US to Sydney - Jan 2020

[Tracy Owen]

Hi, I’m very new to Qantas FF and I’d love some advice.

I’m looking for 4 x FF Reward seats on flights from the the US to Sydney on 17 Jan 2020. I’ve been looking out of Dallas, LA or San Francisco but there is nothing showing. I really don’t want to go on anything crazy (like through Shanghai etc).

Have I missed the boat and they are all gone? Or is there hope that Qantas may release seats further throughout this year? Just not sure how it works.

Thanks, Tracy

 

[mrsterryn]

Hi, I’m very new to Qantas FF and I’d love some advice.

I’m looking for 4 x FF Reward seats on flights from the the US to Sydney on 17 Jan 2020. I’ve been looking out of Dallas, LA or San Francisco but there is nothing showing. I really don’t want to go on anything crazy (like through Shanghai etc).

Have I missed the boat and they are all gone? Or is there hope that Qantas may release seats further throughout this year? Just not sure how it works.

Thanks, Tracy

Welcome to AFF

Just wondering if you have FF status?
Also which class you are looking at

 

[Tracy Owen]

Welcome to AFF

Just wondering if you have FF status?
Also which class you are looking at

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate.
We are Bronze and very happy to go with Economy.

 

[mrsterryn]

I can't see any economy on 17th from LAX. (I am Platinium) There are days around that date but they do take the long way to Sydney
Possible impacts are school holidays
Others may (probable ) will have better suggestions.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I can see 4xEconomy ex-SFO but it's through Shanghai. Nothing ex-DFW.

 

[Tracy Owen]

Do they release them all at once and that’s it? Or would there be hope that they may release some later down the track?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Do they release them all at once and that’s it? Or would there be hope that they may release some later down the track?

It's possible for more to be released but depends on the route and time of year, ie. in very general terms if demand for revenue passengers is predicted to be high then there will be lower chance of additional award seats after the initial profile.

 

[drron]

I went and looked up on my account as I have no QF status.
On the 18th there are 4 Y awards on AA LAX-AKL and then on QF AKL-SYD.45000 points each.

On the 17th you can fly LAX-AKL on FJ via Nadi for 40000 points each but it won't add on flights to SYD but separately looking at AKL-SYD there are flights on QF for 4 Y awards.

QF won't release any further awards as it is school holidays and peak time.So get in quick.
Ringing QF may get the LAX-NAN-AKL-SYD awards as not showing together on line.

 

[Dr Ralph]

You've missed the boat I fear, that is if there were any seats available for that time of the year in the first place to someone with no status. Going direct to the US is always difficult.

'I really don’t want to go on anything crazy (like through Shanghai etc).' This is not considered crazy. And is rather normal for this route. Most of us expect to travel via Hong Kong or somewhere similar to be able to get to the US.

I booked my upcoming flights to the US about a year out and am travelling via Shanghai.

 

[Spongbob]

If you want to use QFF award flights, you need to be flexible with your travel dates.

 

[garybatz]

It's incredibly random. I'm going MEL-LAX later in January 2020 and was only able to get two business award seats via BNE, but returning two weeks later up popped two award seats in First on the A380. You really just have to get in early and take what's there.

 

[RichardMEL]

It's incredibly random. I'm going MEL-LAX later in January 2020 and was only able to get two business award seats via BNE, but returning two weeks later up popped two award seats in First on the A380. You really just have to get in early and take what's there.

Well, school is back by your return date which has something to do with it. Feb is far more a softer demand period for travel so it makes some sense.

Anyway Tracy welcome to AFF I hope you find something but as others hve said.. 4 seats during peak time, even in EconomY is a bit of an ask specially after the seats have been offered up already for 6 or so weeks. Definitely being flexible helps and considering options such as going via AKL (Auckland) the day after are good options.

best wishes.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have just noticed this thread.
Might already be mentioned, school holidays, both sides, and premium classes might be blacked out, for those wanting to come to the Aust heat, or Aussies wanting to go up to the snow of the US/Canada.
That month is tight.

 

[drron]

Were you able to book the awards Tracey?

 

[garybatz]

Well, school is back by your return date which has something to do with it. Feb is far more a softer demand period for travel so it makes some sense.

Anyway Tracy welcome to AFF I hope you find something but as others hve said.. 4 seats during peak time, even in EconomY is a bit of an ask specially after the seats have been offered up already for 6 or so weeks. Definitely being flexible helps and considering options such as going via AKL (Auckland) the day after are good options.

best wishes.

True, though I'm actually leaving the day school goes back so possibly not a factor on the outbound flight. On the inbound the surprise for me was getting seats in First and there was nothing in business. As I say, all rather random.

 

[Spongbob]

Thank you for your reply. I really appreciate.
We are Bronze and very happy to go with Economy.

With 4 x QFF award Y bookings, the "extra" charges reduce the financial attractiveness of this option.

If it was me, I would seriously consider paying for the economy tickets because (1) the costs difference between sale fares and the award charges is not prohibitive, and (2) buying the tickets gives you more control over your travel dates.

 

[love_the_life]

With 4 x QFF award Y bookings, the "extra" charges reduce the financial attractiveness of this option.

If it was me, I would seriously consider paying for the economy tickets because (1) the costs difference between sale fares and the award charges is not prohibitive, and (2) buying the tickets gives you more control over your travel dates.

Though the problem may be it's a one way flight only by the look of it so likely to be at a much higher cost.

 

[RichardMEL]

Have just noticed this thread.
Might already be mentioned, school holidays, both sides, and premium classes might be blacked out, for those wanting to come to the Aust heat, or Aussies wanting to go up to the snow of the US/Canada.
That month is tight.

You noticed, but you did not read. The OP wants Y reward tickets, not premium (well I am sure she would LOVE Premium cabins but looking for 4 Y tickets)

 

[love_the_life]

You noticed, but you did not read. The OP wants Y reward tickets, not premium (well I am sure she would LOVE Premium cabins but looking for 4 Y tickets)

We’ve all done that at times - missed important details in a post - and as a result our answers are well off the mark. Cast the first stone etc.

 

[harvyk]

Agree with Spongbob, awards are hard enough to come by on any specific date, but further to that Y awards are extremely poor value, especially once you factor in taxes, the lack of FF points, and just how cheap some sale fares can be.
I'd be signing up to airline newsletters and monitoring for any sales which pop up. The best value ones are "book by midnight tonight" type sales, so make sure you have all your ducks lined up as often you don't get much time.

This far out there is bound to be some sort of sale happening over the end of Jan. Whilst yes it is school holidays here, it's still more than possible to find good deals over Jan, especially for International flights.