Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Joshua]

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

I don't post about bookings much but a couple months ago I booked a J alliance award to clear out some QF points.

Routing was AMS-HEL-ARN-HEL-NRT HND-SFO LAX-YYZ-HKG-KUL-PEN-KUL-DOH-ALG-AMM-AMS. SFO-LAX was a surface sector due to stopover limits. Fare is nested with a bunch of other bookings including a CX CMB fare, a MH LAX-xNRT-KUL-CDG 51k award and more.

The whole thing was booked within 48 hours of first departure, so it can be done in a rush. Obviously not completely optimised due to this but that was never my concern. I specifically made sure to only pick routes without F on it. I will have another booking in place to deal with all my F long hauls.

I have had to change it a couple times and somewhere in the process the premium desk 'lost' the QR sectors and it was reticketed without them. On the plus side I've avoided change fees because of this.

The two JL 787 flights (HEL-NRT, HND-SFO) had great service but I came to realise how rubbish the planes are for premium long haul. Partly the airlines choice of seat configuration. The YR added for the QR flights significantly increased the taxes so in future I may well avoid QR on these types of bookings.

For anyone with a large number of QF points wanting to move them and able to plan a little bid ahead (hey! 48 hours is pretty good for me!) then it is the way to go. Compared to other alliances the oneworld awards are great with limited routing rules. The value on MH/CX/JL is definitely better (similar to what AA was but + tax) which is where I'll be booking my F flights.

 

[vetrade]

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

While trying to add YVR-HKG-MEL (both CX flights) to our OW J RTW 280K itinerary this morning I came across a problem that I have not seen mentioned in this thread previously. It is worth being aware of when planning this type of award booking.

The situation is this:
Checked availability of 2 J seats online for both these flights separately this morning as I knew that CX released the HKG-MEL flight I wanted today. Confirmed J available on both flights so I rang QF to add them but when the operator checked she said there was no availability. She advised that there is a particular idiosyncrasy when booking consecutive award flights with both CX and MH (transiting through either HKG or KUL respectively) in that even though there may be plenty of J availability on both flights, CX (and likewise MH) blocks availability if the second leg departs less than 24 hrs after the first flight arrives. If you stay more than 24 hrs you have no problem getting availability on both flights. Unfortunately we can't do it this way as it would create one too many stopovers for us - we already have 5. I was a bit sceptical but another online search did confirm that there was no availability if you searched YVR-HKG-MEL but individual searches of the YVR-HKG and HKG-MEL flights showed J availability for both segments.

Just another trap to avoid.............

 

[N860CR]

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

Yeah I ran into the same problem with them. Seats were available BKK-HKG and HKG-FCO however as it was within 24 hours there was no availability BKK-HKG-FCO.

 

[Jacques Vert]

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

there is a particular idiosyncrasy when booking consecutive award flights with both CX and MH (transiting through either HKG or KUL respectively) in that even though there may be plenty of J availability on both flights, CX (and likewise MH) blocks availability if the second leg departs less than 24 hrs after the first flight arrives. If you stay more than 24 hrs you have no problem getting availability on both flights. Just another trap to avoid.............

Yeah I ran into the same problem with them. Seats were available BKK-HKG and HKG-FCO however as it was within 24 hours there was no availability BKK-HKG-FCO.

Interesting; I have a Classic for two booked in J for October with SYD-HKG-MXP on CX as part of the itinerary. Only a seven hour transit in HKG; so the situation you describe is not always enforced. Have you tried another date or routing?

JV

 

[burmans]

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

I keep reading this thread even though I have no intention of creating an itinerary in the short / medium term.

Why ?

It's such a lovely use of your points.

The best value there is IMO !

Always good to have an idea of what offers value, things can change and opportunities open up when you least expect.

 

[vetrade]

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

Interesting; I have a Classic for two booked in J for October with SYD-HKG-MXP on CX as part of the itinerary. Only a seven hour transit in HKG; so the situation you describe is not always enforced. Have you tried another date or routing?

JV

Changing dates no good Jacques - could have got QF from HKG to MEL but their once daily flight didn't connect very well with the flight we wanted to get from YVR (and nearly double the taxes). I know flexibility is the key with these awards but it's mainly that I didn't see this hiccup coming - hence the post to hopefully stop somebody else getting caught out like me.
The QF girl did say that if she did book me on both flights that CX would routinely strip that booking from the itinerary as soon as they realised so she advised that I work on an alternate route rather than risk missing out on availability.

 

[Jacques Vert]

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

Good luck; I hope you get it sorted.

 

[PaulST]

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

Hi all,
I'm in the very early stages of planning a RTW trip for 2015 and I've got a few questions.
I'll mostly interested in Europe and North America and possibly S. America.
Are there any times of the year when the tickets are more expensive? I imagine that Jan and June would be peak periods?
I can't really afford J but am tempted to anyway (and work a few more weekends...)
Alternatively I'd book Y and look at upgrading to Y+ on the long flights (ie. Syd to Europe, N or S America to Syd).

Thanks!

 

[Jacques Vert]

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

Are you talking of using points or paying $ for the flights?

 

[PaulST]

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

Are you talking of using points or paying $ for the flights?

Either. I'd have enough points for a Y RTW by next year but would have to pay $ for a J RTW.
Another question I've just though of... if I book a Y award RTW, can I apply to upgrade to Y+ on points?

Thanks.

 

[deejo77]

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

Either. I'd have enough points for a Y RTW by next year but would have to pay $ for a J RTW.
Another question I've just though of... if I book a Y award RTW, can I apply to upgrade to Y+ on points?

Thanks.

No upgrades available on the points RTW ticket you either do 140K or 280k or 420K

 

[Isochronous]

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

No upgrades available on the points RTW ticket you either do 140K or 280k or 420K

If you pay cash for a oneworld ticket (Circle Asia/Pacific/Explorer) you can buy economy and pay to upgrade to PE on segments where the carrier offers it from memory.

 

[Danger]

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

While trying to add YVR-HKG-MEL (both CX flights) to our OW J RTW 280K itinerary this morning I came across a problem that I have not seen mentioned in this thread previously. It is worth being aware of when planning this type of award booking.

The situation is this:
Checked availability of 2 J seats online for both these flights separately this morning as I knew that CX released the HKG-MEL flight I wanted today. Confirmed J available on both flights so I rang QF to add them but when the operator checked she said there was no availability. She advised that there is a particular idiosyncrasy when booking consecutive award flights with both CX and MH (transiting through either HKG or KUL respectively) in that even though there may be plenty of J availability on both flights, CX (and likewise MH) blocks availability if the second leg departs less than 24 hrs after the first flight arrives. If you stay more than 24 hrs you have no problem getting availability on both flights. Unfortunately we can't do it this way as it would create one too many stopovers for us - we already have 5. I was a bit sceptical but another online search did confirm that there was no availability if you searched YVR-HKG-MEL but individual searches of the YVR-HKG and HKG-MEL flights showed J availability for both segments.

Just another trap to avoid.............

Yeah I ran into the same problem with them. Seats were available BKK-HKG and HKG-FCO however as it was within 24 hours there was no availability BKK-HKG-FCO.

I had this very same problem last year. The most interesting part: it's not an issue with AA.

Using AA miles I could do exactly the CX flights I wanted that QF could not give me. My guess is it's got to do with the icey CX-QF relationship.

I'm in the process of booking one of these 280k awards for my parents where the last flights will be JFK/LAX-xHKG-PER. I'll be super unimpressed if this issue rears its head again.

 

[vetrade]

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

Using AA miles I could do exactly the CX flights I wanted that QF could not give me. My guess is it's got to do with the icey CX-QF relationship.
.

Yes Danger, thinking about it afterwards I did consider that QF might have instigated the block themselves and it was just convenient for them to blame CX for it. Their motive would be to try and force pax off CX and on to their flight from HKG - MEL even though it would be an inconvenience because the arrival/departure times don't line up.

 

[dexter_jambles]

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

New member & first time poster. Love the thread - a day's worth of education!

Trying to find availability in either Y or J from SCL to SYD (even via AKL) in Jan'15. Seems OK from AKL to SCL but nothing the other way. Tried searching on QFF but the site produces an error. Also checked via AA & LAN but nothing again. Is it really no availability or is there something I'm missing? Doesn't seem like there is any availability between SCL & Oz at anytime.

 

[vetrade]

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

Doesn't seem like there is any availability between SCL & Oz at anytime.

Yep, that's your problem.

 

[Grooba]

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

A notoriously difficult segment to find in general. Are you WP or above dexter_jambles? If so you can call up QF and ask them to release a seat for you.

 

[PaulST]

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

Hi again, another question...

I'm tossing up between an award rtw or just paying for an OW explorer fare, but haven't decided between Y (and getting a few upgrades to Y+) or J.
My question is, is there much of a difference? Is one better than the other? If the paid explorer fare is more flexible I'll probably just save my QFF points for another time.

Thanks.

 

[Geoffm]

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

Hi again, another question...

I'm tossing up between an award rtw or just paying for an OW explorer fare, but haven't decided between Y (and getting a few upgrades to Y+) or J.
My question is, is there much of a difference? Is one better than the other? If the paid explorer fare is more flexible I'll probably just save my QFF points for another time.

Thanks.

It will depend on what class you really want to fly in. As said in many areas of this forum- expect to fly in the cabin booked and if the upgrade comes its a bonus. if you pay for a OWE in J you will fly J ( if you meet the routing rules). If you pay for a OWE in Y that is where you "may" be for the entire route. From a flexibility view I believe it is irrelevant weather paid or award - you just have to meet the RTW criteria - any changes cost $

 

[Isochronous]

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

Can anyone comment on change fees for these fares?