New and trying to soak it all in

[Shansta]

Hey all, decided it was time to take the plunge and say hi.

Partner and I are aiming to get enough points for oneworld RTW J class, looks like we are still a year off but we are getting there slowly.

Looking at trip reports and currently doing a lot of reading to determine the "best" business class airlines. Given the fact that this trip is at least 18-22 months away I am sure a lot will change, but still trying to soak up as much knowledge now so when D-day arrives we can book the best option!

 

[Hvr]

Welcome aboard Shansta, as you're starting to realise there are lots of ideas here so cancel your appointments and just keep reading.

 

[lovetravellingoz]

Welcome and happy points hunting.

 

[craven morehead]

Welcome Shansta , keeping in mind your trip maybe 18+ months away but you may need to jump on some flights as much as a year out to lock in the ones you want :mrgreen:

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF Shansta!

Good luck with your quest. I too long for the day I can spend my QFF points on Oneworld awards.

 

[Shansta]

Thanks all - yep I know I need to book as soon as my last date is available (I think that is correct).

Are you also able to upgrade legs to First? Do you need to have points on that airline or Qantas? Now that J is in sight, I'm trying to think up and over that!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Thanks all - yep I know I need to book as soon as my last date is available (I think that is correct).

Are you also able to upgrade legs to First? Do you need to have points on that airline or Qantas? Now that J is in sight, I'm trying to think up and over that!

As a side note......Are you thinking of booking a Paid "Round the World " explorer fare with Oneworld?

If so, many legs , providing the cabin is available on that flight can certainly be upgraded to a higher class?

If your looking at a points redemption..... as a few people have stated.... these get snapped up pretty fast as very little inventory is made available.

 

[TomVexille]

Welcome aboard!

 

[Shansta]

Thanks everyone - this place isn't as scary as I thought it would be!

Cool Cat Phil - yep - aiming for Rtw with points.

 

[smit0847]

Welcome! I cannot tell you how much I've learnt from this site - it has completely changed the way I travel (FAR more comfortably). My friends still can't work out how I do it on my income (I take great delight in telling them all the perks included in premium travel!).

It's excellent that you have heaps of time before your trip as you will need it to amass the points and plan properly and this site will be a huge help in doing both.

Have a good look around this site and its a wealth of information and assistance but my preliminary advice would be to amass your points ASAP through spending habits and credit cards as you will have to book your flights 11 months out and be VERY flexible to get what you want. Don't wait until 6 months before the trip and then wonder why there's only economy left!

 

[Shansta]

Thanks for that! Am hoping/aiming to have points by Nov, ready to start booking in Dec/Jan.

At around 450,000 so really going for the last bunch. Am happy to be flexible, and am just currently trying to get my head around which airlines taxes cost more.

Thinking of a rough plan of
Per-Hkg-Fco-land segment-Cdg or Lhr - JFK- Lax -Nrt-Hkg-Per

on Cathay, BA or Iberian(unsure which is better) - AA - JAL - Cathay

Any thoughts?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Welcome to the forum

Thanks for that! Am hoping/aiming to have points by Nov, ready to start booking in Dec/Jan.
At around 450,000 so really going for the last bunch. Am happy to be flexible, and am just currently trying to get my head around which airlines taxes cost more.
Thinking of a rough plan of PER-HKG-FCO-land segment-CDG or LHR-JFK-LAX-NRT-HKG-PER on Cathay, BA or Iberian(unsure which is better) - AA - JAL - Cathay

Look at http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ogram/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.html
You need to be very flexible on route & dates. You may need to fly a different routes and/or date compared to your partner
Real taxes are the same for all airlines. Very high APD (Air Passenger Duty) leaving from UK, so leave from France, Germany or Spain or ??
QF charges YQ fuel surcharges that when using QF points that you cannot escape. The $$ will suprise you
Do not confuse real taxes and carrier (QF) imposed surcharges
Some airliines have flights for sale/awards at 353 days, like QF, and others, like AA, at 330 days. Makes planning hard
You cannot upgrade award flights

oneworld has routes maps
While not for a QF OW awards this site is useful http://www.slfft.org/mm/award.htm

 

[RooFlyer]

Small tip.

LHR airport charges are very high and these charges I believe are part of those reflected in the "fees and charges' cash component of any Award redemption.

So if you can avoid LHR (say using MAN or CDG) you will save a bit, as long as cost of getting those ports isn't excessive. But as you are contemplating using CDG anyway, shouldn't be an issue.

Haven't travelled Iberian long haul for quite a while, but ordinarily I would choose BA over them.

 

[Mwenenzi]

LHR airport charges are very high and these charges I believe are part of those reflected in the "fees and charges' cash component of any Award redemption.

So if you can avoid LHR (say using MAN or CDG) you will save a bit, as long as cost of getting those ports isn't excessive. But as you are contemplating using CDG anyway, shouldn't be an issue.

No. Departure only from all UK airports attracts the UK ADP. Air Passenger Duty - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
LHR may have its own fees, but these will be low compared to the APD.
IIRC France also has some sort of government departure tax/levy/fee