RTW flights using Qantas or One World

[kezzie]

I'm trying to find out how may points are needed for a Round the world Flight. Dep Sydney - Definite stops are Helsinki, one other Western or Central Europe, Mainland US ( either NY or LA) and Honululu.

It's ages since I looked this up and I know the rules have changed. Is it still the case that it's "cheaper" points wise to use one world partners rather than qantas? are stopover/transit rules the same.

Has anyone here done a similar route recently?
Thanks
k

 

[JohnK]

One possible routing would be to fly QF to Singapore or Bangkok, Finnair to Helsinki, either Finnair or BA to London, AA to New York/Los Angeles, AA to Honolulu and QF back to Sydney. This example routing SYD-SIN-HEL-LHR-JFK-LAX-HNL-SYD and a total of 24,368 miles.

You couldn't achieve the places you mentioned with just QF.

Because of the QFF changes post may 25, 2005 this then becomes a series of one-way flights. It would fit into a zone10 one world award for 142,500 points as long as you fly QF and 2 other 1world carriers. Should not be too hard with the itinerary mentioned above to fly QF, Finnair, BA and AA.

You have upto 35,000 miles to play with so nothing stopping you visiting central Europe from Helsinki or London.

More info on 1world award table here.

 

[kezzie]

So it's 142.500 for a RTW using one world? I thought it was a lot less than that. THanks for reply, obviously I still need to do some checking on best way to do it.
Is there a flat points cost for a RTW just using qantas?

 

[JohnK]

There is no QF only RTW award. The QF award in zone 10 is maximum of 15,000 miles and is 64,000 points but this is basically only for point to point flights with no stopover. Could not be done with your proposed routing as you are asking for 3 or 4 stopovers which will end up being separate segments each treated separately when calculating QFF points required.

Your best bet is what I have proposed unless you revise your itinerary radically so that it is not a RTW but a rather a return award to Europe and even then you are up for minimum of 128,000 points return with QF.

You need zone 10 1world partner award if you want to go RTW. The simplest RTW I can think of is SYD-BKK-LHR-LAX-SYD and this is 23,563 miles. If you do decide on RTW then I would suggest maximising the miles and stopovers as you have up to 35,000 miles up your sleeve.

 

[kezzie]

OK thanks I hadn't realised the changes had that big an effect. So there's no problem with number of stopovers in that case is there?
Given that you can't book One World on line do you still get charged the assisted booking fee?
Thanks for all your help
K

 

[JohnK]

OK thanks I hadn't realised the changes had that big an effect. So there's no problem with number of stopovers in that case is there?

I have a feeling there is no limit on stopovers as long as you are under the 35,000 maximum miles permitted, just that you may be slugged more in taxes and charges. But I have heard people discussing 5 stopovers in the past. Maybe it is unrelated. Hope someone can clarify this for you.

Given that you can't book One World on line do you still get charged the assisted booking fee?

Assisted Award booking fee included.

Thanks for all your help
K

You are welcome

 

[drron]

My upcoming oneworld rtw award booked with qantas points has a 5 stopover limit but it was booked just prior to may 25th.