Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[prozac]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

...
There has been some confusion however with the baggage allowance for our trip. Initially the ticket had no baggage allowance so I rang to clarify why this was so. The ticket was revalidated with baggage but the baggage allowance was different segment to segment despite being transits through to the final destination. So I called QANTAS again who apologised and reissued the ticket (new ticket number) with the same baggage allowance throughout the itinerary (2 pieces on every segment).
So I have two main questions: is this allowance now correct? What is the weight limit of each piece, will the weight/piece be the same throughout or different carrier to carrier? I've been struggling to figure out if IATA or DOT rules apply and I think QF ticketing staff are a bit confused too.
...

There is a code relating to baggage allowance when flying more than one carrier on the ticket. It is called the Most Significant Carrier Rule (MSC). This rule states that on flights which are operated by several airlines, the baggage regulations of the airline that operates the geographically longest or most significant stretch of the journey apply.

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

All J except SYD-CBR, MAN-LON, NYC-CUN and CUN-NYC (AA only have F and Y on those flights? Seems very strange so had to book Y unless there is a way around this)

I think you have been misinformed paul_5666. Most AA domestic flights only have F and Y but their flights from the US to Canada and the Caribbean etc. have Y & J (some may also have F but I'm not sure about that). I have flown in J class (on J reward tickets) on a couple of their Caribbean flights and while it's better than Y, it's definitely not up to what we generally expect in J but it is still J class. If you search for an AAdvantage milesaver reward on the JFK to CUN route (using the US aa.com website) you will find that there is J available (booked into "U" class which is available to you under a OW RTW 280K reward) so it's definitely not correct for anyone to tell you that only F and Y are available on the JFK - CUN route.

 

[paul_5666]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

I think you have been misinformed paul_5666. Most AA domestic flights only have F and Y but their flights from the US to Canada and the Caribbean etc. have Y & J (some may also have F but I'm not sure about that).

I think I've made a mistake, and yes you seem to be right. On the QF booking site I was seeing part F award availability on the non-direct flights with the F leg being the domestic leg and the international leg being in Y. I made the assumption that there was F on the direct international route because of the way it was displayed but there was just no J award seats available.

 

[hutch]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

I think you have been misinformed paul_5666. Most AA domestic flights only have F and Y but their flights from the US to Canada and the Caribbean etc. have Y & J (some may also have F but I'm not sure about that). I have flown in J class (on J reward tickets) on a couple of their Caribbean flights and while it's better than Y, it's definitely not up to what we generally expect in J but it is still J class. If you search for an AAdvantage milesaver reward on the JFK to CUN route (using the US aa.com website) you will find that there is J available (booked into "U" class which is available to you under a OW RTW 280K reward) so it's definitely not correct for anyone to tell you that only F and Y are available on the JFK - CUN route.

My apologies. I had recalled that AA called a business seat, "first" for these flights as well... appears I was incorrect.

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

My apologies. I had recalled that AA called a business seat, "first" for these flights as well... appears I was incorrect.

No need for apologies - hope you didn't think I was referring to you, hutch - when I said "misinformed" I was referring to the QF call centre staff.

 

[hutch]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

No need for apologies - hope you didn't think I was referring to you, hutch - when I said "misinformed" I was referring to the QF call centre staff.

All good, I didn't take it personally... but I may have not provided 100% accurate information. So good to take ownership of that

 

[blacknwhite]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Just to let you all know that our J 280,OOO RTW trip x 2 has been ticketed today!!!!We paid $2500 in taxes.
I logged into my bookings and noticed that MIA-LIM was cancelled(Lan cancelled it) so I rang Qantas and they had it quickly ticketed for me
The only change I made before I finalised was the LAS-MIA has been changed to LAX-MIA J class on AA and that was due to you wonderful people on these forums,pointing out there was J on these flights.Thanks soooo much!!!
Now the fun (and the waiting) actually begins
I could not have done it without your help guys


LOOK BELOW FOR THE TRIP

 

[blacknwhite]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

hi all!
I posted my first thread a month ago expressing doing a ow rtw j 280,000 for next year but it was so confusing!i took everyone advise(especially vetrade) and read thru the posts and then began the task of putting it all together.
Well i am days off completing it(waiting for 2 stops to be released) and will i be glad!
Our iternary is from july-sep 2016 and is as follows
melb-hkg-doh-lhr(stop 1)cx/ba
fco-lhr-jfk(stop2)ba
las-mia(stop3)y class(no other options) aa
mia-lim(stop4)lan
scl-syd-mel(stop5)qf
i rang qantas several times and could not believe some of the answers i received from consultants that were not able to give me right information.reading the forums,i learnt to hung up and talk to someone else.on sunday,i spoke to a lovely gentleman named david who really gave good advise.thanks david and thanks to all your posts_ a great help!
I will post when its finished and wait for our rtw(literally) to begin.....
Kind regards

heres the ticket

 

[madrooster]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

I thought IATA applied too but I'm happy to keep quiet and stick to 2 x 23kg allowance if that is what has been ticketed.

Probably best to, given that otherwise you'd have to pay for bags on 2 of the legs!

 

[Danger]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

No you can't. American Airlines 2 class domestic flights (F/Y) will book into Y on a 280K itinerary. The exception is LAX/SFO to JFK (I think Miami, too) on a 3 class A321, they have a J class into which your 280K trip may book

The exception is any AA three class aircraft. I think there are the odd three class operating domestically in addition to the above.

There is a code relating to baggage allowance when flying more than one carrier on the ticket. It is called the Most Significant Carrier Rule (MSC). This rule states that on flights which are operated by several airlines, the baggage regulations of the airline that operates the geographically longest or most significant stretch of the journey apply.

I think MSC is a little more complicated than that. Actually, I think it can be quite complicated but the information on the CX site is about as clear as I've seen it.

Most Significant Carrier - Cathay Pacific

That said, in my limited experience, a lot of carriers (or at least check-in agents) have no clue about MSC.

 

[prozac]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Once the first carrier accepts the baggage it is generally good for all subsequent carriers. That said I have not had the experience post stop-over.

 

[coles525]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Am I dreaming?

Just added 2nd segment to our 280k award booking.

Didn't HUCA, but went with it (can complain later). Fees and charges are:

1) 20k in points
2) 3,500 change fee (s)
3) $64 per person in tax
4) $80 per person service fees (or 8,000 points each).

It this correct? Change fee (points), and sevice fees?

I did question staff member, imforming I thought other wise from AFF.

Flight in question = CMB / DHL in cattle class (only 1 business seat open). Flight of 3.5 hours.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Am I dreaming?

Just added 2nd segment to our 280k award booking.

Didn't HUCA, but went with it (can complain later). Fees and charges are:

1) 20k in points
2) 3,500 change fee (s)
3) $64 per person in tax
4) $80 per person service fees (or 8,000 points each).

It this correct? Change fee (points), and serice fees?

I did question staff member, imforming I thought other wise from AFF.

Flight in question = CMB / DHL in cattle class (only 1 business seat open). Flight of 3.5 hours.

My understanding for a change such as this (for a 280k/420k, not for a 140k), using your numbering:
1) No charge;
2) Yes, 3,500 change fee per pax;
3) Yes, the taxes get recalculated for the entire itinerary each time there's a change;
4) No charge (waived for J & F.

What I *think* may have happened here is (using your numbering again):
1) You haven't yet ticked off all the rules necessary to qualify for the OWCA, so points still are continuing to accrue until you do. So these should sort themselves out when you do eventually qualify.
2) Correct
3) Probably correct
4) This was charged in error. The call centre staff often make this mistake (forgetting to waive it for J&F tix).

HTH
J

 

[coles525]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Should I ring back now, or after a few days?

1) I 100% understand (not yet reached total points)

3) Airport tax: understand.

I thought change fee was 3,500 if a totally new ticket ref was issued (ie: I don't keep booking ref #8g4jhy864a?).

I've got more then enough points banked up, but was expecting each "phone booking fee" to be 1,500 per person or new add-on to the booking.

Not expecting $80 each.

Sorry if I just became confusing!

 

[vetrade]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

It this correct? Change fee (points), and sevice fees?

Yes, they are correct. At this stage all you have are 2 segments (presumably the first one is in J and the CMB - DHL one is in Y) booked on what will eventually be a OW J RTW itinerary. As it stands now you just have a classic award booking with 2 segments. Since you booked the second leg in Y you are liable for the change fees which apply to Y bookings (that's where the $80 or 8000 pts comes into it). But don't worry - it will all be sorted out once your points tally reaches 280K and the booking automatically converts to a bona fide OW RTW J booking. It's no good querying it now because you'll just be told that you don't have a RTW J award yet - later on you can get QF to credit back the 8,000 pts if it doesn't happen automatically.

 

[madrooster]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

I think MSC is a little more complicated than that. Actually, I think it can be quite complicated but the information on the CX site is about as clear as I've seen it.

I'd somewhat agree that the CX page is probably the clearest I have seen too, though it only gives basic examples. It actually is more complex than the CX site makes it out to be, particularly if it's a RTW.

 

[hutch]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Am I dreaming?

Just added 2nd segment to our 280k award booking.

Didn't HUCA, but went with it (can complain later). Fees and charges are:

1) 20k in points
2) 3,500 change fee (s)
3) $64 per person in tax
4) $80 per person service fees (or 8,000 points each).

It this correct? Change fee (points), and sevice fees?

I did question staff member, imforming I thought other wise from AFF.

Flight in question = CMB / DHL in cattle class (only 1 business seat open). Flight of 3.5 hours.

1) I assume the 20,000 pts is the points cost for this leg?
2) Yes. 3,500 pt change fee pp
3) Probably
4) Has your flight met the OW Award requirements? Which carrier is flying the first leg booked?

***What Vetrade said! +1***

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Should I ring back now, or after a few days?

Even if it was worth ringing back (taking into a/c the advice from vetrade), I don't think any sane person would want to subject themselves to the call centre queue twice in one day... ;-)

 

[coles525]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Will wait until the entire booking is complete and then work it all out.

For the record, I chose the $80 per person service charge.

 

[Doctore1003]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Hi Doctore1003, congratulations on booking the first part of you trip. However, please be aware that once you re-enter the country you started in (Australia in this instance), you won't be able to leave it again to head O/S as part of the same booking.

Adelee, sergeyvzn and others - thank you SO MUCH for your advice - you saved me a bunch of points not to mention the humiliation that would've come when I couldn't complete our booking!

I'm happy to say we've revised our travel plans and managed to secure seats to the USA next September for the first of our two holidays on this booking. We're starting the OWE itinerary from Singapore (another tip I picked up somewhere on AFF) and even with the extra points to get to SIN we are still saving well over 100k points overall. Plus I can't complain about having to spend a couple of days in SIN, or getting there in Emirates J on the A380!

Next September we are heading to California and Southern USA:

MEL-SIN - EK J (separate booking). Then OWE:
SIN-xHKG-SFO - CX J
LAX-xHKG-SYD - CX J (may try to change this to xNRT with JAL when tickets are released in a few weeks)

Then in April/May we'll book a trip to Japan with some combination of MEL/SYD to NRT with QF, CX or JAL - whatever is required to comply with the various rules. I've thought through several combinations of what might happen and am pretty comfortable we'll work something out in line with the rules.

The QF customer service agent was pretty dubious about the itinerary and even groaned a little when I explained my mistake and what I wanted to change (and the ticket hadn't been issued yet so she had to fix that as well) but by the end we were laughing about it and she said she was "amazed" that it would be priced at 280k points (she checked), and then she ended up waiving all the change fees! A nice bonus.

It wouldn't have happened without you all...thanks so much again!