Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[vetrade]

I think you can already book Alaska Airways flights with QF points but not as part of a OWA itinerary - this would explain why you have seen them on QF.

Regarding US domestic flights, there are some tricks you should definitely be aware of. The first is that if you have a J OWA you will not be able to book into J on nearly all of AA's flights. This is because AA typically has ony Y and F on domestic flights so, despite the fact that F in the US is probably not even on par with what we generally regard as J, you will only be able to book Y seats on those flights. You can't book into F on a J award. There are a few routes on which AA does have 3 classes i.e. Y, J & F such as LAX - JFK and LAX - SFO which you might be lucky enough to grab J seats on but they are scarce.

You should join AA's AAdvantage and search award availability there - just make sure that before you login you change from their Australian website to their US one (it's at the top of the page).

The other problem you will likely experience is that AA very commonly will only show you award availability for indirect routes e.g. if you want a direct flight from MIA - LAX usually you will only see options such as MIA - PHX - LAX with departure times so poor that the scheduled trip time might be 3 times what it should be. I've even seen MIA - ORD - LAX as the only "offer". That can be very frustrating so, after much searching, I have given up a few times and just purchased a cheap cash fare for a direct flight.

 

[exceladdict]

Regarding US domestic flights, there are some tricks you should definitely be aware of. The first is that if you have a J OWA you will not be able to book into J on nearly all of AA's flights. This is because AA typically has ony Y and F on domestic flights so, despite the fact that F in the US is probably not even on par with what we generally regard as J, you will only be able to book Y seats on those flights. You can't book into F on a J award.

Are you sure? I feel like I have been able to price them into itineraries in the past, after AA aligned their domestic F to qantas' J fare buckets (though admittedly I haven't completed a booking with this combo)

 

[DC3]

... Regarding US domestic flights, there are some tricks you should definitely be aware of. The first is that if you have a J OWA you will not be able to book into J on nearly all of AA's flights. This is because AA typically has ony Y and F on domestic flights so, despite the fact that F in the US is probably not even on par with what we generally regard as J, you will only be able to book Y seats on those flights. You can't book into F on a J award ...

Are you sure? I feel like I have been able to price them into itineraries in the past, after AA aligned their domestic F to qantas' J fare buckets (though admittedly I haven't completed a booking with this combo)

I just had another look at my AA flights that have been booked as part of my next QF OWA (280,000 points).

The AA domestic flights have each booked into First, according to the AA PNR. I also have an AA international flight (YYC-DFW), which has booked into Business. Same seats on each flight (second row from the front). Referred to as First on domestic and Business on international.

 

[Danger]

Are you sure? I feel like I have been able to price them into itineraries in the past, after AA aligned their domestic F to qantas' J fare buckets (though admittedly I haven't completed a booking with this combo)

This is also my experience (i.e. a J award books into F seats/J buckets (C, I think)).

 

[repete]

So, for those out there with experience booking these awards inclusive of flights to/from America - can you please help!

I finally managed to speak to a qantas rep last night (over 3hrs on the phone!) and about 2am in the morning received my itinerary and qantas booking ref number through. I can go in and check seats and everything online, but haven't got an e-ticket yet. Instead, I got an email that sounds worrying, saying that as I am
" travelling to, from, or within the United States/Canada soon, we'd like to remind you of government requirements to provide your details before you depart. We need some information urgently
Let us know the date of birth for all passengers in your itinerary as soon as possible. Without this information your booking could be cancelled."

Booking cancelled sounds worrying to me! The agent on the phone had entered all our birthdays and I can see them entered when I go to 'manage my booking' However, it also says required fields on the "Advance Passenger Information and Secure Flight Passenger Data" include passport numbers etc. and that tickets won't be issued until that's in?! Big issue here is that 3 of the 6 travellers in my family don't even have passports yet (travel is around October).

Is there something I can do in the interim? Is the booking going to be cancelled or tickets not issued? Any help appreciated and sorry if it's not the best place to post. Thanks!

 

[DC3]

… Is there something I can do in the interim? Is the booking going to be cancelled or tickets not issued? Any help appreciated and sorry if it's not the best place to post. Thanks!

Yes, there is something that you can do. .

Get the e-ticket. Without the e-ticket you have nothing. Looks like you need to be phoning, again.

Edit: The APIS information should be able to be filled in by you, later on.

Edit: for content

 

[vetrade]

Well, judging from that information that you can get booked into F on a J award it looks like things have changed and I stand corrected. That's great news.
That definitely wasn't the case previously so I'd be interested to know when AA made that change - does anyone have the details?

Re fare buckets: AA uses "Z" for a F MileSAAver award, "U" for a J MileSAAver award, "A" for a F upgrade using Miles (points) on 2 class Dom flights and "C" is used for a J upgrade using miles from Coach (Y)

 

[repete]

Thanks DC3 - appreciate the reply. I'll pull out the phone again and wait, wait, wait! They also over-charged me so I'm not really a happy camper. If only the website had of worked as promised in the first place - alas, not my day/night! Thanks again

EDIT: Appreciate the encouragement! Only 2 hours and 18mins later and the new agent has sent me my e-tickets and adjusted the price charged - phew, and bed 3 hours earlier than last night

 

[acinod]

Any tips on getting business seats from Santiago to Dallas with AA?

Is only economy available?

 

[madrooster]

Regarding US domestic flights, there are some tricks you should definitely be aware of. The first is that if you have a J OWA you will not be able to book into J on nearly all of AA's flights. This is because AA typically has ony Y and F on domestic flights so, despite the fact that F in the US is probably not even on par with what we generally regard as J, you will only be able to book Y seats on those flights. You can't book into F on a J award. There are a few routes on which AA does have 3 classes i.e. Y, J & F such as LAX - JFK and LAX - SFO which you might be lucky enough to grab J seats on but they are scarce.

This is completely incorrect. Since Jan 2017, AA domestic two class "F" was changed to use J classes. They still call it F for marketing purposes only but the underlying class is a J class. For awards that means U class.

As a result, you can book AA domestic two class "F" on a QF J award.

 

[vetrade]

This is completely incorrect. Since Jan 2017, AA domestic two class "F" was changed to use J classes. They still call it F for marketing purposes only but the underlying class is a J class. For awards that means U class.

As a result, you can book AA domestic two class "F" on a QF J award.

Bit late to the party, madrooster..............

 

[k_sheep]

I know surcharges on IB and BA suck, and LHR is bad; but which is worst? I can go SCL-LHR on BA, or SCL-MAD on IB ... mind you the ultimate destination in Europe is KTT (can't use my OWA as I'm short of allowed miles), so at least LHR is slightly closer and cheaper for a cash ticket ...

 

[Captain Halliday]

I'm hoping the AFF brains trust can suggest routing that might help me avoid a four-sector return from Europe.

My full itinerary for reference is:
Sept/Oct
SINxHKG-AMS <stop 1>
ZRHxDOHxMNLxSYD-BNE <stop2>

Dec/Jan
BNExSYD-HND <Stop 3>
NRTxHKG-ADL <end>

Plus miles back to SIN (not flown) this is 34,198 miles according to GC Map.

I’d like to improve ZRH-BNE because in addition to four sectors, it includes an 11-hour layover in MNL.

Shortening the route by at least 670 miles would also allow me to add ADL-BNE at the end and save me a cash fare home for all 3 pax. Not critical, though it would be helpful.

Ex. ZRH is not essential, I just snapped that when it became available (following the 318K J golden rule)

I also realise I won’t seen any options on AY until T-60 days (mid-July).

I’m currently keeping an eye on CDG/FRA/HEL/LHR to BNE/SYD/MEL/ADL/PER.

Plus, TYO/HKG/KUL/BKK/KIX-BNE (If 3 seats were available I could then look for an option ex. EU)

With stopovers to spare I would be okay routing via HKG with a stopover to keep that route in the mix. With CX not offering award seats HKG-AU then it might be pointless.

What routing or options am I missing?
Thanks in advance.

 

[madrooster]

What routing or options am I missing?
Thanks in advance.

What dates?

 

[Oubline]

I know surcharges on IB and BA suck, and LHR is bad; but which is worst? I can go SCL-LHR on BA, or SCL-MAD on IB ... mind you the ultimate destination in Europe is KTT (can't use my OWA as I'm short of allowed miles), so at least LHR is slightly closer and cheaper for a cash ticket ...

Not so sure about surcharges but the business class experience on IB will be better than the cramped business class seats on BA.

 

[Captain Halliday]

What dates?

The ZRH departure is currently 12 Oct.

+/- a couple of days is fine but we need to be back in BNE by Sat 17 Oct at the latest.

 

[KVS]

I splurged on an expertflyer subscription - but have now realised it doesn't take into account your status for QF, ie it won't show anything 353 days out. Boooo.

FYI: KVS Tool fully supports Extended Award Availability for Elite QFF Members (when using the [Awards/QF-OneWorld] Method and the appropriate Credentials are entered in the [Settings] Tab).

 

[gfraser]

I need some help with a little bit of " outside the square " thinking.
I have all my OWA bookings except New York to San Francisco on 27 December 2020 for 2 people.
There doesn't appear to be any availability and I need some help, whether it involves several stops or not.
I would prefer J but Y will suffice.

 

[Ktan89]

My full itinerary for reference is:
Sept/Oct
SINxHKG-AMS <stop 1>
ZRHxDOHxMNLxSYD-BNE <stop2>

Dec/Jan
BNExSYD-HND <Stop 3>
NRTxHKG-ADL <end>

I would try to look at the following:
SIN-DOH-AMS <Stop 1>
EUROPE - HKG/NRT- BNE <stop2>
(fly from many different Europe destinations straight to HKG/NRT or through HEL (AY) or DOH(QR) - remember you can transit twice at a city or even have a stop over since you are only using 4 our of 5 stops)

BNE/SYD- HND <stop 3>
NRT-HKG-ADL<end>

 

[Danger]

I need some help with a little bit of " outside the square " thinking.
I have all my OWA bookings except New York to San Francisco on 27 December 2020 for 2 people.
There doesn't appear to be any availability and I need some help, whether it involves several stops or not.
I would prefer J but Y will suffice.

Well you've got a plethora of connecting options but whether or not they are available as award seats is another story.

I see the QF engine is only giving two AS options when searching point-to-point. I suggest lending the engine a hand and using the multi-city function, searching via other hubs. For example, try searching via DFW, ORD, CLT, PHL, PHX or MIA. You may also need to consider catching a train to PHL or similar and starting from there.