Thanks for the news and link. Maybe now we'll get a respite from all the "the sky is falling" posts about this subject.

The rules for segments have changed!
 

Hello all,

Am trying to book a LONE6.
My current itinerary is as follows:
syd-ayq, ayq-syd, syd-lax, sjo-mia, mia-aua, aua-jfk, jfk-gig, scl-ipc, ipc-scl, lim-mad, bcn-cai, lgw(lhr?)-rek, rek-lgw(lhr?), lhr-nbo, jnb-mru, mru-jnb, jnb-hkg, hkg-pek, pek-nrt, kix-cns.

However, the travel agent I'm working with in Sydney just emailed saying:

"******Sorry for the short notice********** but this airfare is changing it fare rules at the end of business tomorrow - Friday (Aust time) From Saturdsy the travel between your flights will be considered also as a segment therefore increasing segments - the only way to avoid this is to have the fare ticketed and paid for in full by the end of tomorrow."

Is this true?

Perhaps related to this (timing is about right)?

If surface segments count in the limit of 20, a further worsening of xONEx relative to xRWSTARx. :(

There has been some discussion ([insert link]) that move to 100% e-tickets may force surface segments to be included in the maximum segments (currently worded as flights) rule.

I see nothing on cxagents.com.

But if what you say is true then surely the rule is going to change to "16 segments including surface segments" since that seems to be the limit of the somewhat archaic software that the OneWorld alliance uses (not just "20 segments including surface segments").

If that happens without a round of significant fare reductions then IMO these tickets become pretty much useless for leisure travel.

:eek: :mad:

Just noticed this line in the fare rules from expertflyer:
EDITED TO ADD - Noticed it only when I specified 'QF' as the carrier for the fare search; nothing comes up when I look at the fare rules when entering 'CX' or 'AA.'

Right, and nothing on the Sabre star file re any change. Won't surprise me, though.

Ouch :(

So I guess the next upset will come with OWE transfers between say, JFK and LGA, which on some cases is already considered a segment (for other tickets), will now count for the 20, stupid as it may sound.

Umm. But they will count as from monday though won't they. Even though they are in the same city, there is a need for a void sector which I would believe would count as a segment

Dave

Yes, that's what I meant (there was a typo in my post, now edited): that as from monday I fear same city transfers will count as part of the 20 segments which, if true, will be a significant negative.

Ugh. Any idea if this rule will apply when making routing changes to an existing ticket?

Probably.

The rules for the whole period of validity of the ticket are usually those existing at the time of first issue, but I guess it depends on the interpretation of the slash:

"EFFECTIVE FOR SALES/TRAVEL 01JUL07 ..."

[redundant to the above replies]

It is perfectly possible to make coupons out to NYC (certainly if open, not sure if on a specific flight), so there is probably a way round the same city problem. But surely that is just a small aspect of the overall devaluation if this comes to pass?