Should I book my flights before Qatar joins OneWorld or is it going to pay off (if there are any benefits) if I wait a couple of days longer?

Should I book my flights before Qatar joins OneWorld or is it going to pay off (if there are any benefits) if I wait a couple of days longer? I'm wondering whether I'm better off waiting a bit longer and using my Qantas points or simply booking now, while the prices are still rather low... Any ideas?

Get it set for an each way bet - book now and cancel later if it works out to be better.

Qmiles:

Award cancellations requested between 3 to 24 hours before departure is subject to a US$100 administration fee per ticket. Platinum and Gold members are exempted from this fee.

Award cancellations requested more than 24hours in advance of the flight departure is subject to a $25 administration fee per ticket. Platinum and Gold main members are exempted from this fee.

Cheers

Steve

Good thinking. Thanks for the tip!

Depending on when you want to actually fly (near future, e.g. this year?) I would book now. There is no way of knowing availability on QR booking with QF points, nor do we at this point know what the redemption rates will be. Steve mentioned a Qmiles policy, but from the question I am thinking you have QF points to burn and not QR miles?

Thanks for the answer.

Yeah, I have *some* QF miles - not that many, but it would still help me to use them (Cash+Points) while getting my flight for July/August.

As you pointed out, it's just a bit tricky knowing how it will all work.

Thanks again.

Hi Polar,

I don't believe you can use "cash + points" for non-QF operated flights. i.e for Qatar you've got to buy a revenue ticket or redeem outright under a "classic" redemption.

Ergo, waiting for QR's entry is a moot point.

However if you do have sufficient QF points for a "classic" redemption for a QR flight, check for X or U inventory by calling QR (Expertflyer does not provide data for QR). X = Economy, U = Business.

Alternatively, if you wish to purchase a revenue ticket. Best way to ensure you can accrue QF points is to book in Business of First Class. The redemption rate for Economy may be very poor. But as always since QF has not published the redemption rates for QR, you will be taking a risk that cheap Business Class fares (I inventory) may not accrue as much points as you would be expecting. However I believe you would be safe on the issue of Status Credit as accrual is based on the cabin flown and not the inventory purchased.

P.S: Gorgeous cat!

I would expect (like MH) that the cheapest economy fares will not earn any points (and thus SCs) if they are excluded from the table.

Thanks a lot for detailed answers. I'm not that familiar with how it all works, so I appreciate the advice.

In the end, I went with Qantas since they have flights on sale and I had a voucher I needed to use. It'll be interesting to see how it works out with Qatar though.

P.S. I like the cat, too.

Qatar officially joins OW at midnight Dohar time later today - don't suppose anyone has sighted QF's FF/SC earn table for Qatar flights yet? Qatar are offering double FF points if you fly with them 15th Nov > 31st Jan (excl 20th Dec>5th Jan period) I look fwd to flying with them soon as they now provide another SIN>LHR option.