Oneworld booking and pricing experiences
#3601




Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New York City + Vail, CO
Programs: American Airlines Executive Platinum, Marriott Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 4,287
I just ticketed my first DONE4. Kind of exciting.
Quick review of my experience with the AA RTW desk.
My initial booking call was quick and efficient, the agent put things on hold, and sent to the rate desk.
Around a day later, I got an email that it was approved, and I saw pricing. So I called back. Unfortunately this call actually took slightly longer than the other call. Mostly just me sitting on hold for long periods. I didn't realize they had to charge it in my home and credit card's currency USD, but I guess that's normal for RTW...
Somewhat annoyed with how long this took to simply pay for it. But based on past experience with AA, though not specifically the RTW desk, agents vary, and they do often have to contact other desks to get support. I guess that's just how it goes.
Thanks for the useful information here. Looking forward to my trip!
Quick review of my experience with the AA RTW desk.
My initial booking call was quick and efficient, the agent put things on hold, and sent to the rate desk.
Around a day later, I got an email that it was approved, and I saw pricing. So I called back. Unfortunately this call actually took slightly longer than the other call. Mostly just me sitting on hold for long periods. I didn't realize they had to charge it in my home and credit card's currency USD, but I guess that's normal for RTW...
Somewhat annoyed with how long this took to simply pay for it. But based on past experience with AA, though not specifically the RTW desk, agents vary, and they do often have to contact other desks to get support. I guess that's just how it goes.
Thanks for the useful information here. Looking forward to my trip!
#3602
Join Date: Jun 2024
Location: London
Programs: BAEC GGL; FB PLAT
Posts: 35
I just ticketed my first DONE4. Kind of exciting.
Quick review of my experience with the AA RTW desk.
My initial booking call was quick and efficient, the agent put things on hold, and sent to the rate desk.
Around a day later, I got an email that it was approved, and I saw pricing. So I called back. Unfortunately this call actually took slightly longer than the other call. Mostly just me sitting on hold for long periods. I didn't realize they had to charge it in my home and credit card's currency USD, but I guess that's normal for RTW...
Somewhat annoyed with how long this took to simply pay for it. But based on past experience with AA, though not specifically the RTW desk, agents vary, and they do often have to contact other desks to get support. I guess that's just how it goes.
Thanks for the useful information here. Looking forward to my trip!
Quick review of my experience with the AA RTW desk.
My initial booking call was quick and efficient, the agent put things on hold, and sent to the rate desk.
Around a day later, I got an email that it was approved, and I saw pricing. So I called back. Unfortunately this call actually took slightly longer than the other call. Mostly just me sitting on hold for long periods. I didn't realize they had to charge it in my home and credit card's currency USD, but I guess that's normal for RTW...
Somewhat annoyed with how long this took to simply pay for it. But based on past experience with AA, though not specifically the RTW desk, agents vary, and they do often have to contact other desks to get support. I guess that's just how it goes.
Thanks for the useful information here. Looking forward to my trip!
#3603


Join Date: Apr 2007
Programs: QF, AC, Hyatt, Hilton
Posts: 4,266
Very few people want AA codes anyway. It's been a while since I've ran numbers but I think it's only advantageous for people crediting to QR and AY. Everyone else, including AAdvantage earners should be trying to code elsewhere where possible. It's quite easy on international and even domestic connecting to or from international. QR, AY, and / or JL codes are readily available now within the US, to parts of the Caribbean, and JL codes to Brazil.
#3604




Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 9,143
Around a day later, I got an email that it was approved, and I saw pricing. So I called back. Unfortunately this call actually took slightly longer than the other call. Mostly just me sitting on hold for long periods. I didn't realize they had to charge it in my home and credit card's currency USD
#3605




Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: MKE
Programs: Fly: AA 1MM EXP 1MM UA Gold MM Stay: Hyatt Globalist, Marriott LT Plat Drive: National Exec, Avis PC
Posts: 807
While on hold I found other posts in this thread that mention charges in USD for people with US credit cards. Surprised but no big deal. My card has no FX fees.
#3606




Join Date: May 2022
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Silver, DL Gold
Posts: 21
I eventually booked a DONE4 ticket directly on the OW site, so ticketed via Qantas, as it was not overly complicated. Then came recent events and my QR flights from OSL to DPS via LHR and DOH were cancelled. I was rebooked on an impossible connection, where the LHR-DOH flight departed before the OSL-LHR flight that was supposed to precede it.
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
#3607
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,649
I eventually booked a DONE4 ticket directly on the OW site, so ticketed via Qantas, as it was not overly complicated. Then came recent events and my QR flights from OSL to DPS via LHR and DOH were cancelled. I was rebooked on an impossible connection, where the LHR-DOH flight departed before the OSL-LHR flight that was supposed to precede it.
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
#3608
FlyerTalk Evangelist


Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: MEL CHC
Posts: 22,953
I eventually booked a DONE4 ticket directly on the OW site, so ticketed via Qantas, as it was not overly complicated. Then came recent events and my QR flights from OSL to DPS via LHR and DOH were canceled. I was rebooked on an impossible connection, where the LHR-DOH flight departed before the OSL-LHR flight that was supposed to precede it.
<snip
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As post above your problem is self inflicted.
#3609




Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 9,143
I eventually booked a DONE4 ticket directly on the OW site, so ticketed via Qantas, as it was not overly complicated. Then came recent events and my QR flights from OSL to DPS via LHR and DOH were cancelled. I was rebooked on an impossible connection, where the LHR-DOH flight departed before the OSL-LHR flight that was supposed to precede it.
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
Unfortunately, there's not much you can do other than book alternate flights or keep those segments open and hope your desired flights become available closer to departure.
#3610




Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 9,143
#3611




Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: London, UK
Programs: AY Platinum (BA refugee), AA liftime gold
Posts: 692
I eventually booked a DONE4 ticket directly on the OW site, so ticketed via Qantas, as it was not overly complicated. Then came recent events and my QR flights from OSL to DPS via LHR and DOH were cancelled. I was rebooked on an impossible connection, where the LHR-DOH flight departed before the OSL-LHR flight that was supposed to precede it.
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
I called Qantas to rebook, keeping the original OSL-LHR, and then asking the agent to book me LHR-HKG and then from HKG-DPS the following day, with an overnight in Hong Kong. He was knowledgeable enough, but told me that there was no D class availability for most of that day's LHR-HKG flights, including the one I wanted to travel on that matched up with the BA783 from OSL landing at 18:30. However, all that day's LHR-HKG flights have D class as per ExpertFlyer, and I'm also able to price up my desired itinerary just fine on the Oneworld tool today.
Is there any trick to requesting the flights to get him to see the same availability? Perhaps asking him to search for OSL-xLHR-HKG, and then a separate HKG-DPS? Or any other recommendations?
#3612




Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold, Former UA 1K
Posts: 6,368
Just adding a new bullet point, helped a close friend book a new ex-TYO DONE6. Plated on QR stock, $8440 plus agent fee.
HND-DFW(JL)-GRU(JL code AA)-DFW(JL Code AA)-PUJ(AA)-JFK(QR Code AA)-DOH(QR)-CPH(QR)-DOH(QR)-DUB(QR)-DOH(QR)-CPT(QR)-DOH(QR)-AKL(QR)-SYD(QF)-SIN(AY code BA)-HND(JL)
It's an expensive one because DONE6, but he really wanted South America, South Africa, and Oceana. And at the end of the day, it's cheaper than the plan he initially approached me with which was only Asia and Oceana. I love RTWs for this.
He'll get in the vicinity of 180-190k AA miles and LPs from this ticket since only one short segment is AA coded, all others except the AKL-SYD are high earners. (He's starting from only 2k AA LP's but is using the Citi card currently to generate some before the trip) It's not 100% optimized for miles but he wanted a combination of high earnings plus going to some of his bucket list destinations, so is a very pleased man. I'm helping him with some side trips on stopovers now so that will put him well over the 200k for AA EXP even without the card spend. Welcome another AA EXP to the ranks!!
(but like me, we're Japan based, so won't take a lot of upgrades away from PPro and below, I end up giving my SWUs to friends more often than not, even converted a very loyal JL friend to AA because of that)
HND-DFW(JL)-GRU(JL code AA)-DFW(JL Code AA)-PUJ(AA)-JFK(QR Code AA)-DOH(QR)-CPH(QR)-DOH(QR)-DUB(QR)-DOH(QR)-CPT(QR)-DOH(QR)-AKL(QR)-SYD(QF)-SIN(AY code BA)-HND(JL)
It's an expensive one because DONE6, but he really wanted South America, South Africa, and Oceana. And at the end of the day, it's cheaper than the plan he initially approached me with which was only Asia and Oceana. I love RTWs for this.
He'll get in the vicinity of 180-190k AA miles and LPs from this ticket since only one short segment is AA coded, all others except the AKL-SYD are high earners. (He's starting from only 2k AA LP's but is using the Citi card currently to generate some before the trip) It's not 100% optimized for miles but he wanted a combination of high earnings plus going to some of his bucket list destinations, so is a very pleased man. I'm helping him with some side trips on stopovers now so that will put him well over the 200k for AA EXP even without the card spend. Welcome another AA EXP to the ranks!!
(but like me, we're Japan based, so won't take a lot of upgrades away from PPro and below, I end up giving my SWUs to friends more often than not, even converted a very loyal JL friend to AA because of that)Last edited by dvs7310; May 6, 2026 at 3:01 pm
#3613




Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 9,143
#3614




Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: NRT / HND
Programs: AA EXP, A3 Gold, Former UA 1K
Posts: 6,368
Partially due to poor availability on the DFW route, but also he needed some time in NYC and there weren't any more free segments to go PUJ-DFW-JFK or v.v. if there was a free segment I would have had him go PUJ-JFK-LAX-DOH
#3615


Join Date: Nov 2021
Posts: 158
Want to give a shout out to dutch_122 - not sure if allowed within the rules of this forum? - for helping with the following first time DONE trip that we are part way through, highly recommend him:
We had a bunch of trips for 2026. We are based in NYC, and had a trip to Australia / NZ from Europe before going back to NYC, then some West Coast plans, then a trip to Kenya / Seychelles. Realised that a DONE5 would allow us to string them all together. Managed to avoid a lot of YQ/YR fees by plating on QR and avoiding international BA/IB/AA flight numbers as much as possible (but still had to for various reasons see below)
Route ended up being: OSL - xDOH (QR) - MEL (QR) - CNS (QF) - SYD (QF) - AKL (QF) - JFK (QF) - LAX (AA) - ANC (AS) - ORD (AS) - xLHR (AY on BA) - NBO (BA); SEZ (QR)- xDOH (QR) - LHR (QR) - TOS (BA).
Price ended up being around 8k USD pp IIRC (proactively changed flights to avoid DOH on the way to NBO which bumped up the YQ/YR because of the BA flight LHR-NBO, the total hotel / safari no-show fees in Kenya are an uninsurable 20k, so not taking any risks getting there on QR.)
Plating on AA etc. was around 9k USD. Fully aware other optimisations available, but priority was securing trips in Business to places we wanted to visit, not just minimising the YQ/YR fees.
Learned that sadly even AA are now rejecting the multiple stopovers inside North America, so couldn't stopover in JFK multiple times despite several HUCA attempts etc.
Bizarre new internal rule...
QR are also still learning the DONE rules for sure... lots of fun with them discovering which state Chicago is in (hint: not West Coast or East Coast ones)
Decent Tier Points for anyone still crediting to BA due to the QR/AY segments. Could have optimised for more Tier Points ofc (more AY / QR / JL flights), but not the priority.
We had a bunch of trips for 2026. We are based in NYC, and had a trip to Australia / NZ from Europe before going back to NYC, then some West Coast plans, then a trip to Kenya / Seychelles. Realised that a DONE5 would allow us to string them all together. Managed to avoid a lot of YQ/YR fees by plating on QR and avoiding international BA/IB/AA flight numbers as much as possible (but still had to for various reasons see below)
Route ended up being: OSL - xDOH (QR) - MEL (QR) - CNS (QF) - SYD (QF) - AKL (QF) - JFK (QF) - LAX (AA) - ANC (AS) - ORD (AS) - xLHR (AY on BA) - NBO (BA); SEZ (QR)- xDOH (QR) - LHR (QR) - TOS (BA).
Price ended up being around 8k USD pp IIRC (proactively changed flights to avoid DOH on the way to NBO which bumped up the YQ/YR because of the BA flight LHR-NBO, the total hotel / safari no-show fees in Kenya are an uninsurable 20k, so not taking any risks getting there on QR.)
Plating on AA etc. was around 9k USD. Fully aware other optimisations available, but priority was securing trips in Business to places we wanted to visit, not just minimising the YQ/YR fees.
Learned that sadly even AA are now rejecting the multiple stopovers inside North America, so couldn't stopover in JFK multiple times despite several HUCA attempts etc.
Bizarre new internal rule...
QR are also still learning the DONE rules for sure... lots of fun with them discovering which state Chicago is in (hint: not West Coast or East Coast ones)
Decent Tier Points for anyone still crediting to BA due to the QR/AY segments. Could have optimised for more Tier Points ofc (more AY / QR / JL flights), but not the priority.
Last edited by TKMAXX; May 7, 2026 at 1:46 pm



