QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[fletty]

Success for 4xY SIN>BNE 27th July

2xJ SIN>BNE denied, I7
2xJ SIN>BNE denied, I9

A few SIN>SYD flights with I9 and A9 denied, and denied on a few dates for Y as well. Right up against school holidays and Euro summer is tricky.

 

[DAC1]

On a side note, I had some reward seats show up in my account (SG) that didn't show up under the standard (NB) view. Tried to call the CSC as I was trying to book for my daughter and the website wouldn't let me book for an unaccompanied minor, but the agent said they couldn't view the seats on their end.... is this normal?

You need to ask them to conduct your search with your QFF number attached to the search. This then gives you access to SG preferred seats. I have had this happen to me before when I was a SG.

 

[sudoer]

You need to ask them to conduct your search with your QFF number attached to the search. This then gives you access to SG preferred seats. I have had this happen to me before when I was a SG.

You'd think this should be automatic if you've entered your QFF and PIN into the IVR at the start of the call.

 

[DAC1]

You'd think this should be automatic if you've entered your QFF and PIN into the IVR at the start of the call.

One would think that - but a Hobart agent explained to me that it was not. He only figured it out when I told him that the availability was showing in my SG account but not in my parents NB account.

 

[Falcs]

You need to ask them to conduct your search with your QFF number attached to the search. This then gives you access to SG preferred seats. I have had this happen to me before when I was a SG.

I did try telling them to use my QFF number but no luck, HUACA didn't work either. Maybe needed to try multiple times...

Sounded like a Manila contact centre

 

[dandandan]

I did try telling them to use my QFF number but no luck, HUACA didn't work either. Maybe needed to try multiple times...

Sounded like a Manila contact centre

Is there a best way to ring and request?, so a scrip of sorts, I did once and it felt a bit awkward.

 

[DAC1]

Is there a best way to ring and request?, so a scrip of sorts, I did once and it felt a bit awkward.

I’m pretty sure there was a report from an agent who commented that approximately a quarter of their calls are WP reward requests. I suspect the agents have heard it all…

I’ve even had the same agent on multiple different occasions where I’ve requested the same seats multiple times over different calls. Nothing awkward about it.

 

[elanshin]

Is there a best way to ring and request?, so a scrip of sorts, I did once and it felt a bit awkward.

Just be clear about what you're doing. "I'm asking to request XYZ on this (these) QF flights on these days for (#) people in Business (or economy)".

It's a common request.

 

[fletty]

I’m pretty sure there was a report from an agent who commented that approximately a quarter of their calls are WP reward requests. I suspect the agents have heard it all…

Yep

Interestingly, I asked Hobart if they get these requests often, and they said about 25% of their calls are for CR releases.

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Just be clear about what you're doing. "I'm asking to request XYZ on this (these) QF flights on these days for (#) people in Business (or economy)".

It's a common request.

Pretty much this, I will write down what routes I'm looking at on what dates, and will only ask for flights that have the right availability (usually A9/I9/Q9 and sale fares visible), then present as much information up front since they can put in a request for multiple dates and classes at the same time.

 

[elanshin]

Yep

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Pretty much this, I will write down what routes I'm looking at on what dates, and will only ask for flights that have the right availability (usually A9/I9/Q9 and sale fares visible), then present as much information up front since they can put in a request for multiple dates and classes at the same time.

I do note that sometimes Hobart will (without prompting) search up alternative routes for you as well. Like say you want MEL - LAX , they may also without prompting sometimes check for you SYD - LAX and BNE - LAX and that they're much better at forcing through things that the computer is playing up with but is in fact available.

 

[Point Ventures]

Success 2x J SYD-YVR return for Christmas (peak travel period)

2x J SYD-YVR 8 DEC (I4) = successful
2x J BNE-LAX 8 DEC (I9) = successful
2x J MEL-LAX 8 DEC (I6) = successful
2x J YVR-SYD 3 JAN (I9) = successful

 

[Doctore1003]

I hit Platinum for the first time today and immediately called Qantas for my first ever reward seat request - and was successful!

1xJ MEL-PER on 3 Nov on QF773 (A330). Also was approved for the slightly later flight QF775 (also A330).

Am very happy, as economy seats are a whopping $800 (Melb Cup weekend + Oasis concerts).

The process was a bit different to what I was expecting, though. I rang up, the chap typed away for a few minutes, said there were no economy seats available but he'd submit a request for business, and that I'd get an email in an hour with the result.

I hung up, and 30 mins later he called back to tell me the request was successful, and proceeded to make the booking. I got the eticket a few mins later.

Is this how it normally works?

It sounded like an overseas call centre based on the background noise / accents.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

I hit Platinum for the first time today and immediately called Qantas for my first ever reward seat request - and was successful!

1xJ MEL-PER on 3 Nov on QF773 (A330). Also was approved for the slightly later flight QF775 (also A330).

Am very happy, as economy seats are a whopping $800 (Melb Cup weekend + Oasis concerts).

The process was a bit different to what I was expecting, though. I rang up, the chap typed away for a few minutes, said there were no economy seats available but he'd submit a request for business, and that I'd get an email in an hour with the result.

I hung up, and 30 mins later he called back to tell me the request was successful, and proceeded to make the booking. I got the eticket a few mins later.

Is this how it normally works?

It sounded like an overseas call centre based on the background noise / accents.

Nice one!

Usually they can complete the process on the initial call now, even at the overseas call centres. The request goes in, it takes a minute or two to assess, and then it can be ticketed. You might also see the booking pop up in your Qantas app while the request is happening, if you refresh it. What you're looking for is the segment(s) to appear as "confirmed", which means the droid has approved the request.

 

[RSD]

Nice one!

Usually they can complete the process on the initial call now, even at the overseas call centres. The request goes in, it takes a minute or two to assess, and then it can be ticketed. You might also see the booking pop up in your Qantas app while the request is happening, if you refresh it. What you're looking for is the segment(s) to appear as "confirmed", which means the droid has approved the request.

The fact that it takes the two to five minutes or so for the computer to decide is I think a pretty good indication of how slow/awful the IT systems are at QF!

 

[ChrisFlyer]

The fact that it takes the two to five minutes or so for the computer to decide is I think a pretty good indication of how slow/awful the IT systems are at QF!

TBH it can be pretty a standard delay for 'long sell' GDS bookings. The same as using Velocity points to book on Virgin Atlantic, where they have to create the whole booking in the same way and it comes back as confirmed or not shortly after. It's usually a couple of minutes though, not 5.

 

[BriarFlyer]

Requested 1 x U on QF76 YVR-SYD in last week of March. Wed (I7) and Thu (I9) both approved.

Fiji agent handled the request, and other changes to my OWA, with understanding and (seeming) competence. Even asked for my APIS info so it would ticket ... except it hasn't. I'm hoping for a HBA agent when I call back as I wanted to finish with a domestic Aust. flight which Fiji couldn't manage.