Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Mr H]

Just started compiling a OWA. My basic wish is to get to Cuba and back over the Christmas period 2024. This is not an easy task...

I have so far managed to get the following seats, all in J. No idea how I'm going to get to AKL from my home base in MEL. Hoping more options pop up through the year.

AKL-HKG CX
HKG-KUL MH
KUL-BKK MH
BKK-HEL AY
HEL-LHR AY
LHR-MEX BA on Christmas Day

So as some new flights became available, I have changed my itinerary...

AKL-HKG CX
HKG-KUL MH
KUL-BKK MH
BKK-HEL AY
HEL-LHR AY
LHR-MIA AA (Christmas Day)

MIA-HEL AY
HEL-HND JL

My objective is to get to Havana but HAV is not an option on the Multi-City tool and the call centre agents can't see any availability for HAV ever. I guess it is off limits for redemptions.

I might try to add in EYW (Key West) to MIA somewhere in the itinerary using American Eagle - but only if I have other changes to make.

My problem is I need to get to AKL from MEL to start the itinerary, and I need to get back from HND at the end. Returning through HND gets me up to 35,000 miles so I don't have enough spare mileage to get back to MEL allowing for return to the point of origin. I could get to MEL if/when an alternative route becomes available from HEL.

 

[Lynda2475]

My objective is to get to Havana but HAV is not an option on the Multi-City tool and the call centre agents can't see any availability for HAV ever. I guess it is off limits for redemptions

If you can get to Cancun on an award flight, you will be able to pick up cheap flights to Havana on Air Cubana (you can book online), or Mexico City for slightly more expensive flights with one of the Mexican airlines.

Noting that visiting Cuba since 2019 means you can't get an ESTA and will need a visa for any future USA trips.

 

[Mr H]

If you can get to Cancun on an award flight, you will be able to pick up cheap flights to Havana on Air Cubana (you can book online), or Mexico City for slightly more expensive flights with one of the Mexican airlines.

Noting that visiting Cuba since 2019 means you can't get an ESTA and will need a visa for any future USA trips.

I can't get to CUN or MEX within the mileage and get back TATL. I had to give up a flight LHR-MEX to get home. I will get to Cuba with AA from MIA

I am already banned from the US ESTA thanks to my visits to IR Iran.

 

[yaksha98]

Thought I'd try the brains trust here before having to call the QF call centre....

Currently mid way through a OWA trip and have had to get a new passport.

Have tried looking at manage my booking but couldn't see option to update my new passport details, but my next flight isn't for another 2 months.

Anyone know if I can update online or do I need to call QF to update on my behalf? Or does it not matter and when I show up for my next flight segment they can update at the check-in desk?

 

[RichardMEL]

Thought I'd try the brains trust here before having to call the QF call centre....

Currently mid way through a OWA trip and have had to get a new passport.

Have tried looking at manage my booking but couldn't see option to update my new passport details, but my next flight isn't for another 2 months.

Anyone know if I can update online or do I need to call QF to update on my behalf? Or does it not matter and when I show up for my next flight segment they can update at the check-in desk?

APIS is greyed out?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thought I'd try the brains trust here before having to call the QF call centre....

Currently mid way through a OWA trip and have had to get a new passport.

Have tried looking at manage my booking but couldn't see option to update my new passport details, but my next flight isn't for another 2 months.

Anyone know if I can update online or do I need to call QF to update on my behalf? Or does it not matter and when I show up for my next flight segment they can update at the check-in desk?

You can just show up. They’ll swipe your passport at check in and get all the current details. No need to do anything in advance.

 

[Lynda2475]

You can just show up. They’ll swipe your passport at check in and get all the current details. No need to do anything in advance.

I believe not having accurate apis can prevent OLCI especially if any US flights.

 

[djkelly69]

I believe not having accurate apis can't prevent OLCI

can't or can??

 

[yaksha98]

APIS is greyed out?

Apis able to be updated when manage my booking but can't save when I update

Post automatically merged: Feb 6, 2024

You can just show up. They’ll swipe your passport at check in and get all the current details. No need to do anything in advance.

Thanks!

 

[DC3]

Apis able to be updated when manage my booking but can't save when I update

Did trying another browser make no difference?

 

[yaksha98]

Did trying another browser make no difference?

No, unfortunately not.. tried Chrome, MS Edge and Safari... was about to get to the APIS screen and after typing in new passport details and clicking save, it throws up the same error message each time.

The next OWA flight segment is on BA, and lo and behold, I tried the BA site today and was able to update APIS through them via Manage My Booking.....

 

[ozflier]

No, unfortunately not.. tried Chrome, MS Edge and Safari... was about to get to the APIS screen and after typing in new passport details and clicking save, it throws up the same error message each time.

The next OWA flight segment is on BA, and lo and behold, I tried the BA site today and was able to update APIS through them via Manage My Booking.....

I have found Firefox the answer to clunky browsers .
A dated link here that compares chrome to firefox

8 compelling reasons to quit Chrome and switch to Firefox

Chrome may dominate, but Firefox is a known name among browsers for a reason. Whether you care about features, performance, or privacy, it could be a better fit for you.

www.pcworld.com

 

[Lynda2475]

can't or can??

Can stupid auto correct.

I was going to suggest checking apis on the operating airlines website, as that is where you do olci.

Waiting to check in until you get to the airport might mean more likelihood of getting bumped.

 

[devpianist]

Hey all, I'm looking to book a rough RTW economy itinerary of
MEL -> JNB early July
JNB -> BER mid July
WAW -> LHR mid-late July
then LHR onto SFO and eventually back to MEL
booked with Qantas points.

There are currently zero reward flights to JNB for the whole of Julym which I'm wondering is down to demand at that time of the year... or how likely is it they'll put more on in the next few months? As an alternative I see Malaysia Airlines have got some economy reward seats for KUL -> JNB for around that date, but I can't see those flights when trying to book via the Qantas website. Is there a way of doing this that I'm not seeing?

I'm also seeing a lot of variety between the Qantas page and comparison sites like SeatSpy - see pic below where there are 6 economy seats available according to SeatSpy, but not only do Qantas not have these, but they have some premium economy ones that SeatSpy thinks don't exist. Do Qantas only get access to some of these seats? Or how can I go about booking the ones on SeatSpy using Qantas FF points?

 

[sap1l]

Welcome to AFF @devpianist!

There are currently zero reward flights to JNB for the whole of Julym which I'm wondering is down to demand at that time of the year... or how likely is it they'll put more on in the next few months?

Qantas generally releases award seats a year in advance, and then very close to the date. In your case, I can't really see any availability on SYD-JNB (Qantas' only direct route) at all. To add to that, not many oneworld airlines fly to JNB. You have:

• BA from LHR
• CX from HKG
• QF from SYD
• QR from DOH (But QR doesn't release award seats to Qantas this far ahead)

I would try to find an Economy seat for now, or look at routings via the above ports.

As an alternative I see Malaysia Airlines have got some economy reward seats for KUL -> JNB for around that date, but I can't see those flights when trying to book via the Qantas website. Is there a way of doing this that I'm not seeing?

I don't believe that MH flies direct between KUL and JNB. Can you check that these flights only consist of oneworld airlines?

In any case, the flights on the Qantas website are the only ones you can book.

I'm also seeing a lot of variety between the Qantas page and comparison sites like SeatSpy - see pic below where there are 6 economy seats available according to SeatSpy, but not only do Qantas not have these, but they have some premium economy ones that SeatSpy thinks don't exist. Do Qantas only get access to some of these seats? Or how can I go about booking the ones on SeatSpy using Qantas FF points?View attachment 370482

I haven't personally used SeatSpy, but is SeatSpy showing availability when booking specifically with Qantas Points?

Airlines generally release less award seats to partners, so what you can see on BA for example, may not be available for bookings using Qantas Points.

To answer your final question, if you can't see a seat on the Qantas booking engine, you can't book it via Qantas Points.

 

[Rich]

As someone who regularly looks out for JNB reward flights in any class with QF, I say you'd be lucky. They just don't come up too often.
You can get there with Emrites but that adds a lot of points, dollars and time to the trip. (I don't believe Malaysian goes there. I do see KUL to JNB via SIN and DXB.) I am becoming resigned to paying up (since I don't have enough points with other partners eg Virgin or Singapore.)

 

[jase05]

As someone who regularly looks out for JNB reward flights in any class with QF, I say you'd be lucky. They just don't come up too often.
You can get there with Emrites but that adds a lot of points, dollars and time to the trip. (I don't believe Malaysian goes there. I do see KUL to JNB via SIN and DXB.) I am becoming resigned to paying up (since I don't have enough points with other partners eg Virgin or Singapore.)

Yeah the JNB awards seem fairly scarce on QF.
Good availability with VA but I digress

 

[devpianist]

Thanks for the info all! Can't believe I've only found this forum now

Qantas generally releases award seats a year in advance, and then very close to the date.

I read that they've changed from releasing 353 days in advance recently, is that still the case or are you better off booking that far in advance to get the pick of the lot?

I would try to find an Economy seat for now, or look at routings via the above ports.

My RTW trip will be in economy - I'm planning on doing a business one eventually but I'd like to do one this year somewhat on the cheap points wise. There are a good few options for JNB up until mid June so about a month out from what I'm after.

I've seen some people in this thread incrementally book their RTW based off availability of certain legs - is this common practice? Would I be able to do this given the trip starts with the JNB leg? Just not sure how I'd go about it.

I don't believe that MH flies direct between KUL and JNB. Can you check that these flights only consist of oneworld airlines?

You're right, it's MH as far as Doha and then QR to JNB

As someone who regularly looks out for JNB reward flights in any class with QF, I say you'd be lucky. They just don't come up too often.

I do see plenty for the next few months in economy, just not the dates I'm after (and maybe you're looking for business?)

 

[RichardMEL]

I read that they've changed from releasing 353 days in advance recently, is that still the case or are you better off booking that far in advance to get the pick of the lot?

Yes, planning as far in advance in possible usually yields better results.

As for this discussed change in behaviour- that's all it is - discussions and amecdotes of releases not showing as expected and so on. There is nothing concrete that proves or disproves this imo - or even than the 353 day thing holds for all or now only some routes.

You're right, it's MH as far as Doha and then QA to JHB.

Uh, do you mean QR (Qatar Airways) and to JNB (Johannesburg?

 

[devpianist]

Uh, do you mean QR (Qatar Airways) and to JNB (Johannesburg?

Sure do, fixed - it's late haha