Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[flyingchicken]

Quick question to follow up from my previous post:

Do I need to look for MileSAAver J availability only on AA flights, because I can see a bunch of AAnytime availability but little to no MileSAAver availability? I've done a heap of searching but haven't found anything that is clear. Are AAnytime award seats a no-go for OWA?

 

[Kangol]

Are AAnytime award seats a no-go for OWA?

Correct. They book into the full revenue fare bucket, not the classic award fare bucket.
You are best off searching on the QFF site. It is possible but unlikely that a phone agent can see availability that you cannot see online. I would not count on it though.

 

[knightfall88]

Hi guys, I'm new to this but have been lurking and studying for a while.

I've started booking some initial legs of a multi-city trip.

Is the process to continue to keep an eye out for the next legs as they are released and then book them separately. Then give Qantas a call to get them to merge all the legs together into one itinerary? And then once I've finished booking my itinerary and Qantas merges the legs one final time, it should total 280k/315k whereby all the points I've spent in excess booking individual legs will get refunded?

Also acknowledging I will get charged 5k every time I have the itineraries merged?

Thanks guys.

 

[fastferret]

Hi guys, I'm new to this but have been lurking and studying for a while.

I've started booking some initial legs of a multi-city trip.

Is the process to continue to keep an eye out for the next legs as they are released and then book them separately. Then give Qantas a call to get them to merge all the legs together into one itinerary? And then once I've finished booking my itinerary and Qantas merges the legs one final time, it should total 280k/315k whereby all the points I've spent in excess booking individual legs will get refunded?

Also acknowledging I will get charged 5k every time I have the itineraries merged?

Thanks guys.

No, no, no. Separate bookings can't be merged.

Each time you want to add to your original booking you must contact Qantas and ask to make a change to your booking. As you make the changes the points will max out at 280k, provided you keep within the One world classic rewards rules.

 

[11sjw]

Hi guys, I'm new to this but have been lurking and studying for a while.

I've started booking some initial legs of a multi-city trip.

Is the process to continue to keep an eye out for the next legs as they are released and then book them separately. Then give Qantas a call to get them to merge all the legs together into one itinerary? And then once I've finished booking my itinerary and Qantas merges the legs one final time, it should total 280k/315k whereby all the points I've spent in excess booking individual legs will get refunded?

Also acknowledging I will get charged 5k every time I have the itineraries merged?

Thanks guys.

To add to the above, points will max out at the 280k/318k but you pay 5k per itinerary alteration.

Once you've booked your first leg (s) you have a booking reference "number" (6 digit letter/number combo, say "ABC123") any further bookings (eg legs 2, 3, 4 or 5) you ring and ask for the booking ABC123 to be altered as per the extra flights.

This process will take a few calls most likely so carry 20k extra points!

 

[Battymum]

Can someone please clarify if I start my OWA overseas, do i have to include the mileage to return to the point of origin in my itinerary?

 

[knightfall88]

To add to the above, points will max out at the 280k/318k but you pay 5k per itinerary alteration.

Once you've booked your first leg (s) you have a booking reference "number" (6 digit letter/number combo, say "ABC123") any further bookings (eg legs 2, 3, 4 or 5) you ring and ask for the booking ABC123 to be altered as per the extra flights.

This process will take a few calls most likely so carry 20k extra points!

Thanks gents. Makes sense

 

[Captain Halliday]

Can someone please clarify if I start my OWA overseas, do i have to include the mileage to return to the point of origin in my itinerary?

Yes

 

[Battymum]

Well that’s disappointing

 

[Kangol]

To add to the above, points will max out at the 280k/318k but you pay 5k per itinerary alteration.

Once you've booked your first leg (s) you have a booking reference "number" (6 digit letter/number combo, say "ABC123") any further bookings (eg legs 2, 3, 4 or 5) you ring and ask for the booking ABC123 to be altered as per the extra flights.

This process will take a few calls most likely so carry 20k extra points!

5k change fee every time it's re-ticketed. In theory and practice, especially with itineraries almost ~1 year out, you can make multiple changes before they re-issue the ticket and only be charged 5k.
Although for some carriers, eg. QR, you want them to re-ticket ASAP otherwise some airlines have been known to cancel the seat even if confirmed in the itinerary but not ticketed.

 

[11sjw]

5k change fee every time it's re-ticketed. In theory and practice, especially with itineraries almost ~1 year out, you can make multiple changes before they re-issue the ticket and only be charged 5k.
Although for some carriers, eg. QR, you want them to re-ticket ASAP otherwise some airlines have been known to cancel the seat even if confirmed in the itinerary but not ticketed.

Yes. Had the ticket cancel (well the CX Flights) when there was an alteration. Thankfully I discovered it the next day and had them reinstated. Always stay on the line until they reissue the ticket!

 

[Jacques Vert]

so acknowledging I will get charged 5k every time I have the itineraries merged?

It's 5,000 points per person.

 

[soh]

Yes. Had the ticket cancel (well the CX Flights) when there was an alteration. Thankfully I discovered it the next day and had them reinstated. Always stay on the line until they reissue the ticket!

This is critical. I made 4 changes across 2 different PNR's in the past few weeks using the SMS service. I insisted that they push the ticket reissue through on the spot and each time I had an updated itinerary and new ticket numbers within 5 minutes. I had previously lost 3 CX flights due to late ticketing by QF and couldn't get them back - not making that mistake again.

 

[knightfall88]

This is critical. I made 4 changes across 2 different PNR's in the past few weeks using the SMS service. I insisted that they push the ticket reissue through on the spot and each time I had an updated itinerary and new ticket numbers within 5 minutes. I had previously lost 3 CX flights due to late ticketing by QF and couldn't get them back - not making that mistake again.

What's the difference between an itinerary and ticket? I received neither via email in my last online reward booking last week. The only way I knew it worked was because my points got deducted and under bookings, my booked flights are there.

 

[soh]

What's the difference between an itinerary and ticket? I received neither via email in my last online reward booking last week. The only way I knew it worked was because my points got deducted and under bookings, my booked flights are there.

I had a new itinerary issued by QF but despite being pestered every single day to actually ticket it they never did and CX cancelled my 3 flights in J. You should have a new PDF itinerary emailed to you from QF after any change and the ticket number next to the passenger name should differ to the ticket number on your previous itinerary. Someone with more experience in the ticketing side of things may be better placed to provide a thorough explanation but for me I don't let up until I have a new ticket number if I am still to fly my first sector.

 

[11sjw]

This is critical. I made 4 changes across 2 different PNR's in the past few weeks using the SMS service. I insisted that they push the ticket reissue through on the spot and each time I had an updated itinerary and new ticket numbers within 5 minutes. I had previously lost 3 CX flights due to late ticketing by QF and couldn't get them back - not making that mistake again.

Interesting. I caught mine in time and had it fixed however the CS Rep had said words to the effect of "Glad you picked it up so soon. However it would've been on us to make good as the mistake was ours." I'm guessing that wasn't your outcome.

 

[madrooster]

Interesting. I caught mine in time and had it fixed however the CS Rep had said words to the effect of "Glad you picked it up so soon. However it would've been on us to make good as the mistake was ours." I'm guessing that wasn't your outcome.

You should have left it... then QF has to rebook you in a revenue class and then you can earn SCs and points.

 

[11sjw]

You should have left it... then QF has to rebook you in a revenue class and then you can earn SCs and points.

Didn't want to take the risk of it not panning like that!!

 

[soh]

Didn't want to take the risk of it not panning like that!!

Me too. After a few days of back and forth I was offered reward seats on CX/QF HKG-SIN-LHR but went with a HKG-FRA-LHR option on CX. The Fees/Taxes/Fines were higher than my original booking that QF 'lost' for me so they eventually agreed to pay up to get me back to the same financial position I was in before their mistake. The initial QF reaction to all of it was too bad....your problem.

 

[Daver6]

I can't see how QF would have a leg to stand on other than getting you back on your original flight at their own cost, however they want to arrange it.