Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[lolouni]

Validity issue:

I''ve done this couple of times already but first time after Covid - not sure if something has been changed. IIRC I didn't have issue to make changes without any questions about issuing date.

In my understanding award ticket is valid for 12 months from first flight departs but agents are saying 12 months from initial issuing date. Wasn't lucky enough to get Hobart agent but Manila and Fiji agents says so.

Made a online booking all routed and ticketed back in December 2023, as soon as preferred flight opened. First flight to be flown NOV 2024 and last 2 sector booked for DEC 2024, I wanted to push it further to 2025. Agents are saying it cannot be pushed any further than original issuing date, which is DEC 2024.

I went through QF policy but it says one year from departure date

14.6 Classic Flight Rewards - ticketing​

14.6.1 Classic Flight Rewards will be valid for one year from the original ticketed departure date, unless otherwise specified.


Am I in a wrong side misunderstanding something?

 

[Mr H]

Validity issue:

I''ve done this couple of times already but first time after Covid - not sure if something has been changed. IIRC I didn't have issue to make changes without any questions about issuing date.

In my understanding award ticket is valid for 12 months from first flight departs but agents are saying 12 months from initial issuing date. Wasn't lucky enough to get Hobart agent but Manila and Fiji agents says so.

Made a online booking all routed and ticketed back in December 2023, as soon as preferred flight opened. First flight to be flown NOV 2024 and last 2 sector booked for DEC 2024, I wanted to push it further to 2025. Agents are saying it cannot be pushed any further than original issuing date, which is DEC 2024.

I went through QF policy but it says one year from departure date

14.6 Classic Flight Rewards - ticketing​

14.6.1 Classic Flight Rewards will be valid for one year from the original ticketed departure date, unless otherwise specified.


Am I in a wrong side misunderstanding something?

You are correct, you can add flights that leave up to a year after the original ticketed departure date. That means if you postpone your original flight it does not extend the validity of the ticket. It would be interesting to see what happens if you subsequently as in flights before your original departure date - could you create an itinerary that lasts over 12 months?

 

[lolouni]

You are correct, you can add flights that leave up to a year after the original ticketed departure date. That means if you postpone your original flight it does not extend the validity of the ticket. It would be interesting to see what happens if you subsequently as in flights before your original departure date - could you create an itinerary that lasts over 12 months?

Thank you.

I used to do that for sure - divide 35K miles into 2 trips, having 10month stop over at MEL or somewhere else. Never had an issue with validity due to issuing date, I was able to either add next segment one by one or push it further later dates. 2017/2018, 2019/2020 - at least 2 OWA 35K flown, divided into 2 big trips.


For this instance this is time line and routing:

- Booking completed online in DEC 2023, as per below:

NOV24 KUL-TYO//TYO-ORD//BOS-TYO-SIN
DEC24 SIN-HEL-VIE//MXP-HEL-ICN

- I wanted to push second part of travel to MAR25, so just date change.
Seats are available and agent can see as well.

- While on the phone(...over 3 hours...) new date once appeared in my booking but they couldn't finalize it saying it gives error and it was sent to other end. After lengthy wait it was concluded it is due to issuing date validity issue.

- With all the horror stories losing tickets with attempted changes, obviously I'm scared to lose booking and ticket so didn't push too hard. Unfortunately second attempt came back with same result, I cannot change it to later than DEC24 which is 12 months from initial issuing date.

- I did ask if I change destination and re-issue, it will be valid from new issuing date. Answer was NO, initial issuing date it matters.

I'm debating either I just give up second half of the trip, and keep at least first half or scrap and start all over again. Thing is I already booked location flight(cash) and all for first half, and of course there is no guarantee I will be able to secure first half again if I cancel.


Hope this makes sense - would be grateful if you could give me any tip.

 

[madrooster]

It would be interesting to see what happens if you subsequently as in flights before your original departure date - could you create an itinerary that lasts over 12 months?

No. You would need to adjust the remaining segments accordingly so that everything fits within 12 months. The system will refuse to price the itinerary if you don't.

 

[lolouni]

Thank you.

I used to do that for sure - divide 35K miles into 2 trips, having 10month stop over at MEL or somewhere else. Never had an issue with validity due to issuing date, I was able to either add next segment one by one or push it further later dates. 2017/2018, 2019/2020 - at least 2 OWA 35K flown, divided into 2 big trips.


For this instance this is time line and routing:

- Booking completed online in DEC 2023, as per below:

NOV24 KUL-TYO//TYO-ORD//BOS-TYO-SIN
DEC24 SIN-HEL-VIE//MXP-HEL-ICN

- I wanted to push second part of travel to MAR25, so just date change.
Seats are available and agent can see as well.

- While on the phone(...over 3 hours...) new date once appeared in my booking but they couldn't finalize it saying it gives error and it was sent to other end. After lengthy wait it was concluded it is due to issuing date validity issue.

- With all the horror stories losing tickets with attempted changes, obviously I'm scared to lose booking and ticket so didn't push too hard. Unfortunately second attempt came back with same result, I cannot change it to later than DEC24 which is 12 months from initial issuing date.

- I did ask if I change destination and re-issue, it will be valid from new issuing date. Answer was NO, initial issuing date it matters.

I'm debating either I just give up second half of the trip, and keep at least first half or scrap and start all over again. Thing is I already booked location flight(cash) and all for first half, and of course there is no guarantee I will be able to secure first half again if I cancel.


Hope this makes sense - would be grateful if you could give me any tip.

Leaving a comment for record:

Managed to change dates as I wished, took a while due to payments in different currency but agent didn't understand why issuing date should be a problem at all. Changes were made while I was on the phone and ticket came through few hours later(I call them again and chased it up too). This agent was located at Fiji as well. Happy with the outcome.

HUCA it was indeed.

 

[diversitypair1]

Hi, I have the following questions:

1. Will Platinum see any more availability than Gold in booking award tickets?
2. SCL-DFW is currently available in J for award redemption on AA's site. But this is not available on QF website. Would I be able to book this over the phone?
3. Can I make any changes to the itinerary through the website or must I go through the phone agent? What are the best hours to call for the Hobart centre?

 

[Mr H]

Hi, I have the following questions:

1. Will Platinum see any more availability than Gold in booking award tickets?
2. SCL-DFW is currently available in J for award redemption on AA's site. But this is not available on QF website. Would I be able to book this over the phone?
3. Can I make any changes to the itinerary through the website or must I go through the phone agent? What are the best hours to call for the Hobart centre?

1. yes, in theory seats are released earlier to WP
2. try it and see - but different airlines have different availability
3. you must call to make changes - you will not get Hobart unless you are WP or P1.

 

[RichardMEL]

Noting any priority for WP relates only to QF metal flights - not any other partners.

 

[Cynicor]

pretty sure Hobart happens sporadically for non WP

 

[Mr H]

pretty sure Hobart happens sporadically for non WP

There are stories of it happening but in many dozens of calls over three years it has yet to happen to me.

 

[diversitypair1]

Upon more research, it seems like the J for award redemption for SCL-DFW is not valid for a partner booking. Some Googling has informed me I need actually class U on AA to make this booking but this is unclear since they have retired MileSAAver.

Either way, does anyone know what the rough schedule of release for AA award flights to partners? Or is anyone able to check if class U exists at all on this route on ExpertFlyer?

 

[RichardMEL]

Upon more research, it seems like the J for award redemption for SCL-DFW is not valid for a partner booking. Some Googling has informed me I need actually class U on AA to make this booking but this is unclear since they have retired MileSAAver.

Either way, does anyone know what the rough schedule of release for AA award flights to partners? Or is anyone able to check if class U exists at all on this route on ExpertFlyer?

Going to need to be a bit more specific on dates. I picked a bunch of random dates and saw no U on SCL-DFW or on connection via MIA, but that doesn't mean there never are any. Though looks like AA fly a 788 direct, so not the largest J cabin.

Since LA left OW, South America is not the best for coverage.

Iirc AA release 330 days out, but could be wrong on that.

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

pretty sure Hobart happens sporadically for non WP

Yes, all you have to do is click your heels three times, while riding a unicorn under a rainbow, holding hands with a leprechaun…

 

[levelnine]

Either way, does anyone know what the rough schedule of release for AA award flights to partners? Or is anyone able to check if class U exists at all on this route on ExpertFlyer?

No schedule — it's completely random.

Check on qantas.com. If it's not there, you can't book it.

 

[DC3]

… does anyone know what the rough schedule of release for AA award flights to partners? Or is anyone able to check if class U exists at all on this route on ExpertFlyer?

AA does not always stick to any ‘schedule” for awards release. And with some seasonal routes, the actual route schedules may not be issued until 3 or 4 months out.

 

[Cardinal]

I'm going to call it and say this has been my most frustrating experience with trying to book a Oneworld Award yet.

True, I am after 2 business class tickets so maybe my expectations are perhaps high. But I'm happy to work around Qantas's distinct lack of classic award seat availability in and out of Australia. I can handle eliminating domestic legs from the itinerary in order that the international seats are available. Ridiculous routing in order to get somewhere (anywhere) - that's par for the course.

But gee it's just a real downer (as in soul destroying in a first world problem type of way) when the Qantas call centre tells you they will call you back. You know it's a lie but you so want to believe.

 

[Fifi2207]

I'm going to call it and say this has been my most frustrating experience with trying to book a Oneworld Award yet.

True, I am after 2 business class tickets so maybe my expectations are perhaps high. But I'm happy to work around Qantas's distinct lack of classic award seat availability in and out of Australia. I can handle eliminating domestic legs from the itinerary in order that the international seats are available. Ridiculous routing in order to get somewhere (anywhere) - that's par for the course.

But gee it's just a real downer (as in soul destroying in a first world problem type of way) when the Qantas call centre tells you they will call you back. You know it's a lie but you so want to believe.

 

[Fifi2207]

Keep trying, there is an agent out there who can pull a route together!!

 

[Cardinal]

We're getting closer - just an error message when it comes to calculating taxes.

Let's see if the support team can work out what's going on and I get a phone call back.

Incidentally, has anyone had any experience of with the domestic leg interfering with the availability of international classic award availability. For example, if you search Canberra to Jakarta a business option is not available.

But if search for the two segments separately then business options are available. Nevertheless, when it comes time to book, the call centre saying that the route cannot start from Canberra (even if the seat is economy) - making sense to anyone ?

 

[aikman]

We're getting closer - just an error message when it comes to calculating taxes.

Let's see if the support team can work out what's going on and I get a phone call back.

Incidentally, has anyone had any experience of with the domestic leg interfering with the availability of international classic award availability. For example, if you search Canberra to Jakarta a business option is not available.

But if search for the two segments separately then business options are available. Nevertheless, when it comes time to book, the call centre saying that the route cannot start from Canberra (even if the seat is economy) - making sense to anyone ?

Yes its intentional. If it doesn't show up under a Canberra to Jakarta search then its not bookable. You'll have to book CBR-SYD/MEL on a separate ticket.