Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Mr H]

Great tips. Just spent the best part of 4 hrs trying to add a flight to an existing OWA booking. Numerous calls to get someone that actually had half a clue. Being told it can't be done to yes that is easy but you have no points to process it. Just so frustrating having to guide them with what is possible. I wish that there was a way to get to talk to someone in the Hobart centre, would make life so much easier. Interesting that the additional flight added $43.10 taxes per ticket, yet when I tried booking just the flight alone in the Multi City tool it was only $11.60 USD in taxes. They could tell me why there was a such a difference. Now waiting for the reissue of the tickets, hopefully it goes through without issue

I have never had that much difficulty getting a flight added - it is getting it ticketed that can be an issue. Obviously you would need to have enough points to do it and if you don't then there's not much point in engaging the agent.

Every time you make a change to a booking, the taxes and charges are recalculated for the whole itinerary, not just the flight that has been added. Fairly consistently these charges go up rather than down.

 

[vast524]

Obviously you would need to have enough points to do it and if you don't then there's not much point in engaging the agent.

Hi, the QFF account that made the original booking had over 300k of points available, they ended up having to get the manager to book it as they couldn't work it out. I can the see that the flight has been added to the booking, just need to manage the stress levels of waiting for the reissue. I f I haven't heard within 24hrs I'll send an email to the rewards escalation account. Or am I best to do this now to make sure?

 

[FlyingFiona]

Hi, the QFF account that made the original booking had over 300k of points available, they ended up having to get the manager to book it as they couldn't work it out.

This happened to me when I added flights onto an existing booking which would change the existing booking into a OWA and thus the points would be capped at 318K.

The agent was told this when he checked to see that the flights were available and confirmed that the total points would be 318K .

He added the flights then came back to me to say that the system said I didn't have enough points and asked if I had I just added some that hadn't cleared or something. I said I had sufficient points to cover the 318K cap - could he please check again bearing in mind the points cost of the individual sectors was irrelevant when I was constructing a OWA which this booking would, when completed, be.

He went away again and came back to say it had been booked successfully - I'm not sure if he spoke to a manager, but he managed to work it out. So it sounded to me like their systems aren't that great (as well as possibly their training - but we've all already established previous that they they do not have adequate training).

 

[shankoz]

This happened to me when I added flights onto an existing booking which would change the existing booking into a OWA and thus the points would be capped at 318K.

The agent was told this when he checked to see that the flights were available and confirmed that the total points would be 318K .

He added the flights then came back to me to say that the system said I didn't have enough points and asked if I had I just added some that hadn't cleared or something. I said I had sufficient points to cover the 318K cap - could he please check again bearing in mind the points cost of the individual sectors was irrelevant when I was constructing a OWA which this booking would, when completed, be.

He went away again and came back to say it had been booked successfully - I'm not sure if he spoke to a manager, but he managed to work it out. So it sounded to me like their systems aren't that great (as well as possibly their training - but we've all already established previous that they they do not have adequate training).

Feel like I had a similar issue finalising my 3rd OWA itinerary a few weeks ago. Had booked the first leg and called to add flights.

Managed to successfully add multiple flights to the PNR (including adding two long haul WP seat release flights) .....and was told the total booking cost was only going to be 280,000 points per person. I actually said that cannot be right, given the amount of flights, but the agent in Fiji insisted and so I proceeded, thinking in the end I'd just be deducted the 318K.

Got a call back from the same agent about 3 hours later saying, of course, she had been wrong about the 280K total, but that actually the total points was going to be something like 430,000 points per person. She aruged the point but I stood my ground and insisted she check again with her supervisors. We ended the call and an hour later, another call back to say I'd been right and that it was only 318K per person. Ticketed within 10 minutes of that call. She got me stressed for a while but it all worked out in the end!

 

[flapper]

This happened to me when I added flights onto an existing booking which would change the existing booking into a OWA and thus the points would be capped at 318K.

The agent was told this when he checked to see that the flights were available and confirmed that the total points would be 318K .

He added the flights then came back to me to say that the system said I didn't have enough points and asked if I had I just added some that hadn't cleared or something. I said I had sufficient points to cover the 318K cap - could he please check again bearing in mind the points cost of the individual sectors was irrelevant when I was constructing a OWA which this booking would, when completed, be.

He went away again and came back to say it had been booked successfully - I'm not sure if he spoke to a manager, but he managed to work it out. So it sounded to me like their systems aren't that great (as well as possibly their training - but we've all already established previous that they they do not have adequate training).

I don't know what your points balance is but is it possible that some agents don't realise that the previous points get added back before the new points are deducted?

 

[FlyingFiona]

I stood my ground and .... Ticketed within 10 minutes of that call.

Thank goodness for this forum! I have stood my ground confident from the knowledge I've gained on here and reading about other experiences, like yours, where people have stood their ground.

You've reminded me that not only was my ticket capped (as it ought to have been) at 318K, they still haven't deducted the extra points... And it's been months since it was all booked. Taxes were paid. Ticket sent. Flights are in MMB. If it wasn't for me reading on here just prior to me booking that someone else was in the same boat and her points were only deducted when she completed her OWA flights I'd be freaking out.

Wonder what would happen if I tried to spend them...

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

they still haven't deducted the extra points...

I think it’s time to invoke the first rule of fight club.,.

 

[DC3]

I think it’s time to invoke the first rule of fight club.,.

Exactly. Never talk about these things, specifically.

 

[Mr H]

I think it’s time to invoke the first rule of fight club.,.

Correct. I have never understood why people who have a bank error in their favour find it necessary or helpful to tell people about it.

 

[FlyingFiona]

Correct. I have never understood why people who have a bank error in their favour find it necessary or helpful to tell people about it.

In the case of points, one might be concerned all is not actually ok and be seeking reassurance from others who had a similar experience. (Not to mention also be genuinely interested to know if so whether said points were spent before a late attempt by QF to deduct them.)

Otherwise, point taken, first rule of Flight Club it is!

 

[DC3]

In the case of points, one might be concerned all is not actually ok and be seeking reassurance from others who had a similar experience

It happens, believe me.

My view is that it’s up to QF as to when, and if, they deduct the points.

Edited

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Yeah, my OWA was deducted the day before travel. Was booked 6 months in advance, which was fine, but a schedule change and reticket left it ‘unpaid’ for months!

If you were to spend the points, when it came time for QF to deduct them, they cou,d cancel your ticket as no valid form of payment would exist.

 

[DC3]

Spend-up big, after your trip, if there’s any concerns

 

[Basalt]

Quick Q - does a QF domestic segment count for the rule of Qantas plus at least 2 oneworld carriers, or does the QF segment have to be international?
Or am I reading "other than Qantas" wrong, and you don't have to include QF?

 

[pjm99au]

Quick Q - does a QF domestic segment count for the rule of Qantas plus at least 2 oneworld carriers, or does the QF segment have to be international?

I don’t believe you need any QF segments if you don’t need to

 

[cjd600]

Quick Q - does a QF domestic segment count for the rule of Qantas plus at least 2 oneworld carriers, or does the QF segment have to be international?
Or am I reading "other than Qantas" wrong, and you don't have to include QF?

yeah, dont need QF at all.
Just at least 2 OW other than QF....

 

[N860CR]

It’s a nice feeling when you can sort a one world award without having to touch qantas

 

[cjd600]

It’s a nice feeling when you can sort a one world award without having to touch qantas

you mean without touching their metal or their call centre? Or both!

 

[N860CR]

you mean without touching their metal or their call centre? Or both!

Wouldn’t both be a dream world!

Either is a win though.

 

[ctcuzz]

Hi Everyone,

I need some help clarifying something if you don't mind.
I made a test route for an upcoming trip as follows:
1. ICN -> HKG direct flying Cathay
2. HKG -> SYD direct flying Cathay
3. SYD -> HND direct flying JAL
4. NRT -> HEL -> CDG flying Finnair
5. LHR -> YYZ flying British Airways
6. YYZ -> HKG -> SYD flying Cathay

I used Great Circle Mapper to calculate the miles and found that I am on 38k miles.
However when testing this on the Qantas multi-city booking tool, it appears I am still within the rules and it is charging me only 318k points (business class).

Would anyone happen to know why? Am I missing something or done the calculations incorrectly?

Thanks! Any help is much appreciated.