Using Oceania's Air

[forshping]

Yes you can. Indeed we have done so out of SFO. We did AA via Dallas to BA and home on US Air out of GIG/Rio via Charlotte. US Air was actually quite nice... we were pleasantly surprised. None of the UA schedules worked for us....

 

 

Thanks so much for confirming that this is possible.

[corpkid]

We will be flying from SFO in Nov. 2014 to Rio. For the return back to SFO, we will be departing Buenos Aires. I've been researching airlines and schedules and United will fly us to Houston and the to Rio; there are various flight times to choose from. However, their flights leaving Buenos Aires do not depart until around midnight. Is it possible when paying for air deviation to ask Oceania to book us on two different airlines, one outbound and a different one for the return? Many thanks.........

 

On a side note - we did this flight (albeit from Orlando) last December. We flew overnight to Rio (via Houston) then left BA in the morning (again through Houston). It wasn't too bad. A word of caution. Get to the airport in BA 3 hours early.... We "lucked out" and there were 4 UA international flights all leaving with a few hours so the checkin line was at least 1 1/2 hours. And you MUST checkin in person regardless if you have a ticket in hand or not for passport verification. Your milage my vary but we were glad we got there early.

[TERRIER1]

Yes, it is possible and we have done it.

We used O air for our Australia-New Zealand cruise. We flew United non-stop LAX-Sydney and Air N.Z. non-stop Auckland-LAX.

 

Hi Dave. We are you doing this Grand Voyage in 2015 but from NY (yuck - hate the long trip). Did you deviate and did O charge you an additional cost for the fare? Thanks.

 

Jean

[LAexNY]

Hi Dave. We are you doing this Grand Voyage in 2015 but from NY (yuck - hate the long trip). Did you deviate and did O charge you an additional cost for the fare? Thanks.

 

Jean

 

Hi Jean,

 

Yes, we did deviate because we wanted a few extra days before and after the cruise. There was no extra cost for economy. We were offered the option for Premium Economy on the return from Auckland for $800 p.p. and we took it. P.E. on Air N.Z. is not just a few more inches of leg room but a pretty nice individual pod - not the luxury of business type seats but much nicer than coach for such a long flight.

[forshping]

On a side note - we did this flight (albeit from Orlando) last December. We flew overnight to Rio (via Houston) then left BA in the morning (again through Houston). It wasn't too bad. A word of caution. Get to the airport in BA 3 hours early.... We "lucked out" and there were 4 UA international flights all leaving with a few hours so the checkin line was at least 1 1/2 hours. And you MUST checkin in person regardless if you have a ticket in hand or not for passport verification. Your milage my vary but we were glad we got there early.

 

Thanks so much for the heads up on the airport in B.A..

[CintiPam]

Well, we have taken the plunge and last week our TA told Oceania the flights we preferred for our May Istanbul to Barcelona cruise. Oceania came back with the OK in less than two days, and gave us 48 hours to accept or reject its proposal for our economy cabin seats, which cost us an extra $100 per person over the sum of the potential air credit plus deviation plus non-gateway city (Cincinnati) charges.

 

Still less than the prices we would pay on our own, so now we're committed!:)

 

Feeling a bit better about Oceania air after the terrible flights we have been assigned for our January Caribbean cruise, for which Oceania made many cities, including Cincinnati, a geteway city for a few limited winter cruises (so no extra upcharges).

Edited November 9, 2013 by CintiPam

[Hawaiidan]

Just did the UA from Buenos Aires 10.5 hours to Houston on a 767-400

in Business.... great. They also offer Economy plus.

 

UAL would be my choice because they offer their economy plus on all flights and have the best first and business seats going... and they also have a lot of lie flat seats in domestic routes ( NY-LAX-SFO, LAX- IAH NY-HNL )

 

It is possible to get Business from Buenos Aires some times with UAL for under $2000. or 50,000 miles !

[PaulMCO]

Just did the UA from Buenos Aires 10.5 hours to Houston on a 767-400

in Business.... great. They also offer Economy plus.

 

UAL would be my choice because they offer their economy plus on all flights and have the best first and business seats going... and they also have a lot of lie flat seats in domestic routes ( NY-LAX-SFO, LAX- IAH NY-HNL )

 

It is possible to get Business from Buenos Aires some times with UAL for under $2000. or 50,000 miles !

 

 

It must be bad I am agreeing with Dan -- more and more :)

We paid $2100 pp r/t for our next cruise MCO to EZE.. So many times for just a little more than the Oceania credit you could fly up front.

[Hawaiidan]

There are many ways and strange fare codes that a person can uncover.

 

Here is one.... Flying back from my next cruise from NY/EWR To Hawaii,

a one way coach seat was being for $1620 pp However if you selected to fly first class, in a lie flat seat for the route... it was also $1620 for the 11hr trip. or 40,000miles

 

Other tactics for say a east coast to Asia is to fly on one of the many discount fares (Z) on Hawaiian or UAL, to Hawaii for 20,000 miles coach or 40,000 first. Take a day or so break and for only 32,000 to 37,000 miles get a business or First class seat to Tokyo, Hong Kong or Beijing !!!

 

If one were to use miles from the east coast to say Hong Kong it would be 150,000 miles... one way !

 

Doing the Hawaii break and getting First Class, going the get you there from Hawaii ( a 9 hour flight to HKG) for 72 to 77,000 miles.... that's a savings of about 50% on miles by making it 2 flights.

Or even cheaper buy a coach seat for under $700, and use miles for the long haul in a lie flat bed, while rested in Hawaii....

 

As paul mentioned there are lots of options if you think out of the box

[turnip eater]

Does anyone know if British Air is one of the airlines O contracts with? I'm looking at flights MIA/Monte Carlo' date=' LHR/MIA for a Sept 6 sailing on board Insignia.

 

Thanks.[/quote']

 

Yes, O does use British Airways.:)

 

Probably MIA/LHR/NCE (Nice,France being the nearest airport to Monte Carlo...approx 40 minutes drive to Port)

Edited November 10, 2013 by turnip eater
More info.

[forshping]

There are many ways and strange fare codes that a person can uncover.

 

Here is one.... Flying back from my next cruise from NY/EWR To Hawaii,

a one way coach seat was being for $1620 pp However if you selected to fly first class, in a lie flat seat for the route... it was also $1620 for the 11hr trip. or 40,000miles

 

Other tactics for say a east coast to Asia is to fly on one of the many discount fares (Z) on Hawaiian or UAL, to Hawaii for 20,000 miles coach or 40,000 first. Take a day or so break and for only 32,000 to 37,000 miles get a business or First class seat to Tokyo, Hong Kong or Beijing !!!

 

If one were to use miles from the east coast to say Hong Kong it would be 150,000 miles... one way !

 

Doing the Hawaii break and getting First Class, going the get you there from Hawaii ( a 9 hour flight to HKG) for 72 to 77,000 miles.... that's a savings of about 50% on miles by making it 2 flights.

Or even cheaper buy a coach seat for under $700, and use miles for the long haul in a lie flat bed, while rested in Hawaii....

 

As paul mentioned there are lots of options if you think out of the box

 

What are the various codes (other than Z) for purchasing tickets and what do the letters stand for? What is the best way (or web site) to compare prices for these tickets? Thanks.

[LHT28]

What are the various codes (other than Z) for purchasing tickets and what do the letters stand for? What is the best way (or web site) to compare prices for these tickets? Thanks.

interesting sites

http://cwsi.net/

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/3801394/deciphering-airline-fare-codes/

http://www.air-ticket.us/info/airline-ticket-abbreviation.php

http://www.ehow.com/how_4780589_read-airline-ticket.html

[rallydave]

What are the various codes (other than Z) for purchasing tickets and what do the letters stand for? What is the best way (or web site) to compare prices for these tickets? Thanks.

 

There are more codes than anyone here could possibly explain and the same code on different airlines could be applied or have different fare rules.

 

Airlines generally have 4 types of classes of service; First, Business, Economy Plus, and Economy also called Coach. There are variations of these on different airlines. Within these classes, there are multiple fare codes that break things down further to refundable, non refundable, bulk, various codes depending on how much before your flight you purchase your ticket, etc. and then combinations of those. And for the same code the conditions of the purchase and fare can differ as well.

 

When you see a fare and it's code, in order to be well informed, you must then drill down further to the terms and conditions of that specific fare on that specific airline. As you can tell it is not a simple subject and so many combinations and permutations that can change on a moments notice that it is impossible to define here on CC. Unfortunately, each person needs to check for themselves

 

Also, don't forget that fares can change multiple times and even more than once per day so that an available fare at 10 AM might not be there 5 minutes later. Fares also go up and down based on demand and other issues.

Edited November 16, 2013 by rallydave

[Hawaiidan]

If you elect to use miles to fly home rather than get Oceana s ticket a word of warning If flying from Heathrow.. You will have to pay almost $300 airport fees and taxes per person using a free miles ticket. Paris is about $136 and Frankfurt like $85. per person one way

 

Compare that to Honolulu to Tokyo about $7.

[Hawaiidan]

Rather than shopping for airlines.... pick one in the beginning and stick with it....no other. It is penny wise and pound foolish to jump from one carrier to another. A waste of your good money.

Why, because over the long haul you will earn more benefits, and discounts by being a loyal customer. Everything from free bags priority boarding and club passes to complimentary business and first class up-grades domestically.

 

For me UAL works world wide..... and that's ALL I will fly.:o

[1westover]

Hi all,

 

Been following this forum, as we are in early planning stages for our April cruise in and out of Papeete. Our first cruise experience with Oceania.

 

Wondering about our best air options. The closest intl. airport is Atlanta.

We are considering connecting over LAX with an overnight each way, just to break up the long flight.

 

We also, want to arrive in Papeete a day early to be rested before embarkation.

 

We are not comfortable waiting until 75 days prior to departure to get air schedules. Did not know about the deviation, so were considering using Oceania's air from LAX and getting to the West coast on our own. Figured we would be safe from LAX, with a direct flight schedule.

 

Has anyone had past experience with this situation and could offer advise.

 

Greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.:confused:

[Hawaiidan]

Hi all,

 

Been following this forum, as we are in early planning stages for our April cruise in and out of Papeete. Our first cruise experience with Oceania.

 

Wondering about our best air options. The closest intl. airport is Atlanta.

We are considering connecting over LAX with an overnight each way, just to break up the long flight.

 

We also, want to arrive in Papeete a day early to be rested before embarkation.

 

We are not comfortable waiting until 75 days prior to departure to get air schedules. Did not know about the deviation, so were considering using Oceania's air from LAX and getting to the West coast on our own. Figured we would be safe from LAX, with a direct flight schedule.

 

Has anyone had past experience with this situation and could offer advise.

 

Greatly appreciated.

Thank you so much.:confused:

 

The Idea of an over night in LAX is good. However, paying the air deviation fee of $150 will be far cheaper than you doing your own RT Atlanta to Lax. and you could make it a several day longer layover ... see some sights, Disney, San Diego

As an option... Did you consider the train? Make a mini land cruise to LA or Sandiego via Amtrack

 

There really is only one show in town LAX to Tahiti..Tahiti Nui so that's it.

[rallydave]

Dan is mostly correct. The OP mentioned that they are planning an overnight each way and that they want to arrive in Papeete a day early. The early arrival requires paying the deviation fee in any case so makes a lot more sense to use Oceania Air. That being said, there will most likely be an extra cost in addition to the deviation fee in order to have the two overnights in LA.

 

The time is now to have your TA or you directly with Oceania to get your deviation request in. There is no cost until you accept Oceania's routing and costs so the sooner the better. You are really a bit late in the process as Oceania accepts deviation 270 days prior to your departure and seats go fast to Papeete since only Air Tahiti Nui flys that route regularly and seat are limited with people booking early, especially when a cruise ship is departing.

 

Even with the extra costs for the overnight, you should still be better than buying your own ticket to LA and you will have to pay the $150 deviation fee in any case.

[1westover]

Know we are late. Could not be helped because of surgery and just got the go to move forward.

 

I also thought that Air France/DL flew the route from LAX into Papeete.

[forshping]

interesting sites

http://cwsi.net/

http://www.airfarewatchdog.com/blog/3801394/deciphering-airline-fare-codes/

http://www.air-ticket.us/info/airline-ticket-abbreviation.php

http://www.ehow.com/how_4780589_read-airline-ticket.html

 

Thanks so much for the helpful info and tips. Appreciate it.

[TERRIER1]

Know we are late. Could not be helped because of surgery and just got the go to move forward.

 

I also thought that Air France/DL flew the route from LAX into Papeete.

 

We used Oceania air with the deviation when we went to French Polynesia this pass April. They flew us from NYC to LAX on American and from LAX to Papeeti on Air Tahiti Nui. We came in two days early in Papeeti and stayed four after on Moorea. Oceania charged the $150 pp deviation fee plus $100 pp upcharge for the air. Oceania uses charters if you do not deviate. They place you on scheduled flights if you do deviate.

[JimandStan]

They place you on scheduled flights if you do deviate.

 

Let's be clear about this, when one Deviates then the passenger has the option of choosing the flight.

Oceania only "chooses" in a deviation setting IF the passenger expresses no preference.

[1westover]

SO MUCH HELP. Thank you all. Know we are late and the planning becomes stressful. Wish it could have been avoided.

 

Do not mind paying for deviation. Just want to be comfortable and have the most direct schedule. Do not expect the best for nothing. Willing to pay for what we get.

 

Since I have had several replacement surgeries in the last 19 months, just cannot do that.

 

How comfortable are the flights? I usually fly business just for the comfort issue and I need to get up and move around. Would like to use Dl. where it is possible and stoping in LAX to overnight each way would be ideal.

 

We are depositing tomorrow. Then, plan to talk to Oceania about air. We have sailed Azamara several times, so Oceania is new to us.

 

Also, do you, who have been there before us, suggest private tours on some of the islands? Not one for loading on and off busses.

 

Thank you again for your most valued help. Susan

[TERRIER1]

Let's be clear about this, when one Deviates then the passenger has the option of choosing the flight.

Oceania only "chooses" in a deviation setting IF the passenger expresses no preference.

 

That was us. We didn't express a flight and there wasn't actually that many flights to choose from. We simply said give us the flights with the least upcharge. I just wanted to let the OP know that for this neck of the woods Oceania uses charters if no deviation is chosen.

[TERRIER1]

SO MUCH HELP. Thank you all. Know we are late and the planning becomes stressful. Wish it could have been avoided.

 

Do not mind paying for deviation. Just want to be comfortable and have the most direct schedule. Do not expect the best for nothing. Willing to pay for what we get.

 

Since I have had several replacement surgeries in the last 19 months, just cannot do that.

 

How comfortable are the flights? I usually fly business just for the comfort issue and I need to get up and move around. Would like to use Dl. where it is possible and stoping in LAX to overnight each way would be ideal.

 

We are depositing tomorrow. Then, plan to talk to Oceania about air. We have sailed Azamara several times, so Oceania is new to us.

 

Also, do you, who have been there before us, suggest private tours on some of the islands? Not one for loading on and off busses.

 

Thank you again for your most valued help. Susan

 

Go to your roll call as soon as possible and try to hook up with those arranging private tours. Private tours in French Polynesia go very quickly since there aren't that many tour operators. Many on our cruise were also booked out of Oceania tours. Have fun.