Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[sietes]

Hoping for some advice. Have currently got a pair of 280k awards starting in August booked In December.
Availability has come up on our first leg MEL-SIN on QF35 two days earlier which we want to take advantage of. As usual unable to change online and the hold time over the phone are ridiculous so I've tried the SMS service. I have been quoted the 5k points per person plus additional "taxes" of $113.23 per person. This seems obscene to me as.i am merely trying to change to an identical flight two days earlier.

Is this correct or do I need to try to get onto an Australia based operator on the phone?

 

[madrooster]

Is it your first segment? If it is then your ticket is fully unflown and thus would be repriced as of today's pricing including exchange rate.

 

[sietes]

Ok thanks for the info. Must be the exchange rate as we only paid 774.25 each for taxes to begin with.

 

[pye1201]

Query on Qantas oneworld classic award

This is my first time on this forum - please forgive/correct any errors I will probably make...

Given the recent changes to qantas’ redemption pricing in their award program, effective mid September 2019, I will be moving up by several months my plans to book a business class 35k mile, 5 stopover, 16 segment classic award. I have been lucky to receive invaluable advice from the experts on FlyerTalk before and I am hoping that I will have the same luck here.

I hope to book an itinerary which currently looks like this:
SYD-HKG(transit)-CMB-HKG(transit)-LHR-CPH(transit)-LGA-PTY(transit)-STI-SFO(transit)-HNL-SYD (33,963 miles)
before that September deadline. Our aim is to fly out in June 2020 to do 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, then London to spend several months in Europe before our daughter’s wedding in Tuscany in late September . This is the only date that is critical – we are retired and can be very flexible with our dates. We hope to commence the New York sector in November, the Santiago sector in January and be in Hawaii for February before returning home for March.

I have been reading what I can on booking all the tickets required - obviously flights for the segments after the Europe segment, being more than a year out, won’t have listed – I have read on this forum
"If the ticket is fully unflown - you reprice as of the current day's taxes, fare, points and exchange rate. If the ticket is partially flown - you reprice as of the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate. Historical date used would be your original initial ticketing date." (Thank you Mad Rooster).

From this, am I wrong to assume that if I book the whole itinerary now, with dummy dates for the rest of the itinerary after Europe, then rebook them as the flights become available, and have the ticketing done by September 2019, I would charged the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate?

I understand that there is a 5000point fee for changes – does the fee apply to business class bookings? If so, is that fee to be paid for each stopover change? Or if I make all those changes at one time in say March when the remaining flights might all be available, would I only be charged the one lot of 5000points?

Hoping that others more knowledgeable than myself might be able to answer my queries.

Thank you,

 

[DC3]

... No one mentioned the typo in my wife’s name on eTicket.

I assume that your wife hasn’t been told that you couldn’t spell her name correctly, after how many years?

 

[motef]

Just thinking should the title of this thread be updated now?

 

[JohnM]

Just thinking should the title of this thread be updated now?

Come September...

 

[jfl]

Well we've just booked the last business leg of our OW Classic Award. Thanks a lot to everyone here for the helpful tips and pointers, especially @JohnM .

HKG-NRT CX J
HND-SYD QF J

SYD-JNB QF Y (Not booked - hopefully there will be availability in Y otherwise we will book with cash)
JNB-LHR BA J
MXP-DOH-SIN QR J
SIN-SYD BA J

Total cost was 21,582 HKD (~AU$4000), and total miles came in at 34,878. Truly maximizing the award!

We ended up booking SYD-JNB Y on June 19th as we needed to fly on April 16th next year and were prepared to go Y.

Coincidentally I checked availability for J today and there were two seats! A few quick SMS' to Qantas and 10,000 points, we're now in J! I feel like we hit the jackpot

 

[Danger]

Query on Qantas oneworld classic award

This is my first time on this forum - please forgive/correct any errors I will probably make...

Welcome to AFF, pye1201. It's a big post so I'll help where I can.

Given the recent changes to qantas’ redemption pricing in their award program, effective mid September 2019, I will be moving up by several months my plans to book a business class 35k mile, 5 stopover, 16 segment classic award. I have been lucky to receive invaluable advice from the experts on FlyerTalk before and I am hoping that I will have the same luck here.

I hope to book an itinerary which currently looks like this:
SYD-HKG(transit)-CMB-HKG(transit)-LHR-CPH(transit)-LGA-PTY(transit)-STI-SFO(transit)-HNL-SYD (33,963 miles)
before that September deadline. Our aim is to fly out in June 2020 to do 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, then London to spend several months in Europe before our daughter’s wedding in Tuscany in late September . This is the only date that is critical – we are retired and can be very flexible with our dates. We hope to commence the New York sector in November, the Santiago sector in January and be in Hawaii for February before returning home for March.

I have been reading what I can on booking all the tickets required - obviously flights for the segments after the Europe segment, being more than a year out, won’t have listed – I have read on this forum
"If the ticket is fully unflown - you reprice as of the current day's taxes, fare, points and exchange rate. If the ticket is partially flown - you reprice as of the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate. Historical date used would be your original initial ticketing date." (Thank you Mad Rooster).

From this, am I wrong to assume that if I book the whole itinerary now, with dummy dates for the rest of the itinerary after Europe, then rebook them as the flights become available, and have the ticketing done by September 2019, I would charged the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate?

I think people are unlikely to be able to escape the new points cost if changes are made after 19 September.

I understand that there is a 5000point fee for changes – does the fee apply to business class bookings? If so, is that fee to be paid for each stopover change? Or if I make all those changes at one time in say March when the remaining flights might all be available, would I only be charged the one lot of 5000points?

Unfortunately, yes, the 5k is charged for all bookings. What isn't charged for premium bookings is the phone assistance fee. No matter the changes you make at any one time, you'll only be charged 5k per person. So, for example, you can change your ticketed points, dates and carriers and still only incur 5k, provided it's done at the same time.

 

[pye1201]

Welcome to AFF, pye1201. It's a big post so I'll help where I can.

Thanks so much Danger, appreciate the assistance.

I think people are unlikely to be able to escape the new points cost if changes are made after 19 September.

I was hoping from previous advice on this forum that if I make my booking prior to 19 September and fly the first several sectors, that any changes I might make after that would be "repriced as of the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate". The 560k currently required for the two award bookings would not leave a lot of points in my account, however if I have to top up my account to get to the 636k required then so be it.

Unfortunately, yes, the 5k is charged for all bookings. What isn't charged for premium bookings is the phone assistance fee. No matter the changes you make at any one time, you'll only be charged 5k per person. So, for example, you can change your ticketed points, dates and carriers and still only incur 5k, provided it's done at the same time.

And only paying the 5k per person for any changes made is good news for me - I'm happy with that. While on this point, does this mean besides changing dates and possibly carriers, I can actually change destinations on that award? I had assumed that I would be locked into stopover points nominated?

Really appreciate the time taken to advise me on this!

 

[Danger]

And only paying the 5k per person for any changes made is good news for me - I'm happy with that. While on this point, does this mean besides changing dates and possibly carriers, I can actually change destinations on that award? I had assumed that I would be locked into stopover points nominated?

Really appreciate the time taken to advise me on this!

Before departure of the first flight you can certainly change ticketed points. I don't believe that's permitted after first flight, however.

 

[pye1201]

Before departure of the first flight you can certainly change ticketed points. I don't believe that's permitted after first flight, however.

Well I can cope with that - I'll just have to make sure before I book it that we're happy with all the destinations. First world problems really...

Thanks again.

 

[azza_1992]

Is it common to have trouble finding award availability on direct LATAM domestic flights?

For example, on 8 April 2020, if I use the Qantas site to look for:
IGU to GIG - I only get options connecting in GRU
IGU to GRU - I only get options connecting in GIG
GIG to GRU - I only get options connecting in BSB, or VIT

 

[Jacques Vert]

Is it common to have trouble finding award availability on direct LATAM domestic flights?

For example, on 8 April 2020, if I use the Qantas site to look for:
IGU to GIG - I only get options connecting in GRU
IGU to GRU - I only get options connecting in GIG
GIG to GRU - I only get options connecting in BSB, or VIT

Not unusual, and if you try to book you may find that the indirect routing doesn't actually have availability either.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Query on Qantas oneworld classic award

This is my first time on this forum - please forgive/correct any errors I will probably make...

Given the recent changes to qantas’ redemption pricing in their award program, effective mid September 2019, I will be moving up by several months my plans to book a business class 35k mile, 5 stopover, 16 segment classic award. I have been lucky to receive invaluable advice from the experts on FlyerTalk before and I am hoping that I will have the same luck here.

I hope to book an itinerary which currently looks like this:
SYD-HKG(transit)-CMB-HKG(transit)-LHR-CPH(transit)-LGA-PTY(transit)-STI-SFO(transit)-HNL-SYD (33,963 miles)
before that September deadline. Our aim is to fly out in June 2020 to do 3 weeks in Sri Lanka, then London to spend several months in Europe before our daughter’s wedding in Tuscany in late September . This is the only date that is critical – we are retired and can be very flexible with our dates. We hope to commence the New York sector in November, the Santiago sector in January and be in Hawaii for February before returning home for March.

I have been reading what I can on booking all the tickets required - obviously flights for the segments after the Europe segment, being more than a year out, won’t have listed – I have read on this forum
"If the ticket is fully unflown - you reprice as of the current day's taxes, fare, points and exchange rate. If the ticket is partially flown - you reprice as of the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate. Historical date used would be your original initial ticketing date." (Thank you Mad Rooster).

From this, am I wrong to assume that if I book the whole itinerary now, with dummy dates for the rest of the itinerary after Europe, then rebook them as the flights become available, and have the ticketing done by September 2019, I would charged the historical taxes, fare, points and exchange rate?

I understand that there is a 5000point fee for changes – does the fee apply to business class bookings? If so, is that fee to be paid for each stopover change? Or if I make all those changes at one time in say March when the remaining flights might all be available, would I only be charged the one lot of 5000points?

Hoping that others more knowledgeable than myself might be able to answer my queries.

Thank you,

To clarify your question:

1. You will make your booking before September 18,
2. You will include dummy bookings for your flights after the wedding,
3. You will take your first flight or two and then attempt to change the remainder of your flights to dates that you prefer.

Is this correct?

If so, it is a high risk strategy. Once you take your first flight, you can only change the date and/or time of your remaining flights.

You have to find availability on the exact same route, same airline, same class. What will you do if there is no availability?

Award seat availability to/from SCL and HNL is generally quite poor.

If you book the award before the changes in mid-September, your dummy flights are going to be around July. That will give you about one month to find availability on alternative dates.

If you can't find seats, you loose your points, only unused taxes will be refunded if you have to cancel.

If it were me, I'ld be booking the flights I wanted at the new points cost.

 

[pye1201]

To clarify your question:

1. You will make your booking before September 18,
2. You will include dummy bookings for your flights after the wedding,
3. You will take your first flight or two and then attempt to change the remainder of your flights to dates that you prefer.

Is this correct?

If so, it is a high risk strategy. Once you take your first flight, you can only change the date and/or time of your remaining flights.

You have to find availability on the exact same route, same airline, same class. What will you do if there is no availability?

Award seat availability to/from SCL and HNL is generally quite poor.

If you book the award before the changes in mid-September, your dummy flights are going to be around July. That will give you about one month to find availability on alternative dates.

If you can't find seats, you loose your points, only unused taxes will be refunded if you have to cancel.

If it were me, I'ld be booking the flights I wanted at the new points cost.

Thank you - yes, you are correct in your summary. So the advice that I can change carriers after completing the first few sectors is incorrect? Yes, I will be looking for availability from July but the next sector won't be commenced until November, giving me 5 months to find flights. Does booking the flights I want at the new points cost allow me to change carriers if the exact same route can't be found for the new dates? The problem here is that because we are going to be away for 8 months, it's almost impossible to avoid booking dummy dates and still book early enough to get the flights you want on departure. Bit of a Catch 22 in the event of an extended time away. I guess the award is designed for much shorter holidays than people like us, with children who live in the UK and the US, generally take.

Thank you for taking the time to look at my situation - much appreciated.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thank you - yes, you are correct in your summary. So the advice that I can change carriers after completing the first few sectors is incorrect?

That is my understanding. I've been in that situation and although many QF agents will tell you it can be done, when it comes to the crunch, it's no go.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Yes, I will be looking for availability from July but the next sector won't be commenced until November, giving me 5 months to find flights.

But you have to find those alternative flights before your dummy flight takes off. Otherwise you will be a "no show" and the rest of your ticket will be cancelled.

Let's say you book on 10 September 2019. Unless you have Gold status or higher, you can only book seats in premium classes on Qantas-operated flights 297 days in advance. That is up until 3 July. And if you are going to SCL and HNL then QF are one of the carriers you'll be considering.

If you book a dummy flight on QF, you will have until 3 July to change it. And by June/July, seats for February and March 2021 may have sold out.

 

[Jacques Vert]

You can only change carriers before you take your first flight.

 

[pye1201]

That is my understanding. I've been in that situation and although many QF agents will tell you it can be done, when it comes to the crunch, it's no go.

But you have to find those alternative flights before your dummy flight takes off. Otherwise you will be a "no show" and the rest of your ticket will be cancelled.

Let's say you book on 10 September 2019. Unless you have Gold status or higher, you can only book seats in premium classes on Qantas-operated flights 297 days in advance. That is up until 3 July. And if you are going to SCL and HNL then QF are one of the carriers you'll be considering.

If you book a dummy flight on QF, you will have until 3 July to change it. And by June/July, seats for February and March 2021 may have sold out.

Point taken

You can only change carriers before you take your first flight.

Thanks for the invaluable advice. If I revise my strategy, book later and cop the cost of the award increase, try to avoid booking Qantas in the latter half of the trip (I might rethink the itinerary - ditch HNL and go for a more easily attainable destination on an airline with a little more award availability) perhaps I will have a better chance. I'm not confident about booking each leg as it becomes available and relying on the ticket converting to a Oneworld ticket (by keeping 2 Oneworld airlines in the first leg of the trip) - back to the drawing board re the itinerary!