Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[flapper]

Finnair usually has only been releasing their award seats for long haul J to partner airlines 2 months in advance. I’ve noticed in the last day or two that they’ve opened up awards on several routes I’ve been looking at for June (e.g HEL-NRT), (HEL-SIN) with four seats available. It doesn’t seem to be phantom availability (I hope). I thought I would let others know in case it’s of help to get home from Europe!

I just checked AY flights it's the same for North America too. Maybe the 60 days was just a Covid thing. CX are now releasing flights to SYD and MEL too now things seem to be getting back to normal. It's good to know there is another option.

 

[Mr H]

Thanks. Just to clarify, you don't mean as part of the OWA ticket do you?

Yes, or am I missing something?

 

[GaryLG]

Yes, or am I missing something?

Because I will already have stop and spent time in London I thought I couldn't return.

 

[Mr H]

Because I will already have stop and spent time in London I thought I couldn't return.

Ah yes, only one stopover allowed. I assumed you were just doing a transit the second time. That could also cause difficulty with the private travel sector as I think that counts as a stopover. You might have to do LON-KEF-LON as a self-funded side trip.

 

[GaryLG]

Ah yes, only one stopover allowed. I assumed you were just doing a transit the second time.

Well I was hoping by making my own way from Iceland to London that might be sufficient so when I fly out of LHR it would be like transit. Sorry if I didn't make that clearer but that's the question?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Because I will already have stop and spent time in London I thought I couldn't return.

you are allowed no more than one stopover *and* two transits in any one city (except your country of origin!) So you could have stop in London on the outbound, and then transit - less than 24 hours - on the way back.

 

[GaryLG]

you are allowed no more than one stopover *and* two transits in any one city (except your country of origin!) So you could have stop in London on the outbound, and then transit - less than 24 hours - on the way back.

I guess my question was more how would they know? If I make my own way from Iceland to the UK and then leave the UK as a continuation of my journey albeit from LHR there would be gap no flight.

I am trying to be too clever or would that work?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I guess my question was more how would they know? If I make my own way from Iceland to the UK and then leave the UK as a continuation of my journey albeit from LHR there would be gap no flight.

I am trying to be too clever or would that work?

You're wanting 2 stops in London?

 

[aikman]

I guess my question was more how would they know? If I make my own way from Iceland to the UK and then leave the UK as a continuation of my journey albeit from LHR there would be gap no flight.

I am trying to be too clever or would that work?

As you say, they won't know. It is therefore irrelevant what other flights you book separately outside of this award. The separate flights have no impact on the award ticket and the rules which apply to it.

All that matters is that according to your award itinerary, you arrive in Iceland and depart the UK more than 24 hours later. That is a stopover.

 

[GaryLG]

You're wanting 2 stops in London?

Effectively but I know that isn't allowed.

 

[GaryLG]

As you say, they won't know. It is therefore irrelevant what other flights you book separately outside of this award. The separate flights have no impact on the award ticket and the rules which apply to it.

All that matters is that according to your award itinerary, you arrive in Iceland and depart the UK more than 24 hours later. That is a stopover.

Sounds like that's not going to work then?

So what about I fly KEF-LHR and then resume my journey in HEL? Does it matter how long between LHR and HEL? And would it matter if I paid for a flight on AY for that leg?

 

[Mr H]

Just pay for London to Reykjavik return and it’ll all count as one long stopover in London.

 

[GaryLG]

Just pay for London to Reykjavik return and it’ll all count as one long stopover in London.

Ah okay, hadn't thought of that obvious answer! Thanks.

 

[11sjw]

Ah okay, hadn't thought of that obvious answer! Thanks.

"Pay" can mean a totally separate points booking!

 

[GaryLG]

"Pay" can mean a totally separate points booking!

Ah okay, so I guess that also means I don't need to avoid Oneworld airlines when I am booking regardless of cash or points?

 

[11sjw]

Ah okay, so I guess that also means I don't need to avoid Oneworld airlines when I am booking regardless of cash or points?

Not at all. During a OWA a couple of years ago we flew into and out of New York. We used separate bookings to fly to NY to DC, Philly to Buffalo and Buffalo to New York. Like you mentioned it's just treated as a long stay in the one city.

 

[Mr H]

London to Iceland is unlikely to be the optimal use of points.

 

[GaryLG]

Not at all. During a OWA a couple of years ago we flew into and out of New York. We used separate bookings to fly to NY to DC, Philly to Buffalo and Buffalo to New York. Like you mentioned it's just treated as a long stay in the one city.

Thanks.

Post automatically merged: Oct 24, 2021

London to Iceland is unlikely to be the optimal use of points.

Yes, I figured and looking at the planes there wouldn't be much point being in business class either.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yes, I figured and looking at the planes there wouldn't be much point being in business class either.

Each to their own but... while the seating in 'eurobusiness' is the same format as economy, the middle seat is blocked. As seat pitch is really tight on most european carriers - 29-30 inches, the spare seat in the middle gives a lot more leg room and space.

Aside from that, while status may give you priority check-in and lounge access, in general the overall experience in ClubEurope (if flying BA) is a lot more fun... usually great crews, some nice meals, and free flowing champagne. Sometimes clubeurope is as little as $60 more... well worth it for all the benefits and extra Qantas points and SCs

Not all eurobusiness is as pleasant as BA... Air France isn't too bad, nor KLM, Lufthansa or Swiss. But some are very average... like Iberia.

 

[GaryLG]

Each to their own but... while the seating in 'eurobusiness' is the same format as economy, the middle seat is blocked. As seat pitch is really tight on most european carriers - 29-30 inches, the spare seat in the middle gives a lot more leg room and space.

Aside from that, while status may give you priority check-in and lounge access, in general the overall experience in ClubEurope (if flying BA) is a lot more fun... usually great crews, some nice meals, and free flowing champagne. Sometimes clubeurope is as little as $60 more... well worth it for all the benefits and extra Qantas points and SCs

Not all eurobusiness is as pleasant as BA... Air France isn't too bad, nor KLM, Lufthansa or Swiss. But some are very average... like Iberia.

Might have to reconsider then but I also noticed that aside from BA there is also Icelandair who are using 767's instead of A320's so do offer better seat pitch and width for a similar price in J even if I miss out on points and SC ( they are even slight better in economy).

Decisions, decisions!