Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Captain Halliday]

Heads up...

If you are planning on:

1. Making a redemption booking that originates in AU
2. Changing a redemption booking that originates in AU

using QF/BA/JL/CX/QR points (but not AA/AS) and it involves JL flights ... you might want to consider making that booking on/before 31/03 as JL will start levying fuel fines from 01/04 on redemptions that match the above criteria.

That fuel fine will be 347 AUD or 228 USD per JL journey depending on the routing so it's no small amount!

Strewth!

Does that also include JL domestic?

If so the fuel fine probably exceed the cost of a cash fare on some routes.

 

[Cynicor]

Strewth!

Does that also include JL domestic?

If so the fuel fine probably exceed the cost of a cash fare on some routes.

I suspect you’ll have a hard time finding a JL domestic flight that originates in Aus

 

[elanshin]

Th

Thanks for the heads up.
A follow up question if I may:
If such a booking is made pre 31/3, but the booking is changed post 1/4 (say to add some legs as they become available later), would you expect the fuel fines, taxes, etc to be ‘re-priced’ at that time and so become subject to these new JL fees?

I'd say based on point 2, it'll be repriced to be able to reticket.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I suspect you’ll have a hard time finding a JL domestic flight that originates in Aus

Agreed, but the post by @madrooster doesn't say the flight has to originate in AU.

 

[MelbFlyer]

finding a JL

Finding a long haul JL business rewards seat is difficult enough, period!

 

[DC3]

Agreed, but the post by @madrooster doesn't say the flight has to originate in AU.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Let me explain it with my specific example.

Here’s the start of my OWA routing.

BNExSYDxHND (QF) HND-CTS (JL)
CTS-HND (JL)

The onward flights I want have not yet been released and will not be available until after this change comes into effect.

So returning to @madrooster’s post:

1. Making a redemption booking that originates in AU

My redemption originates in AU.

using QF/BA/JL/CX/QR points (but not AA/AS) and it involves JL flights

I’m using QF points and have JL sectors.

Are you still ?

 

[DC3]

So returning to @madrooster’s post:

Perhaps madrooster will come to the white courtesy phone, if paged.

 

[adamk8]

It seems to be a common block. Not a transparent one, which is very annoying when you spend hours doing your own investigations looking for award availability to present itself.
The explanation I received from Reward Ticket Escalations was that the Revenue Management system can show different availability when attempting to change an existing PNR or create a new booking. 'Revenue Management' can block an upgrade to a U on a particular segment (even though most of the OWA is already in U) or changes where no additional benefit to the airline is gained.
The moral of the story is that Qantas aims to get the most revenue (points or $) from cash or award bookings and a new award booking will almost always get them more. The customer has already booked and paid for the original PNR, there's more to be gained from a new booking.

Thanks for the reply and explanation. Sounds like there is no workaround. I know Qantas does a lot to manage revenue on their own flights but in the past I've had no issue booking other OW airlines assuming award seats are open. I was especially surprised because this route is short/cheap. I can actually buy the one leg I want for ~$99 per person which I'm fine to do but then it would not be one itinerary and our bags would not be transferred through which would make the 1.5 hour connection time difficult.

 

[N860CR]

Thanks for the reply and explanation. Sounds like there is no workaround. I know Qantas does a lot to manage revenue on their own flights but in the past I've had no issue booking other OW airlines assuming award seats are open. I was especially surprised because this route is short/cheap. I can actually buy the one leg I want for ~$99 per person which I'm fine to do but then it would not be one itinerary and our bags would not be transferred through which would make the 1.5 hour connection time difficult.

I suspect is a system issue and people are just making stuff up. An open classic award seat is a classic award seat. They’re all in the same fare category. I doubt there’s the capability in their systems to add the level of complexity alluded to.

 

[adamk8]

I suspect is a system issue and people are just making stuff up. An open classic award seat is a classic award seat. They’re all in the same fare category. I doubt there’s the capability in their systems to add the level of complexity alluded to.

Interesting! This is kind of what I suspected as well. My plan is to call back and talk to a different agent to see what they can work out. I find there's a massive difference in the agents and what they can/can't do with some of the trickier tickets.

 

[DC3]

… what they can/can't do with some of the trickier tickets.

More likely: what they will/won’t do. Incompetence/ laziness or something else?

 

[N860CR]

Interesting! This is kind of what I suspected as well. My plan is to call back and talk to a different agent to see what they can work out. I find there's a massive difference in the agents and what they can/can't do with some of the trickier tickets.

I think a lot of the issue is the constant “phantom availability” problem. There doesn’t seem to be a consistent pattern of what is and isn’t available (and each call centre seemingly uses a different system showing different things). Backend Amadeus doesn’t seem to show the actual required fare category (U) so I’m not entirely sure which one is correct.

 

[adamk8]

Hi all,

We have a OW award ticket booked already and I found a better routing for one of the segments that opened up. The existing is BUD-MAD-OPO (but with overnight stay in MAD), the new one is VIE-MAD-OPO (with 1.5 hour layover in MAD). Both options are with Iberia. I see the seats open and Qantas customer service can see the seats open, however, when they go to book update it, they say the booking is not allowed or not available on my existing reservation, only for new reservations.

Is this kind of limitation possible (I had not heard of it before)? Any workarounds? Or should I call back to get another agent and see if they can find a way to book it? I was thinking perhaps it's due to the existing flight conflicting so if they can remove it first, then re-book it may go through?

Thanks!

To follow up - I called back tonight and got an absolutely awesome agent. She booked the VIE-MAD-OPO flight without a problem... so if anyone else runs into this, just hang up, call back and hope you get a good agent. She also found us some better flights for other segments as well.

 

[madrooster]

Th

Thanks for the heads up.
A follow up question if I may:
If such a booking is made pre 31/3, but the booking is changed post 1/4 (say to add some legs as they become available later), would you expect the fuel fines, taxes, etc to be ‘re-priced’ at that time and so become subject to these new JL fees?

Yes - it will be repriced as of the date that you make the changes, so if you know if you will be repricing anyway due to adding segments, then there's no rush as you'll get hit with the new YQ anyway at a later date.

This only really affects those who have some changes to make already, but are sitting on the fence or haven't gotten to it yet, or are making a simple return/one way booking eg. SYD-HND-LHR for example.

Strewth!

Does that also include JL domestic?

If so the fuel fine probably exceed the cost of a cash fare on some routes.

No. JL domestics don't attract YQ.

Agreed, but the post by @madrooster doesn't say the flight has to originate in AU.

Let me explain it with my specific example.

Here’s the start of my OWA routing.

BNExSYDxHND (QF) HND-CTS (JL)
CTS-HND (JL)

The onward flights I want have not yet been released and will not be available until after this change comes into effect.

So returning to @madrooster’s post:

My redemption originates in AU.

I’m using QF points and have JL sectors.

Are you still ?

Domestics within Japan remain unaffected.

For clarity, my post is about any ticket that originates in AU that contains JL long haul (eg. HND-LHR, HND-CDG, HND-ORD etc and the vice versas of such routes) or medium haul flights (eg. HND-GMP, HND-PEK, TYO-SIN, TYO-BKK etc and the vice versas of such routes).

Here's some examples:

1. SYD QF HND JL LHR - new YQ applies from 01/04
2. SYD CX HKG JL HND BA LHR - new YQ applies from 01/04
3. MEL JL NRT JL SIN - new YQ applies from 01/04
4. MEL MH KUL CX HKG CX BKK JL HND JL LAX - new YQ applies from 01/04
5. SYD JL HND - new YQ applies from 01/04
6. AKL QF SYD JL HND - YQ already applies
7. HND JL SYD - YQ already applies
8. LHR JL HND JL SIN - YQ already applies

 

[melbkate]

Hello all I called up today to change 3 legs of my OWA (just moving them forward be 2 weeks same flight numbers) and was told there would be a 12,000 point fee per person (2). She said there was a 5k fee for changing and additional 7k for assistance.

Is there anyway around this I've only been charged the 5k before? I said I was unable to make the changes online and therefore could charge be waived but no.

The flights have also changed times by small margins which I need to accept but I cannot do that online and the message is to call up. Can I use this fact to avoid the assistance fee?

Anyway our line dropped out so I didn't get any further but hoping comeone can advise.

Thanks

 

[Lynda2475]

What is the class of travel? For J or F should be the 5k per person change fee only; no assistance fee. If in Y or W then assistance fee applies (even though it is unfair since not possible to do online).

 

[melbkate]

What is the class of travel? For J or F should be the 5k per person change fee only; no assistance fee. If in Y or W then assistance fee applies (even though it is unfair since not possible to do online).

J except one leg in Economy ok thank you

 

[Lynda2475]

Might be the one Y leg causing issues but others may know more?

 

[Mr H]

J except one leg in Economy ok thank you

If the ticket is priced as J then you should not have to pay the assistance fee. Moreover, if the times of one or more flight has changed, then you should also not have to pay the change fee. My experience is that sometimes you have to pay the points to appease the call centre but then you can call the Frequent Flyer people and get these points refunded.