3 Oneworld FFP questions
 

Hi
I am about to buy my Oneworld global ticket but have a couple of questions.
1) My trip goes via Europe - North America - South America - SWP - Asia - Europe.
I intend to get a return from Easter Island to Papeete on LAN Chile outside the Oneworld ticket. Will the miles that I have booked in advance, but not travelled (in SWP, Asia and Europe) be redeemable in getting a free ticket?
2) If I decide to stay in SWP for over the 1 year max, does this affect my FFP miles that I paid for but didn’t use? i.e. could I plan out an elaborate mileage guzzling route that I don’t actually take and use the earned miles in future?
3) Do I need to be a member of the BA FFP before buying my ticket?
Thanks

No, No, and No. In that order. If they allowed you to take out miles, what happens if you decide not to collect them? You actually have to fly to collect miles, otherwise you are essentially buying miles. And you generally have to only be a member of a program before you fly the trip not before you buy the ticket. Some will let you become a member after you make the trip, but don't count on their generosity.

If you are not a BA FFP member (or have few miles) you may wish to consider joining the AA or QF frequent flyer program’s instead of BA. You could get substantially more benefits / rewards

Thanks for the info/tips.
As you can probably tell I am new to all this, but where can I find out about seat classes? I have noticed them mentioned in threads but cant find a board that explains them?

Go to the airline websites and they have excellent info on different classes.

OW Explorers is in M class
This web site Seat Maps and Availabilty is good

Beware that if you are travelling in economy (M) the advice about AA above does not apply - that is not a full mileage earning class for AA. In Economy QF would probably be best. In business or first, either AA or QF.