Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Jacques Vert]

Should I do the following?
1. Book DFW-HND and NRT-MEL now.
2. Book SCL-MIA-DFW as it becomes available next month. This does not qualify for the OneWorld award and so I will pay extra points. Alternatively book SCL-DFW if available to maintain OneWorld award requirements.
3. If SFO-MEL appears then cancel the above and rebook. OneWorld Award requirement is met and I get my points refunded.
4. If SCL-SYD-MEL appears then cancel the above and rebook. OneWorld Award requirement is met and I get my points refunded.
5. If neither of SCL-SYD-MEL or SFO-MEL appears, then cancel one of my smaller legs earlier in the trip. OneWorld Award requirement will then be met and I get my points refunded.

Appreciate any other suggestions.



Here is my itinerary for reference:
1. MEL-ADL-KUL
2. KUL-AMM
3. AMM-CAI (this will need to be cancelled if I go with Plan C, luckily it's a fairly short one)
4. ZRH-MAD-EZE
5. SCL?
[/QUOTE]

I think your chances of getting SCL-SYD in January are very slim.

Why not wait until April and see whether there is any availability with AT (Royal Air Maroc) on CAI-CMN-GIG/GRU? That would save you quite a few miles.

Depending on where you want to go to in Sth America, you could add them on a separate ticket, if necessary.

 

[acinod]

I think your chances of getting SCL-SYD in January are very slim.

Why not wait until April and see whether there is any availability with AT (Royal Air Maroc) on CAI-CMN-GIG/GRU? That would save you quite a few miles.

Depending on where you want to go to in Sth America, you could add them on a separate ticket, if necessary.

CAI-ZRH will be a surface sector. I'm actually doing CAI-ATH-HEL-TLL-ZRH on separate flights since OneWorld doesn't fly those routes (at least not direct).

My main question still is - is it possible to fly MIA-DFW (land at 9am) and then DFW-HND (depart 11am)? Is Qantas able to combine them into a single ticket so I don't have to re-check in?

 

[Ponky]

Hi All

Been reading with interest and I'm contemplating trying to book a OWA (Business) for a trip to the US some time around Oct-Nov 2021.

Am based in PER and would be looking to go out through Asia and back via the east coast of Aust, but largely flexible in terms of routes and dates. I am a whiles off needing to book just yet, but I am planning to try and use this to get a bunch of internal flights within the US as part of my itinerary. Not particularly fussed if we can't get those internal flights in business class, but I figured if we are nudging the 300k point mark for the flights there and back, it could save us quite a bit of money on domestic travel once we've hit that 318k points cap.

Has anyone here ever used the OWA to book a series of domestic flights on AA and can report on any tips/tricks/frustrations? In my experience, with booking domestic flights in the US 11 months in advance there is almost always a schedule change or two that will throw you out, resulting in a need to make changes. Would be inserting a few land segments in the trip so as to have a bit of a buffer for such events.

One place I am considering adding is Alaska, and I have noted that AA flies in and out of Anchorage, but most searches in the QANTAS tool come up with Alaska Airlines flights. While Alaska are not currently OW, I notice here that they intend to become full-fledged OW members by "Summer 2021" (so mid next year).

Given there are many moving parts to be put together before this happens, but assuming it all goes according to plan, is is safe to assume that we would only be able to book Alaska flights as part of the OWA after this happens?

 

[Oubline]

Hi All

Been reading with interest and I'm contemplating trying to book a OWA (Business) for a trip to the US some time around Oct-Nov 2021.

Am based in PER and would be looking to go out through Asia and back via the east coast of Aust, but largely flexible in terms of routes and dates. I am a whiles off needing to book just yet, but I am planning to try and use this to get a bunch of internal flights within the US as part of my itinerary. Not particularly fussed if we can't get those internal flights in business class, but I figured if we are nudging the 300k point mark for the flights there and back, it could save us quite a bit of money on domestic travel once we've hit that 318k points cap.

Has anyone here ever used the OWA to book a series of domestic flights on AA and can report on any tips/tricks/frustrations? In my experience, with booking domestic flights in the US 11 months in advance there is almost always a schedule change or two that will throw you out, resulting in a need to make changes. Would be inserting a few land segments in the trip so as to have a bit of a buffer for such events.

One place I am considering adding is Alaska, and I have noted that AA flies in and out of Anchorage, but most searches in the QANTAS tool come up with Alaska Airlines flights. While Alaska are not currently OW, I notice here that they intend to become full-fledged OW members by "Summer 2021" (so mid next year).

Given there are many moving parts to be put together before this happens, but assuming it all goes according to plan, is is safe to assume that we would only be able to book Alaska flights as part of the OWA after this happens?

Yes, in my opinion it’s a certainty that you won’t be able to include the Alaska flights in a OWA until they officially join Oneworld.

If Qantas isn’t showing up the flights on Alaska, I would search for availability on AA.com instead. I have noticed that finding availability on internal America AA business flights can be tough though.

 

[DC3]

... One place I am considering adding is Alaska, and I have noted that AA flies in and out of Anchorage, but most searches in the QANTAS tool come up with Alaska Airlines flights. While Alaska are not currently OW, I notice here that they intend to become full-fledged OW members by "Summer 2021" (so mid next year) ...

Just be aware that some airlines/routes to/from ANC are seasonal. AA certainly was when I went there some years ago. Whether that’s still the case, I’m not sure, but I recall that AA only flew to ANC up to about the first week in October, resuming again in about May. Anyway, worth looking into.

Also, although AA may be selling tickets year-round, the carrier may actually be AS, as codeshare. Could be what you are seeing on the QF awards.

And, welcome to AFF.

 

[Ponky]

And, welcome to AFF.

Thanks. I am so excited about this whole concept I worry I am going to get the sack for spending too much time "focusing on non-work issues"

 

[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?