Why is One World So Terrible?
May 30, 2012 | 1:10 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 76
Why is One World So Terrible?
I've accumulated 90K miles on my RJ account and have simply let them expire down to now 70K.
Every time I look into a flight, the taxes and fees end up costing me almost as much as buying a flight through Expedia without points. And without blackout dates.
I simply don't understand this flyer program.
Every time I look into a flight, the taxes and fees end up costing me almost as much as buying a flight through Expedia without points. And without blackout dates.
I simply don't understand this flyer program.
May 30, 2012 | 1:58 am
#2
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Stuck on this planet - mainly in STR and LAX
Posts: 5,032
Taxes and fees depend a lot on the airline and the specific program. AA for example charges only minimal fees on their program, also miles don't expire if you have some activity.
Usually the 'value' is in premium class tickets, not just in economy tickets.
Your complaint seems to be more valid for RJ and not for oneworld in general.
Usually the 'value' is in premium class tickets, not just in economy tickets.
Your complaint seems to be more valid for RJ and not for oneworld in general.
May 30, 2012 | 5:41 pm
#5
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QRPC PLT/OW EMD; Bonvoy LT Titanium
Posts: 14,571
Exactly. Find me a deal on any other alliance with a comparable F product which beats 135K miles for roundtrip F North America to SEAsia on CX, never mind the reasonably good availability.
May 30, 2012 | 6:17 pm
#6
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Zurich
Programs: BA GfL, TK*G EL, KL P ELPL, HH DfL, Bonvoy PfL, ex AB P, ex LH/LX Sen, ex BA GGL
Posts: 1,703
May 30, 2012 | 6:50 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: home = LAX
Posts: 26,111
I've accumulated 90K miles on my RJ account and have simply let them expire down to now 70K.
Every time I look into a flight, the taxes and fees end up costing me almost as much as buying a flight through Expedia without points. And without blackout dates.
I simply don't understand this flyer program.
Every time I look into a flight, the taxes and fees end up costing me almost as much as buying a flight through Expedia without points. And without blackout dates.
I simply don't understand this flyer program.
AA's and BA's miles don't expire (as long as you have periodic "activity", which is very easy even without flying). But some other oneworld carriers, like perhaps RJ, have "hard" expiration, meaning if you don't use your miles in time, there is nothing at all you can do to extend their expiration.
Also, depending on where you're located, it may be easier or harder to do travel that doesn't involve those high "YQ" fees. If you're in the America's, it's relatively easy, because AA doesn't charge them. If you're in the Middle East, I'm not sure which carrier you need to redeem on to get from where you are to somewhere who wouldn't have those high "YQ" fees. (Hint: Do not redeem on BA, at the very least!)
May 31, 2012 | 11:21 am
#8
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: ORF
Posts: 1,741
OW is by far the most effective use of miles of any I have found because of these opportunities.
Jun 1, 2012 | 1:09 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: AA Lifetime PLT , BA Silver , BD RIP , HH Gold, SPG / Marriott PLT , EF Subscriber
Posts: 6,733
BECAUSE..As every forum will tell you Airline Miles are not Good Value for Economy Class Travel. I love it when a Banker Complains about Poor Value.
Jun 5, 2012 | 7:10 pm
#10
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Miami 7-Million Miler EXP
Posts: 829
Avoid BA on Award Travel
For example, AMM-JFK/ORD-MIA is much cheaper than AMM-LHR-MIA.
Jun 5, 2012 | 8:25 pm
#11
Moderator, OneWorld
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: SEA
Programs: RAA RIP; AA ExEXP
Posts: 12,521
Note the UK Air Passenger Duty (APD) is only charged if you stop over (24h+) or originate in the UK; sub-24h transits are exempt if the flights are on the same ticket. BA fuel fines are another story...
Jun 5, 2012 | 10:27 pm
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 4,861
AMM -> LHR (RJ) -> MIA (AA)
Jordan Embarkation Tax (HQ) $42.30
Jordan Passenger Terminal Use Fee (NH) $8.50
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
United Kingdom Passenger Service Charge (UB) $39.80
TOTAL: $108.10
AMM -> JFK (RJ) -> MIA (AA)
Jordan Embarkation Tax (HQ) $42.30
Jordan Passenger Terminal Use Fee (NH) $8.50
USDA APHIS Fee (XA) $5.00
US Immigration Fee (XY) $7.00
US Customs Fee (YC) $5.50
US September 11th Security Fee (AY) $2.50
TOTAL: $70.80