AONE4 review
 

Hi

Having followed these forums for a little while now I am somewhat comfortable creating my own OWE but I'd appreciate it if anyone could offer any hints or tips.

Proposed AONE4 travel is:

SYD-LHR-DXB-xLHR-YVR-JFK-DFW-ORD-LAX-DFW-JFK-HKG-ICN-xHKG-NRT-SIN-SYD (x denotes transit <24h).

The first 8 segments would occur September 2010, and the final 8 segments August 2011.

All segments offer A (assuming I am flexible on some of the days) although as is reportedly very common, JAL is only offering D on their 3 class aircraft at this stage.

I have calculated this trip at 2500 SCs, so with a 10 month gap after LAX (award flights to/from) and some local travel around this trip I will qualify and requalify for WP in two consecutive years.

My biggest concerns right now are:

1. The problems I may face ticketing with AA if any problems arise and when I leave half the segments OPEN (back end systems integration with other OW carriers)
2. The lack of A availability with JAL
3. The lack of certainty for A routes within Asia seeing as CX seems to be stripping anything containing the letter A within Asia recently.
4. QF A380 availability
5. The NZ dollar is still hovering at a point where it makes sense to originate in NZ, but everytime I ring AA BNE (or NZ) to price one they refuse to give me pricing originating in NZ due to OW rules. Whenever I try to use the RTW booking tool originating in NZ with an AA codeshare for a AKL-SYD flight it tells me it must be the local carrier and only allows a QF flight number. Afaik I cannot use the online booking tool to avoid YQ with QF either.


Cheers

I'd say looks like a great trip, except why waste all those segments around the USA, especially the double DFWs, unless I guess you really want to spend all that time in Dallas? Why not hit direct LAX-JFK, as well as JFK-ORD. Does YVR-JFK count as a transcon, even if international?

Well, I'd say reroute the USA part and maybe see some other beautiful cities--ANC, SEA, and all of Maine in August are beautiful. BOS and the rest of New England are great in Sept. Or use some of those segments around the rest of the world. Been to BKK? Maybe I'm just bored of the good ol' USofA :)

PS. There's no lying, I'm jealous of your adventure!

You should endeavour to create the booking via the AA ATW desk (+1 800 247 3247) ; tell them you wish to ticket in NZ.

Once you have the booking reference, call the AA NZ number (+64 9912 8814) to complete the booking (Try not to let on you don't live in NZ).

Also, try using the one-world booking tool with an AA codeshare flight transpacific.

Yes.

Nice trip. My question would be where you actually want to go to and what other goals you have with this trip (other than renewing WP in two consecutive years).

If you would start in NZ, then you will "waste" 2 segments compared to starting in Australia so you have to see whether this is worth it or not.

If destinations are flexible, why not swap DXB for MCT? More Points, more SCs, more F Experience and a very nice place to visit. Just the airport there is a let down.

3. Nothing you can do about it given how far ahead you are flying. Even longhaul routes are not immune to dropping F. At least your final 8 flights (with open or dummy dates) are routes that are unlikely to be dropped altogether so you aren't too exposed to messy rerouting issues (except voluntarily, eg to try to get back into first if a flight drops it).

5. You can book LA flight AKL-SYD (assuming you are travelling on a day that operates) to avoid QF ticketing when using the OW tool. Note you must use the one on the OW website - the link on QF website forces QF ticketing no matter what airline operates the first leg. However, if you use that tool then you cannot have open dates and will need to select dummy dates for everything, and later change them.

Thanks for the feedback guys. In response to your questions:

Awpeters: I've already done Seattle, can't think of anything worse than a 8 hour 757 red eye special to ANC return, and doing DFW for the NHRA Drag racing on the first half. Second half in DFW is purely a zone 3 earner (other intermediary stops like ORD do not earn as much when considered in full to JFK). Thanks for your suggestions anyway.

Serfty: I considered the option you raise however I've read numerous reports here that state the AA NZ number simply diverts to AA BNE. When I quizzed them about doing this last time that told me that they can see that you are calling from an AUS number and then deny your NZ origination. Even mobiles will identify your origin within their system apparently.

I tried to use the online RTW booking tool but for some reason it won't let me chose the AA codeshare for the AKL-SYD flight; not sure if this is a region/locale issue or something to do with first flight? Anyone been able to do this successfully?

Downunderflyer: The citiies I have listed are places I do actually want to go to. I did some research on the likes of MCT, ANC etc all for a few extra SCs but decided that they weren't worth it.

WRT wasting 2 segments, I think its really only 1 segment (AKL-SYD in D). The other downside to originating NZ is that CX only offers D from HKG to AKL which means fewer SCs. All up, if I originate from NZ I can save approximately $1000 but I get 100 SCs fewer. At local domestic earn rates thats about on par, so for the sake of convenience I am almost prepared to pay QF the YQ (even though it erks me).

Kiwi Flyer: As far as I know LA also charges the YQ component? In which case there's no advantage over booking with QF. I'm also weary of booking with LA based on the experiences described by others on this forum when trying to get help or change things with LA.

Thanks all.

LA - no/minimal fuel surcharge in my experience. They can be difficult to deal with for ticket changes.

Can you do SYD-LHR legally? I'm based in the UK and I quite fancied a 3 continent round-the-world ticket incorporating Australia and the USA (as well as Europe) but thought that the stopover in BKK/SIN (or HKG) automatically added Asia.

It does. You can't do SWP without it being at least 4 continents.

Gold_Member's interary is an AONE4. Cannot do xONE3 from SWP

Even when you fly North America to India direct it still counts Europe as a continent. :td:

A couple of points...

I'm no expert in QFF sector credits, but isn't 3600 miles a break point? If so, then you might consider LHR-MCT-LHR (3629 each way) v. LHR-DXB-LHR (3421). The MCT turnaround is easy, and connects to virtually all TATL flights on the return. I haven't been landside at MCT (due to Israeli passport stamps) but I understand it's a very attractive stopover.

Also if the first segments are being done before September, you might consider adding ANC (service from both ORD and DFW) for a couple of long A class non-transcons in N. America. You might have to switch your HKG departure to the west coast (SFO, YVR, LAX) but it won't make much difference in SC calculations AFAIK.

Oops - edited to add... you don't want ANC. Fair enough. However it's not 8 hrs, it's more like 6 1/2. Note too that by next summer the refurb of the AA 757 domestic fleet (new seats, more FC space) will likely be done or close to it.

Actually Alaska is a pretty good option especially if you are into nature and enjoy cruises. Do some Halibut or Salmon fishing, after your fishing trip they prepare your catch, flash freeze it and ship it back home. You can avoid the 757 red eye return by doing a cruise from ANC to YVR (yes, it burns a segment of your 16). I am doing this on my AONE3. Generally I am not a big cruise person, but Alaska is the exception to that rule as the ships go to places you otherwise could not get to.

Anyway instead of yoru original itinerary shown below:
Do the following which adds ANC and reorganizes your trip to go to LAX first and YVR in conjunction with your cruise from Alaska. It also adds AUA (Aruba) or BGI (Barbados) in D ex-JFK and removes ORD. If you still want to go to ORD you can get an inexpensive JFK-ORD return:
Note: My reference to flash freezing your catch and shipping it home only applies to US mailing addresses. Due to customs regulations they cannot ship elsewhere. [edited 10/16/2009]

Gardyloo: I reviewed MCT for that very reason but I found it it to be pretty dull, offered very few really nice hotels and it looked like a third world country with nothing to do. DXB on the other hand...

I realise there's a good chance of 757L to ANC by September next year but for the possibility that I might get one of the old ones I'm not so keen.

Aaupgrade: ANC doesn't really interest me having just recently done a 8 day Inside Passage cruise through Alaska from Seattle. The hotels look disgusting in ANC as well.

A friend of mine went to AUA recently (via a YUP/KUP SC run that I organised for him from SFO). Said he would never go back again, reckons it was a dump. BGI is certainly worth my while visiting but thats the sort of place I'd go to on a YUP/KUP fare from the West coast. On a OWE it also only racks up D SCs and old 757s again.

The reason for ORD was partly because I would like to go there for a couple of days, but also because the connecting flight to DFW is a 777 (Int'l config with F suite).

Cheers

http://www.shangri-la.com/en/propert...aljissahresort

http://www.ghmhotels.com/

There is so much to do in Oman I wouldn't know where to start. Personally, I chose MCT over DXB almost every time.

QF does (did?) not allow A bookings on the A380. Only R and F. I have been refused on board twice, even as a OW Emerald. Could have changed by now. Last refusal was in January...

Some people have been lucky but unless you are confirmed I would not expect it.

QF does have A class on A380 (unlike SQ). So just a matter of finding availability (granted may not be easy).

There have been people here finding A class ever since the QF A380 started. However most recently A class has been available in larger quantities than dioxin molecules in baby shampoos so people were actually able to book.

There is still plenty of A class on flights 1-2 weeks out.

I'm not really into the cultural/historic stuff which MCT seemed to offer a lot of. Call me shallow and superficial but DXB looks great for 2-3 days.

I don't expect to secure A380 A availability 11 months out, so will place a firm booking in for one of the numerous flights that depart SYD-LHR in the afternoon and standby on the A380 flight. Having recently experienced QF 744 First Cabin for the first time a few weeks ago, it was nice but below my expectations for a 'premium product'. Maybe the EK First suite ruined it for me.

OT but I'm actually tempted to go with BA for their First product on the 777... any thoughts?

OT but I'm actually tempted to go with BA for their First product on the 777... any thoughts?

Yes - Don't.

THe 777 F is fine in itself, but the 744 I think is much better, simply because of the less through traffic from FA. It makes it much more private and less like a very expensive corridor with beds which is the feeling I sometimes get on the 777.

Having done many test ex AKL routings over the last few weeks, the on-line tool will only permit the "operating" carrier on flights from AKL to Oz - i.e. QF or LA numbers only.

AA codeshare on QF metal AKL-LAX is fine.

Don't book a transit unless you are very, very sure it will never turn into a >24hr stop. This would lead to a reissue at $125.
Change DXB to MCT. DXB is boring as hell.
Don't count on the A380 too much.
Have fun and don't stress too much!

I have a proposed transit throught DFW purely as a means of maximising SCs from West to East Coast. Are you saying that even if its not my fault (the carrier delays a flight), that I will still be up for a reissue?

Please tell me what MCT has to offer over DXB (given that I am not even slightly interested in Middle Eastern history nor culture) ?

A380 is a bonus on the day of departure if standby is confirmed.

Not stressing, jsut trying to be very thorough with my planning and research so that I can minimise risk of problems etc.

You might still be up for a re-issue but you won't have to pay for it if it is the carriers fault.

I think you have made it quite clear that you don't want to go to MCT.

Good luck with the A380.

If you are not interested in ME culture you should not go there... But since you decided to anyways, you picked the Costa del Allah. If that is your thing, that is your thing. Why see the world if you can be safe in your hotel compound, right?

MCT has far more to offer. Not only in sights (nature and otherwise) but also in authenticity, although I doubt you are much persuaded by the latter. If you are desperately worried that you will be exposed to something new you can hide away at Shangri La's Barr Al Jissah Resort. No worries, you can pretend you are anywhere.

If the OP doesn't want to go to MCT he doesn't want to.

No need to resort to this kind of post. Bad form. :td:

Yeah, and you can't even go downhill skiing in MCT anyway. :D

I merely answered his question

Albeit it with a hint of sarcasm. Lets not be overly sensitive, shall we?

One of the bigger shortcomings indeed. :D

Bravo, idiot. Albeit with a hint of sarcasm.

Ah well, your sarcasm (although it is not really sarcasm but I won't try to explain) is ad hominem. I was merely mocking the fact that someone wants to go to a place he has no interest in. For all I know the OP is the nicest and smartest guy in the world who makes a very funny statement worthy of some good humoured banter.

Besides, since when where you appointed defender on this forum (assuming the OP actually feels he requires defending)?

I think you might like to check who the OP is.

Hahaha!

Well in that case, Gold_Member, I hope you by now see I was merely reacting to your funny statement and not trying to put you down in any way. Still think you would like MCT better and it might even get you the slightest bit interested in ME culture... ;)

Still believe it was not needed to insult me though.

For what's it's worth, Puerto Rico is spectacular. Vieques and Culebra have some of the most beautiful beaches you'll find outside of Australia, and the mountainous jungles in the interior are great. I'd probably do a quick 4-5 day trip from JFK instead of ORD. Sure, it's no 777 and fewer SC's but c'mon, this is life experiences we're talkin bout.

As for this...
^^^^ haha... spot on. My, we're all getting thin skin on this site these days aren't we. Sheesh. Dubai is a bore. Go there if Singapore is your idea of a really fun city. If Bangkok or Saigon is more your kinda thing, then go to MCT. Ya can't know if you like it 'til ya try it.

I've booked/confirmed my AONE4 as originally posted and wanted to thanks everyone who helped. But most importantly, my sample bookings revealed that QF A380 A inventory (SYD-LHR) was plentiful for all of the dates I looked at in early to mid September 2010. So for those of you wondering, there is hope after all!

Interestingly enough, of the 14 suites available in First on A380, and with 11 months until departure, there were already 6 seats taken! This far out, I have to assume they are award and discounted first (A) opportunists like myself.