Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[wafliron]

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

Other than calling and getting advice, I don't think there is anyway to force the engine to show potential seats - have you tried MEL-BNE BNE-HKG?

That a known 'feature' of the Qantas FF online award booking engine ... and it's certainly a trap for the unwary.:-| There's a whole thread on it here.

Really the only way to avoid this is try the individual sectors themselves, select only single segment options and otherwise be very vigilant.

Sorry for the slow reply guys - GMail decided to chuck the "new post in thread" e-mails into its spam trap!

Thanks for the info & advice - I'll try again, specifying all the sectors individually.

 

[Danger]

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

Is it correct that QF award seats become available 355 days out?

What is it for AA? An agent at the QF premium desk tried to tell me "four or five weeks" after QF and when I pressed for a definitive she said "it's impossible to say". I'm now on hold with the non-premium desk to get an answer.

 

[serfty]

QF is 353 days

AA is 330 days (The SABRE they use isn't ready to handle more in advance.)

 

[Danger]

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

I've recently booked two 140k awards for my parents and have some observations that may help others.

First, and most importantly, I was explicitly told that changing airports in the one city is not counted as a sector. In fact, I have an iterinary that arrives into LGA and departs out of EWR. When I said I knew this wasn't possible with a oneworld Explorer, the agent said it was possible. I said "So I can fly into Gatwick and out of Heathrow and it doesn't count as a sector?" He said "Yes, it's the same city". And this was a premium desk agent. I thought that this rule changed about four or so years ago, around the time of the reduction in sectors from 20 to 16, but perhaps I've misunderstood.

Second, I was able to have two seats released on a QF flight where there was no award availability, thereby exercising one of the benefits of Platinum.

Third, on some sectors, the agent was able to see more flight options that I was able to see using the QF booking engine. And, surprisingly, on one sector I was able to see more availability with the QF booking engine that the QF agent was. Therefore, it may well pay to phone QF and ask if they can see more availability than you can.

Fourth, although AA appears to bulk release their award availability approximately 330 days out, apparently they don't necessarily do so for all sectors. For example, I was looking for a connecting flight out of DFW and the agent said AA hadn't released any seats for that particular sector.

 

[wilco]

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

I've recently booked two 140k awards for my parents and have some observations that may help others.

First, and most importantly, I was explicitly told that changing airports in the one city is not counted as a sector. In fact, I have an iterinary that arrives into LGA and departs out of EWR. When I said I knew this wasn't possible with a oneworld Explorer, the agent said it was possible. I said "So I can fly into Gatwick and out of Heathrow and it doesn't count as a sector?" He said "Yes, it's the same city". And this was a premium desk agent. I thought that this rule changed about four or so years ago, around the time of the reduction in sectors from 20 to 16, but perhaps I've misunderstood.

My understanding has been that an open jaw has never counted as a sector but that the mileage between the 2 airports was counted toward your maximum mileage, which in this case is 35,000.

Ive never had the example you describe, but it would make sense that it would be the case and im glad to see common sense prevail. Good job getting most things sorted for your parents and good luck with the missing AA sectors.

 

[serfty]

Such really depends upon the Quality of the agent booking your award.

It is quit legitimate to book co-terminals on the ticket (e.g. (EWR=JFK=LGA)=NYC).

However a fare's rules can override IATA standards and for the oneworld explore it has been specific for several years:

"A minimum of 3 and maximum of 16 segments, including surface segments between any 2 airports, are permitted for the entire journey.".

​

The reason used at the time was apparently SABRE's inability back then to handle co-terminals with e-ticketing. In 2006 we purchased paper ticketed LONE4s from AA which has the routing -xORD-xLON-DBV-. -xLON- would these days be done as xLHR-xLGW. Amadeus apparent has no issues with this, but AA sells a lot of xONEx's.

 

[Danger]

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

I've recently booked two 140k awards for my parents and have some observations that may help others.

First, and most importantly, I was explicitly told that changing airports in the one city is not counted as a sector. In fact, I have an iterinary that arrives into LGA and departs out of EWR. When I said I knew this wasn't possible with a oneworld Explorer, the agent said it was possible. I said "So I can fly into Gatwick and out of Heathrow and it doesn't count as a sector?" He said "Yes, it's the same city". And this was a premium desk agent. I thought that this rule changed about four or so years ago, around the time of the reduction in sectors from 20 to 16, but perhaps I've misunderstood.

Second, I was able to have two seats released on a QF flight where there was no award availability, thereby exercising one of the benefits of Platinum.

Third, on some sectors, the agent was able to see more flight options that I was able to see using the QF booking engine. And, surprisingly, on one sector I was able to see more availability with the QF booking engine that the QF agent was. Therefore, it may well pay to phone QF and ask if they can see more availability than you can.

Fourth, although AA appears to bulk release their award availability approximately 330 days out, apparently they don't necessarily do so for all sectors. For example, I was looking for a connecting flight out of DFW and the agent said AA hadn't released any seats for that particular sector.

A couple of further bits of information.

First, the arrival into JFK and departure from LGA has ticketed fine without incurring anything additional (other than perhaps another airport's taxes).

Second, and what may be of particular interest to lot of people, is an interesting point regarding how I successfully had two award seats opened up on QF longhaul. Originally, because my parents are SG and NB, I had to phone up to book their ticket in order to be able to request two seats be made available. If they weren't going to be made available, my parents would change their routing and phone back and use their own points but because the WP benefit worked, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to fork out 2 x 140k. However, once the agent secured all the seats for them he told me that it would be put on hold until 5pm the following day. An itinerary would be emailed to allow them to ensure dates and flights and everything else was correct. The email came quickly and all was fine. I then got suggested that my Mother phone up and confirm and attempt to use her points and my Father's. It worked. The points were taken from both of their accounts and none from mine. Essentially, I was able to exercise a WP benefit but without the potential downfall. Lucky, I think, but following the same process as I did (placing the ticket on hold) may well work for others.

 

[Jacques Vert]

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

A couple of further bits of information.

First, the arrival into JFK and departure from LGA has ticketed fine without incurring anything additional (other than perhaps another airport's taxes).

Second, and what may be of particular interest to lot of people, is an interesting point regarding how I successfully had two award seats opened up on QF longhaul. Originally, because my parents are SG and NB, I had to phone up to book their ticket in order to be able to request two seats be made available. If they weren't going to be made available, my parents would change their routing and phone back and use their own points but because the WP benefit worked, I had resigned myself to the fact that I was going to have to fork out 2 x 140k. However, once the agent secured all the seats for them he told me that it would be put on hold until 5pm the following day. An itinerary would be emailed to allow them to ensure dates and flights and everything else was correct. The email came quickly and all was fine. I then got suggested that my Mother phone up and confirm and attempt to use her points and my Father's. It worked. The points were taken from both of their accounts and none from mine. Essentially, I was able to exercise a WP benefit but without the potential downfall. Lucky, I think, but following the same process as I did (placing the ticket on hold) may well work for others.

Thanks for the tip; well done!

 

[sarvowinner]

Cost of changing dates?

Prodigal daughter is now temporarily living with us and has secured quite a good job. I originally booked MXP-MAD-Stop ORY Stop YYZ Stop-LAX-Stop BNE Stop-HKG-Stop FRA Stop-LHR so she is now on the BNE stop. She is currently ticketed to leave BNE on Jun30th 2012 but her manager is overseas for July & AUgust and specifically hired PG to fill in for her. I know it is going to be complicated to change her flights, however she will have to take what she gets.

Can anyone give me an idea of what it will cost to change the dates. As she departed from Italy, will it be in Euros? and will she be be charged for each sector?

 

[flychrisfly]

Re: Cost of changing dates?

[Can anyone give me an idea of what it will cost to change the dates. As she departed from Italy, will it be in Euros? and will she be be charged for each sector?[/QUOTE]

Call the airline and ask, every airline is different. They only charge you if/when you make the change. Taxes should be the same unless they've gone up.

 

[serfty]

There may be up to two fees totalling 11,500 QFF points. Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions


[TABLE="class: grid"]
[TR]
[TD]Change Fee

Changes may only be made in accordance with the applicable fare conditions[/TD]
[TD]For Any Seat Award changes: Change and service fees are payable only in money and are disclosed in the applicable Any Seat Award fare conditions.

For Classic Award changes: 3,500 Points per passenger. Where changes are made to Classic Awards via Qantas Telephone Sales, Service Fees (below) are payable in addition to the Change Fee. [/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Service Fees

Service Fees are payable in addition to any applicable Change Fees.

Payable where changes are made to Qantas & Partner Classic Award bookings via Qantas Telephone Sales.

Money payment option is available for Award Flight booking changes made in Australia or in New Zealand (except as otherwise stated).
Amount must be paid at the time of making your changes. Service Fees will not be applied when changing Classic Awards booked for travel in Business or First class.[/TD]
[TD]For Domestic AU / NZ: 4,000 Points per passenger For Trans Tasman: 4,000 Points per passenger

For International: 8,000 Points per passenger OR (where money payment option available – money payment option is not available for changes made to NZ Domestic bookings): The A$ or NZ$ change fee set out in the 'Fees for making changes to Bookings' table at qantas.com
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



[h=2]Fees for making changes to Bookings*[/h]The following fees apply when you change your booking through Qantas Contact Centres, Qantas airport locations and Qantas Travel outlets. These fees for consultant assisted bookings do not apply for making changes to bookings online at qantas.com.
Note: However, to change a booking via any method, a change fee may apply depending on the fare type purchased. You may also have to pay any difference between the fare for your new booking and the original fare. Refer to the applicable fare rules for details.
[TABLE="class: basic"]
[TR]
[TH]Bookings in Australia[/TH]
[TH]Fee - per passenger per booking*[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TD]Australian Domestic booked through Qantas Contact Centres
- all changes[/TD]
[TD]A$10[SUP]^[/SUP][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian Domestic booked online, through Qantas airport locations,
Group Sales and Qantas Travel outlets – all changes[/TD]
[TD]A$40[SUP]^[/SUP]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TD]Australian trans-Tasman - all changes[/TD]
[TD]A$40[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Australian International - all changes[/TD]
[TD]A$80[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[sarvowinner]

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

There may be up to two fees totalling 11,500 QFF point[TABLE="class: basic"]
[TR]
[TH][/TH]
[TH][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Thanks as always Serfty - I was just afraid I would have to pay separate fees for each leg of the remainder on her Award flight.

 

[Undercover Brother]

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

Some great hints and tips in here guys, appreciate the work some of you have put in.

Looking to book a 2xJ RTW in March 2012 for March 2013, wouldn't mind getting some tips re airlines and routing.

Looking at something like Brisbane to Tokyo, Tokyo to Amman (or Cairo or Dubai), then to anywhere Scandinavia (Olso, Helskinki etc), then onto Boston then back home. At the moment doing dummy searches, I am having trouble getting from the middle east to Scandinaviain J the whole way, and same to Boston, althought I assume that may just be any availability issue. In flights around 1 hour I am happy to take Y seats if needed.

Any tips would be great!
Undercover Brother

 

[flychrisfly]

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

I am having trouble getting from the middle east to Scandinaviain J the whole way, and same to Boston, althought I assume that may just be any availability issue. In flights around 1 hour I am happy to take Y seats if needed.

Any tips would be great!
Undercover Brother

Try looking here to see what routes exist - click on the 'routes' option in the top right hand corner. Then you'll know if it's an availability thing or just non-existent routing but watch out for codeshares on non-OW airlines. You may need to find an intermediate stop between two ports... Good luck!

 

[jukebox333]

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

QF is 353 days

AA is 330 days (The SABRE they use isn't ready to handle more in advance.)

I just wanted to expand on this: I've just managed to book a rather epic PER-SIN-HEL-RVN-HEL-PEK-HKG-PER classic award flight for five (!)pax for next Christmas (Oneworld Award, 130,000 points ea), and was waiting for seats on the last leg to open this week.

Curiously, Cathay released seats 360 days out, at 1100 EDST (but unfortunately for me, that was still three days too late to snap up 5 of the only 7 seats AY set aside for flights HEL-KTT and back on the days I needed, so I can't make it all the way by air and will need a ground leg).

I know consensus is that Classic Awards are not particularly good value, but I'd shudder to think what those tix would cost if I paid cash, given they are high holiday season.

I did PM you Serfty - a big thank for the help and guidence you've given on here - it got me across the line at least a year ahead of when I normally would have accrued the points needed!

 

[wafliron]

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

I know consensus is that Classic Awards are not particularly good value, but I'd shudder to think what those tix would cost if I paid cash, given they are high holiday season.

+1

I just booked a MEL-JNB-VIE-LHR-CDG-JFK-MEL OneWorld Award ticket (in Y) for my grandmother... I'd imagine that would've been kinda expensive if paying with $$. In fact, I'm curious... might try to price it up

 

[Alanslegal]

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

Can someone advise me whether or not LAN Peru is available for OW Award redemptions?

I seem to be getting stuck at LIM-HAV where its showing no flights

 

[gumpy]

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

Thought it would be easy to book these because the normal rtw tickets are so easy to book... boy was I wrong... most of the good award seats disappear quick =(

 

[Flashback]

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

Thought it would be easy to book these because the normal rtw tickets are so easy to book... boy was I wrong... most of the good award seats disappear quick =(

For these awards it's always worth doing via the phone and paying the assisted booking fee. You'll find it much easier.

 

[gumpy]

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

For these awards it's always worth doing via the phone and paying the assisted booking fee. You'll find it much easier.

Really? yeah i must say the availability off the booking engine is terrible... even as a wp