Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Jacques Vert]

LATAM is now leaving Oneworld on 1 May 2020:

| oneworld

www.oneworld.com

 

[stirlo]

LATAM is now leaving Oneworld on 1 May 2020:

| oneworld

www.oneworld.com

So whats the impact if you have a OWA ticket with LATAM flights in July? I'm assuming they don't cancel it but also that no more changes would be possible? Though they do say for paid tickets they are allowing bookings for LATAM flights after May as long they are made before April 30, hopefully this can carry across for Award booking though I'm not hopeful...


Also got an email from LATAM direct...

Hello xx_X,

As part of the ongoing work to implement our framework agreement with Delta, which seeks to provide our passengers with an industry-leading travel experience, we are working to establish the codeshare agreements with LATAM Airlines Peru, Colombia and Ecuador over the coming weeks.

During 2020, these agreements will be complemented by codeshares with LATAM’s subsidiaries in Chile and Brazil, significantly improving the connectivity between South America and the United States and Canada.

In parallel, we have decided to bring forward our departure from the oneworld alliance, which will be effective May 1, 2020. Up to and including April 30, 2020, your benefits will remain unchanged.
We understand how important it is for you to maintain your benefits and travel experience. That’s why, following our departure from oneworld, we will maintain our existing agreements with the majority of oneworld members (British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Iberia, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, S7 Airlines and SriLankan Airlines), and continue to offer the following benefits:

● Access to our combined route network
● Earn and redeem frequent flyer miles or points via respective loyalty programs
● Reciprocal lounge access
● Recognition of elite members in respective frequent flyer programs and associated benefits

Regarding our relationship with American Airlines, we will end our frequent flyer agreements and reciprocal lounge access, effective May 1, 2020. For tickets purchased or redeemed prior to this date, your benefits, mile accumulation, redemption and qualification conditions remain the same.

Additionally, we are working with Delta, a leading airline in customer experience, to create an agreement to establish reciprocal lounge access and frequent flyer benefits, which we expect will be available during the first half of 2020.
As another development we would like to remind you that on February 1, 2020, we will relocate our operations from Terminal 8 to Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York City), offering greater connectivity with destinations in the United States, Canada and around the world. In addition, if you are a Black Signature, Black or Platinum member or are traveling in the Premium Business cabin, you can access the VIP lounge located in the same terminal.

We are committed to keep you updated about advances in the construction of this great alliance with Delta.
Find out more information at latam.com

See you on board,

Plus side is seems most airlines are keeping the Lounge/Codeshare/Frequent Flyer benefits. But still limits those with award bookings I guess

Also kinda sucks because my 22hours stopover in SCL would then be locked in and I'll be at the mercy of whatever eVisa cost Chile decides to impose once they start requiring them in May.

 

[k_sheep]

I'm getting nervous now - QF are not releasing ANY J seats on SYD-SCL flights for the last month at least!

Trying to decide if I 'settle' for premium economy (and attempt to make a 6000 point change later on if J seats come up) or if I keep holding out hoping they release some J seats at random times *bites fingernails*

 

[ellen10]

@k_sheep take the Premium economy!! "Bird in the hand"

 

[gfraser]

Try using Mange My Booking on Royal Jordanian's website (rj.com) using the QF booking reference.

After booking our IB flights had some strange seats preselected for my wife and I - on opposite sides of the cabin and in different rows - and I too couldn't change them on IB's website. But I found the RJ website worked fine. Only thing I couldn't do is select seats for our BA flights - presumably due to BA charging for seat selection.

Thank you addenda - it worked.

 

[Jacques Vert]

I'm getting nervous now - QF are not releasing ANY J seats on SYD-SCL flights for the last month at least!

Trying to decide if I 'settle' for premium economy (and attempt to make a 6000 point change later on if J seats come up) or if I keep holding out hoping they release some J seats at random times *bites fingernails*

When are you travelling and what status do you have with QF?

 

[k_sheep]

When are you travelling and what status do you have with QF?

Mid January 2021 and Gold. So can't use platinum to request release of seats.

 

[knightfall88]

Anyone notice that when flights become available on Qantas/JAL/BA search that it might take a week for a Qantas Agent to see them? I don't know whether I've been talking to incapable Agents for exactly a week before I find the right one but it almost feels the system they use is lagging behind what we use?

 

[DC3]

Anyone notice that when flights become available on Qantas/JAL/BA search that it might take a week for a Qantas Agent to see them? I don't know whether I've been talking to incapable Agents for exactly a week before I find the right one but it almost feels the system they use is lagging behind what we use?

Although I’ve experienced the odd agent who for some reason doesn’t seem to be actually listening (a bit dozy perhaps?). Slowly repeating the dates/flights has sometimes produced a positive result, rather than the earlier “not available”. If no good, then HUACA applies, as always.

 

[Jacques Vert]

Mid January 2021 and Gold. So can't use platinum to request release of seats.

Given that you are travelling in January, I agree with @ellen10; take the Premium Economy. SYD-SCL is a difficult route to get Award seats, especially in J and more so in January.

 

[knightfall88]

Hi guys, adding domestic Japan Routes with JAL. Has anyone experienced the rule where domestic JAL reward flights cannot be booked within 2 months of the first flight in the itinerary and when issued, will expire 3 months from the issue date?

Just wondering if I have to comply or if there is a way around this.

 

[gfraser]

ANA All Nippon Airlines To Reduce “Discover JAPAN Fare” To JPY 2020 (US$20) For Foreign Visitors, Traveling From July 1 to September 30, 2020

Hi guys, adding domestic Japan Routes with JAL. Has anyone experienced the rule where domestic JAL reward flights cannot be booked with 2 months of the first flight in the itinerary and when issued, will expire 3 months from the issue date?

FYI

 

[Danger]

ANA All Nippon Airlines To Reduce “Discover JAPAN Fare” To JPY 2020 (US$20) For Foreign Visitors, Traveling From July 1 to September 30, 2020

FYI

I'm not sure that's relevant here. All Nippon is not a oneworld member.

 

[gfraser]

I'm not sure that's relevant here. All Nippon is not aoneworld member.

My point was that the fare is very cheap to buy if knightfall88 prefers to buy the fare rather than use points

 

[knightfall88]

My point was that the fare is very cheap to buy if knightfall88 prefers to buy the fare rather than use points

Thanks mate, appreciate it.
Unfortunately I need Business Class because I'm lugging around a heavy bike case and that window starts just after my travel time!

 

[flychrisfly]

Hi all,
Just at the planning stage with below itinerary.

TPE-ICN (Stop)
-GMP-HND-SYD (Stop)
-HKG-BCN (Stop)
-CDG-DOH-BKK (Stop)
-HKG (Stop)
-SYD (End) - TPE

The total distance is 34,391mi with 12 segments, so I do not see any issue here.

It includes 1 stop and 1 connection at SYD and HKG.
Is there any problem with this?

Tried to test the plan online, but it looks like I cannot start the multicity tool with TPE and it gives an error when there are more than 6 flights.

Not sure if Taiwan and Hong Kong are considered the same country wrt the OneWorld award rules...
Which airline takes you from TPE-ICN?

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

Which airline takes you from TPE-ICN?

From memory, CX do TPE-ICN

 

[11sjw]

Thanks mate, appreciate it.
Unfortunately I need Business Class because I'm lugging around a heavy bike case and that window starts just after my travel time!

Look at buying them separately to you OWA.

 

[knightfall88]

Look at buying them separately to you OWA.

Well if I can manage to get them onto my OWA, I won't have to pay much at all.

 

[Oubline]

Well if I can manage to get them onto my OWA, I won't have to pay much at all.

Thanks mate, appreciate it.
Unfortunately I need Business Class because I'm lugging around a heavy bike case and that window starts just after my travel time!

The domestic JL flights are only available as economy. JL doesn’t offer domestic business awards. However I just checked my ticket and I get a baggage allowance of 3 x 32kg per passenger for those legs, which are part of my Oneworld award, presumably because the baggage allowance for other flights on my itinerary carries over. So that should address your needs re the luggage.

These flights definitely can be added but I had a lot of consultants tell me they couldn’t find availability. It seems that some kind of different search needs to be done for these flights and that many consultants don’t know how to do it. It’s worth HUACA.