Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[MelbFlyer]

Also I've been thinking - considering I've now got a capped 318k OWA itinerary (the route is very similar to the below picture (ie. going to Europe via HK and coming back to Australia via Singapore), if I change my last flight (SIN > MEL) to land in NZ instead, then book a separate trip back to Melbourne not on the same PNR, I could theoretically use Auckland as a "long stopover" and then add some reward seats to the US within the same capped OWA?

I currently have now 5 legs on my itinerary.

If yes, that would be pretty neat.

I'd just have to find a business reward seat from Singapore to Auckland (may be difficult), then get a return flight to/from Melbourne/Auckland.



I wouldn't mind even economy seats (if I can't find PE / business) if it meant that I don't have to pay anymore points, just the taxes ((ie. pretty much a "free" flight).

Just not sure if I'm willing to go through that trouble (considering how hard it is to change flights on rewards bookings) just to get the most value out of my 318k points haha.

 

[Mr H]

As mentioned, that's a pretty convoluted route just to redeem first and business.

Not sure I'd be willing to transit 3 times to get to London!

Should be a good experience though nonetheless (apart from the small Embraer flight).

Some people (me included) love lots of transits. The BA Embraers are great, the seats are comfortable and the crew look after you - even though they don’t have dedicated J seats. Arriving into LCY is fantastic.

 

[aikman]

Also I've been thinking - considering I've now got a capped 318k OWA itinerary (the route is very similar to the below picture (ie. going to Europe via HK and coming back to Australia via Singapore), if I change my last flight (SIN > MEL) to land in NZ instead, then book a separate trip back to Melbourne not on the same PNR, I could theoretically use Auckland as a "long stopover" and then add some reward seats to the US within the same capped OWA?

I currently have now 5 legs on my itinerary.

If yes, that would be pretty neat.

I'd just have to find a business reward seat from Singapore to Auckland (may be difficult), then get a return flight to/from Melbourne/Auckland.

View attachment 337395

I wouldn't mind even economy seats (if I can't find PE / business) if it meant that I don't have to pay anymore points, just the taxes ((ie. pretty much a "free" flight).

Just not sure if I'm willing to go through that trouble (considering how hard it is to change flights on rewards bookings) just to get the most value out of my 318k points haha.

Looks like you are starting in NZ. Once you re-enter NZ then your trip is over.

 

[Mr H]

Looks like you are starting in NZ. Once you re-enter NZ then your trip is over.

I think you are starting in Melbourne, not NZ. In theory you could do what you propose but be aware that there are anecdotes of the computer deeming Australia and New Zealand to be the same country for OWA purposes.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I think you are starting in Melbourne, not NZ. In theory you could do what you propose but be aware that there are anecdotes of the computer deeming Australia and New Zealand to be the same country for OWA purposes.

Yep, I just did a search and it came up with an error stating something to the lines of the system deeming Australia and NZ being "one country" and that the itinerary wasn't allowed.

Doesn't work. Will just keep it as-is - happy with it for now.

 

[pyramidforce]

So it finally happened, two involuntary changes within a week.

First one was a JL flight, couldn't even tell what the change was. MH RJ and QF app all asked me to confirm. So I did.

Second one was a flight time change, same flight number On CX. No option, just told this was the change. All apps updated automatically with new info. QF of course won't give me a new Eticket despite saying they would in the email. As expected requesting a new eticket just sends the old one.

CMT has also updated qith new info for what it is worth. Any new way to check if the eticket is still in tact or if the change isn't ticketed and CX will boot me off the flight in two weeks?

 

[tassie6]

So it finally happened, two involuntary changes within a week.

First one was a JL flight, couldn't even tell what the change was. MH RJ and QF app all asked me to confirm. So I did.

Second one was a flight time change, same flight number On CX. No option, just told this was the change. All apps updated automatically with new info. QF of course won't give me a new Eticket despite saying they would in the email. As expected requesting a new eticket just sends the old one.

CMT has also updated qith new info for what it is worth. Any new way to check if the eticket is still in tact or if the change isn't ticketed and CX will boot me off the flight in two weeks?

Go to manage booking at RJ (on website, I think better than app), scroll down to 'Travellers' and you can see ticket number against each person. When you click on it it gives the date issued aswell, if no e-ticket you wont see anything there under your FF number

 

[Warragul]

So it finally happened, two involuntary changes within a week.

First one was a JL flight, couldn't even tell what the change was. MH RJ and QF app all asked me to confirm. So I did.

Second one was a flight time change, same flight number On CX. No option, just told this was the change. All apps updated automatically with new info. QF of course won't give me a new Eticket despite saying they would in the email. As expected requesting a new eticket just sends the old one.

CMT has also updated qith new info for what it is worth. Any new way to check if the eticket is still in tact or if the change isn't ticketed and CX will boot me off the flight in two weeks?

Plus, not all changes will require a new ticket. What changes do is a matter of conjecture, but as an ex as an example a time change of 10 minutes wouldn't unless that then breaks MCT, bringing about further changes.

 

[Phoenix-1]

I've found 6 flights that work but when clicking through to select all the dates I keep getting either "access denied" or "Timeout error" when trying to select them. Can't even get to the stage where I find out the taxes cost without running into an error. Is this some rate limiting by Qantas?

So if you wait 1 minute between selecting each flight it seems to work.

Also does Qantas allow free cancellation within 24 hours for OWCA bookings if they originate in AU?

 

[PointsTraveller!]

Yeah I edited the previous snippet, is this the e-ticket you're eluding to below? Redacted personal info.


View attachment 337007

And now Qantas is trying to change my flights back to all business class with JAL and leaving a day earlier with a total travel time of 49 hours from MEL - LCY.

My app and Manage My Booking are showing different flights to my e-ticket.

What are my rights now that I have an e-ticket showing these flights? Can they just change me to alternative flights without my consent? Should I push back?

 

[Mr H]

And now Qantas is trying to change my flights back to all business class with JAL and leaving a day earlier with a total travel time of 49 hours from MEL - LCY.

My app and Manage My Booking are showing different flights to my e-ticket.

What are my rights now that I have an e-ticket showing these flights? Can they just change me to alternative flights without my consent? Should I push back?

I am not a lawyer but I would say that if the ticket was issued QF would just say it was a mistake and they cannot be held to it. You paid for J and they will say that J is what you are being given. If you push it you may find yourself being pushed into a full refund, which is not the outcome you want.

By the bye, you may want to reflect on the wisdom of posting on a public forum about an error that worked in your favour.

 

[PaulyB]

Second one was a flight time change, same flight number On CX. No option, just told this was the change. All apps updated automatically with new info. QF of course won't give me a new Eticket despite saying they would in the email. As expected requesting a new eticket just sends the old

I had a similar experience this week. Elsewhere I was pointed to FB Messenger. Once you get past the bot. But I had excellent help. Shouldn’t have needed to follow up for the new ticket but that’s what worked. There was a keyword to put in the conversation but don’t recall it. Will go look and add it into this post

Edited to add. In FB messenger the word was ‘Operator’. Thanks tassie6 !

 

[melbkate]

Hi all I am looking to travel RJ to Europe from BKK and getting to BKK from MEL on JQ 2 pax in J.

When I put all flights together in one booking (I know JQ is not part of OWA) taxes and points come to $3663 and 594200 pts

When I do it as two separate bookings I get a total of $1696 RJ + $761 JQ = $2457 same points roughly (Even $2457 seems a lot for taxes but maybe that is RJ)

I'd rather book it in one booking as then the RJ seats are paid for in AUD not Thai Baht and being checked through.

Can anyone see any red flags booking it in two bookings and paying for one of those in Baht as it saves about $1000 for some reason.

 

[Mr H]

Can anyone see any red flags booking it in two bookings and paying for one of those in Baht as it saves about $1000 for some reason.

The red flag is that if the first flight is changed or delayed, your second flight will not adjust to accommodate it.

 

[melbkate]

The red flag is that if the first flight is changed or delayed, your second flight will not adjust to accommodate it.

Of course yes thank you.. do you have any notion as to why the fees are so much higher on the single booking?

 

[pyramidforce]

Go to manage booking at RJ (on website, I think better than app), scroll down to 'Travellers' and you can see ticket number against each person. When you click on it it gives the date issued aswell, if no e-ticket you wont see anything there under your FF number

View attachment 337498

I have an eticket number, date is the original date though in January. Time to call or all good?

 

[tassie6]

I have an eticket number, date is the original date though in January. Time to call or all good?

What was the flight time change? Like 5mins or 5 hours

 

[Ktan89]

Yeah I edited the previous snippet, is this the e-ticket you're eluding to below? Redacted personal info.


View attachment 337007

Looking at this again, I don't think you had a valid eticket because the issue date is in the past. A change like this will need a ticket reissue and the date would say XX July 2023.
The ticket no. Would be different too but only you can check this.

Qantas might still be trying to sort out your itinerary in the back end.
I agree with Mr H. They can easily say it was a mistake and offer you to cancel the ticket or increase in points, etc.

 

[pyramidforce]

What was the flight time change? Like 5mins or 5 hours

About 1hr 20 minutes I think from memory.

Update: Called anyway, sounded like south africa (?) call centre. Very polite assistant, immediately said that "I see the error" and put me on hold. Said that he fixed it and my flight segment was now "HK" - no need to worry, will be ticketed. Wouldn't let me stay on the line though.

Still not ticketed. Assuming he didn't just make the HK thing up, is HK good?

 

[tassie6]

About 1hr 20 minutes I think from memory.

Update: Called anyway, sounded like south africa (?) call centre. Very polite assistant, immediately said that "I see the error" and put me on hold. Said that he fixed it and my flight segment was now "HK" - no need to worry, will be ticketed. Wouldn't let me stay on the line though.

Still not ticketed. Assuming he didn't just make the HK thing up, is HK good?

No idea what HK is ha! I have best success through Facebook messenger. Get through the chat bot by typing ‘operator’ and in the past, about 8-12 hours later a real person responds and can have a fairly quick back and forward. So much easier to write things down and the people on the other end have always seemed more competent than most I get on the phone

The fact you do still have a ticket number on RJ is a good sign, but I would confirm through messenger