Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[pyffii]

Yep, I’d be getting a ADL-SYD flight over the night before and stay at one of the hotels near by. That is generally our plan of attack from ADL and allows us to wake up stress free, head to the airport and check in with plenty of time to grab brekky at a lounge

Ditto that as we have done this many times flying from Melbourne to Johannesburg via Sydney

 

[onetonnerodeo]

I have not experienced this situation. However, my guess is that the carrier has the ability to re-route you in that situation, so your journey would continue. Interested to hear what other members have to say.

Yeah, I suspect there might be a few interpretations to this, particularly depending on individual itineraries and airlines between segments. Nonetheless, an interesting one I thought, and hopefully one that no one finds themselves in, but perhaps useful to know one day. Even as to where specifically you'd be sent 'back' would be interesting in that scenario.

 

[squid01]

The bags will be through-checked from QF to AA, on the same PNR, so no need to collect and re-check. A two-hour connection from domestic to international at SYD is quite do-able, so long as the incoming flight from ADL is not delayed by too much. According to EF, QF732 has been an average of 12 minutes late over the past two months.

On arrival in SYD Domestic, go straight to Gate 15 to catch the complimentary T-Bus service to the International Terminal. The bus runs about every 10-20 minutes and the journey is about 10 minutes. AA72 would start boarding at about 10.30am.

At least you are not advocating MCT of 60 minutes like some do (including QF). Also, at ADL check-in, QF will provide you with both boarding passes for ADL-SYD and SYD-LAX.

Edit: Should lounge access be a consideration, I would factor-in extra time. . However, it is what it is

Thank you! I managed to get onto the NZ Qantas call centre to check some other availability and asked about this too, she confirmed the same. Was just concerned as it will be two separate flights (ADL > SYD & SYD > LAX), but within the oneworld classic award, wasn't sure if it made a difference as it wasn't booking as one single leg (ie ADL > LAX with a 'transit').

No lounge access just flying lowly economy. But I do have a couple lounge passes free from a CC to use somewhere along the line.

Also to get the flight you want, try searching as ADL - SYD and then SYD - LAX.

Yep that's what I had to do. The QF flight from ADL>SYD has no economy availability now so can't link up with the QF flight from SYD>LAX. So searched the two individual legs and came up with QF on a slightly later flight ADL>SYD then AA from SYD>LAX (as per screenshot in my previous post).

Yep, I’d be getting a ADL-SYD flight over the night before and stay at one of the hotels near by. That is generally our plan of attack from ADL and allows us to wake up stress free, head to the airport and check in with plenty of time to grab brekky at a lounge

Trying to avoid that, especially considering we live in Melbourne and are driving to my girlfriends parents place in ADL to drop some belongings off before we head away. So don't want to be transiting through 3 Aus cities on departure. And it seems we should be okay with the QF/AA flights with the two hour transit as QF will check the bags all the way through. But yes not ideal timing I agree.


On another note, it looks like I am going to have to book this whole thing over the phone as QF site isnt liking one of my flights (but confirmed availability on the phone today). How can I increase my chances of getting through to Aus or NZ call centre? Calling at a specific time? Are they open on weekends too?

 

[DC3]

.... How can I increase my chances of getting through to Aus or NZ call centre? Calling at a specific time? Are they open on weekends too?

There are reports, upthread, that Oz starts by about 6.30am. NZ is earlier (may be 4.30am, Melbourne time). Not sure on weekend hours but worth a try, if you have nothing better to do. . Manila and SA never seem to sleep.

HUACA, although time-wasting and frustrating, is sometimes best.

 

[DC3]

... it looks like I am going to have to book this whole thing over the phone as QF site isnt liking one of my flights (but confirmed availability on the phone today) ...

You could book as many flights on-line as you are able (just leave out the problem flight/s) and then phone to add the rest. May be easier.

When you phone, you will have the PRN and then just add more flights, at 5,000 points per passenger, per phone call.

And, until you have the e-ticket you have nothing, as evidenced upthread.

 

[Arlindo]

Hi guys. I made my OWA booking online. Could only muster up enough for economy unfortunately, but that's ok for me. Anyhow, I want to make some changes before I leave in a couple weeks, checked out availability online already and still ok. A couple questions if someone could help out

a) at what point does the change/booking service fees kick in when I call the customer support centre? If I don't like the added taxes I'm quoted or can't come to a solution, do I still automatically get slugged the service fee just for having spoken to them?

b) I had plans to include a couple successive transit segments <24 hours in the US. If I missed one of these, or I guess any other connections along the way because of an airline issue or force majeure event - basically not my fault - how do you ensure other airlines that feature later on the ticket keep hold of your reservation as I thought one missed segment automatically voids the remainder?

 

[DC3]

.... a) at what point does the change/booking service fees kick in when I call the customer support centre? If I don't like the added taxes I'm quoted or can't come to a solution, do I still automatically get slugged the service fee just for having spoken to them?

b) I had plans to include a couple successive transit segments <24 hours in the US. If I missed one of these, or I guess any other connections along the way because of an airline issue or force majeure event - basically not my fault - how do you ens other airlines that feature later on the ticket keep hold of your reservation as I thought one missed segment automatically voids the remainder?

There is no charge to speak with the Call Centre. The points change fee applies for actual changes (per passenger, per phone call, doing as many changes as you like in the call).

I have no experience with missed flights on a Oneworld Award. The Call Centre may be able to address your concerns.

Edit: And welcome to AFF.

 

[onetonnerodeo]

There is no charge to speak with the Call Centre. The points change fee applies for actual changes (per passenger, per phone call, doing as many changes as you like in the call).

I have no experience with missed flights on a Oneworld Award. The Call Centre may be able to address your concerns.

Edit: And welcome to AFF.

I think in the discussion about recent changes to Qantas fees this came up the other day, but with the other poster that you responded to travelling in economy, I'd expect they would be subject to a change fee (5,000) and service fee (now 7,700). Business and First Class aren't subject to the service fee. Per below. I suspect this also answers that poster's question as it mentions "amount must be paid at the time of making your changes". So, if no changes are agreed to, then no service fee (or change fee) would be my assumption. However, I don't exactly understand what would happen if you ask them to check changes and calculate taxes on them but then pull the pin.


Service Fees
Service Fees are payable in addition to any applicable Change Fees.
Payable where changes are made to Classic Flight Reward bookings via Qantas Contact Centres.
Money payment option is available for Reward Flight booking changes made in Australia or in New Zealand (except as otherwise stated). Amount must be paid at the time of making your changes.
Service Fees will not be applied when changing Classic Flight Rewards booked for travel in Business or First class.
Fee for International:
For changes made to bookings prior to 18 December 2019: 8,000 Qantas Points per passenger
For changes made to bookings on and from 18 December 2019: 7,700 Qantas Qantas Points per passenger

 

[Jacques Vert]

However, I don't exactly understand what would happen if you ask them to check changes and calculate taxes on them but then pull the pin.

You just thank them for their time and say something like "I'll think about it".

 

[Arlindo]

Thanks guys. I'll try understand from the call centre then regarding the missed flights aspect. That's what has me nervous about adding successive layovers. Miss one, better than even odds you miss the next. Then potentially plenty of unknowns.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Thanks guys. I'll try understand from the call centre then regarding the missed flights aspect. That's what has me nervous about adding successive layovers. Miss one, better than even odds you miss the next. Then potentially plenty of unknowns.

When doing a surface sector or flying on a different ticket or airline, I always allow one or two nights in my next departure city before rejoining my Oneworld Award, just in case I get delayed.

 

[Arlindo]

When doing a surface sector or flying on a different ticket or airline, I always allow one or two nights in my next departure city before rejoining my Oneworld Award, just in case I get delayed.

Good suggestion thanks I think I've got those surface segments and/or other tickets covered with a buffer. I was more concerned to same ticket connections/segments, like the following example

a) AA SFO - CHI 'aug' 15
b) AA CHI - JFK 'aug' 16 (<24 hours)
c+d+e) other segments from alternative carriers on the same ticket/PRN (>1 month later)

I made up the above dates as an example, but if (a) was cancelled or delayed, I'd potentially miss (b) by the time I got re-booked/re-routed...I assume b also gets rescheduled by AA but what would happen to c+d+e, if anything, as I thought automatically a miss cancels the rest of the ticket..and does (a) all of a sudden become a 24+ hour stopover

I'm on the phone now with 3 hour wait time

 

[onetonnerodeo]

So as it turns out, I tried to make some changes to my own OWA. I've posted this in the LATAM forum as well, but might have some relevance here.

---------

So I recently went ahead and made a booking for a OWA ticket (it was after the recent exit changes announced by LATAM). There were a couple or so segments on the itinerary with LATAM. I wanted to make some changes, including to one of those LATAM segments. Naturally, this re-issues the ticket. However, the Qantas centre (I reached NZ) was having complications (on more than one occasion) processing this change, as the amendment was no longer being recognised as a points booking and instead it was automatically being re-priced as a full-fee booking.

One of the workers advised from their supervisor that they are waiting on a waiver code (or something to that effect) from LATAM to effectively get around this issue, but haven't had word of a timeline and in the meantime weren't really sure how to deal with it. It wasn't expected to otherwise interrupt with the booking if unchanged, nor prevent you from making new bookings with the points as you can still do, but changes seem to be the sticking point.

Not sure if anyone has encountered any problems or had success with changes, but maybe something to be aware of.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Good suggestion thanks I think I've got those surface segments and/or other tickets covered with a buffer. I was more concerned to same ticket connections/segments, like the following example

a) AA SFO - CHI 'aug' 15
b) AA CHI - JFK 'aug' 16 (<24 hours)
c+d+e) other segments from alternative carriers on the same ticket/PRN (>1 month later)

I made up the above dates as an example, but if (a) was cancelled or delayed, I'd potentially miss (b) by the time I got re-booked/re-routed...I assume b also gets rescheduled by AA but what would happen to c+d+e, if anything, as I thought automatically a miss cancels the rest of the ticket..and does (a) all of a sudden become a 24+ hour stopover

I'm on the phone now with 3 hour wait time

If you miss a connection because of something the airline does (delayed or cancelled flight, schedule change, etc.), then it's up to the airlines (specifically Qantas in most instances), to rebook you, including all remaining flights, if necessary. A missed connection caused by one of the airlines on your ticket will not cancel the remainder of your ticket (or if it does, it is up to them to reinstate it).

If you miss your flight because of something that you do (sleep in, go to the wrong gate or at the wrong time, etc.), then that's an entirely different story.

 

[blu]

We had a delayed AA domestic flight last month, due to mechanical problem, that would have missed an AA connecting flight. AA booked us on a Delta flight going direct without a connection. Even though it was not One World, it had no impact on our remaining award flights

 

[squid01]

So as it turns out, I tried to make some changes to my own OWA. I've posted this in the LATAM forum as well, but might have some relevance here.

---------

So I recently went ahead and made a booking for a OWA ticket (it was after the recent exit changes announced by LATAM). There were a couple or so segments on the itinerary with LATAM. I wanted to make some changes, including to one of those LATAM segments. Naturally, this re-issues the ticket. However, the Qantas centre (I reached NZ) was having complications (on more than one occasion) processing this change, as the amendment was no longer being recognised as a points booking and instead it was automatically being re-priced as a full-fee booking.

One of the workers advised from their supervisor that they are waiting on a waiver code (or something to that effect) from LATAM to effectively get around this issue, but haven't had word of a timeline and in the meantime weren't really sure how to deal with it. It wasn't expected to otherwise interrupt with the booking if unchanged, nor prevent you from making new bookings with the points as you can still do, but changes seem to be the sticking point.

Not sure if anyone has encountered any problems or had success with changes, but maybe something to be aware of.

Did they say if this was happening because you were trying to change one of the Latam legs? Or even if you were just changing a different airline leg the existence of a Latham flight elsewhere on the PNR was causing it?

 

[onetonnerodeo]

Did they say if this was happening because you were trying to change one of the Latam legs? Or even if you were just changing a different airline leg the existence of a Latham flight elsewhere on the PNR was causing it?

I asked the hypothetical that if it was just a change to another partner flight on the ticket, which I was trying to do anyways, what would happen. And similarly, since that would result in a reissued ticket, the advice I received was that it would create the same issue as well. First operator actually had the same problems without informing me or trying to troubleshoot it and then disconnecting on me. Second operator had the same issue but actually delved deep into it and was speaking with his supervisor. Nonetheless, they really didn't have a solution, at least just right now until LATAM works through it with them.

 

[pagebb]

I'm having some trouble finding J availability for AA through the Qantas search. I have found that I can often find a seat when searching through the AA website that isn't available on Qantas. For example, on this flight MAD>JFK I can find a J seat through AA but not through Qantas.

Would I be able to book this seat as part of my OWA or not? In general, how do you guys go about finding availability for seats that aren't well captured by the Qantas search engine?

 

[Oubline]

I'm having some trouble finding J availability for AA through the Qantas search. I have found that I can often find a seat when searching through the AA website that isn't available on Qantas. For example, on this flight MAD>JFK I can find a J seat through AA but not through Qantas.

Would I be able to book this seat as part of my OWA or not? In general, how do you guys go about finding availability for seats that aren't well captured by the Qantas search engine?

View attachment 202497
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British Airways is the most accurate in my experience. There might be a chance that the award space is only available to AA’s own customers. Still, you can really only know for sure by calling Qantas.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Is this a Business MileSAAver or an Anytime award? Award availability to Qantas will be from the SAAver category only whereas AA miles can be used in either category of award.