According to the award rules, the main limitations on the routing is:

1. 16 segments maximum
2. no more than 1 stopover and 2 connections through the same airport
3. once ticketed, no change allowed in location of any connections nor stopovers.

I am about to ticket (waiting for 330 limit to arrive) some oneworld awards, and if everything comes off as I plan (before seeing what will be available) it will be 14 segments, with one airport at the "use limit" (Sydney), and some destinations with very limited service (like Queenstown, New Zealand).

If there is a mechanical or other delay, missing the rare (often once a week) direct flight, would the airline for the segment with the delay (or the segment missed) have to get me to the destination in a reasonably timely manner even if it would result in violating the limitations due to the irregular ops?

Thanks very much,

Steve