Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Braymac]

Just tried to book my last flight in my itinerary, Qantas staff (Cape Town) told me it's "subject to government approval" and not bookable on their end, and to call Cathay. Called Cathay, they said flight is bookable immediately. Flight was released yesterday. Any ideas?

 

[cjd600]

Just tried to book my last flight in my itinerary, Qantas staff (Cape Town) told me it's "subject to government approval" and not bookable on their end, and to call Cathay. Called Cathay, they said flight is bookable immediately. Flight was released yesterday. Any ideas?

Call again, usually get a different answer each time, roll the dice

 

[cma_369]

Hi everyone, just thought I'd finally contribute to this forum after a long time lurking and just completing my 2nd business class redemption, this time J RTW!

Firstly, the call centre rep I spoke to early this morning (night shift had the added benefit of getting right through to someone) told me that if I was to modify my itinerary after 17 Sep that I would incurr the increased points cost after looking into it for me.

Started seriously looking into routes from Sydney-Germany-New York-Sydney for mid next year last Sunday and found the flights I liked around what I had in mind right away.

Just took a few days to fine tune the bookings and get around the never ending errors on the qantas website.

Ended up booking the following from 10/06/2020:

SYD-MUC via HKG & DOH: QF/QR (had to have a Q Suite leg in somewhere, happy to try the 787 business class too over CX)
FRA-NY: BA (hoping to fluke the new club suite)
SFO-HND: JAL
NRT-SYD: JAL (Booked as a place holder until better availability pops up ex west coast USA or Asia)

I did try add a couple of domestic US flights when booking the itinerary online but it wouldn't go through no matter what I tried.

So locked in the bulk of the flights midweek and called the call centre this morning to lock in the following for only $50 extra in taxes and the 10000 points fee:

JFK-Miami
Miami-Nashville
Nashville-Las Vegas

Just need to keep an eye out for some decent flights back to Sydney mid July as the place holder is mid August!

This thread/forum is an amazing resource, and can't wait to start the journey to my next redemption!

 

[Kangol]

Qantas will re-accomodate you on alternate flights. It doesn’t matter to you that there is no award space and the fares are cash only.
If I was you I would research some alternatives now so you can be fully prepared should the cancellations eventuate.

I think it's the operating carrier. At least I would first push them to rebook on an alternative.

 

[DC3]

… Firstly, the call centre rep I spoke to early this morning (night shift had the added benefit of getting right through to someone) told me that if I was to modify my itinerary after 17 Sep that I would incurr the increased points cost after looking into it for me …

And, conflicting with a couple of other reports that this is not the case. Interesting.

 

[stoodamire]

Hi All,

Just after some advice/clarification.

Here's my situation.

I called Qantas a few weeks ago thinking about canceling my LGW-VCE leg on my OWA.

I was quoted roughly $72 refund in taxes and 5,000 points change fee per passenger.

I called Qantas yesterday after deciding to go ahead and cancel that leg. I was then told i was only be receiving back $52 in taxes. I questioned the Qantas rep to ask why the amount changed and they advised that's what showing currently.

I then quickly went onto the Qantas website and did a dummy booking from LGW-VCE and it showed the charge of 40 pounds in taxes/fees/charges, which converted to AUD is roughly $72 (similar amount to what was quoted in my initial call).

The customer service rep was unable to explain why and said they could only refund me $52.

My question is, are these taxes subject to change? Eg if i call back in 1-2 weeks, could the refund amount go higher/lower again? I don't understand how i could be quoted $72 refund in the first call, then $52 in the second call.

Thanks!

 

[Braymac]

Call again, usually get a different answer each time, roll the dice

Got it, cheers. All sorted!

 

[DC3]

... quoted roughly $72 refund in taxes and 5,000 points change fee per passenger.

I called Qantas yesterday after deciding to go ahead and cancel that leg. I was then told i was only be receiving back $52 in taxes.l ...

You could HUCA until you get the answer that you want. With luck you may avoid the ZAF and PHL Call Centres.

Edit: I value QF points at about one cent each, although can be more or less, depending on the redemption. For me, the change fee of 5,000 points = $50.

 

[Economy_Gold]

My question is, are these taxes subject to change? Eg if i call back in 1-2 weeks, could the refund amount go higher/lower again? I don't understand how i could be quoted $72 refund in the first call, then $52 in the second call.

My understanding is that the co-payment (taxes and fuel surcharges) vary daily due to currency movements and due to changes in other items such as the fuel surcharges and sometimes also the airport fees.

In my case they worked in my favor: Changing within a Oneworld Reward ticket from one direct flight to two flights (and they even go through LHR) and I got about $50 back (but of course had to pay the 5000 points change fee).

 

[zoom&boom]

Looking to book my next couple of flights on my “RTW” award. Searching for CPH-LHR-EDI flights. There is very little availability when searching the QF site but lots available when searching the BA site. Does anyone know if QF agents can see this “BA” availability or can they only see what we can see?

Thanks in advance
Zoom

 

[travellerqff]

There is very little availability when searching the QF site but lots available when searching the BA site. Does anyone know if QF agents can see this “BA” availability or can they only see what we can see?

I have the same question. I can see AA availability that won't show on QF.com so I called to ask and the answer was "no sorry, I can't see that particular flight in the system."

 

[DC3]

I have the same question. I can see AA availability that won't show on QF.com so I called to ask and the answer was "no sorry, I can't see that particular flight in the system."

Would that be Business/First MileSAAver that you can see on AA.com, but doesn't show on QF?

Edit: I'm waiting for AA availability to show up, but it's still a bit too early for my trip as yet

 

[travellerqff]

Would that be Business/First MileSAAver that you can see on AA.com, but doesn't show on QF?

I wish I knew -_- It just says Business.

 

[DC3]

I wish I knew -_- It just says Business.

What I means is when when checking Business Award availability on AA.com, and you go from here (redeem miles):



to here:



Edited to delete multiple images

 

[travellerqff]

View attachment 185225

to here:

View attachment 185226

Oh I've never seen that calendar display before. But yes, has to be Business/First MileSAAver

 

[DC3]

Oh I've never seen that calendar display before. But yes, has to be Business/First MileSAAver

.. and the QF site shows this, for corresponding Business award availability:



Edit: In my example, AA.com and QF both indicate the same Business award availability

 

[travellerqff]

.. and the QF site shows this, for corresponding Business award availability:

Ok so I am now on the same page for searching... except the flight is certainly not on QF.com but it is a MileSSaver on AA.com
Please help DM

 

[DC3]

When looking for available dates, I find it easier to open "Show Full Calendar" in order to view four weeks at a time:

 

[DC3]

Ok so I am now on the same page for searching... except the flight is certainly not on QF.com but it is a MileSSaver on AA.com
Please help DM

There may be reasons why a carrier does not release award seats to other airlines, or releases them later.

However, is it a direct point-to-point flight? Has the award only just been released by AA? (i.e., at 3.00pm, today). Otherwise, I'm not sure.

 

[travellerqff]

There may be reasons why a carrier does not release award seats to other airlines, or releases them later.

It's VCE PHL MIA in J. PHL MIA leg shows up on QF but not VCE PHL. I'm looking across the whole month with no luck.