Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[ctcuzz]

Hi Everyone,

I need some help clarifying something if you don't mind.
I made a test route for an upcoming trip as follows:
1. ICN -> HKG direct flying Cathay
2. HKG -> SYD direct flying Cathay
3. SYD -> HND direct flying JAL
4. NRT -> HEL -> CDG flying Finnair
5. LHR -> YYZ flying British Airways
6. YYZ -> HKG -> SYD flying Cathay

I used Great Circle Mapper to calculate the miles and found that I am on 38k miles.
However when testing this on the Qantas multi-city booking tool, it appears I am still within the rules and it is charging me only 318k points (business class).

Would anyone happen to know why? Am I missing something or done the calculations incorrectly?

Thanks! Any help is much appreciated.

 

[Captain Halliday]

I’m amazed you can get the multi-city tool to return a result with that routing.

It normally flips out on the third sector.

Sorry, can’t explain it. But I agree it’s too many miles.

 

[DC3]

Would anyone happen to know why? Am I missing something or done the calculations incorrectly?

Maybe issues with the QF tool. Are you taking into account the surface sectors, including mileage returning to ICN (the point of origin)?

Edit: That itinerary will be way over 35,000 miles. Should you try to book it, I would say that it will price out much higher (due to not meeting the rules)

 

[ctcuzz]

Maybe issues with the QF tool. Are you taking into account the surface sectors, including mileage returning to ICN (the point of origin)?

In my link, I included the mileage for the surface sectors as well.
These being:
1. CDG -> LHR
2. SYD -> ICN

Will I run into trouble booking this package if I book a part of it today and another part later.
Not sure if risky or not given the mileage over-run.

 

[DC3]

In my link, I included the mileage for the surface sectors as well.
These being:
1. CDG -> LHR
2. SYD -> ICN

Will I run into trouble booking this package if I book a part of it today and another part later.

I’m unable to view your link by the way. Maybe a problem at my end.

Also, just mentioning that any changes/additions will be by phone through the Call Centre, but you probably are aware of that. And welcome to AFF

 

[Murmal]

If it was me and I'd found available J sectors, for that itinerary, with dates you've already worked out, with the QF multi city tool accepting the flights, with the 318,000 cap registering, I'd book it!
As you and others have said, the mileage exceeds, so perhaps be prepared for a hickup once you get to the pay page. Also, beware of the transfer and stopover limits re SYD, HKG but I expect you've sorted that. If QF accepts the itinerary now within the rules, you avoid any later add ons/changes which the computer might spit out, against your favour. All depends if you can lock in your dates and the itinerary with your planned stopovers now.

 

[ctcuzz]

If it was me and I'd found available J sectors, for that itinerary, with dates you've already worked out, with the QF multi city tool accepting the flights, with the 318,000 cap registering, I'd book it!
As you and others have said, the mileage exceeds, so perhaps be prepared for a hickup once you get to the pay page. Also, beware of the transfer and stopover limits re SYD, HKG but I expect you've sorted that. If QF accepts the itinerary now within the rules, you avoid any later add ons/changes which the computer might spit out, against your favour. All depends if you can lock in your dates and the itinerary with your planned stopovers now.

Yeah... Unfortunately this was only a test for a route that I wanted to do but for different dates (currently unreleased) and will probably need to book them on at least 2 separate occassions as I am concerned for availability of some flights if I wait until the whole itinerary is available for the dates I want.

 

[EestiTiger]

Hi all - I have been a bit absence from this thread this year due to the trauma of finalising my latest OWA booking in January. All is well but it was way harder than usual due to call centre re-ticketing dramas

I know the goalposts have shifted recently and have been poking around in the thread trying to find the answer but I am not having much luck So quick question... These new classic plus flights I can see - are they able to be added to a OWA?

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

Hi all - I have been a bit absence from this thread this year due to the trauma of finalising my latest OWA booking in January. All is well but it was way harder than usual due to call centre re-ticketing dramas

I know the goalposts have shifted recently and have been poking around in the thread trying to find the answer but I am not having much luck So quick question... These new classic plus flights I can see - are they able to be added to a OWA?

I suspect not, unless there is some other overriding rule somewhere.
From the Book of Rules (my emphasis):

14.4.1 A oneworld Classic Flight Reward is a Classic Flight Reward Itinerary that includes travel on at least two oneworld Member Airlines other than Qantas and does not include any travel on any airline that is not a oneworld Member Airline.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Three cheers for the change to the thread title.

@JohnM it is safe to return. Just don’t look at the tags.

 

[djackal79]

Hi all, I'm trying to use the Qantas multi-trip tool to work out some potential routes for a trip to Europe, and Asia. When trying to book flights from Sydney it is either spitting out errors or adding in emirates flights which I don't want. I'm in Canberra and agnostic as to whether I fly out of Canberra or Sydney.

Just wondering if a) is there a trick to ensure emirates flights aren't shown and b) should I be including any layover stops individually, or can I just book the main stops on tour?

 

[sap1l]

a) is there a trick to ensure emirates flights aren't shown

Unfortunately not as far as I know.

b) should I be including any layover stops individually, or can I just book the main stops on tour?

Try the main stops first. If you need some combination of flights where you know there is availability but they aren’t being shown as a connection, then search for the layover separately.

Some airlines won’t let you ticket a flight either with a connection (i.e. you must not transit) or without a connection (i.e. you must transit). In that case you will get an error when you reach the final booking page.

 

[djackal79]

Cheers for the tips. I see it's going to take a bit more prep etc. before I commit to booking...so many combinations to test first...and i'll probs just go economy in the end. biz class looks too hard to find flights IMO

 

[sap1l]

Cheers for the tips. I see it's going to take a bit more prep etc. before I commit to booking...so many combinations to test first...and i'll probs just go economy in the end. biz class looks too hard to find flights IMO

Yeah, it does take a lot of prep and a good knowledge of routes.

Further up in this thread there are a few suggestions on finding & crafting routes if you’re up for some light reading

And in the end, economy is still very good value if you’re ok with it!

 

[djackal79]

Yeah, it does take a lot of prep and a good knowledge of routes.

Further up in this thread there are a few suggestions on finding & crafting routes if you’re up for some light reading

And in the end, economy is still very good value if you’re ok with it!

Yes, I've been monitoring this thread since before I had kids (and the oldest is almost 9) but put on hold the trip for said kids and then the separation (that included me separating from a ton of points). I've been going back slowly and surely through the thread (plus the latest guide is very handy) so hopefully I can work it out.

 

[smellan]

Hi Everyone,
I have searched everywhere to no avail I am planning on booking x3 OWA in Business next yr for the 318k FF points each. However, on some of my test runs I am not coming up with standard rewards BC flights only Classic Plus ones. Does anyone know if these flights can be used in the OWA itenary? I know its very difficult to get one seat let alone 3 and I am across ensuring it meets the guidelines but can't find clarity on the classic plus. thanks in advance, Sarah

 

[smellan]

Classic Plus is not eligible for an OWA itinerary. Its rare to get more than 2 J award seats so assuming it's 2 adults and a child, one adult may need to fly on different flights to find availability.

thanks so much for answering my query I have been looking everywhere! I have found a few flights in my practice runs with 3 seats in BC on classic rewards so fingers crossed. I'm not quitting yet! any suggestions in terms of airlines for getting back into aus- seems availability from back from lax, DFW is non existent. Fiji and NZ are not covered in the OWA. in your experience is it easier to get out of aus to the USA and back in through asia or the other way? we are looking at june/july time ( not 2025 but in 2026) so learning all i can now so i am ready for this time next yr to hop on and book!

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @smellan . The USA outwards and inwards will always be the most difficult portion of any trip. Via HKG or Japan might be worth looking at.

I don't know if its permitted under OWA, but I wonder if starting and finishing in SIN or HKG might be easier. You'd then get a cheap $ fare to and from those places.

 

[Mwenenzi]

...... Fiji and NZ are not covered in the OWA.....

Not sure what you mean by "Fiji and NZ"
Fiji Airways are due to become a full Oneworld member airline some time. Date not published, but may be 2024. That should open up more USA Canada routes for QF "Oneworld award". [BNE SYD CBR MEL ADL - NAN- LAX SFO HNL YVR]
NZ = Air New Zealand. A (limited) QF ff partner and full member of Star Alliance.
AS Alaska Airlines is hoping to take over HA Hawaiian Airlines (not a merger). USA govt decision due 15 Aug 2024. Would expect HA brand to become a OW airline. HA fly to Australia. That should open another USA route/airline for QF "Oneworld award". [SYD - HNL]

 

[Lynda2475]

Ive always found it easier to get tix in and out of USA than in/out LHR via SIN. But then I only every need 1 seat and avoid school holidays. YMMV.