When does Qantas release unsold seats for frequent flyer redemption?
Jun 15, 2012, 4:42 pm
#137
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: SYD
Programs: UA*1K, BA Gold, SPG Platinum
Posts: 245
There's not much corporate travel between Christmas and mid-late January.. Especially if you are willing to fly over Christmas Day or New Years Day then in my experience the premium cabins are very lightly loaded. Whether QF release award inventory is another matter...
Jun 23, 2012, 4:22 am
#138
Join Date: May 2005
Programs: QFF Gold
Posts: 50
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Jun 30, 2012, 11:27 pm
#140
Join Date: Jun 2012
Programs: Hertz PLAT, Mile Runner, Blue Screen.
Posts: 91
1 time it was b/c i flew on my birthday and asked for an upgrade - they put me in business.
other time was b/c jfk-Lax my entertainment was broken.
i asked for an upgrade at the gate counter, the supervisor came and spoke to me we had a pleasant conversation,.. he apologised and asked if i'd accept an upgrade as compensation(business class). i did, and he took down my info and sent me 8 qantas lounge passes! when i got them i was beyond shock.
this was 3yrs ago.
but from what i've seen qantas has maintained great customer service. more in flight and in the airport then via email and phone.
the best flight nyc-syd is still the Qantas A380. no US airline can compete with the comfort, class, and service. Also if your an aussie, its just so welcoming to get on a plane and hear the australian accents. you feel right at home the second you step on the plane.
Jul 2, 2012, 4:26 pm
#143
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: mostly MEL
Programs: QF WP LTG, HHonors Diamond, NZ Gold
Posts: 1,750
As has been stated previously, Awards seats are usually released by QF 353 days in advance and you usually have to be pretty quick to snap them up. Whether you are able to snag two will depend largely on two factors:
1) How quickly AA recognize QF availability
2) When in September you're looking to fly
You could judge the first by trying to do a dummy booking now against a date 353 days out and seeing whether availability is generally available.
Note that NSW schools have holidays Sep 20 - Oct 08 2013, you will find it easier to get redemptions earlier in September than later.
Talking of lottery, personally I wouldn't wait until the return legs are available before trying to book the outbound - chances are your outbounds will have disappeared (though consider the later statement about CX).
You should also consider indirect routes such as ORD-DFW-BNE-SYD as well as the well-trodden via LAX.
Finally, do you *have* to fly QF? Looking at 12months from now, plenty of J redemptions with CX via HKG.
Keep yourself flexible.
Regards,
BD
Jul 3, 2012, 5:54 am
#144
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 451
Hi JCary, welcome to the QF Lottery!!
As has been stated previously, Awards seats are usually released by QF 353 days in advance and you usually have to be pretty quick to snap them up. Whether you are able to snag two will depend largely on two factors:
1) How quickly AA recognize QF availability
2) When in September you're looking to fly
You could judge the first by trying to do a dummy booking now against a date 353 days out and seeing whether availability is generally available.
Note that NSW schools have holidays Sep 20 - Oct 08 2013, you will find it easier to get redemptions earlier in September than later.
Talking of lottery, personally I wouldn't wait until the return legs are available before trying to book the outbound - chances are your outbounds will have disappeared (though consider the later statement about CX).
You should also consider indirect routes such as ORD-DFW-BNE-SYD as well as the well-trodden via LAX.
Finally, do you *have* to fly QF? Looking at 12months from now, plenty of J redemptions with CX via HKG.
Keep yourself flexible.
Regards,
BD
As has been stated previously, Awards seats are usually released by QF 353 days in advance and you usually have to be pretty quick to snap them up. Whether you are able to snag two will depend largely on two factors:
1) How quickly AA recognize QF availability
2) When in September you're looking to fly
You could judge the first by trying to do a dummy booking now against a date 353 days out and seeing whether availability is generally available.
Note that NSW schools have holidays Sep 20 - Oct 08 2013, you will find it easier to get redemptions earlier in September than later.
Talking of lottery, personally I wouldn't wait until the return legs are available before trying to book the outbound - chances are your outbounds will have disappeared (though consider the later statement about CX).
You should also consider indirect routes such as ORD-DFW-BNE-SYD as well as the well-trodden via LAX.
Finally, do you *have* to fly QF? Looking at 12months from now, plenty of J redemptions with CX via HKG.
Keep yourself flexible.
Regards,
BD
Thanks!
Jul 3, 2012, 6:00 am
#145
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Denver • DEN-APA
Programs: AF Platinum, EK Gold, AA EXP, UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 21,596
Sep 25, 2012, 7:56 pm
#146
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: NYC
Programs: AA 2MM, Bonvoy LTT, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 14,636
Just a data point. I have been looking at QF F availability last minute and it doesn't look like awards will be release if with space avail. Currently 14 hours prior to departure on QF 1 SIN LHR with F7 and P0.
Sep 25, 2012, 8:37 pm
#147
Original Member
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Portland OR Double Emerald (QF and AA), DL PM/MM, Starwood Plat
Posts: 19,589
QF has introduced a new upgrade policy (new since this thread started), so unsold F/J/Y+ seats are now eligible for upgrade up to departure time. This reduces the incentive to release seats for awards in the last minute. I expect current practice is far more limiting than past years for key route last minute award availability. Probably the only way is by WP/P1 request to yield management.
Oct 1, 2012, 1:18 pm
#148
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: AA EXP
Posts: 288
Oct 1, 2012, 4:00 pm
#149
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,992
(See here for assistance on abbreviations: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/qanta...-qf-board.html)
Oct 4, 2012, 5:46 pm
#150
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 341
Qantas award through Hawaii, where do we clear customs?
We chose the two busiest days in June and July to travel I swear, plenty of availability except on our way back. We currently have a booking to come back but it leaves a lot to be desired. There's another option we could take Qantas out of PER-SYD-HNL-LAX, also not desirable, but with 4 hours in Hawaii could we leave and come back or do we clear customs and go through the process there?