LAN SYD-AKL-SYD booking question

[Wannabee]

Hi all,

I am just having some trouble booking the above flights on 5/10 returning 8/10?

We finally got some dates that we both had off so went to book it in J and there is no availability for the return flight. SeatCounter (before I exceeded my daily query cap) said that there was D4 J4. Is there any other booking class that I should be looking for?

I wanted to do this carrier/class a go because, 1) J points will push Mrs Wannabee to gold and will also give me a boost to maintaining WP 2) Give another carrier a go 3) sample the F lounge in Sydney and 4) get a bed so that I don't have to listen to the whinging about the early start on the trip home

Now I could just book LAN J over but it is almost as dear one way as it is return. If I can't get the return then I will probably just get a QF Y return ticket.

Is there anything else that I am missing? Does a travel agent have access to more seats vs me doing it online?

 

[anat0l]

LAN J one way over to NZ is always going to be expensive.

Using lan.com, I can find J seats (in I bucket) for 2 adults leaving 05/10 but not returning on 08/10; though I found some for the next day, 09/10. I haven't checked seatcounter.com so can't back up why I'm getting no availability on 08/10 for AKL-SYD except only to conclude that there aren't any more revenue seats available.

Price is AUD 700 per adult pax inc. taxes.

Note that there are three buckets on sale for LA business: I, D and J. They increase in price going in that order.

Given it's just over a month out, I'd jump as soon as you can.

 

[Wannabee]

Thanks for that. That is exactly what I got too...
I did check seat counter last night and it did say D4 J4. I didn't check I.

I will keep trying to book for the next few days otherwise will just take a QF Red e-deal for $898 for the two of us return.

Still would get to sample the F lounge and the timings are a lot better but miss out on the points

 

[anat0l]

Thanks for that. That is exactly what I got too...
I did check seat counter last night and it did say D4 J4. I didn't check I.

I will keep trying to book for the next few days otherwise will just take a QF Red e-deal for $898 for the two of us return.

Still would get to sample the F lounge and the timings are a lot better but miss out on the points

...and status credits.

Not sure why LA801 is bl**dy full on 08/10; very unusual - absolutely full save for some J and D.

Signs are pointing to unlikely for any more I inventory let alone any more bookable J inventory to open up. I'd look at your other options; from "reading between the lines" it seems leaving a day later is not one of them.

No wonder the fare for SYD-AKL J only is so expensive - it books into D. Perhaps I is an incentive fare on a return basis only (or ex-NZ :evil.

 

[Wannabee]

The dates are set as these are our only days off together.

 

[equus]

Strange, but codeshares seem to be doing some of this.

LA801 is showing as J4 D4 IR YR all the rest C.

R being on request, then makes some sense when you look at the code share QF322 showing as J5 D5 C5 I4 Y9 B9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S6 N0 Q0 O0

It would appear that there are a number of seats assigned to the QF codeshare, which LAN can't sell at the moment.

Now to be really strange, QF online will sell the codeshare in Y classes, but is not showing any J class availability.

Given the IR on LAN, it may pay to actually ring them (if that is possible) - they may be able to get the seats released back from QF, because I don't see how they are going to get sold if no-one is offering them online (LAN not presenting the J4, D4, nor QF presenting any of the J5 D5 etc).

 

[Wannabee]

Well gave LAN a call on their 1800 number, very helpful, however still claimed that there were no J seats available for the return flight as per the website. Seat counter is still showing J5 D5 for LA801 and J3 D3 for QF322 codeshare.

So I don't know how they expect to sell any of these tickets????

EDIT: Just rang Qantas and they have heaps of seats available on the way over and only a few seats left on the return for just over $2000 pp return :shock: plus a $30 phone booking fee (even though you can't book business seats on the QF website

A bit steep considering LAN is $699 pp return

 

[anat0l]

Well gave LAN a call on their 1800 number, very helpful, however still claimed that there were no J seats available for the return flight as per the website. Seat counter is still showing J5 D5 for LA801 and J3 D3 for QF322 codeshare.

So I don't know how they expect to sell any of these tickets????

EDIT: Just rang Qantas and they have heaps of seats available on the way over and only a few seats left on the return for just over $2000 pp return :shock: plus a $30 phone booking fee (even though you can't book business seats on the QF website

A bit steep considering LAN is $699 pp return

QF probably has the expensive Business inventory, i.e. D or J buckets, not to mention that QF probably sell it at their own premium price anyway.

The LA J-bucket inventory price is about the same as the QF (full) Business (J, not Business Saver) price; cf. LA I-bucket which is the cheap price you quote.

 

[taswegian77]

Thanks for that. That is exactly what I got too...
I did check seat counter last night and it did say D4 J4. I didn't check I.

I will keep trying to book for the next few days otherwise will just take a QF Red e-deal for $898 for the two of us return.

Still would get to sample the F lounge and the timings are a lot better but miss out on the points

Hi, why would you miss out on the points and Sc's. LAN are a part of one world and if you book J/I/D with LAN you should get full J points with 25% bonus plus J SC's. Am i missing something here? I just booked this morning with LAN SYD-AKL-SYD depart Sunday 6/9 and return 11/09 for $699, a bargain. I checked to make sure I woudl be entitled to SC and points and yes that is the case.

To your point of accessing the F lounge, do you still get F access when flying LAN? I am a WP but assumed I woudl need to use the J lounge, anyone out there can clarify this as well as my understanding of the points and SC's??

Cheers.

 

[taswegian77]

On anotherr side note this is my 1st time on LAN in J, anyone been on this service in J and can tell me what to expect in their business class. I hear it is newly configured with 74" pitch and full lie flat beds, sounds good to try out esp on early morning flight on return flight.

Also do I get F lounge access in SYD or not? I believe No is the correct answer.
.

 

[medhead]

Hi, why would you miss out on the points and Sc's. LAN are a part of one world and if you book J/I/D with LAN you should get full J points with 25% bonus plus J SC's. Am i missing something here?

To your point of accessing the F lounge, do you still get F access when flying LAN? I am a WP but assumed I woudl need to use the J lounge, anyone out there can clarify this as well as my understanding of the points and SC's??

Cheers.

I read this to mean that they will miss out on the J points and SC if booking a red-e-deal

I understand WPs are able to access the F lounge as a benefit, regardless of fare class.

 

[straitman]

Also do I get F lounge access in SYD or not? I believe No is the correct answer.
.

You do get F lounge access as a WP. I have done this trip so I'm talking from experience.

 

[taswegian77]

thanks for your replies. I am glad I still get F lounge access. I am looking forward to checking out another airlines J offering. I only went LAN this trip because I could not get MEL-AKL flights when I wanted this Sunday, it appears QF are busy on Sunday (weird for Fathers Day?).
For $700 AUD to get 160 SC's is a steal IMHO.

On a side note do you think when I check in at MEL DOM they will onward tag my bags to AKL? Also will I be allowed to use the QF transfer bus if my bags do get tagged all the way or will I have to catch the train across there???

 

[serfty]

At the MEL T1 "Domestic to international connection" check-in counter they will tag you bags all the way through to AKL.

You will be eligible to use the "Seamless" Transfer bus from near Gate 1 in SYD T3.

Note that LAN J TT has been written up as nothing exceptional; maximise your First Class lounge culinary experience - it will be far better than anything served on the flight.

 

[straitman]

Note that LAN J TT has been written up as nothing exceptional; maximise your First Class lounge culinary experience - it will be far better than anything served on the flight.

I have used this flight a couple of times this year. The new aircraft are very comfortable and the service is quite adequate. The food SYD-AKL is cxxp and from AKL-SYD the breakfast is actually quite good.

 

[Wannabee]

Hi, why would you miss out on the points and Sc's.

To your point of accessing the F lounge, do you still get F access when flying LAN? I am a WP but assumed I woudl need to use the J lounge, anyone out there can clarify this as well as my understanding of the points and SC's??

Cheers.

What I meant was now that there are no seats available on LAN J class for the return date, we will still travel but just take a red e-deal instead. So we will still get points, just not nearly as much.

As for the F lounge access, I believe it is due to the OWE status when flying a OW airline and it will be WP status for me because I am flying QF regardless of which class I am flying.

Thanks everyone for their input, I am still hopeful that 2 seats will open up closer to the date. Heres hoping.....

 

[abc12345678]

I've done this LAN sector a few times - but probably over 12 months ago. I thought their J product was rubbish.

If things have changed then I may give it a try again one day soon. (Although probably the SYD-AKL sector to avoid the early kick off required for the AKL-SYD)

 

[taswegian77]

thanks for the check in advice, I will give it a go, i am sure it will be Ok. I am glad I still get into the F lounge as I am really used to it, it is a great lounge both SYD and MEL. I am also glad I get to use the transfer bus, was dreading the train, and it also means a longer stay in the lounge. As for LAN product, it looks good re. the new re fit. Thanks for all the advice, i have an early morning have to be up by 3am to get my 6am flight out of MEL. will provide a report on new J offering for LAN, it is about time i did a trip report for you all.