While I wouldn’t consider Qantas Frequent Flyer to be all that lucrative of a loyalty program in general, there are definitely some sweet spots. In this post I wanted to take a look at one of those, which is the ability to book oneworld round the world award tickets through Qantas.
Continue reading: Qantas’ Intriguing Round The World Oneworld Awards
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
It'd be interesting to compare the Qantas RTW award prices with other airlines like Cathay.
Agreed - a comprehensive comparison of the remaining RTW awards/pricing on similar itineraries would be a fascinating exercise.
ANA's RTW award chart requires only 125k miles for a 22,000 mile trip in business class. And there's certainly more options and availability amongst *A partners than OW partner airlines.
I’d say good luck trying to make this work for you and by all means check their award or pricing for a point to point J class fare and you’ll probably drop to your knees
Good stuff for someone who buys 3 or 4 RTW tickets a year with each costing $14000 to $15000 at a time.
I redeemed ANA points (after transfer from Amex MR) for a RTW ticket back in 2018, including segments to Australia. ANA agents were very competent. Availability in J will definitely be an issue, but the ANA RTW was definitely worth it! And pricing was lower than this.
This would be a difficult undertaking in these times where many popular routes are booked out a year ahead. For instance, start off with SYD-HND/NRT sector; oops, fail at the very first sector for 2023 at least!
No, puting together a RTW itinerary would be a time consuming and deeply unsatisfying experience taking you second and third choice places you never contemplated.
Also the further out it is (as usual) the more scope for airline cancellations, time and date changes, cabin downgrades, not to mention problematic disruptions caused by war and volcanic eruptions (both currently going on) to name just a few.
This was a good concept in the past when many keen travellers actually did it with little problem, but those days are long gone and unlikely to return.
you could get 3-5 aeroplan bookings for the same price and get a stopover on each one doubling the number of destinations with much less hassle.
As others noted, other airlines still have more attractive RTW pricing if you can get an agent to book it.
The miles are worked out using a FQM from the departure airport, with each individual airport and or open jaw in-between.
Pre covid the best business class RTW was with LH/OS/LX who permitted up to 6 stop overs, not milage based and would cost £3200 including taxes! Sadly those days won't ever return
Agreed. And in addition add in the not really round the world BA multi partner award.
I've done 2 now and just booked my 3rd. By no means the easiest thing to do, but can be done, if you can deal with the frustration. Total tax was $661AUD for most recent booking.
I just completed a Oneworld RTW trip using AS Mileage Plan last month. In short:
For 65K AS miles I flew JAL in J from LAX-HND-BKK. I stayed at the Royal Park Hotel Haneda (required navigating the proof of vaccine app hoops and officially entering Japan) and the Ambassador Transit Hotel Changi (interesting experience). Left LA on a Thursday pm and arrived in Bali at noon on Sunday.
For $1,300 US, I flew SQ in J from BKK-SIN-DPS-SIN-BKK. On that segment I spent a short overnight in SIN, 6 nights in Bali then 2 nights in Singapore and 3 nights in Bangkok on the return leg.
For $125K AS miles, I flew AY in J between BKK-HEL-LAX with 6 wonderful days/nights in Helsinki.
Notes:
Except for the recently reopened Silver Kris Lounge in terminal 2 (Changi Dungeon) and the loaner lounge at DPS, all my experience flying SQ were total class.
I booked the trip last March when most of the world was still closed due to Covid.
I paid less than $100 total in taxes on my JAL and AY award tickets.
@hutch I would love if you were able to describe your experience so I can learn. Thanks.
About to start looking at booking an around the world trip for late next year (2025) when do you think I could actually start booking and flights open for that timing? Any hints would be tops. Was thinking start in Dubai - then stint through Europe covering a few in there - then come back via Vancouver - Bris - then a break and would love to know how long I could have the break in Brisy until I have to do final leg back to Dubai.