Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Nizar]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

AA also does not include surface sectors in the mileage calculation so you can get very creative with your routing.

And also no fuel surcharges as per other award tickets ?
Can't wait until QR joins, the J class on their 788 looks pure class.

 

[JohnK]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

The way I read that, it is only 280k for a first class around the world through AA redemptions as opposed to 280k for business with Qantas. (140k for economy with either).

You are not comparing like for like.

When someone mentions earn and burn the emphasis is just as much on earn as it is on burn.

 

[zainman]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

That is correct, but not only that, also through AA there are several types of RTW trips available at different distances.
Say for example 35000 miles is too much, and all you need is 25000 (the itinerary i posted is <25000 miles), there are options available to cater to that need.
230k would get you RTW in F for a distance of 20001-25000 miles.
Similarly, 330k would get you RTW in F for a distance of 35001-50000 miles.

I don't think with QF there are options apart from <=35000 miles at 140/280/420k.

yes there are. Look here: Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Qantas & Partner Classic Awards - Points Tables

 

[Buzzard]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

The way I read that, it is only 280k for a first class around the world through AA redemptions as opposed to 280k for business with Qantas. (140k for economy with either).

Based on that if one was smart one would start crediting to AA instead of Q.

 

[Nizar]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

yes there are. Look here: Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Qantas & Partner Classic Awards - Points Tables

I was not aware of that, thanks.
However there is no 35001-50000 option, and also 19,200 does not get you very far as a RTW.

 

[Nizar]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Based on that if one was smart one would start crediting to AA instead of Q.

Its not so straightforward though for two main reasons:
1/ For those living its Aus its much easier to accumulate QF points through direct-earn CC spend.
2/ If you are flying mainly qantas in Y the AA earning rate can be very poor; some flights earn 0.25 AA miles per mile flown nett. With QF the cheapest Y flight still earns full points.

It can be done but its not so straightforward you need to know the way to play the game.
This thread from last month has more discussion about this http://www.australianfrequentflyer....discussion/im-over-qantas-ff-there-54129.html

 

[fersea]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

You are not comparing like for like.

When someone mentions earn and burn the emphasis is just as much on earn as it is on burn.

Fair enough but I was more making the point that AA is double economy for first class but QF is triple. I think you can convert your Amex points to AA.

 

[Flying Sailor]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Jason, the way I understand it is the whole trip must be completed with 12 months and surface miles count in the 35000 miles. So therefore you would be able to Fly Perth to US in Oct 2014, then go back to the US in 2015 and fly back to the US and on to Europe for the European summer of 2015 then back to Perth. In fact if it fits in the 35k miles you may even be able to fly back to Hawaii as part of the reward and then get a cheap Jetstar flight home. The award booking neither knows or cares if you have separate flights in between.

The only thing I would be thinking you have to be careful about is you may get asked questions about your booking in that on the award booking you appear to be staying in the US much longer than your award booking allows but provided you have another booking showing you leaving the US I can't see how it would be a problem.

fersea, Thanks for taking the time to reply. Once we return home I'll do some research on the options. Hawaii may be a nice stop over to reduce the jet lag, just have to work out how much leave we can swing

 

[dajop]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Agree. You know what I reckon is great value, one of the RTW type awards booked through AA.
If you buy miles on promos over say 2 years + some SPG top ups you can fly around the world in F sampling the best of QF, CX and BA, something like mel-syd-hkg-lhr-jfk-lax-mel, all for around US$5k + taxes/fees.

I wasn't even considering that. I was just looking at 6 separate one-way Avianca awards (based on a past itinerary I did), and it came in at around $4.5K to purchase the points (during an offer, or using pts+pay). Take out the extra QF fuel fines and you get to sub-1.5c /$ for J award. Could probably mix and match AA and AV one way awards purchased with miles to get same or lower fare.

 

[fersea]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

fersea, Thanks for taking the time to reply. Once we return home I'll do some research on the options. Hawaii may be a nice stop over to reduce the jet lag, just have to work out how much leave we can swing

No problems Jason, just one correction. I meant you may run into issues because your award booking looks like you are staying longer than your visa allows, the award booking as I understand it must be completed within a 12 month period, but there is nothing to stop you taking the full 12 months.

 

[fersea]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Fair enough but I was more making the point that AA is double economy for first class but QF is triple. I think you can convert your Amex points to AA.

But at a bad rate I see when I look it up.

 

[Joshua]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

But at a bad rate I see when I look it up.

Not really. Assuming you were getting 1:1 to QF...

Amex MR:SPG:AA comes out at 1:0.625, or AA miles x1.6

For an AA 35k mile award you need:

J 190000 = 304000 MR
F 280000 = 448000 MR

That extra ~20000 to book into AA instead of QF saves you a good $1000, and no BS booking fees, more stops etc. The 50k mile award is of course even better value and unmatched.

So 280000 points become

 

[sarvowinner]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Is there any limit to the number of surface segments you can make (assuming no more than 16 segments in total & 5 stop overs)? If I attempt to put more than 2 into the Qantas booking machine i receive the following error: "Up to DATA(LIMIT) flight interruptions (ground transportation between one arriving city and the next departing city) can be defined in your itinerary. Please modify and resubmit your request.(#7122)"

 

[sarvowinner]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Is there any limit to the number of surface segments you can make (assuming no more than 16 segments in total & 5 stop overs)? If I attempt to put more than 2 into the Qantas booking machine i receive the following error: "Up to DATA(LIMIT) flight interruptions (ground transportation between one arriving city and the next departing city) can be defined in your itinerary. Please modify and resubmit your request.(#7122)"

Follow up - while booking a domestic MASA, pointed out the problem to the CS (Norelle) who could not find any reference to the error message and offered to book the 140K without fee. My trip is SYD-xHKG-FCO VRN-xDME-LED DMExLHR-YYZ YYZ-JFK-BOS IAD-LAX-SYD - taxes around $960. Tried to avoid LHR but found that chuffing all over Europe to get CDG would cost over $1,200 in taxes plus a lot more flying.

 

[Jacques Vert]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Follow up - while booking a domestic MASA, pointed out the problem to the CS (Norelle) who could not find any reference to the error message and offered to book the 140K without fee. My trip is SYD-xHKG-FCO VRN-xDME-LED DMExLHR-YYZ YYZ-JFK-BOS IAD-LAX-SYD - taxes around $960. Tried to avoid LHR but found that chuffing all over Europe to get CDG would cost over $1,200 in taxes plus a lot more flying.

Well done.

I've been looking at an RTW with similar cities; including HKG, FCO, DME, LED. Am looking forward to the trip report so I can see any other good ideas/experiences you come up with.

Enjoy, JV

 

[knasty]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Tried to avoid LHR but found that chuffing all over Europe to get CDG would cost over $1,200 in taxes plus a lot more flying.

Was the aim of avoiding LHR to miss the Air Passenger Duty? If so note you don't pay it on transfers so routing via LHR or other UK airports as transit points shouldn't affect the taxes in a meaningful way.

 

[Nizar]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Is there a dedicated QF number to book these OW awards ?
What are the operating hours usually ?
I've had a QR-heavy itinerary I've been wanting to book for a while.

Cheers

 

[Danger]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Is there a dedicated QF number to book these OW awards ?
What are the operating hours usually ?
I've had a QR-heavy itinerary I've been wanting to book for a while.

Cheers

You're best bet might be to try booking it using the oneworld online booking tool. Failing that, simply call Qantas and select the option for international itineraries. I believe there will be a fee levied, however.

 

[footy99]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Is there a dedicated QF number to book these OW awards ?
What are the operating hours usually ?
I've had a QR-heavy itinerary I've been wanting to book for a while.

Cheers

No. 24 hours. And that makes 2 of us.

Qatar still not showing up on QF online booking. Could mean some long phone calls I think trying to work out availability.

Correction: Working now.

 

[JohnK]

re: "oneworld" award (140K/280K/420K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Based on that if one was smart one would start crediting to AA instead of Q.

The earn and burn is not as easy as it sounds.