Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[madrooster]

I have been advised by QF that AKL-PER-BNE-HKG->onwards is not permissible due to 'backtracking across Australia'.

Has anyone else run into this issue?

Backtracking is perfectly allowed on oneworld awards. There are no rules against this.

Oneworld explorer commercial fares do have backtrack rules though.

 

[Pleb Status]

Backtracking is perfectly allowed on oneworld awards. There are no rules against this.

Oneworld explorer commercial fares do have backtrack rules though.

This was my impression also but not according to QF this morning. However, I think the non premium team does not know what day it is...

The computer says no so they make up any excuse to get you off the phone. Quality 'service'.

 

[flychrisfly]

Ta for that.
To get to Dublin, QR would be great but it does not fly out of BNE.
Loads of award seats out of KUL to DUB on QR but no direct flights to KUL from BNE.
There are a lot fewer flights out of Shannon these days.
EI has them eg to BOS or JFK. though on aircraft from ASL Airlines Ireland.
Re flight from Shannon to JFK - its Iberia metal - will check it is covered by OWA but initial checks via BA and QF show only Y availability.
Things would be so much easier if EI was part of OW but that looks some time off.
AA does fly to PHL but just cannot see any seats for awards for next september - too early to look at october.

CX are starting flights to Dublin soon...

 

[ozflier]

They are indeed.
From what i hear , the A350s are good.
Sadly the BNE-HKG stops at CNS on the way.
Would anyone know if you need to depart the a/c during the stop there ?

 

[Radio8tiv]

They are indeed.
From what i hear , the A350s are good.
Sadly the BNE-HKG stops at CNS on the way.
Would anyone know if you need to depart the a/c during the stop there ?

CX156 flies direct I'm pretty sure, also in A350, I'm doing the opposite leg CX157 in December

 

[Captain Halliday]

They are indeed.
From what i hear , the A350s are good.
Sadly the BNE-HKG stops at CNS on the way.
Would anyone know if you need to depart the a/c during the stop there ?

Yes*, the CX service via CNS requires you to deplane and take personal items with you. There is also an additional security screening, but no customs or Immigration requirements.

*Info accurate from personal experience in August, 2017

 

[ozflier]

Ta,

The non stop overnight departure at 0055hrs only seems to offer up economy awards .Have not been able to find any business class ones.

The daytime departure BNE-HKG leaves round 1100 and has the stopover in CNS. It is the one where regularly J award seats are available.

Thank you for all the advice so far.

This is to keep you in the loop with my thinking.

The original idea was for me to use a OW Global Explorer fare for me and a OWA for my wife using mt QFF points.

The OW Global Explorer costs out at round $11,800 incl taxes . I can do similar sectors without the Shannon and Albuquerque addons for $7500 incl taxes on a mini Swiss rtw.

I cannot justify the extra $4,300 for my fare.

I remember, in the past , there were 2 for 1 fares ( not companion fares ) where a higher fare was charged for the business person and zilch for his or her partner. I can't seem to find these anymore eg Amex no longer do it.

So, I may just have to miss out on the fun of developing another OWA itinerary for my wife and just pay for 2 Swiss mini rtw fares.

 

[flapper]

This was my impression also but not according to QF this morning. However, I think the non premium team does not know what day it is...

The computer says no so they make up any excuse to get you off the phone. Quality 'service'.

I have found the Sth African CC don’t even know the basic rules for these awards. They have tried to charge 8,000 pts service fee for J so many times.
I find it best to use the call back service as they tend to be the premium cc.

 

[melbkate]

Hi there - hoping someone can advise on the following:

Half way through making a OWA in J. Booked our homeward segments:
BIQ-HEL stop AY1532
HEL-SIN stop AY131
SIN-MEL QF

If I make a separate booking say MEL-SIN can it be merged later into the OWA booking? (waiting on 60k points so I have enough for whole journey)

How do I choose seats on the Finnair flights? All I get is window or aisle preference.

Thanks!

 

[madrooster]

Hi there - hoping someone can advise on the following:

Half way through making a OWA in J. Booked our homeward segments:
BIQ-HEL stop AY1532
HEL-SIN stop AY131
SIN-MEL QF

If I make a separate booking say MEL-SIN can it be merged later into the OWA booking? (waiting on 60k points so I have enough for whole journey)

How do I choose seats on the Finnair flights? All I get is window or aisle preference.

Thanks!

You cannot merge two PNRs together. Use the AY site to choose seats on the AY flights.

 

[RoseD]

Planning for 2 x 280k J.
May/June 2018 (going Japan and West Canada), then March/April 2019 (going Europe), miles under 35k, stops less than 5.

The May/June 2018 would look like this
ADL-SYD-HND stop, QF
NRT-YVR stop, JL
YVR-HKG stop, CX

I am not fixed yet with the March/April 2019, but it may look like this
HKG-HEL stop, AY
VIE-DOH-ADL, QR

There is good availability for the May/June 2018 - QF and CX flights as seen in Qantas site, JL as seen in BA site.

Do I ring Qantas first to advise them I'm about to do a 280k J?
OR Do I just go ahead booking the QF an CX online with Qantas, then calling Qantas to book the JL?
Is there a better time to ring Qantas?
From reading other posts, I gather Qantas will not charge points for booking as JL does not appear in their website. Is this still correct?
If successful in booking the awards flights, but for some unforeseen circumstances I have to cancel later, do I lose my points?

I haven't done this before, so I'm a bit worried and anxious for fear of doing it wrong.

Any advise is much appreciated.

 

[Jamesaurus]

Ta,

The non stop overnight departure at 0055hrs only seems to offer up economy awards .Have not been able to find any business class ones.

The daytime departure BNE-HKG leaves round 1100 and has the stopover in CNS. It is the one where regularly J award seats are available.

Thank you for all the advice so far.

This is to keep you in the loop with my thinking.

The original idea was for me to use a OW Global Explorer fare for me and a OWA for my wife using mt QFF points.

The OW Global Explorer costs out at round $11,800 incl taxes . I can do similar sectors without the Shannon and Albuquerque addons for $7500 incl taxes on a mini Swiss rtw.

I cannot justify the extra $4,300 for my fare.

I remember, in the past , there were 2 for 1 fares ( not companion fares ) where a higher fare was charged for the business person and zilch for his or her partner. I can't seem to find these anymore eg Amex no longer do it.

So, I may just have to miss out on the fun of developing another OWA itinerary for my wife and just pay for 2 Swiss mini rtw fares.

Are your thoughts to book both at the same time to ensure both seats are there too?

 

[Danger]

Planning for 2 x 280k J.
May/June 2018 (going Japan and West Canada), then March/April 2019 (going Europe), miles under 35k, stops less than 5.

The May/June 2018 would look like this
ADL-SYD-HND stop, QF
NRT-YVR stop, JL
YVR-HKG stop, CX

I am not fixed yet with the March/April 2019, but it may look like this
HKG-HEL stop, AY
VIE-DOH-ADL, QR

There is good availability for the May/June 2018 - QF and CX flights as seen in Qantas site, JL as seen in BA site.

Do I ring Qantas first to advise them I'm about to do a 280k J?
OR Do I just go ahead booking the QF an CX online with Qantas, then calling Qantas to book the JL?
Is there a better time to ring Qantas?
From reading other posts, I gather Qantas will not charge points for booking as JL does not appear in their website. Is this still correct?
If successful in booking the awards flights, but for some unforeseen circumstances I have to cancel later, do I lose my points?

I haven't done this before, so I'm a bit worried and anxious for fear of doing it wrong.

Any advise is much appreciated.

There's no need to forewarn Qantas of your intentions.

To avoid the phone fee I find the best bet is to play ignorant. Phone QF and say you're having trouble booking a oneworld five stop award because you can't any JL flights ever. The agent should automatically know that the engine doesn't display JL flights and help you out. Feed them your flights and let them do the work. If they try to charge the fee ask them if it can be waived because you can't book it online. If they say no then it might be best to HUCA (hang up, call again).

If you have to cancel you may do so before departure for a full refund of the taxes and a refund of all the points except 6k per person.

As you have a bit of mileage and a couple of stop up your sleeve I'd be looking to add some flights in. For example, LAX either side of YVR, Spain after HEL or maybe something like CDG or MXP before HEL.

 

[Cardinal]

Hi Fequent Flyers, quick question - do One World Award surface segments between two cities now counts as two stops towards your 5 stop over limit ? Maybe that's always been the case ?

 

[Jacques Vert]

Hi Fequent Flyers, quick question - do One World Award surface segments between two cities now counts as two stops towards your 5 stop over limit ? Maybe that's always been the case ?

only one stop every time I've booked one; but you do need to count the miles between the two.

 

[Cardinal]

only one stop every time I've booked one; but you do need to count the miles between the two.

Qantas have been quoted me an additional clause to the segment rule stating that each city counts as a stop (unless it's two airports in the same city). It's not on the rules on the website but is in their guidance manual apparently,

 

[Captain Halliday]

Qantas have been quoted me an additional clause to the segment rule stating that each city counts as a stop (unless it's two airports in the same city). It's not on the rules on the website but is in their guidance manual apparently,

If it's not in the published rules, it's not in the rules. I flew into VCE and out of DUB nad it counted as one stop,

The guidance would be written to maximise profits. HUCA.

 

[Cardinal]

Hmm. Stop Overs - BKK, (Athens-Istanbul), (Philadelphia-JFK), Vancouver, NRT = 7 stopovers ???

 

[Captain Halliday]

Hmm. Stop Overs - BKK, (Athens-Istanbul), (Philadelphia-JFK), Vancouver, NRT = 7 stopovers ???

It would be easier with your full itinerary, but based of what you have provided, I see either 5 stopovers, or 4 stopovers with NRT as your final destination.

 

[Cardinal]

CBR - MEL - SIN - KUL - BKK (STOP) - DOH - ATH (STOP/surface segment) IST - DOH- PHL (STOP/surface segment) JFK - YVR (STOP) - NRT - PUS (STOP) - NRT - MEL - CBR