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Problems with Global Explorer and Air Pacific
I spent about half an hour on the phone today trying to price a DGLOB34 including a routing HNL-NAN-BNE. The (very nice and patient, but unfortunately unhelpful) lady on the Switzerland AA call desk kept insisting that I wouldn't be able to travel on a QF/FJ codeshare because "Air Pacific is not one of our affiliates".
However, on the OneWorld Global Explorer homepage, it quite specifically says: "Participating airlines in addition to all oneworld members are: Aer Lingus, Air Pacific and Gulf Air". She also said her "system" was unable to book QF/FJ flights. She said she would ask one of her colleagues to follow it up (as she didn't have web access I couldn't just point her at oneworld.com - and from the sounds of it that wouldn't have helped either). I'm going to call again tomorrow to see if they've managed to figure it out. The routing I am trying to take is [DFW-] HNL-NAN-BNE during the week of 5 October to 10 October. The relevant flights are QF3840 and QF398. Apparently it's quite difficult to get from Hawaii to Australia using OW :(. (My plan B is going HNL-NRT-BNE, with a few days in Tokyo then. But we'd prefer to do the fe days in Tokyo at the end of the trip, as we're flying back to Zurich SYD-NRT-LHR-ZRH (because that's the only suitable availability on BA I can find).) So, is this some sort of limitation within AA, regarding flights on QF/FJ, or is the OneWorld website incorrect and flights on FJ metal are simply a no-go ? |
I'm sure Qantas in Geneva would be happy to oblige (022 567 5161 or 022 906 1212). :D
Alternatively, I just called the AA RTW desk for free via Skype, on +1 800 247 3247. I'm sure they could set it all up for you & then you get AA Switzerland to do the tickets. The link to the OneWorld route map helpfully posted by DownUnderFlyer earlier today readily shows the routes and times from HNL to Oz. |
Originally Posted by satprof
(Post 9965225)
The link to the OneWorld route map helpfully posted by DownUnderFlyer earlier today readily shows the routes and times from HNL to Oz.
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The HNL-SYD flight on the 5th shows good availability in J and C so there is a good chance that a waitlist might clear. And Air Pacific is clearly part of a Global Explorer ticket.
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Originally Posted by DownUnderFlyer
(Post 9970085)
The HNL-SYD flight on the 5th shows good availability in J and C so there is a good chance that a waitlist might clear. And Air Pacific is clearly part of a Global Explorer ticket.
Added to that, there will likely be a post-wedding brunch on the 5th which I'd like to hang around for (which is why the HNL-NAN flight a bit after midnight would be excellent). (Sorry, I'm a bit new at this) When you say there is good availability in J and C (which I can see from Expertflyer as well), does this mean at some point in the future these may be shuffled to D ? Any feeling for the likelihood and timeframe ? The only reason I'm using a Global Explorer instead of Oneworld Explorer is to allow the HNL-NAN-BNE leg, so if it's reasonably likely I could go with a OWE, book it initially in Y for that leg, and wait... Just a little leery of "hoping" it'll happen... |
Originally Posted by drsmithy
(Post 9970828)
(Sorry, I'm a bit new at this) When you say there is good availability in J and C (which I can see from Expertflyer as well), does this mean at some point in the future these may be shuffled to D ? Any feeling for the likelihood and timeframe ? The only reason I'm using a Global Explorer instead of Oneworld Explorer is to allow the HNL-NAN-BNE leg, so if it's reasonably likely I could go with a OWE, book it initially in Y for that leg, and wait... Just a little leery of "hoping" it'll happen...
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Spent another 30 minutes talking to AA again today with no joy. They still insist I can't take a QF/FJ codeshare HNL-NAN-BNE with a Global Explorer.
I'll give Qantas a go tomorrow and see if they can manage it. Even with the higher fuel fines, it's a much nicer routing for us and might be worth it. I might post the question in the 'oneworld4u' sticky as well, in case it really is some special rule that just isn't mentioned on the OW website. |
Originally Posted by drsmithy
(Post 9971708)
Spent another 30 minutes talking to AA again today with no joy. They still insist I can't take a QF/FJ codeshare HNL-NAN-BNE with a Global Explorer.
I'll give Qantas a go tomorrow and see if they can manage it. Even with the higher fuel fines, it's a much nicer routing for us and might be worth it. I might post the question in the 'oneworld4u' sticky as well, in case it really is some special rule that just isn't mentioned on the OW website. You may also ask the AA agent to look into the universal * for GLOBAL EXPLORER for the rules. |
Originally Posted by drsmithy
(Post 9965551)
Oh, there are routes - I know those :D - there's just bugger-all availability in D for HNL-BNE and HNL-SYD :(.
[KVS Availability Tool 3.1.2/Platinum - Sabre: ITN/UK-ASB] Code:
HNL Honolulu Int'l HI US [PHNL] |
Originally Posted by Guy Betsy
(Post 9972176)
Not every route is a QF codeshare with FJ. It is very specific. That could be the problem.
I think the problem is just unfamiliarity with the OWGE ticket (which I couldn't really fault a random callcentre worker too much for - although both of them did claim to have escalated it higher and been told the same thing). You may also ask the AA agent to look into the universal * for GLOBAL EXPLORER for the rules.
Originally Posted by satprof
(Post 9972272)
If it's October 6th, just after midnight, you're talking about, KVS, with a UK POS, is showing possibly just enough D availability (on the QF codeshare) for your needs (or did you want to stop over in Fiji?):
From looking in Expertflyer, there is good availability in D for the HNL-NAN and NAN-BNE flights throughout the week. They were quite specific that their _system_ was unable to book the flights I was asking about and it was nothing to do with availability. At this point I'm considering just booking into QFF Y HNL-SYD and waitlisting in hope for a D. I'll still end up with enough points to get my QFF Platinum and the routing will be much better... (Aside: the inability to transit via the mainland from Hawaii seems to be a notable weakness in the OW RTW tickets. They must just assume that everyone will be going West-to-East. I find it strange you're allowed to transit back through Asia when leaving SWP [to Europe or Africa], but can't do effectively the same thing when leaving NA [to Asia or Australia].) |
Originally Posted by drsmithy
(Post 9972917)
{You may also ask the AA agent to look into the universal * for GLOBAL EXPLORER for the rules.} What's that in english ? :) ** UNIVERSAL STAR ** U STAR ID - GLOBAL EXPLORER 0S GLOBAL EXPLORER 1N . 2N . ** FOR INFORMATION ON THIS FARE PLEASE CALL THE 3N . AROUND THE WORLD DESK AT 1-800-247-3247 ** 4N . My view is that you should get on to the AA RTW desk ASAP. They should be able to set it all up for you, get it priced (in Dublin, I believe) & give you a reference with which to contact AA Switzerland to issue the tickets. They should also be able to confirm the QF/FJ reservations (if the D inventory is still there). If they can't make the reservations, they should advise you how to proceed. This should enable you to take the trip via Fiji as you'd planned. Received wisdom seems to be to (politely) clear the call & try for a different agent if the first agent is poor. (DGLOB34s are not that common, so don't expect someone to know all the rules instantly.) As for the rather limited OneWorld offering via HNL, I'm inclined to agree. I have an AONE5 coming up & avoided a HNL routing because of the lack of First cabins from Oz. |
The latest version of the Global Explorer rules posted by Usermark is 6Nov07 and can be found here.
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You don't need the Sabre Star File, all you need is the rule sheet on the OW Global Explorer page, which sez...
Originally Posted by oneworld.com
I. Travel on any codeshare service operated by AA/AY/BA/CX/EI/FJ/GF/IB/JC/JL/JO/KA/LA/LP/MA/NU/QF/RJ/XL/4M. All other codeshare flights are not permitted with exception of:
QF codeshare services on PX (Air Niugini), TN (Air Tahiti Nui), VN (Air Vietnam), SA (South African Airways), NF (Air Vanuatu), SB (Air Caledonie) and JQ (Jetstar*). *QF Domestic Australia codeshare services operated by JQ (Jetstar) are not permitted for point of sale Australia. EXCEPTION 1 - Travel not permitted on CX flights between Hong Kong and Hanoi. EXCEPTION 2 – Travel not permitted on FJ flights between Christmas Island and Honolulu vv and Christmas Island and Nadi vv. |
Originally Posted by drsmithy
(Post 9964961)
So, is this some sort of limitation within AA, regarding flights on QF/FJ, or is the OneWorld website incorrect and flights on FJ metal are simply a no-go ?
[KVS Availability Tool 3.1.2/Platinum - ZUJ: ZRH-ZRH/AA/DGLOB34/8602 USD] Code:
BUSINESS CLASS AROUND THE WORLD |
I'm booked on a DGLOB34 departing Nadi on a QF/FJ flight. Booked my ticket with Qantas' customer service guys here in Auckland.
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