Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[wokstar]

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

Greetings!

I’ve been slowing reading my way through this thread for some time now and along with (soon-to-be) Mrs Wokstar, we’ve come up with this itinerary for our honeymoon in August/September 2017. Also looking to fly in business as neither of us have flown anything better than economy sale fares before. Should be an awesome experience!

BNE > HKG (CX156) Transit 8 Hours [Daytrip into Hong Kong]
HKG > JFK (CX840) Stop 1

JFK > MAD (IB6252) Stop 2

MAD > MUC (IB3190) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Munich]
MUC > HAM (AB6300) Stop 3

HAM > HEL (Surface/Own means through Denmark & Sweden)

HEL > HKG (AY69) Transit 18 Hours [Overnight Hong Kong]
HKG > SGN (CX767) Stop 4

SGN > NRT (JL750)
NRT > NGO (JL3087) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Nagoya]
NGO > CTS (JL3117) Stop 5

CTS > HND (JL522) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Tokyo]
NRT > SYD (JL771)
SYD > BNE (QF) Home!

15 Sectors (including the HND > NRT change) and 33,181 miles (by gcmap)

How does this look to the more experienced travellers? Does this meet all the criteria for a 280k J oneworld award ticket?
Would appreciate any feedback/suggestions.

Thank-you!

 

[SOPOOR]

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

hi everyone, very flight newbie here especially the jargon and the carreiers,

ive been reading this long thread over the months , I dont travel for work, I travel a few times per year on discount carriers for holidays but have enough points,

ive flown business class only once long haul nad it was good!!!!

so first question, I understand the rules are maximum of 5 stop offs, maximum 24 hours per city and its 140/240/420 points requirements

sinec I have no status playing the lottery upgrade is as said a lottery so im thinking of focusing on business class

- if you can only stay in a city for 24 hours, whats the point of having 5 stops?? unless you want to speed out of the airport, spend a day there and speed back
- for taxes how much difference is there for a economy/biz/first class flight?
ive never flown first class, is it worth it? or is t something to do once in a lifetime?
- obviosuly a very open ended question, but using my rtw schedule what would be the MOST beneficial rough itinerary if I choose EU or USA

thnk you everone

 

[flychrisfly]

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

Greetings!

I’ve been slowing reading my way through this thread for some time now and along with (soon-to-be) Mrs Wokstar, we’ve come up with this itinerary for our honeymoon in August/September 2017. Also looking to fly in business as neither of us have flown anything better than economy sale fares before. Should be an awesome experience!

BNE > HKG (CX156) Transit 8 Hours [Daytrip into Hong Kong]
HKG > JFK (CX840) Stop 1

JFK > MAD (IB6252) Stop 2

MAD > MUC (IB3190) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Munich]
MUC > HAM (AB6300) Stop 3

HAM > HEL (Surface/Own means through Denmark & Sweden)

HEL > HKG (AY69) Transit 18 Hours [Overnight Hong Kong]
HKG > SGN (CX767) Stop 4

SGN > NRT (JL750)
NRT > NGO (JL3087) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Nagoya]
NGO > CTS (JL3117) Stop 5

CTS > HND (JL522) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Tokyo]
NRT > SYD (JL771)
SYD > BNE (QF) Home!

15 Sectors (including the HND > NRT change) and 33,181 miles (by gcmap)

How does this look to the more experienced travellers? Does this meet all the criteria for a 280k J oneworld award ticket?
Would appreciate any feedback/suggestions.

Thank-you!

Looks good to me! Note that some of the short-haul flights may not offer business class but they're pretty short so I'm sure you'll manage, assuming luggage requirements are not excessive!
Enjoy!

 

[vetrade]

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

Have booked that segment as a stand alone flight before with no issues.

Me too and availability is very good IME. The married segment issue is more likely to arise if you wanted to book 2 connecting CX flights rather than a single flight.

 

[SponsorSFC]

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

hi everyone, very flight newbie here especially the jargon and the carreiers,

-so first question, I understand the rules are maximum of 5 stop offs, maximum 24 hours per city and its 140/240/420 points requirements

- if you can only stay in a city for 24 hours, whats the point of having 5 stops?? unless you want to speed out of the airport, spend a day there and speed back
-ive never flown first class, is it worth it? or is t something to do once in a lifetime?

I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong however as far as I am aware the rule is any transit over 24 hours is considered a stopover of which you can have 5, your trip can be spread over a maximum of 12 months. Transits less than 24 hours do not count as one of your 5 stopovers but each flight is counted as a separate segment.

F is worth doing at least once however you may find it difficult to obtain enough F availability on your routes to make a 420k Oneworld award worth it over the 280k J award. However it can still compare favorably to a straight return F award depending on the route.

You might find this guide useful:
Point Hacks guide to using Qantas oneworld Classic Rewards

 

[Danger]

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

Greetings!

I’ve been slowing reading my way through this thread for some time now and along with (soon-to-be) Mrs Wokstar, we’ve come up with this itinerary for our honeymoon in August/September 2017. Also looking to fly in business as neither of us have flown anything better than economy sale fares before. Should be an awesome experience!

BNE > HKG (CX156) Transit 8 Hours [Daytrip into Hong Kong]
HKG > JFK (CX840) Stop 1

JFK > MAD (IB6252) Stop 2

MAD > MUC (IB3190) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Munich]
MUC > HAM (AB6300) Stop 3

HAM > HEL (Surface/Own means through Denmark & Sweden)

HEL > HKG (AY69) Transit 18 Hours [Overnight Hong Kong]
HKG > SGN (CX767) Stop 4

SGN > NRT (JL750)
NRT > NGO (JL3087) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Nagoya]
NGO > CTS (JL3117) Stop 5

CTS > HND (JL522) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Tokyo]
NRT > SYD (JL771)
SYD > BNE (QF) Home!

15 Sectors (including the HND > NRT change) and 33,181 miles (by gcmap)

How does this look to the more experienced travellers? Does this meet all the criteria for a 280k J oneworld award ticket?
Would appreciate any feedback/suggestions.

Thank-you!

Adding to the comments by flychrisfly, it looks pretty good. A big trip. Note that with so many flights and on a number of airlines, availability of the award seats will likely become availability at quite different times. Be prepared to book it in parts. For example, JFK-MAD is operated by AA by the looks and they don't release seats more than 11 months out. What this ultimately means you may initially end up paying more 280k until you have met the requirements of the oneworld five stop award, at which point you'll get a points refund.

hi everyone, very flight newbie here especially the jargon and the carreiers,

ive been reading this long thread over the months , I dont travel for work, I travel a few times per year on discount carriers for holidays but have enough points,

ive flown business class only once long haul nad it was good!!!!

so first question, I understand the rules are maximum of 5 stop offs, maximum 24 hours per city and its 140/240/420 points requirements

sinec I have no status playing the lottery upgrade is as said a lottery so im thinking of focusing on business class

- if you can only stay in a city for 24 hours, whats the point of having 5 stops?? unless you want to speed out of the airport, spend a day there and speed back
- for taxes how much difference is there for a economy/biz/first class flight?
ive never flown first class, is it worth it? or is t something to do once in a lifetime?
- obviosuly a very open ended question, but using my rtw schedule what would be the MOST beneficial rough itinerary if I choose EU or USA

thnk you everone

In addition to the comments by SponsorSFC, there isn't as much oneworld F as there used to be so it's best to check if the destinations you're thinking of even have F service before deciding on going F or J. To maximise F you'll want to chose both the EU and the US as there are a very limited number of routes within Europe that offer F (indeed, if any). And on that, don't be confused by F on a two class AA flight. That's what we call mutton dressed as lamb. It's not true F by a long shot.

If you're wanting to maximise F you're looking at something like SYD/MEL-DXB-LHR-USA (there are a reasonable amount of F flights to chose from here, but many are on BA with high fuel surcharges)-HKG/NRT-SYD. Or SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD. Or SYD-DXB/SIN-LHR-South America (eg. GRU, SCL)-USA-HKG/NRT-Australia.

 

[vetrade]

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

Greetings!

I’ve been slowing reading my way through this thread for some time now and along with (soon-to-be) Mrs Wokstar, we’ve come up with this itinerary for our honeymoon in August/September 2017. Also looking to fly in business as neither of us have flown anything better than economy sale fares before. Should be an awesome experience!

BNE > HKG (CX156) Transit 8 Hours [Daytrip into Hong Kong]
HKG > JFK (CX840) Stop 1

JFK > MAD (IB6252) Stop 2

MAD > MUC (IB3190) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Munich]
MUC > HAM (AB6300) Stop 3

HAM > HEL (Surface/Own means through Denmark & Sweden)

HEL > HKG (AY69) Transit 18 Hours [Overnight Hong Kong]
HKG > SGN (CX767) Stop 4

SGN > NRT (JL750)
NRT > NGO (JL3087) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Nagoya]
NGO > CTS (JL3117) Stop 5

CTS > HND (JL522) Transit 23 Hours [Overnight Tokyo]
NRT > SYD (JL771)
SYD > BNE (QF) Home!

15 Sectors (including the HND > NRT change) and 33,181 miles (by gcmap)

How does this look to the more experienced travellers? Does this meet all the criteria for a 280k J oneworld award ticket?
Would appreciate any feedback/suggestions.

Thank-you!

Wokstar, looks like a great trip. Just a few suggestions:
Did you remember to include the point to point distances of your land legs in your distance calculations?
Have you checked to see if CX's married segment policy will affect availability of your BNE - HKG - JFK legs? To check this you need to search awards for BNE - JFK, not just the individual legs separately.
Don't expect much out of your J experience for intra European flights - IB & AB "domestic" J are only "glorified" Y. (IB international J product such as JFK - MAD is good)
IB availability MAD - MUC should be no problem but suggest you check likely availability to HAM with AB.
Finally have you checked likely availability for all your JL flights?
Suggest you prepare some contingency options in case you run up against availability issues

 

[wokstar]

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

Thanks for the replies vetrade, Danger & flychrisfly

I did double check that I included the HAM > HEL in gcmap, and it's all good!

I forgot to mention that we have already booked up to the first two stops, being BNE > HKG > JFK & JFK > MAD using the qantas website and we've got the booking reference and e-tickets for those, so that should mean that there aren't any problems with CX married segment policy... (right?)
Now we're just waiting on the remaining flights to become available

We're also not too fussed about the intra-european flights as they're only short, and the Munich side-trip is just to try and squeeze another transit city in. Also there doesn't appear to be any J availability for MUC > HAM (only Y - the Business column doesn't even show up), luggage allowance won't worry us as we've previously only taken 1 checked & 1 carry on each.
We were originally looking at trying for a transit in Zurich by JFK > ZRH > MAD, but there wasn't much availability on the AA website so decided to go straight to Madrid. I'm sure we'll console the loss of the Zurich transit over some beers in Munich

Also, checking the MAD > MUC leg now shows that there are no Y seats available, but J available on the three flights that day... should I be worried about J availability? I was hoping to book those flights along with the HEL > HKG & HKG > SGN in one go to minimise change fees.

As for the JL flights, I haven't checked lately but I remember doing a search using the JAL website and it looked okay if I were to book as soon as they're available. But I won't be able to book those for real until mid-October so that'll give us plenty of time to come up with a plan B.

Are there any better ways of checking JL availability other than the JAL website? (Edit: answered my own question - use British Airways, login and 'book with avios')

Also I just noticed that the JAL award seat checker for domestic flights only allows for bookings 2 months in advance (!?) Does anyone know if those JL domestic flights will be bookable at the same time as the JL international flights by the QF operator? (at 330 days in advance)

Thanks!

 

[SOPOOR]

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

I am sure others will correct me if I am wrong however as far as I am aware the rule is any transit over 24 hours is considered a stopover of which you can have 5, your trip can be spread over a maximum of 12 months. Transits less than 24 hours do not count as one of your 5 stopovers but each flight is counted as a separate segment.

F is worth doing at least once however you may find it difficult to obtain enough F availability on your routes to make a 420k Oneworld award worth it over the 280k J award. However it can still compare favorably to a straight return F award depending on the route.

You might find this guide useful:
Point Hacks guide to using Qantas oneworld Classic Rewards

Adding to the comments by flychrisfly, it looks pretty good. A big trip. Note that with so many flights and on a number of airlines, availability of the award seats will likely become availability at quite different times. Be prepared to book it in parts. For example, JFK-MAD is operated by AA by the looks and they don't release seats more than 11 months out. What this ultimately means you may initially end up paying more 280k until you have met the requirements of the oneworld five stop award, at which point you'll get a points refund.



In addition to the comments by SponsorSFC, there isn't as much oneworld F as there used to be so it's best to check if the destinations you're thinking of even have F service before deciding on going F or J. To maximise F you'll want to chose both the EU and the US as there are a very limited number of routes within Europe that offer F (indeed, if any). And on that, don't be confused by F on a two class AA flight. That's what we call mutton dressed as lamb. It's not true F by a long shot.

If you're wanting to maximise F you're looking at something like SYD/MEL-DXB-LHR-USA (there are a reasonable amount of F flights to chose from here, but many are on BA with high fuel surcharges)-HKG/NRT-SYD. Or SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD. Or SYD-DXB/SIN-LHR-South America (eg. GRU, SCL)-USA-HKG/NRT-Australia.

thanks for your comments guys,
so if you choose a itinerarry only has business class and only one first class, I assume you have to paythe full 420k points but get mostly business class?

so it seems bsines class is the way to go,
obviously 24 hour stopovers are a bit pointless, so you have to return within 12 months? which means I could hypthetically do mel to say EU, go to say 3 countries, lets say France, Spain and greece, and then fly to LA travel around for 2 weeks, and then flight to NY, stay for 2 weeks, and then back to Aus?

hypotehtically is this possible and a good way to maximise value?

 

[SOPOOR]

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

Adding to the comments by flychrisfly, it looks pretty good. A big trip. Note that with so many flights and on a number of airlines, availability of the award seats will likely become availability at quite different times. Be prepared to book it in parts. For example, JFK-MAD is operated by AA by the looks and they don't release seats more than 11 months out. What this ultimately means you may initially end up paying more 280k until you have met the requirements of the oneworld five stop award, at which point you'll get a points refund.



In addition to the comments by SponsorSFC, there isn't as much oneworld F as there used to be so it's best to check if the destinations you're thinking of even have F service before deciding on going F or J. To maximise F you'll want to chose both the EU and the US as there are a very limited number of routes within Europe that offer F (indeed, if any). And on that, don't be confused by F on a two class AA flight. That's what we call mutton dressed as lamb. It's not true F by a long shot.

If you're wanting to maximise F you're looking at something like SYD/MEL-DXB-LHR-USA (there are a reasonable amount of F flights to chose from here, but many are on BA with high fuel surcharges)-HKG/NRT-SYD. Or SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD. Or SYD-DXB/SIN-LHR-South America (eg. GRU, SCL)-USA-HKG/NRT-Australia.

thank you for your suggestion,

so your sugestion of SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD for example

get on plane, spend say 1 week in sing, then say 5 days in HKG, then fly to usa, spend 2-4 weeks there, fly to uk, stay 1 week to 4 weeks, then back to singaore, have a short stopover and make my way back to Syd

is this what something as an example you recommend,

how long do most people do for a rtw trip, and Iassume the longer the more you get value for money however you spend a lot more money on hotels etc. etc. and spending money plus time off work

for the record I did a return business class to france last year and it cost me 270-290k points and I was gone for 2 weeks due to personal reasons, (I didnt know about this thread back then!)

so for example, syd to eu return business class might cost $6k for example,

however if I do SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD, it might be $1.5k+$0.7k+$3k+$4k+$4k+$1.5k=14.7k

so for the same amount of 280k points I cna get $6k vs $14.7k in value?

I ve read point hacks and they said you can "With 5 stopovers, you’ll be able to see 5 cities, and if you’re clever add overnight stops in connecting cities too by avoiding stopovers >24 hours in some others"

why would you want to add in a 24hr stopover, im a bit confused

 

[Kangol]

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

I ve read point hacks and they said you can "With 5 stopovers, you’ll be able to see 5 cities, and if you’re clever add overnight stops in connecting cities too by avoiding stopovers >24 hours in some others"

why would you want to add in a 24hr stopover, im a bit confused

So that you can visit a city without using one of your stopovers. In some cases, there can be a lot to be seen and done in <24 hours. Especially if it's somewhere you don't want to or can't stay for long.

 

[vetrade]

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

Wokstar, yes, if you've been ticketed the married segments thing isn't a problem.
Re: MAD - MUC. No way of telling if you can safely delay booking this. I would certainly keep a daily eye on the J seat availability and if they disappeared on one or two of the 3 flights it would be sensible not to delay grabbing what is available any longer.
Can't comment on JL - I've never flown them

 

[EestiTiger]

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

Hi team - just a quick question...

Does anyone know how many points I'd burn through flying F from SYD to NRT on JL?

Cheers,
Matt

 

[Oubline]

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

Hi team - just a quick question...

Does anyone know how many points I'd burn through flying F from SYD to NRT on JL?

Cheers,
Matt

Should be 114,000 each way

 

[EestiTiger]

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

In my experience, as soon as I had the 2 one world airlines (non Qantas) and the total cost of the booking topped over 280000points, the booking was capped at 280,000... and I had still not made it anywhere near home. My booking was ticketed several times before I made a booking back to original port...

As above, is this how the points capping works? Once you meet the 2 OW non-QF airlines rule, the points are capped? Is that the only rule to apply before the points are capped? I only ask as booking flight by flight I can see my booking going over the 280,000 and not sure I have enough extra points to go far over 280,000 until the cap kicks in (such as if it only applies once you return to the port of origin).

 

[Geoffrey]

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

My wife and I are ready to book our honeymoon business-class trip in September 2017
We're thinking of doing the following flights with these airlines:

SYD-SCL-EZE LATAM or QF+LATAM
EZE-GIG LATAM
GIG-GRU-JNB-CPT LATAM + BA(Comair)
JNB-DOH-SEZ QR
SEZ-DOH-SYD QR or QR+QF

Now if I search for classic rewards QR flights on Qantas.com.au, say JNB-SEZ, the booking engine only shows EK flights.
If try Multi-City and specifically search JNB-DOH-SEZ, I do get the first QR flight, but then it forces me to go DOH-DXB-SEZ with EK.

What do you guys think I should do?

Thanks!

 

[snabbu]

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

My wife and I are ready to book our honeymoon business-class trip in September 2017
We're thinking of doing the following flights with these airlines:

SYD-SCL-EZE LATAM or QF+LATAM
EZE-GIG LATAM
GIG-GRU-JNB-CPT LATAM + BA(Comair)
JNB-DOH-SEZ QR
SEZ-DOH-SYD QR or QR+QF

Now if I search for classic rewards QR flights on Qantas.com.au, say JNB-SEZ, the booking engine only shows EK flights.
If try Multi-City and specifically search JNB-DOH-SEZ, I do get the first QR flight, but then it forces me to go DOH-DXB-SEZ with EK.

What do you guys think I should do?

Thanks!

One thing to be wary of is that is you use EK you are breaking the rules for these awards as EK is not a member of the one world alliance.

That's not to say you can't use EK, it just means that if you do your award wont cap out at 280,000 points per person, it will continue to rise as you add segments.

 

[Geoffrey]

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

Exactly, that's why I'm trying to get only QR flights, but the search results only return EK flights for some reason

 

[Danger]

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

thanks for your comments guys,
so if you choose a itinerarry only has business class and only one first class, I assume you have to paythe full 420k points but get mostly business class?

Correct. Even if one flights is in F and the rest are in the last row of Y, you're pinged 420k.

obviously 24 hour stopovers are a bit pointless, so you have to return within 12 months? which means I could hypthetically do mel to say EU, go to say 3 countries, lets say France, Spain and greece, and then fly to LA travel around for 2 weeks, and then flight to NY, stay for 2 weeks, and then back to Aus?

The 24 hour stopover part has since been explained. It's definitely not pointless and can be particularly useful depending on the city you're going to.

The length of time you spend away, up to 12 months, is up to you.

thank you for your suggestion,

so your sugestion of SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD for example

get on plane, spend say 1 week in sing, then say 5 days in HKG, then fly to usa, spend 2-4 weeks there, fly to uk, stay 1 week to 4 weeks, then back to singaore, have a short stopover and make my way back to Syd

is this what something as an example you recommend,

Again, spend as much or as little time in a place as you like.

so for example, syd to eu return business class might cost $6k for example,

however if I do SYD-SIN-HKG-USA-LHR-SIN-SYD, it might be $1.5k+$0.7k+$3k+$4k+$4k+$1.5k=14.7k

so for the same amount of 280k points I cna get $6k vs $14.7k in value?

Similar, yes, but don't forget you're adding in taxes on top of the points. Depending on the airlines you fly with this could be in excess of $1k.

As above, is this how the points capping works? Once you meet the 2 OW non-QF airlines rule, the points are capped? Is that the only rule to apply before the points are capped? I only ask as booking flight by flight I can see my booking going over the 280,000 and not sure I have enough extra points to go far over 280,000 until the cap kicks in (such as if it only applies once you return to the port of origin).

You also need to be under 35k miles.

 

[travelislife]

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

Exactly, that's why I'm trying to get only QR flights, but the search results only return EK flights for some reason

Use the BA tool. Covers more OneWorld airlines.