Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Kangol]

Thanks 11sjw and ellen10.

I have been successful at loading in a fair few of my initial flights (about half) into the online multi-tool. I've got enough of the trip in there to trigger the oneworld award points-price of 280k. Does anyone see an issue with me booking it initially via this method, and making my changes via phone later to add the remaining flights when they open up? Or is it too risky to rely on the online multi-tool (I.e. saying there is availability when there is none etc).

If multi-tool is the way to go I will go for it asap to reserve those flights online, and save my patience for what sounds to be a frustrating adjustment process in the later stages.

I'm surprised it's not in the wiki given this question is asked on a regular basis.
Yes, book your long hauls first (online or otherwise) so they don't get taken by others, then call to make changes as subsequent flights are available.
The 5k change fee is better than missing out. Even if it doesn't price as 280k/420k originally, once you get to the zone 10 band it will. Provided it follows the rules of course.

 

[Dave G]

Yep - Agree with booking flights as soon as you find them -
And my experience with adding them wasnt too painful at all

 

[Captain Halliday]

Thanks 11sjw and ellen10.

I have been successful at loading in a fair few of my initial flights (about half) into the online multi-tool. I've got enough of the trip in there to trigger the oneworld award points-price of 280k. Does anyone see an issue with me booking it initially via this method, and making my changes via phone later to add the remaining flights when they open up? Or is it too risky to rely on the online multi-tool (I.e. saying there is availability when there is none etc).

If multi-tool is the way to go I will go for it asap to reserve those flights online, and save my patience for what sounds to be a frustrating adjustment process in the later stages.

As others have said... you’ve reached your Hawaii Five-0 moment.

 

[11sjw]

Thanks 11sjw and ellen10.

I have been successful at loading in a fair few of my initial flights (about half) into the online multi-tool. I've got enough of the trip in there to trigger the oneworld award points-price of 280k. Does anyone see an issue with me booking it initially via this method, and making my changes via phone later to add the remaining flights when they open up? Or is it too risky to rely on the online multi-tool (I.e. saying there is availability when there is none etc).

If multi-tool is the way to go I will go for it asap to reserve those flights online, and save my patience for what sounds to be a frustrating adjustment process in the later stages.

Nope, no issue. Lock them in. Again it will cost an extra 5k points when you change/add to the itinerary.

If the changes are relatively simple the new SMS service eliminates the 45min wait time. However given you have CX flights, it might be better to suffer through the wait and ensure your new itinerary is ticketed immediately.

 

[Warren Mason]

Nope, no issue. Lock them in. Again it will cost an extra 5k points when you change/add to the itinerary.

If the changes are relatively simple the new SMS service eliminates the 45min wait time. However given you have CX flights, it might be better to suffer through the wait and ensure your new itinerary is ticketed immediately.

I jumped in and booked my CX flights and then later called to add my other flights. Thanks to the warning about the CX flights I was watching and when they disappeared the next morning I was straight on the phone. I mentioned to them that I had asked the previous agent to make sure the CX flights would stick and after he restored all the flights and made sure they were ticketed I got off the phone and then kept looking for the next few days to make sure they stayed. Most certainly book as soon as you can but make sure you keep checking till your tickets are issued.

Funny thing though. When the final flights were added, there was 5k points deducted for each ticket which was cancelled when the final agent fixed everything up. 2 weeks later and I still haven’t been charged the 10k for the tickets. Mistake or just forgotten I am still 10k points better off .

 

[cjd600]

I jumped in and booked my CX flights and then later called to add my other flights. Thanks to the warning about the CX flights I was watching and when they disappeared the next morning I was straight on the phone. I mentioned to them that I had asked the previous agent to make sure the CX flights would stick and after he restored all the flights and made sure they were ticketed I got off the phone and then kept looking for the next few days to make sure they stayed. Most certainly book as soon as you can but make sure you keep checking till your tickets are issued.

Funny thing though. When the final flights were added, there was 5k points deducted for each ticket which was cancelled when the final agent fixed everything up. 2 weeks later and I still haven’t been charged the 10k for the tickets. Mistake or just forgotten I am still 10k points better off .

I'd say it will come through. If you need to add any more flights before it does, you'll only be charged once though

 

[Kangol]

The 5k change fee gets charged when the new ticket is reissued. You can make multiple changes and only get charged once for the reissue. For some flights at almost a year out, the queue is supposedly based on time and urgency so waiting a number of months is not uncommon. You don't get to choose when this occurs, though.
I've had an agent proactively expedite the reissue (for QF flights), which was unfortunate given I also needed to add flights from other carriers at some point after that.

 

[flyingchicken]

Nope, no issue. Lock them in. Again it will cost an extra 5k points when you change/add to the itinerary.

If the changes are relatively simple the new SMS service eliminates the 45min wait time. However given you have CX flights, it might be better to suffer through the wait and ensure your new itinerary is ticketed immediately.

Thanks again.

I've just put in the sample itinerary and its come out with $2600 in taxes/charges (for 2 people) and I haven't even got all the segments in there (only 8 so far). Does this sound overly extreme? No BA travel.

Flights:
DBO-SYD / SYD-HKG-DEL
DEL-DOH-AMM
AMM-FCO
FCO-DOH / DOH-JFK

 

[Aus ATC]

I've just put in the sample itinerary and its come out with $2600 in taxes/charges (for 2 people) and I haven't even got all the segments in there (only 8 so far). Does this sound overly extreme? No BA travel.

Flights:
DBO-SYD / SYD-HKG-DEL
DEL-DOH-AMM
AMM-FCO
FCO-DOH / DOH-JFK

Looks fairly typical for the ++ charges. QR don't miss on their surcharges. We paid around $3100 for 2 people in J in taxes and surcharges, with QR surcharges for 2 legs CDG-DOH-SIN of over $800 each (effectively half the total ++)

 

[Battymum]

Hi there
I have read all 325 pages of this thread and tried searching to no avail.

Can someone please explain the QR married segment policy.

I am hoping to book award flights Syd - DOH -IST
And return ATH - DOH -SYD

Depending on availability will consider
flying in/out of MEL or ADL instead, but what is most important is getting that 13 -14 hour flight in J.

I am not sure whether I will have enough points for a full 280k award (x2)

My intention is to book the DOH / AUS return as soon as I can and then add the other flights if I can accrue the points - was thinking of booking the flights to IST on RJ to satisfy the two ow carriers rule but returning from Athens QR is the only option. Will I be able to do this - it looks like I may end up with a long layover of 20hours in DOH

Also hoping to not return to my city of origin in order to make a SYD-PER trip (will fly from CBR if possible)

Thanks for your help

 

[Daver6]

I've just booked a 280k J aware for myself and MrsDaver6. I'll post more details of what we booked later but wanted to let you know how we managed to achieve it with minimal effort.

Firstly, I'm a bit time poor at the moment. The booking was for October/November this year. I had some flexibility with fixed dates. Ie, was doing a Norwegian cruise where I was flexible on which one, but once a start date was picked, the departure date from Norway became fixed.

I used Award Flight Assist - Frequent Flyer Solutions which cost me $320. I cannot recommend this service enough. Extremely professional, great communication and helped me achieve pretty much what I wanted. If you don't know what you're doing or just want to save yourself the hassle/time, I would highly recommend thought route.

 

[TanBish]

I've just booked a 280k J aware for myself and MrsDaver6. I'll post more details of what we booked later but wanted to let you know how we managed to achieve it with minimal effort.

Firstly, I'm a bit time poor at the moment. The booking was for October/November this year. I had some flexibility with fixed dates. Ie, was doing a Norwegian cruise where I was flexible on which one, but once a start date was picked, the departure date from Norway became fixed.

I used Award Flight Assist - Frequent Flyer Solutions which cost me $320. I cannot recommend this service enough. Extremely professional, great communication and helped me achieve pretty much what I wanted. If you don't know what you're doing or just want to save yourself the hassle/time, I would highly recommend thought route.

Thank you for this advice Daver6....I have looked at the link with interest. So they check availability but don’t actually book on your behalf? Did you have any “difficult” flights in there that they were able to source for you and that you were actually then able to book yourself?

I looked at their example and it included Finnair on a350-900 plus AA from MAD-JFK - not easy to find or book.

 

[Daver6]

Thank you for this advice Daver6....I have looked at the link with interest. So they check availability but don’t actually book on your behalf? Did you have any “difficult” flights in there that they were able to source for you and that you were actually then able to book yourself?

I looked at their example and it included Finnair on a350-900 plus AA from MAD-JFK - not easy to find or book.

Correct. They provide a report which you then use to book yourself directly. In my case with QF. As it states, if you run into issues, they'll happily help. I had probably a dozen emails back and forth with the person doing it for me. This was discussing various options, dates etc. This was me being fussy and asking questions rather than issues with the person assisting me.

I'm not sure what's considered a "difficult flight". For me, it was a simple case of not wanting to spending hours upon hours of my own time trying to figure it out. I'm sure if I had a paid subscription it to all the various award checking websites it would have saved me some time. However, I valued my time and extremely glad I went with this service.

In short, I needed to get from PER to Bergen. Then London followed by the Maldives and home. I'll likely tack on a side trip from London to Germany at a later date.

 

[Danger]

Japan Airlines Will Open Reservations 360 Days In Advance - One Mile at a Time

 

[Battymum]

So a request to the administrators - this thread has been going for 325 pages and many years.
Questions get asked and lost -
Is it possible to set it up as its own subforum?

I have many questions - but they are soon buried in this thread.

 

[Battymum]

So a request to the administrators - this thread has been going for 325 pages and many years.
Questions get asked and lost -
Is it possible to set it up as its own subforum?

I have many questions - but they are soon buried in this thread.

Update - I have since found the ask a question option - hope to get some answers.

 

[ozflier]

The 5k change fee gets charged when the new ticket is reissued. You can make multiple changes and only get charged once for the reissue. For some flights at almost a year out, the queue is supposedly based on time and urgency so waiting a number of months is not uncommon. You don't get to choose when this occurs, though.
I've had an agent proactively expedite the reissue (for QF flights), which was unfortunate given I also needed to add flights from other carriers at some point after that.

Are you saying that if you rang and made changes to the booking and ticketing did no occur for 2 months later , the 5k is not deducted until then?

 

[exceladdict]

Hi there
I have read all 325 pages of this thread and tried searching to no avail.

Can someone please explain the QR married segment policy.

I am hoping to book award flights Syd - DOH -IST
And return ATH - DOH -SYD

Depending on availability will consider
flying in/out of MEL or ADL instead, but what is most important is getting that 13 -14 hour flight in J.

I am not sure whether I will have enough points for a full 280k award (x2)

My intention is to book the DOH / AUS return as soon as I can and then add the other flights if I can accrue the points - was thinking of booking the flights to IST on RJ to satisfy the two ow carriers rule but returning from Athens QR is the only option. Will I be able to do this - it looks like I may end up with a long layover of 20hours in DOH

Also hoping to not return to my city of origin in order to make a SYD-PER trip (will fly from CBR if possible)

Thanks for your help

Married segments basically mean that you sometimes can (or cannot) book two legs together instead of seperately. I.e. ATH-DOH and DOH-SYD may be available, but ATH-DOH-SYD (with less than a 24 hour stopover); or possibly the opposite in that the through journey is available but the one with a stopover is not.

I am not aware of a list of destinations through which QR enforce MSC for awards but it would be useful.

You should have no problem booking it progressively, as long as you have enough points to book the legs progressively. QR route pairs can be very expensive though, and as you have highlighted you need to hit those two OW carrier rules to make it cap down to 280k per person; so keep that in mind. You'll also need to budget some points for change fees along the way.

As you seem quite keen on QR (and understandably so with their excellent product) just remember there's also the 2 transits + 1 stopover per city limit which might limit your QR paths through Doha.

 

[Daver6]

I've just booked a 280k J aware for myself and MrsDaver6. I'll post more details of what we booked later but wanted to let you know how we managed to achieve it with minimal effort.

Firstly, I'm a bit time poor at the moment. The booking was for October/November this year. I had some flexibility with fixed dates. Ie, was doing a Norwegian cruise where I was flexible on which one, but once a start date was picked, the departure date from Norway became fixed.

I used Award Flight Assist - Frequent Flyer Solutions which cost me $320. I cannot recommend this service enough. Extremely professional, great communication and helped me achieve pretty much what I wanted. If you don't know what you're doing or just want to save yourself the hassle/time, I would highly recommend thought route.

Right. So a little more background and what we actually booked.

We have a bunch of HH points and wanted to burn them at the Conrad Maldives. We also wanted to do something else and make a decent break. We decided on cruise up and down the coast of Norway on a Hurtigruten ship sounded perfect. Add to that a stop in London to see family and friends. All we knew was we wanted to go some time around Oct/Nov this year. We had narrowed it down to which ships would be acceptable to us, giving us a selection of start and end dates in Bergen. We wanted 6 nights in the Maldives and about 5 in London.

I gave all this information (the list of dates for the cruise and ordered them by preference to the Award Flight Assist person who was helping us. In the end, this is what we booked.

PER - ADL QF ADL - DOH - HEL QR. Over night in HEL but less than 24 hours.
HEL - BGO AY 12 nights. 11 on the cruise and one in Bergen.
BGO - HEL - LHR AY Managed to score a throne seat on the A330 from HEL to LHR. 7 nights in London
LHR - DOH - MLE QR Scored the Q-suites to DOH.
MLE - CMB UL in Y (90 minutes) then CMB - HKG - PER CX.

Fuel fines were high at just over $2k per pax. This was expected given the flights and cities. We will likely add on a side trip from London to Germany towards the end of our time in London. This would mean leaving Germany back to LHR and on to DOH. This should knock off a good few hundred dollars in terms of the UK APD.

 

[JohnM]

Nice, @Daver6. How many miles is that - I'm guessing well inside the 35k?