I just made a J OWA booking. Talk about dramas. This is not an easy process.
I was completely flexible in every single aspect; dates, direction, connecting cities, layovers, you name it. And it was only for 1 pax, so should be easy right!! It took me a solid week trying to find the flights. I found everything I wanted, but the website kept crashing trying to make the booking. (DRAMA 1) After some online research, I believe it was because I had 10 segments and you can only book a maximum of 6 on-line (I don't know how true this is?) So, I spent even more time printing everything out and double checking everything was good for the dreaded call to Qantas to make a phone booking. And literally like 2min before calling Qantas, on my last check of flights, all the JL award flights disappeared and only Westjet showed up (Westjet isn't a Oneworld member which would invalidate the entire OWA booking - Grrrrrrrrr.) (DRAMA 2) I took a few days breather from the process. Even checked with AFF Concierge, but they wanted $1500 to help. I would have paid $500, but $1500 for a booking for one is extortionate imo. (DRAMA 3 maybe to my bank account
)
So after a few days, I got back at it and found some new flights and again printed it all out in preparation for my call to Qantas. I was actually taken aback at how fast the phone was answered. I rang about 1130am and within 20s of inputting the press 1 for..........enter your ff number.......etc, I got through to a real person. I believe Philippines call centre, but she was fine. I gave her all my flights that I wanted and she said they were all available (phew), only problem was she said I had too many stopovers. (DRAMA 4) I had 4 and was under the impression I was allowed 5, but she said I had 6. So, I told her the ones I believed I had (Dublin, Helsinki, Seattle, Tokyo) and asked her what ones she thinks I had and she said Manila (5hr layover). I argued and said I believe for it to be a stopover, you have to spend more than 24hrs, but she said no, it's calendar day (flight arrived at 21:40 and onward flight is at 0245). So, while she checked with her manager, I looked up the terms and conditions (I was right) and when she came back, that got sorted. and there was no 6th lol. After confirming all the flights, she said the computer wouldn't cost it for me, thus not allowing me to pay and secure the booking (DRAMA 5). She promised me a call back within 2hrs
. (DRAMA 6) Of course, there was no call back after 2 days (points lost here Qantas), so I called back. Might have gotten New Zealand call centre this time (kiwi accent). Again I was amazed at how quick I was transferred to an operator. The on-hold message got as far as "all our operators are currently.............." and I was through
. Good effort Qantas, 2 from 3. After explaining the situation with her, she came back saying there were too many ex-Australia departures on the same day (CNS-BNE-SYD-KUL) (DRAMA 7). This is despite the website allowing me to make the booking to that point (up to 6 segments at least anyway). I found this strange as I've flown CNS-BNE-SYD-SIN before on the same day. At any rate, I just changed the itinerary to go CNS-SYD direct the previous day and overnight in SYD and that allowed the booking. Flexibility right
.
So, flights are:
Cairns to Sydney on Qantas - Was trying to do this on the same day as the next flight and the system showed it as available. Needed to be in Sydney in the morning for the 1300 departure of next flight, and flights had me in Sydney at 1100, however the Qantas agent said I had too many flights ex-Australia in the booking and it wouldn't process (like what the??? CNS-BNE-SYD-KUL on the same day - computer says 'No')
Sydney to Kuala Lumpur on Malaysia Airlines - No issues so far and I hear the satay is yummy. Is the Plaza Premium lounge better than the Qantas J Lounge (wouldn't be hard)?
Kuala Lumpur to Paris on Malaysia Airlines - No issues so far. Hoping not to be shot out of the sky or deliberately crashed in the Indian Ocean
Paris to Helsinki on Finnair- No issues so far
Helsinki to Dublin (Stop 1) on Finnair - No issues so far. Yes had to go to all the way to Finland to cross the Channel or it was via Madrid and London Heathrow and London City instead.
Dublin to Helsinki (Stop 2) on Finnair - No issues so far
Helsinki to Seattle (Stop 3) on Finnair - wanted to go to Vancouver but this was the best I could do, so either train or hire car. Flexibility
. (DRAMA 8)
Seattle to Tokyo (Stop 4) on Japan Airlines - No issues so far
Tokyo to Manila on Japan Airlines - All good now that the 5hr layover isn't considered a stopover lol.
Manila to Brisbane on Qantas - No issues so far
Brisbane to Cairns on Qantas - wanted the 15:35 departure and it was available on the website, but agent said the only available flight was the 20:00 departure....Ooof long layover. Will see if there is a possible change when I'm at the airport. (DRAMA 9)
All up 31,475 miles
My frequent flyer balance has taken a 318,000 point hit and my bank $987 for the taxes etc.
Qantas waived the $77 phone assistance fee for making the booking.
Now I need to sort out accommodation, ground transport, tours and travel documents (DRAMA 10 lol)
So yay, flights all sorted plus I managed to make it an actual around the world booking (which was a side goal) rather than backtrack type path, which was what my first attempt was going to be, coming in at 34,876 miles. Just waiting for Airlines to change their flights over the next 11 months and screw up my bookings. lol (DRAMA 11)
I'm wondering how much more difficult this would have been trying to get 2 pax. Not sure I'd try doing this again. Maybe just point to point return trips for the future. lol.