Award seat availability for Qantas Gold members

[kamchatsky]

In the past I have struggled using QFF points when I was a Bronze, especially for 4 people. So I hardly used my stash of QFF points and I just let it slowly accumulate. I used to be able to use QFF to book on CX instead as CX used to be generous on their award availability.

But with the recent CX Asia Miles devaluation in June last year, the CX availability in J became much more scarce, it made QFF points even harder to use.

However due to a successful status challenge, I have been QFF Gold since October 2017, and because of my membership year falling on end of September, it meant I am QFF Gold all the way to end of September 2019.

I have noticed that since becoming QFF Gold, I could see a lot more award seats available in QF and CX available than when I was in Bronze. Also comparing to my BAEC Avios and CX Asia Miles account, it confirms my thinking. I have managed to book 4 * SYD-HNL on QF3 (admitted in Y) departing on the night of the first day of term 1 school holiday where Easter and ANZAC Day are together. I had never seen any availability on QF3/4 for a long time as a Bronze, so be able to grab 4 was a surprise for me.

But the most amazing thing was that a few days ago, I managed to book 4 * J QF118 (HKG-SYD) award seats on peak date (just after CNY 2020 and just when school starts). I have never seen that many award seats before on peak season. I compare this with my Avios and CX Asia Miles account and they couldn't see any of those seats. So I am pretty sure that I could see them because I am a Gold member.

I could not see CX releasing that many J awards unless it is not peak dates. In fact as QFF Gold I could see a whole bunch of CX PE awards whereas I couldn't see them available in Asia Miles.

So now I value QFF Gold much more because I can actually burn the QFF points "properly". I don't think I can use those QFF points properly if I am Silver or Bronze.

I am also a VA Platinum, but I don't get access to premium awards seats earlier, even though I could get guaranteed economy trip per year. So for the new VA boss, it would be really good to reward the VA Plat or Gold to have access to premium award seats on their metal.

It is a shame that because of recent job change I won't fly for work anymore, but if QFF offers me to retain Gold by paying QFF points later this year, I would seriously consider it because of the priority award seats access for Golds (and above) and I can continue to "properly" redeem awards.

Now I look forward to my first QF J long-haul ..... as I have only tried QF J on Domestic legs on Suites (MEL-SYD mainly) or 737s.

 

[Newtothegame]

Hey kamchatsky,

Thanks for sharing. I’ve recently made gold for the first time and have found reward availability is generally better - certainly the ability to book earlier th silver/bronze is helpful!

However, I have not been able to find any Qantas reward flights (any cabin) from HKG to SYD in late jan 2020, so was surprised to hear you snagged 4 J’s. I can only see a few CX reward flights.

Are you currently able to see any QF reward flights (any cabin) in late Jan 2020 from HKG to SYD?

 

[madrooster]

Are you currently able to see any QF reward flights (any cabin) in late Jan 2020 from HKG to SYD?

Every carrier blacklists end of Jan due to school holidays and the fact they will end up overselling the flight every year. They don't need any awards to fill the plane at that time of year.

 

[Zanzara]

It wouldn't be hard to see more classic award J availability as a Gold FF than as a Silver or Bronze. Even then it's still pretty sparsely distributed. VA don't 'hide' availability, which as a Platinum I don't resent. More availability is always a good thing though I could be wrong, but I don't think SQ hide availability either.

 

[kamchatsky]

It wouldn't be hard to see more classic award J availability as a Gold FF than as a Silver or Bronze. Even then it's still pretty sparsely distributed. VA don't 'hide' availability, which as a Platinum I don't resent. More availability is always a good thing though I could be wrong, but I don't think SQ hide availability either.

My biggest issue is that even as a VA Platinum there are no "additional" premium award availability, whilst Qantas does. I never knew this feature until I hit QFF Gold and then all of the sudden I can actually do something with my QFF points which has been sitting in the cupboard gathering dust over time. Availability of VA J to HKG or LAX is close to none unless within 14 days which doesn't suit most people anyway.

 

[kamchatsky]

Hey kamchatsky,

Thanks for sharing. I’ve recently made gold for the first time and have found reward availability is generally better - certainly the ability to book earlier th silver/bronze is helpful!

However, I have not been able to find any Qantas reward flights (any cabin) from HKG to SYD in late jan 2020, so was surprised to hear you snagged 4 J’s. I can only see a few CX reward flights.

Are you currently able to see any QF reward flights (any cabin) in late Jan 2020 from HKG to SYD?

I will PM you something as I may have something for you .....