Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[madrooster]

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

First time I have come across the first marketing carrier having such a choice.

Anyhoo must have been clarified recently as the CX page on this has changed: Most Significant Carrier (MSC) - For Multi-carrier Journey - Cathay Pacific United States

http://www.atpco.net/atpco/products/baggage/pdf/Baggage_25 July Webinar.pdf

See this set of slides. It is probably the best illustration of the rules I have seen so far.

 

[Danger]

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

The more I read about baggage, the more confused I get...

Involving the USA is no hassle for me (minus the fact that TSA are jerks), so my proposed itinerary is

MEL-KUL-HKG(stop)-ICN(stop)-LHR(stop)-JFK(stop)-ORY(stop)-HKG-MEL

with sectors:
MEL-KUL - MH (40kg)
KUL-HKG,HKG-ICN,ORY-HKG-MEL - CX (30kg)
ICN-LHR,LHR-JFK,JFK-ORY - BA (3x32kg)

For reasons which should be fairly obvious, I'd like BA's baggage allowance on my entire journey.

From what I can establish, under some hybrid of DOT/IATA 302, because BA is the first carrier crossing IATA zones, it's the MSC? Because of the US DOT, I should then get this baggage allowance for my entire journey? *confused*.

EDIT: I should add I did try and understand this scenario based on those links, the DOT regulations looks like some nice bedtime reading and the Cathay pacific example is much more simplistic.

Yes, you'll have the BA baggage allowance from the ICN-LHR sector under the MSC rules.

BUT ONLY BECAUSE the modified routing now involves travel to/from/via the USA.

I'm confused. Why is that?

 

[funnymummy]

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

sounds like a dream
i used this myself and bused it to the city but i have heard the train is good if your hotel is close - but if you have to lug ports then door to door transfer may work out $ cheaper Airport Transfers, Coaches & Buses to UK Airports // National Express

 

[madrooster]

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

I'm confused. Why is that?

US DOT regulations override IATA 302 resolutions/guidelines/rules (however one wishes to describe it).

See my post here, where I have explained how the US DOT regulations come into play: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ward-140k-280k-420k-8228-142.html#post1050955

 

[serfty]

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

I'm confused. Why is that?

Because the original route did not involve travel through the united states of america ...

... Without that, checked baggage limits are then based on the MSC for each individual journey within the booking ( stopover to stopover ).

 

[Mwenenzi]

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

Welcome to the forum, Geost.

For seat selection on OW Awards in J, a technique I've used a few times is go into "manage by booking" on the Qatar Airways website using your Qantas PNR and surname and proceed with seat selection there.

The Finnair manage my booking also has the reputation of being able to handle seat allocations and change ff numbers for OneWorld airlines. www.classic.checkmytrip.com can be of use

 

[dexter_jambles]

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.

Thanks vec. Yes, I am WP so will see how accommodating QF can be.

 

[Danger]

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

US DOT regulations override IATA 302 resolutions/guidelines/rules (however one wishes to describe it).

See my post here, where I have explained how the US DOT regulations come into play: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ward-140k-280k-420k-8228-142.html#post1050955

I'd never come across that explanation before but, as noted, it's recently been added to the CX page.

Because the original route did not involve travel through the united states of america ...

... Without that, checked baggage limits are then based on the MSC for each individual journey within the booking ( stopover to stopover ).

I was always of the understanding that the MSC applied to the entire journey (even on, for example, a several week round the world trip, with or without the US). I'd never seen any reference to an individual journey but that makes a lot more sense.

 

[MTAB]

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

I’d really appreciate aquick, expert response as I’m trying to juggle land tours and OneWorld award flightbookings with the former having discount deadlines tomorrow (after that I’ll certainly not get the good price offered and, indeed, there may not even be availability.

Here’s the planned 140K award booking (two pax, economy):
CNS (QF) -- BNE (QF) -- LAX(AA) -- YYZ
YYZ (BA) -- LHR (BA) -- LIS
LIS (IB) -- MAD (IB) -- VCE
VCE (QR) -- DOH (QR) – CPT (Thenby land)
JNB (QF) -- SYD
SYD (QF) -- BNE (QF) – CNS

It all seems fine with the booking engine which comes out as two 140K awards but then it cannot price it (and therefore I cannot go ahead and book it).

My dilemma and questions.

I have only 284.8K points and no possibility of family transfer (Mrs MTAB has enough but less than 5K, so not transferable). I am LTG. I suspect that it is the QR flights which make it un-priceable. What do others think? Is there another flaw hidden in the itinerary?

If I have to phone for the booking would they waive one or both telephone booking fees? If they don’t waive them, I need 245K. Can I buy a few in a hurry? In another week I’ll be well over the required number but the flights and/or tours will probably not be available, and certainly not at the good price.

Any other comments and/orsuggestions most welcome.

I need to call the US tonight to secure the good tour prices but don’t want to be left with good tours and expensive flights if my flight itinerary doesn’t stay available.

Many thanks.

 

[sergeyvzn]

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

I’d really appreciate aquick, expert response as I’m trying to juggle land tours and OneWorld award flightbookings with the former having discount deadlines tomorrow (after that I’llcertainly not get the good price offered and, indeed, there may not even be availability.

Here’s the planned 140Kaward booking (two pax, economy):
CNS (QF) -- BNE (QF) -- LAX(AA) -- YYZ
YYZ (BA) -- LHR (BA) -- LIS
LIS (IB) -- MAD (IB) -- VCE
VCE (QR) -- DOH (QR) – CPT (Thenby land)
JNB (QF) -- SYD
SYD (QF) -- BNE (QF) – CNS

It all seems fine with thebooking engine which comes out as two 140K awards but then it cannot price it(and therefore I cannot go ahead and book it).

My dilemma and questions.

I have only 284.8K pointsand no possibility of family transfer (Mrs MTAB has enough but less than 5K). Iam LTG. I suspect that it is the QR flights whichmake it un-priceable. What do others think? Is there another flaw hidden in the itinerary?

If I have to phone for thebooking would they waive one or both telephone booking fees? If they don’t waivethem, I need 245K. Can I buy a few in a hurry? In another week I’ll be wellover the required number but the flights and/or tours will probably not beavailable, and certainly not at the good price.

Any other comments and/orsuggestions most welcome.

I need to call the UStonight to secure the good tour prices but don’t want to be left with goodtours and expensive flights if my flight itinerary doesn’t stay available.

Many thanks.

If you can't book it online due to Qantas's IT problems they will have to waive the phone booking fee.

Also there have been cases reported when the booking fee was paid in cash rather than in points. Give them a call now and ask about it upfront. Being a LTG it's likely they will waive the fee

 

[MTAB]

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

Thanks sergeyvzn
I'm hoping/assuming it is an IT problem and not a 'broken rule' one. I think I,ve raed of examples where the points haven't been waived, but I will try my best and possibly have the fee payment in $ in reserve. Good suggestions.

 

[vetrade]

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

MTAB, I recently had trouble with an award booking that involved 2 QR flights and even the QF girl couldn't get the system to calculate the taxes/surcharges. She confirmed the flights at the time and they had to ring me back a few days later to tell me what the charges would be. I was not charged a booking fee for this. I reckon that QF will sort it out for you if you call them. Pretty sure you can buy some points if you need them but they might not be credited to you within your time frame.

 

[MTAB]

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

Thanks vetrade
it looks hopeful. I'll post in a few days to let you know if it all pans out. The beauty is that, even if things don't work out, life is beautiful. It is wonderful having such 'problems'!

 

[madrooster]

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

I'd never come across that explanation before but, as noted, it's recently been added to the CX page.

Just a heads up that Canada's CTA has also recently published a decision to take on the US DOT exemption regulations for tickets issued on or after 1st October this year. This means the US DOT exemption regulations will also apply in Canada as they do in the US.

The effect will be that you can enter Canada instead of the US to be able to get the same allowance across the entire ticket.

 

[MTAB]

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

Update: all flights (and tours) booked!

Karen at Qantas's was very helpful and professional. Put in all the flights; checked the rules carefully; not able to price it. A couple of holds while she consulted: one to get approval for the the telephone booking fee waiver; the other to get the fare calculation.

Ugly fuel and taxes of 2 x $1711.11, but that's life.

I have contacted the Qantas's people on many occasions for many reasons. Without exception they have been friendly and efficient. A real testament to the staff themselves and those involved in their selection and training.

Thanks to all.

 

[vetrade]

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

$1700 pp in taxes for a Y fare sure is "ugly", MTAB, but if the alternative is to stay at home it's an easy decision - you will have forgotten about that aspect once your trip starts. Enjoy!

 

[Isochronous]

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

Update: all flights (and tours) booked!

Karen at Qantas's was very helpful and professional. Put in all the flights; checked the rules carefully; not able to price it. A couple of holds while she consulted: one to get approval for the the telephone booking fee waiver; the other to get the fare calculation.

Ugly fuel and taxes of 2 x $1711.11, but that's life.

I have contacted the Qantas's people on many occasions for many reasons. Without exception they have been friendly and efficient. A real testament to the staff themselves and those involved in their selection and training.

Thanks to all.

So I shouldn't have been charged 6k points for my booking then?

 

[mrdctau]

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

Has anyone every thought about doing a one-week 34,999 km trip around the world with no stopovers anywhere - just flying around the world in business class and spending quality time in various lounges? With all of your food, booze, accommodation and entertainment taken care of for the week - it's actually a reasonably cheap holiday and some of the taxes might be a bit lower with each intermediate stop being a transit only. I've been playing around with a few itineraries and it's quite feasible to take in every continent (except Antarctica) and get back home within 6 days.

 

[vetrade]

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

Has anyone every thought about doing a one-week 34,999 km trip around the world with no stopovers anywhere - just flying around the world in business class and spending quality time in various lounges? With all of your food, booze, accommodation and entertainment taken care of for the week - it's actually a reasonably cheap holiday and some of the taxes might be a bit lower with each intermediate stop being a transit only. I've been playing around with a few itineraries and it's quite feasible to take in every continent (except Antarctica) and get back home within 6 days.

Well...........that's different! And to answer your question, strangely, no I've never thought about it myself - but maybe that's just because I prefer not to cram so much "quality time in lounges" into only 6 days!

 

[Buzzard]

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

Has anyone every thought about doing a one-week 34,999 km trip around the world with no stopovers anywhere - just flying around the world in business class and spending quality time in various lounges? With all of your food, booze, accommodation and entertainment taken care of for the week - it's actually a reasonably cheap holiday and some of the taxes might be a bit lower with each intermediate stop being a transit only. I've been playing around with a few itineraries and it's quite feasible to take in every continent (except Antarctica) and get back home within 6 days.

Certainly a very interesting concept.

For me however, if I was going to spend 280K in points I would like to see some of the destinations rater than just a lounge.
Unless I had say 2 million points in the kitty.