Last edit by: pandaperth
Chronological Summary of Changes to the Oneworld Explorer Rule Sheet
(click on the dates to go to the relevant posts in this thread)
2023-Oct-05 Changes to the Premium Economy surcharge table
2023-May-01 Rule 4(e) change, regarding second visit to Asia
2022-Aug-31 Comair removed from the list of BA affiliated Airlines
2022-Apr-21 S7 removed from the list of airlines
2021-Jul-01 Minor change
2021-Apr-01 AS joins the alliance
2020-May-01 LATAM (LA & JJ) leaves the alliance
2020-Apr-01 Royal Air Maroc (AT) joins the alliance
2019-Mar-15 Minor change
2019-Feb-11 Rule 4(j) Wording, in part, changed from:
QF operated services within USA (eg LAX-JFK vv) not permitted unless booked as a through flight segment between Australia & USA (eg SYD-JFK vv)
To:
QF operated services within USA (eg LAX-JFK vv) not permitted unless booked in conjunction with a QF operated and marketed online connection or stopover flight at LAX
Rule 15 Following paragraph removed
When travel originates in a country for which a specific local currency fares is published and the ticket is sold in another country, the fare will be that published for the country of origin converted to the currency of the country of sale at the bank selling rate.
Other, minor, changes
2019-Jan-08 Minor change (to the list of AA-affiliated airlines)
2018-Jun-06 Rule 16 - VOLUNTARY CHANGES / REROUTING / PENALTIES
Highlighted words removed
16(a)2d. If the rerouting results in an increase to the number of continents or extra flight segments previously charged, the ticket shall be recalculated.
2018-Mar-05 Rule 4(j) Words added:
QF operated services within USA (eg LAX-JFK vv) not permitted unless booked as a through flight segment between Australia & USA (eg SYD-JFK vv)
2017-Oct-30 Rule 5 Reservations and Ticketing: changed wording
From:
Reservations for the first overwater flight and all preceding flights must be made prior to departure.
To:
Reservations for the first international flight and all preceding flights must be made prior to departure.
Air berlin removed (it has ceased operating)
2017-Sep-05 No change (see the linked post)
2017-Aug-01 Rule 4(e) Major change regarding second visits to certain continents
Old Version:
New Version:
(e) Only one intercontinental departure and one intercontinental arrival permitted in each continent except as follows:
Two permitted in North America.
Two permitted in Asia when one is for travel between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East.
Two permitted in Europe/Middle East.
If travel is to/from Europe in both directions, itinerary may not include Mauritius/South Africa. AA Premium Economy booking classes added
2017-Feb-01 Rule 4(f) has the following words added:
No more than 4 international transfers from the one country permitted
2016-Dec-01 Rule 0 Removal of these words
3 Continent Fare is only offered for travel originating in Asia, Europe/Middle East and North America
(because southern hemisphere 3- continent itineraries became possible when JJ commenced its GRU-JNB service)
Rule 4(g) addition of these words:
The first crossing between TC areas must be flown, not surfaced
Rule 4(h) Removal of these words:
*not more than 2 of which may be between the UK and ALBANIA, ALGERIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, GREECE, MIDDLE EAST, MOROCCO, ROMANIA, RUSSIA west of the Urals, TUNISIA, TURKEY, UKRAINE.
2016-Aug-04 Rule 4(h) Removal of these words:
*segments between Europe and Middle East are not permitted if travel includes Africa and the itinerary utilises the backtracking provisions in Para 4(e) 3.1.3.or 3.2.3.
(So no more complicated rules regarding second visits to Europe/Middle East)
2016-Apr-22 Rule 4(e) Major change to the 2nd visit to Europe/Middle East rule
New wording is:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...iddle-east.png Rule 8Stopovers.
Removal of the highlighted words:
2. Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin.
Rule 15 Sales Restrictions
Removal of the highlighted words:
When travel originates in a country for which a specific local currency fares is published and the ticket is sold in another country, the fare will be that published for the country of origin converted to the currency of the country of sale at the bank selling rate. The resultant fare must not be lower than from the country of sale.
Exception: Not applicable when BOTH travel originates and sales are made within Europe.
2016-Apr-01 Minor change to booking classes
2015-Dec-01 Minor change to list of affiliate airlines and to the cancellation fee
2015-Nov-01 US Airways removed from list of airlines (its merger with AA was complete)
2015-Sep-01Rule 4(k) ATL added to list of east coast cities
Rule 26 Change to group booking codes
2015-Jun-01 Rule 4(k) TPA added to list of east coast cities
2015-Feb-01 Minor change to the list of affiliated carriers
Rule 16 Voluntary Changes
Removal of “Date/Time/Carrier” changes. Phrase now used is “changes to ticketed points”
2014-Nov-01 Rule 4(j) change to the list of affiliated airlines
2014-Oct-01 Rule 5 Highlighted words added
NOTE: For flights where First or Business Class is not offered or available, passengers may travel in a lower Class, in the applicable booking code for that lower Class.
Where the applicable booking class for the lower class is not available,
Passengers travelling on First Class Fares may book Y class
Passengers travelling on DONE* Business Class Fares may book B class
2014-Aug-01 Minor changes only
2014-Jul-01 IONE3 fares added
Other minor changes
2014-May-01 UL joins Oneworld
2014-Apr-01 JJ and US join Oneworld
2013-Dec-01 Allows DONEn travellers to fly in first class on QR’s Middle East flights
2013-Oct-30 QR joins Oneworld
Complicated new rule for 2nd visit to Europe/Middle East in conjunction with travel to/from/via Africa
2013-Oct-01 LAN Colombia joins Oneworld
2013-Jul-01 Minor changes
Removed the ability to purchase extra intra-continent flight segments
2013-Mar-01 Changes subsequently discovered
Continents transited to be counted
Rule 8. The highlighted words dropped
Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin.
2013-Jan-31 MH joins Oneworld
2012-Nov Rule 0 The highlighted words added
TRAVEL BETWEEN SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AND EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST ON A SINGLE FLIGHT NUMBER/OR BY SURFACE IS CONSIDERED TRAVELLING SWP-ASIA-EUROPE/ MIDDLE EAST THROUGH THREE CONTINENTS
2011-May-02 Rule 4(l) Change to the list of Australian trans-continental flights allowed
2011-Apr-01 Rule 4(e)(3) Tanzania removed from the list of African countries where 2nd visit to Europe/Middle East allowed
2011-Feb-02 QF codeshare flight on JQ allowed
Albania and Turkey added to the list of countries to/from which only two flights allowed from/to UK
2010-Nov-01 Highlighted words added
TRAVEL BETWEEN SWP AND EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST ON A SINGLE FLIGHT NUMBER/ OR BY SURFACE IS CONSIDERED TRAVELLING SWP-ASIA-EUROPE THROUGH THREE CONTINENTS.
Premium Economy supplements increased
2009-Nov-30 Rule 4(l) Change to the list of Australian trans-continental flights allowed
2009-Aug-04 Rule 4(c) Origin-Destination surface segment allowed between Maldives and Sri Lanka/India
Rule 8. Highlighted words added
Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin
(click on the dates to go to the relevant posts in this thread)
2023-Oct-05 Changes to the Premium Economy surcharge table
2023-May-01 Rule 4(e) change, regarding second visit to Asia
2022-Aug-31 Comair removed from the list of BA affiliated Airlines
2022-Apr-21 S7 removed from the list of airlines
2021-Jul-01 Minor change
2021-Apr-01 AS joins the alliance
2020-May-01 LATAM (LA & JJ) leaves the alliance
2020-Apr-01 Royal Air Maroc (AT) joins the alliance
2019-Mar-15 Minor change
2019-Feb-11 Rule 4(j) Wording, in part, changed from:
QF operated services within USA (eg LAX-JFK vv) not permitted unless booked as a through flight segment between Australia & USA (eg SYD-JFK vv)
To:
QF operated services within USA (eg LAX-JFK vv) not permitted unless booked in conjunction with a QF operated and marketed online connection or stopover flight at LAX
Rule 15 Following paragraph removed
When travel originates in a country for which a specific local currency fares is published and the ticket is sold in another country, the fare will be that published for the country of origin converted to the currency of the country of sale at the bank selling rate.
Other, minor, changes
2019-Jan-08 Minor change (to the list of AA-affiliated airlines)
2018-Jun-06 Rule 16 - VOLUNTARY CHANGES / REROUTING / PENALTIES
Highlighted words removed
16(a)2d. If the rerouting results in an increase to the number of continents or extra flight segments previously charged, the ticket shall be recalculated.
2018-Mar-05 Rule 4(j) Words added:
QF operated services within USA (eg LAX-JFK vv) not permitted unless booked as a through flight segment between Australia & USA (eg SYD-JFK vv)
2017-Oct-30 Rule 5 Reservations and Ticketing: changed wording
From:
Reservations for the first overwater flight and all preceding flights must be made prior to departure.
To:
Reservations for the first international flight and all preceding flights must be made prior to departure.
Air berlin removed (it has ceased operating)
2017-Sep-05 No change (see the linked post)
2017-Aug-01 Rule 4(e) Major change regarding second visits to certain continents
Old Version:
New Version:
(e) Only one intercontinental departure and one intercontinental arrival permitted in each continent except as follows:
Two permitted in North America.
Two permitted in Asia when one is for travel between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East.
Two permitted in Europe/Middle East.
If travel is to/from Europe in both directions, itinerary may not include Mauritius/South Africa. AA Premium Economy booking classes added
2017-Feb-01 Rule 4(f) has the following words added:
No more than 4 international transfers from the one country permitted
2016-Dec-01 Rule 0 Removal of these words
3 Continent Fare is only offered for travel originating in Asia, Europe/Middle East and North America
(because southern hemisphere 3- continent itineraries became possible when JJ commenced its GRU-JNB service)
Rule 4(g) addition of these words:
The first crossing between TC areas must be flown, not surfaced
Rule 4(h) Removal of these words:
*not more than 2 of which may be between the UK and ALBANIA, ALGERIA, BULGARIA, CROATIA, CYPRUS, GREECE, MIDDLE EAST, MOROCCO, ROMANIA, RUSSIA west of the Urals, TUNISIA, TURKEY, UKRAINE.
2016-Aug-04 Rule 4(h) Removal of these words:
*segments between Europe and Middle East are not permitted if travel includes Africa and the itinerary utilises the backtracking provisions in Para 4(e) 3.1.3.or 3.2.3.
(So no more complicated rules regarding second visits to Europe/Middle East)
2016-Apr-22 Rule 4(e) Major change to the 2nd visit to Europe/Middle East rule
New wording is:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/membe...iddle-east.png Rule 8Stopovers.
Removal of the highlighted words:
2. Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin.
Rule 15 Sales Restrictions
Removal of the highlighted words:
When travel originates in a country for which a specific local currency fares is published and the ticket is sold in another country, the fare will be that published for the country of origin converted to the currency of the country of sale at the bank selling rate. The resultant fare must not be lower than from the country of sale.
Exception: Not applicable when BOTH travel originates and sales are made within Europe.
2016-Apr-01 Minor change to booking classes
2015-Dec-01 Minor change to list of affiliate airlines and to the cancellation fee
2015-Nov-01 US Airways removed from list of airlines (its merger with AA was complete)
2015-Sep-01Rule 4(k) ATL added to list of east coast cities
Rule 26 Change to group booking codes
2015-Jun-01 Rule 4(k) TPA added to list of east coast cities
2015-Feb-01 Minor change to the list of affiliated carriers
Rule 16 Voluntary Changes
Removal of “Date/Time/Carrier” changes. Phrase now used is “changes to ticketed points”
2014-Nov-01 Rule 4(j) change to the list of affiliated airlines
2014-Oct-01 Rule 5 Highlighted words added
NOTE: For flights where First or Business Class is not offered or available, passengers may travel in a lower Class, in the applicable booking code for that lower Class.
Where the applicable booking class for the lower class is not available,
Passengers travelling on First Class Fares may book Y class
Passengers travelling on DONE* Business Class Fares may book B class
2014-Aug-01 Minor changes only
2014-Jul-01 IONE3 fares added
Other minor changes
2014-May-01 UL joins Oneworld
2014-Apr-01 JJ and US join Oneworld
2013-Dec-01 Allows DONEn travellers to fly in first class on QR’s Middle East flights
2013-Oct-30 QR joins Oneworld
Complicated new rule for 2nd visit to Europe/Middle East in conjunction with travel to/from/via Africa
2013-Oct-01 LAN Colombia joins Oneworld
2013-Jul-01 Minor changes
Removed the ability to purchase extra intra-continent flight segments
2013-Mar-01 Changes subsequently discovered
Continents transited to be counted
Rule 8. The highlighted words dropped
Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin.
2013-Jan-31 MH joins Oneworld
2012-Nov Rule 0 The highlighted words added
TRAVEL BETWEEN SOUTH WEST PACIFIC AND EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST ON A SINGLE FLIGHT NUMBER/OR BY SURFACE IS CONSIDERED TRAVELLING SWP-ASIA-EUROPE/ MIDDLE EAST THROUGH THREE CONTINENTS
2011-May-02 Rule 4(l) Change to the list of Australian trans-continental flights allowed
2011-Apr-01 Rule 4(e)(3) Tanzania removed from the list of African countries where 2nd visit to Europe/Middle East allowed
2011-Feb-02 QF codeshare flight on JQ allowed
Albania and Turkey added to the list of countries to/from which only two flights allowed from/to UK
2010-Nov-01 Highlighted words added
TRAVEL BETWEEN SWP AND EUROPE/MIDDLE EAST ON A SINGLE FLIGHT NUMBER/ OR BY SURFACE IS CONSIDERED TRAVELLING SWP-ASIA-EUROPE THROUGH THREE CONTINENTS.
Premium Economy supplements increased
2009-Nov-30 Rule 4(l) Change to the list of Australian trans-continental flights allowed
2009-Aug-04 Rule 4(c) Origin-Destination surface segment allowed between Maldives and Sri Lanka/India
Rule 8. Highlighted words added
Maximum two stopovers permitted in the continent of origin of which a maximum of one stopover is permitted in each direction in the country of origin
Changes to xONEx Rule Sheet
#451
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: ORD
Programs: AA ExPlat (2MM), Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 291
I just got off with AA RTW desk trying to make my changes; the agent thought about the Middle East stuff but decided she thought it was ok and sent it to rates... I'll see later today or by tomorrow if they push back and decline it and then I'll ask for detailed reason. I'll report back.
#452
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: ORD
Programs: AA ExPlat (2MM), Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 291
I just got off with AA RTW desk trying to make my changes; the agent thought about the Middle East stuff but decided she thought it was ok and sent it to rates... I'll see later today or by tomorrow if they push back and decline it and then I'll ask for detailed reason. I'll report back.
LONE4:
JNB-xDOH-ORD-HDN-ORD-xPHX-HNL-xNRT-PEK-xHKG(BKK)-AMM-FCO-xDOH-JNB
DONE4:
JNB-xDOH-ORD-HDN-ORD-EWR-ORD-xPHX-HNL-xNRT-PEK-xHKG(BKK)-AMM-CAI-xLHR-JNB
Each now includes a Middle East to Europe segment, although the DONE4 currently has a stop less than 24hr, I believe I would be able to make that a stop if I chose.
Due to a wedding that popped up on my calendar, I actually have to squeeze in a separately booked CAI-ORD-CAI to get home for the wedding and then back in time to start my next DONE (exCAI).
#454
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: BER
Programs: BAEC GGL/GfL, Lufthansa SEN, Hilton Diamond, misc other stuff
Posts: 1,374
So here's an interesting problem I have.
I am in the middle of an xONE6 ticket with 16 segments. AB canceled the JFK-TXL flight and won't be able to make it to the airport in time to catch the earlier AB flight. The solution would be something like JFK-LHR-TXL on BA or AA. This won't fit within the limit of 16 segments.
My ticket is issued on a third carrier and because AB didn't cancel the flight (just zeroed out all June-October AB7455) that carrier won't rebook (yet).
Did anybody succeed getting 17 segments (e.g. JFK-LHR-TXL instead of JFK-TXL) on the ticket?
The Oneworld explorer fare rules state that surface segments between two areas (i.e. C1-C2) are not permitted. My idea was to convert JFK-TXL into a surface segment and then have AB issue an additional JFK-LHR-TXL ticket.
Any ideas on what to do?
I am in the middle of an xONE6 ticket with 16 segments. AB canceled the JFK-TXL flight and won't be able to make it to the airport in time to catch the earlier AB flight. The solution would be something like JFK-LHR-TXL on BA or AA. This won't fit within the limit of 16 segments.
My ticket is issued on a third carrier and because AB didn't cancel the flight (just zeroed out all June-October AB7455) that carrier won't rebook (yet).
Did anybody succeed getting 17 segments (e.g. JFK-LHR-TXL instead of JFK-TXL) on the ticket?
The Oneworld explorer fare rules state that surface segments between two areas (i.e. C1-C2) are not permitted. My idea was to convert JFK-TXL into a surface segment and then have AB issue an additional JFK-LHR-TXL ticket.
Any ideas on what to do?
#456
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Rio de Janeiro, BRAZIL
Programs: AA 4MM EXP; Starwood Lifetime Plt
Posts: 2,498
#458
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
If you've already flown segments, then the extra ones can be added and a new ticket issued.
What complicates things in your situation is that AB didn't cancel the flight.
#459
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
So here's an interesting problem I have.
I am in the middle of an xONE6 ticket with 16 segments. AB canceled the JFK-TXL flight and won't be able to make it to the airport in time to catch the earlier AB flight. The solution would be something like JFK-LHR-TXL on BA or AA. This won't fit within the limit of 16 segments.
My ticket is issued on a third carrier and because AB didn't cancel the flight (just zeroed out all June-October AB7455) that carrier won't rebook (yet).
Did anybody succeed getting 17 segments (e.g. JFK-LHR-TXL instead of JFK-TXL) on the ticket?
The Oneworld explorer fare rules state that surface segments between two areas (i.e. C1-C2) are not permitted. My idea was to convert JFK-TXL into a surface segment and then have AB issue an additional JFK-LHR-TXL ticket.
Any ideas on what to do?
I am in the middle of an xONE6 ticket with 16 segments. AB canceled the JFK-TXL flight and won't be able to make it to the airport in time to catch the earlier AB flight. The solution would be something like JFK-LHR-TXL on BA or AA. This won't fit within the limit of 16 segments.
My ticket is issued on a third carrier and because AB didn't cancel the flight (just zeroed out all June-October AB7455) that carrier won't rebook (yet).
Did anybody succeed getting 17 segments (e.g. JFK-LHR-TXL instead of JFK-TXL) on the ticket?
The Oneworld explorer fare rules state that surface segments between two areas (i.e. C1-C2) are not permitted. My idea was to convert JFK-TXL into a surface segment and then have AB issue an additional JFK-LHR-TXL ticket.
Any ideas on what to do?
In 2008, I had an LONE4 booked with NRT-MEL as one of the last flights. After booking, but before departure, QF cancelled NRT-MEL and I had to be rerouted via SYD on either QF or JL. That made a 17 sector trip. The ticket was reissued to a paper ticket.
During that trip, there were political problems in Thailand (one of the planned stops) including rioting and several governments had issued travel warnings with airlines offering waivers. I was booked -MAD-FCO-LHR-BKK-SIN- and had the stop in BKK removed and the ticket changed to skip (becoming -FCO-LHR-SIN-). The remaining sectors were rebooked to an e-ticket and the rest of the paper ticket became void (still didn't stop the BA agents from demanding a void LHR-BKK coupon for a LHR-SIN QF flight at checking in FCO)
#461
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,467
2017-Aug-01 New Version of the Rule Sheet
Thanks to Himeno for alerting us the new version, in another thread http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28691021-post2103.html
In addition the inclusion of AA premium economy booking class, which Himeno spotted, I have spotted the following (IMHO significant) change:
Rule 4(e), which concerns allowed second visits to continents, has been rewritten
Previous Version:New Version:
In addition the inclusion of AA premium economy booking class, which Himeno spotted, I have spotted the following (IMHO significant) change:
Rule 4(e), which concerns allowed second visits to continents, has been rewritten
Previous Version:New Version:
(e) Only one intercontinental departure and one intercontinental arrival permitted in each continent except as follows:
Discussion:- Two permitted in North America.
- Two permitted in Asia when one is for travel between the Southwest Pacific and Europe/Middle East.
- Two permitted in Europe/Middle East.
If travel is to/from Europe in both directions, itinerary may not include Mauritius/South Africa.
- The wording is simpler, especially for dot point #3
- The words "when one is a transfer without stopover" have been removed. Therefore stopovers are now allowed on both visits to the continent
- The second dot point now states that one of the two visits must be for travel SWP-Europe/Middle East. Previously that restriction was not there (I personally have had a second visit which was a transfer without stopover between Nth America and SWP). So this previously valid itinerary would now be invalid ...Africa-Asia-SWP-Asia-Nth America...
#462
Join Date: May 2016
Location: HEL
Programs: BA Gold, AA PLT, AS MVP Gold
Posts: 78
This change really helps splitting xONEx for multiple trips. Thanks pandaperth for pointing that out.
#463
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: NYC
Programs: AS MVP Gold, BA Silver, AA Gold, Marriott Titanium, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 1,619
The impact of this change would be to now allow visits first to North America, then to South America, and then back to North America. Is there any other scenario that this rule change affects?
#464
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: London
Posts: 17,007
I agree. The "one crossing of each ocean" rule would seem to preclude more than one departure without using South America.
#465
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: used to be PER, now it's nowhere/eveywhere
Programs: QFF NB, AA GLD
Posts: 3,467
Prior to the latest rule change, one of those visits to North America had to be a "transfer without stopover".