Here’s a summary of what happened. Following suggestions, I tried calling the QR office in Hong Kong. The phone number is now an 800 and goes through to Chongqing. The agent there took down the date changes (no route changes) I requested and sent it on to Doha. The answer that came back was “I am sorry to inform you that we are not able to assist with the change as the publish fare not quoted on our system.” I then called the AA rtw desk. The agent there told me to get a release from the issuing travel agent. I was then able to make changes, paying the usual fees calculated by tariffs. Naturally, all depends on the good will of the AA agent.

I'm surprised that you got a QR HKG agent who sent it to QR DOH rather than do it themselves. Do you happen to know which agent you spoke with? I've had Henry handle date changes and reissue the ticket on the spot. The number I've called was +86 23 6037 1210. Has that changed?

I'm also very surprised and happy for you that you got an AA RTW agent who agreed to make the date changes, especially because you probably had to call or email your issuing travel agent and then call AA back. My experience with AA has been that even if the RTW agent agrees to do something, tariff or ticketing usually objects and refuses to issue the ticket, instructing the agent to put back the reservation to match the ticket. Do you know which AA RTW agent you spoke with? And roughly the time of day (I wonder if there might be a time period when one is more likely to get lucky with AA tariff/ticketing)? Also, if you don't mind, roughly how much did AA tariff want you to pay in taxes/fees?

You do understand that +86 is not a Hong Kong number? That's China. HK is +852.

The number I called was (+852) 800-969-848. The agent was Nicole Liu, Lead Customer Service Agent. She speaks fluent English and was very helpful. The 800 number goes through to Chongqing. The number you give above appears to be Chongqing as well.



I don't recall the details, but I probably called in late afternoon. I had to ask the travel agent to insert a release to AA. The changes I requested did go through tariffs, who apparently approved. The total charges for date changes on 11 segments (no route changes) was USD $301. A few days after paying this amount I received a "trip confirmation and receipt" by email from AA.

Just in case anyone needs to call, here's a list of phone numbers:



Tel: 400-994-9991 (China Domestic Reservation)

400-994-9992 (Privilege Club China)

800-969-848 (Hong Kong Reservation)

+852 82288550 (Privilege Club Hong Kong)

+86 23 6037 1210 (International Reservation)

+86 23 6037 1211 (Privilege Club Internation)

I wonder why I got an agent who made the date changes on the phone and manually reissued the ticket, while you got one who sent it to QR DOH?

That's terrific that AA tariff reissued it for you. I wish I could get that kind of luck.

Weird. The rules are no longer downloadable from the OW site...anyone have a recent copy? I wanted to look at the columns and routing rules again to be sure of something. Thanks everyone!

The rules are there, but are not that easy to find.
From the home page -- click on Global Travel -- scroll to the bottom and open the FAQ for "How is my fare calculated". The links to the fare rules for the three OW products are listed

• Oneworld Explorer
• Global Explorer
• Circle Pacific

Yes, they're now hidden fairly well.


Or, just click here. ;)

I had a couple of questions that I wondered if regulars could advise on. I have been looking, perhaps for fun, perhaps for real, about booking a AONEx fare next year, and playing with KHI as the starting point. I've got no concerns about a short visit to Pakistan and this would be taking place over about a month that I would take off work. I live in HKG so KHI isn't too hard to get to.

Routing I am thinking of is:
KHI-DOH-SYD // SYD-DFW // DFW-SCL-IPC // IPC-SCL // SCL-LHR // LHR-HND // HND-HKG // HKG-(CMB or DOH)-KHI
Segments are ok (11): 2 + 1 + 2 + 1+ 1 +1 +1 + 2
Trying a variety of classes/airlines QR J / F + QF F + AA J /LATAM J + BA F + JL F + CX F + QR J or UL J
Sadly I don't think I have anymore segments around Asia to really add in another 5, and my flight from SCL-LHR wouldn't allow me time to get up to NYC. I haven't tried QF F or QR F before, but have done all the others.

I guess I will use the tool to validate the routing, but had a few questions:

• The oneworld tool won't let me book this online saying QR can't be the first segment in a trip. Is it even bookable, or do I need to start with UL (to CMB?) If it is possible, how do I contact QR for this, or can I use a travel agent?
• I am looking to book about a year out (I want to tie my Tokyo flights in to the Olympics, so was thinking to book whilst there are still A seats around. Has anyone had any thoughts of doing this, most of the flights I want are pretty much available except LATAM and AA don't have flights loaded till 330 days I guess. Any particular views on what this means, do I diarise to book now?
• Are there any other rules I've broken
• Any other things you'd suggest I consider if doing a routing like this?

You are violating this rule:
KHI and SYD are in TC3 (which comprises Asia and South-West Pacific)
DOH is in TC2 (which comprises Europe/Middle East and Africa)
So your first two flights (KHI-DOH-SYD) are going TC3-TC2-TC3 and that is not allowed. Same again for your proposed HKG-DOH-KHI at the end

Because your first flight is with QR, you cannot use the on-line booking tool. But you can book:

• with QR as it’s the carrier of the first flight (it will have an office in Hong Kong)
• with AA, since you have a long-haul AA flight (DFW-SCL)
• with any travel agent

Hopefully this is the correct thread.

1. Had a DONE 4 originating from CMB - not yet started.
2. A schedule change occurred resulting in an arrival 7+ hours later mid trip.
3. Called the AA RTW and was advised it qualified for a full refund, canceled the trip and was walked through the online refund request.
4. A week later an email refusing the refund as it is "non refundable".
5. Called the AA RTW desk and they view it as still in "pre-refund status" even though at aa.com shows a denied status.

Before I call back I'd like to be sure if it qualifies for a full refund or, in the worst case scenario, a 5% penalty.

Thanks