h]Sorry, there seems to be a technical problem. Please try again in a few minutes, and please contact us if it still doesn't work.
We apologise for the inconvenience.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

 

[anat0l]

Yes I signed up. I go to the spending avios part (not that I have any), then book reward flight but I've never got past the technical error message:
[h=1]Sorry[/h]Sorry, there seems to be a technical problem. Please try again in a few minutes, and please contact us if it still doesn't work.
We apologise for the inconvenience.

I don't know what I'm doing wrong.

I just ran a few test searches myself. Got no problems with the BA site here.

I have a handful of Avios (not enough to book anything useful), but that shouldn't be an impediment.

If you are not logged into BAEC when you try and book a reward flight, you should be prompted to log in.

That said, I'm using Firefox on Windows 10. If you're still having trouble, try opening a private window (or incognito mode or equivalent in your browser) and searching there. Failing that, you can try another browser. Otherwise, I have no idea.

 

[NZflygirl]

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried on safari and chrome incognito - same response.
I'll try play with the account tomorrow, otherwise I can't search QR awards.

 

[KVS]

I'm getting a "sorry there seems to be a technical problem" from BA and have never been able to search. Is it because I'm on a MAC?

What route/date are you searching?

 

[NZflygirl]

What route/date are you searching?

SYD/MEL-DOH-CDG F. No confirmed date but was wanting to learn how to search and watch availability as I just bought a bunch of AA miles and I'd like to use them to fly F. I bought an EF subscription but couldn't even see QR from the dropdown box not that I'm much of an expert when it comes to EF, I've only played with it a few times. The QR website used to not even show F (or said sold or something) but now it's closer to some dates it seems to be showing more revenue availability. I'm taking 8 seats left to be a good sign that at least 1 award might be available but just going to watch for now.

 

[snabbu]

SYD/MEL-DOH-CDG F. No confirmed date but was wanting to learn how to search and watch availability as I just bought a bunch of AA miles and I'd like to use them to fly F. I bought an EF subscription but couldn't even see QR from the dropdown box not that I'm much of an expert when it comes to EF, I've only played with it a few times. The QR website used to not even show F (or said sold or something) but now it's closer to some dates it seems to be showing more revenue availability. I'm taking 8 seats left to be a good sign that at least 1 award might be available but just going to watch for now.

On the first random date I plugged into BA for SYD-CDG I had a hit with 2 x F seats on QR with either a short or long connection.



Are you still having issues with the BA site? When searching for awards on BA I use this bookmark.

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/redeem/execclub/_gf/en_gb

 

[NZflygirl]

On the first random date I plugged into BA for SYD-CDG I had a hit with 2 x F seats on QR with either a short or long connection.

View attachment 87964

Are you still having issues with the BA site? When searching for awards on BA I use this bookmark.

https://www.britishairways.com/travel/redeem/execclub/_gf/en_gb

So that's what it looks like!! I tried completing my profile. Same issue. Even through your link I still go through the Ba Exec then down to spending avios then book reward flight and straight to error message. I've just sent feedback to ba.com via their site hoping they can fix it.

I remember reading something about Aussie addresses not being recognised? I've put my friends address in BNE in. But I suspect many here have an Oz address. And they do fly to Oz so I can't see why they wouldn't allow an Aussie member.
I'm happy to do the searching rather than people do it for me but I'm just missing a functional search tool!
I'm reluctant to call the UK. I'll be there next month so if still not resolved will call then.

 

[prozac]

...
I remember reading something about Aussie addresses not being recognised? I've put my friends address in BNE in. But I suspect many here have an Oz address. And they do fly to Oz so I can't see why they wouldn't allow an Aussie member.
I'm happy to do the searching rather than people do it for me but I'm just missing a functional search tool!
I'm reluctant to call the UK. I'll be there next month so if still not resolved will call then.

NZflygirl, BNE is in Australia.
I think I have read here that you need a uk address to make it work. Pick any address, maybe 10 Dowling St will work.

 

[jgm]

To join BA with an Australian address, use your street address & postcode, but change the country to Austria. As long as you don't want/need any written communication with BA, this method works.

 

[snabbu]

NZflygirl, BNE is in Australia.
I think I have read here that you need a uk address to make it work. Pick any address, maybe 10 Dowling St will work.

Yep you need a .uk address, that's your problem.

 

[anat0l]

Yep you need a .uk address, that's your problem.

I didn't think of checking the address! Mainly because you had to furnish one to sign up for BAEC in the first place, and it couldn't be one in Australia (it can be one in other places in Europe or USA).