The "issue" is that AA's Sabre can currently only handle 16 segments on a E-Ticket. This is not a problem for CX or those airlines using Amadeus (e.g. QF, BA, LA).

So we go to the lowest common denominator, using that as a "Reason" to limit xONEx's to 16 segments, rather than advising of the simple truth that the oneworld airlines want to increase revenue from these tickets - restricting to 16 segments is an easy way of doing this. :rolleyes:

I have to agree. You can't even have an eticket on the QF codeshare flight between NRT-BNE. I booked a OW Award booking on Wednesday night and was shocked I needed a paper ticket for such a simple routing. (SYD-JFK//LGA-YULx-DFW//DEN-DFW-YUL-ORD-NRT-BNE.

I asked the agent what they were going to do about the IATA deadlines and she said there had been an internal memo that IATA wouldn't meet the deadlines and QF will continue to issue paper tickets.

With QF miles I take it? I ask because the two open jaws caught my attention (AA will not allow it).

Yeah spot on, there was no availability DFW-DEN so we had to open jaw that segment as well.

Crud. *A RTW will also be reducing to 16 sectors (a massive devaluation from the current 24 but I bet prices do not drop to compensate).

This is bad, but not as bad as within oneworld. The reason for this is that Star Alliance is has more airlines therefore more hubs so changes of "dead end" turnarounds are lower.

That very much depends on where you are travelling, and 24 -> 16 is worse than 20 -> 16 IMO.

I think I've read it somewhere here, but I can't find it again... Just to clarify with this reduction to 16 sectors...

I can still purchase a 20-sectors ticket if I ticket it before 1 June.

- Can I have the first flight after 1 June?
- Can I just provide a date/flight for my first flight and leave the rest as 'open'?

Yes and yes.

Yes, but note the restriction applies to the first international flight and all preceding flights.

So what happens if you want to reissue a 20 segment ticket after 1 June? Will they still allow more than 16 segments, or will they only reissue it as an e-ticket with max 16 segments?

The applicable rules for the whole period of validity of the ticket are those in force at the time of initial purchase, so unless the airlines come up with something specific to the contrary you will have the full 20 segments at the start and at all reissues. Provided, of course, we are not talking about a cancellation and new issue before first flight, in which case all bets are off.

What do TC1 etc. refer to in the rules? I couldn't find a definition.

Also, with regard to nielsdc's question and Viajero's response, would it therefore be possible to plan a 20 segment LONE4 ex Australia departing on the first intercontinental flight before 1 June this year, leave all other destinations open and then rebook to, say, the first departure in December 2009? That is, in order to get the 20 segments in, book an open itinerary now for a pre-1 June departure but then change the departure date to much later.

TC 1, 2 & 3 are IATA areas. 1 is North and South America, 2 is Europe Africa and Middle East, 3 is Asia and South Pacific.

No, it is actually better than that. What you have to do is purchase the ticket before June 1. The date of the first flight is irrelevant for the determination of the validity period of the rules. So, you could purchase the ticket in May 08, start your OWE in May 09 and have your 20th flight in May 2010.