Reward Availability in Qantas First
Apr 8, 2005 | 7:26 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,730
Reward Availability in Qantas First
Has anyone redeemed CO miles for two First Class tickets on Qantas to Australia? How is the availability? I am thinking of burning through most of my remaining CO miles to do this. Any suggestions on a good time of year (I know the seasons are opposite)? I was thinking July or August, but not sure if I can get the tickets. Any comments or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
Apr 8, 2005 | 7:36 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Yes, many many posts on this, but bottom line availability is tight, so book early and be flexible. Going off-season will help.
Apr 8, 2005 | 9:34 am
#3
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,122
Plan on looking 330 days out. Join the QF ff club. This allows you to search their data base for available award seats, including F. Make a note of the dates/flight #s and call CO Partner desk and request those specific ones.
This is the same process I used to secure JFK-LAX-MEL-SYD-LAX-JFK all QF FC last July.
This is the same process I used to secure JFK-LAX-MEL-SYD-LAX-JFK all QF FC last July.
Apr 8, 2005 | 9:48 am
#4
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Pasadena, TX USA
Programs: Co Plat - Marriott Plat
Posts: 589
I don't know how true this is- but I was told there is only 1 seat in First available to CO for use with onepass miles. The onepass rewards desk told me that about a year ago. So if that is true- it might be imposiable to get 2 seats- you might have to fly J.
Apr 8, 2005 | 10:12 am
#5
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Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,092
Originally Posted by CraigS
I don't know how true this is- but I was told there is only 1 seat in First available to CO for use with onepass miles. The onepass rewards desk told me that about a year ago. So if that is true- it might be imposiable to get 2 seats- you might have to fly J.
Perhaps the day you were looking there was only one left?
Apr 8, 2005 | 10:34 am
#6
Join Date: Apr 1999
Location: Homosassa, FL & Ringwood, NJ -UA-G(Lifetime); SPG-Plat (Lifetime)
Posts: 6,122
I'm not sure that QF allocate "X" seats to a particular airline. I think that the "X" seats go to whoever calls first for the seats, regardless of whether the caller is calling CO or any of the airlines QF has a agreement with, and there are many. I have heard, and would not be surprised if true, that X=2.
There are only 14 FC seats on the 747s that got LAX-OZ and I suspect that they would like to sell a few
There are only 14 FC seats on the 747s that got LAX-OZ and I suspect that they would like to sell a few
Apr 8, 2005 | 11:18 am
#7
Join Date: Feb 1999
Posts: 1,278
Flexibility
For a vacation in May, 2004, I started trying in July of 2003. I was unable to get LAX-SYD on the outbound, so I accepted LAX-AKL-SYD. I called 28, 21, and 14 days before the trip. The LAX-SYD nonstop opened up, so I paid $50 to change the itinerary.
IMHO, I should have received the nonstop to begin with but at that point it was worth $50 each to avoid the layover.
IMHO, I should have received the nonstop to begin with but at that point it was worth $50 each to avoid the layover.
Apr 8, 2005 | 5:05 pm
#8
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Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
Originally Posted by ontheroad
For a vacation in May, 2004, I started trying in July of 2003. I was unable to get LAX-SYD on the outbound, so I accepted LAX-AKL-SYD. I called 28, 21, and 14 days before the trip. The LAX-SYD nonstop opened up, so I paid $50 to change the itinerary.
Apr 11, 2005 | 6:34 am
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Tampa, FL
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Platinum
Posts: 1,730
How is the FC cabin? Looks really nice. We may end up doing a last minute trip this summer...depends on my job situation. I'll just have to keep looking. Thanks for the idea about joining the FF club.
Apr 11, 2005 | 8:23 am
#10
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: CLE
Posts: 9,816
Originally Posted by divrdrew
How is the FC cabin? Looks really nice. We may end up doing a last minute trip this summer...depends on my job situation. I'll just have to keep looking. Thanks for the idea about joining the FF club.
Apr 11, 2005 | 8:53 am
#11
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Sugar Land, Tx
Posts: 518
Originally Posted by channa
Not true. I've secured 2 before.
Perhaps the day you were looking there was only one left?
Perhaps the day you were looking there was only one left?
Apr 11, 2005 | 10:22 am
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: NYC
Posts: 27,887
Originally Posted by divrdrew
How is the FC cabin? Looks really nice. We may end up doing a last minute trip this summer...depends on my job situation. I'll just have to keep looking. Thanks for the idea about joining the FF club.
Apr 12, 2005 | 2:20 pm
#13
Join Date: Feb 1999
Location: New York, NY, AA 4MM PLT, BA Gold, VS Gold, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold, Marriott Gold, Hyatt Platinum, IHG Platinum, CC Gold
Posts: 1,099
QF F easier to snag than CO F
I managed to book a 135K award from EWR - SYD for next year's Mardi Gras (Mar 2006). My advice is to call 330 days out, put a hold on the outbound and then call back for the return when you hit the 330 day mark. Funny thing is I was able to get First on QF with no problem (other than minor tweaking of the dates). My connections to/from LAX are on DL (confirmed first) with a waitlist on CO for F.
Apr 12, 2005 | 4:26 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: New York, NY, USA
Programs: UA 1K - 2.1MM, HH LT Diamond, IHG Diamond, Bonvoy LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 777
I believe that the QF JFK-LAX flight is the best possible "domestic" flight there is! If you are quite flexible and you live in the NY metro area, it's worth traveling on a Sun, Wed or Fri to get those flights. There is nothing like returning home after a long journey and having the comfort of QF F (after a nice shower) when you reboard in LAX for JFK.
Last edited by Magic Pickles; Apr 12, 2005 at 8:01 pm