Article: Reward Seat Release Patterns Have Changed Fundamentally

[aikman]

If you only ever fly on one airline and don't plan far ahead, it's fine. Otherwise, it's terrible.

For my sake hopefully all airlines switch to a batch release model .

The way I see it, batch releases gives me a greater than zero chance in scoring seats because everyone has an equal chance.

With 353 day releases I have a zero chance because I am simply not in a position to lock in a trip 353 days in advance. By the time I am ready to book the seats will be all gone.

I sometimes wonder how people are able to lock in a trip one year ahead and not change it. I am thinking you'd have to be a student, retiree, take the same trip every year, have a predictable work schedule or predictable life events.

 

[sydney slug]

What really kills the redemption lottery as a good idea is the massive asymmetry between a one way and return j class revenue ticket. If Qantas stays with its current pricing regime it will receive no revenue on either the outbound or return leg if one is able to fluke a redemption ticket. I am surprised there are fewer complaints about that particular form of price gouge.

 

[Pushka]

What really kills the redemption lottery as a good idea is the massive asymmetry between a one way and return j class revenue ticket. If Qantas stays with its current pricing regime it will receive no revenue on either the outbound or return leg if one is able to fluke a redemption ticket. I am surprised there are fewer complaints about that particular form of price gouge.

It's one reason why with 2 people to find flights for, one is usually a paid return trip and the other a return award seat.

 

[Lynda2475]

I sometimes wonder how people are able to lock in a trip one year ahead and not change it. I am thinking you'd have to be a student, retiree, take the same trip every year, have a predictable work schedule or predictable life events.

None of the above for me, however if giving 10-12months notice of requested leave no employer can argue insufficient notice or insufficient time to plan for a handover of inflight work. The only reason Id ever have to consider changing/cancelling a preplanned trip would be due to an unforeseen medical issue and well that is what Travel Insurance is for.

Tours and flexible hotels can all be locked in easily 12 months out with only a refundable deposit. For tours you don't have to make final payment until 30 days out, and hotels can be cancelled up to the day before if a better deal arises.

Once big ticket items - fights and any tours are locked. Smaller things like day trips, theatre tickets etc can all be done much closer to departure (or even on arrival).

As someone who manages resources I loathe people who request a months leave with short notice (less than 3 months), it reeks of disorganization and is inconsiderate of the rest of the team. A couple of days at short notice can usually be accommodated but lengthy leave with poor notice is likely to be declined.

I prefer the old reliable 350 day award release schedule, I don't mind some batches on top of that. But the random dumps benefit those without status and removes one of the best status benefits for the more loyal customers.

 

[eminere]

I've only been asked for this in the US.

I imagine most people travel on a single ticket containing both the outbound and return sets of flights, so this would be immediately apparent at check-in at the point of origin and therefore no need to ask overtly for the return flight details.

 

[Lynda2475]

I've only been asked for this in the US.

I was asked for this at LHR in 2002 even though my exit from UK was on the same ticket (albeit those old fashioned carbon copy ones) - no problem once I showed him proof of a confirmed ticket to leave within the tourist visa period. Although he did double check I wasn't planning to work so maybe age related?

And upon entry to the EU (Ireland) last month was asked about how long was staying, where I would be traveling to from Ireland even though I'm positive he had all that info on the computer in front of him.

So it does happen outside the USA.

 

[Pushka]

I imagine most people travel on a single ticket containing both the outbound and return sets of flights, so this would be immediately apparent at check-in at the point of origin and therefore no need to ask overtly for the return flight details.

Our most recent trip to Europe was comprised of multiple one way bookings. Travelled into Athens and then UK.

 

[Aggi]

I get that award seats have limited availability and therefore I would be happy to get an award seat one way and pay for the return fare. But it peeves me off that I have to pay more for a one way fare compared to a return. Even yesterday looking at booking one way economy fare to Singapore was $677 compared to $500 if booked as a return.

 

[celsioraus]

I noticed this last year occuring. Even now there are no Manila or BKK to sydney flights in J rewards direct for feb march 2024. They will come, but you basically need to check daily forever.

 

[levelnine]

This change has made the decision to diversify away from Qantas points all the more beneficial.

Lock something in at the 12 month mark then switch to a better/cheaper alternative if one pops up in the intervening 12 months. Typically all with very little cancellation fees attached.

 

[BAM1748]

I don't understand how anyone can plan booking a few days ahead? I need hotels, tours, restaurants etc all booked...and unless I have flights in place, how do I plan all that?

I'm one of those people who sometimes book late, including a couple of days before an OS trip or the night before a week in FNQ.

 

[serfty]

Interesting ...

Such batch releases could affect the viability of entities that specialise in search/booking award flights for clients.

I have noticed it happening across carriers recently.

More often recently see in travel blogs I subscribe to headlines starting with "wide open availability on airline xx from yyy to zzz" like such is unusual (and indeed has been rare in the past).

 

[Human]

Really helpful article!

@AFF Editor I'd love to read a similar article on KrisFlyer/Singapore/Star Alliance airlines.

 

[CaptJCool]

Really helpful article!

@AFF Editor I'd love to read a similar article on KrisFlyer/Singapore/Star Alliance airlines.

Guaranteed Economy Reward Seats for up to 4 family members – Platinum members

Terms and Conditions

This explains the definition, applicable terms, related changes and terms related to membership, velocity pin, velocity estrore, family pooling, redeeming points, status credit, member benefit,tax, fees, charges and other related things

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

had made we wonder if QF would ever do something of this nature?

 

[Hunter4vr]

I noticed this last year occuring. Even now there are no Manila or BKK to sydney flights in J rewards direct for feb march 2024. They will come, but you basically need to check daily forever.

Yeah we flew return in QF J to Manila this March, got the seats around October.

 

[celsioraus]

Yeah we flew return in QF J to Manila this March, got the seats around October.

Last year there were so many to manila and now there is basically none. My missus is there and looking for a J reward early in 2024 as possible. Weird thing is not even economy and they only have via taiwan and less via SG in Y only

 

[drron]

This article is depressing! I've been itching for Sept to finish so I can book Business seats from Sydney to Amsterdam (return), either on Singapore or Emirates for Sept 2024. That's the way I've done it for years.

SQ are still releasing award seats as previously though in busy times such as school holidays often just ad vantage with saver waitlisted. I have been able to book J awards DRW-SIN-HND-SIN-BNE for june /July next year at the previous pre covid release date.

 

[bashworth]

Over the years I have regularly found good rewards seats at short notice. I am currently in Timor Leste and easily got an economy return from Melbourne for 24,000 points.

 

[The Flying Brick]

Guaranteed Economy Reward Seats for up to 4 family members – Platinum members

Terms and Conditions

This explains the definition, applicable terms, related changes and terms related to membership, velocity pin, velocity estrore, family pooling, redeeming points, status credit, member benefit,tax, fees, charges and other related things

www.velocityfrequentflyer.com

had made we wonder if QF would ever do something of this nature?

Surely you are not suggesting that the disgraced CEO (former) of Qantas would ever lift a finger to look after their status pax?

 

[Lynda2475]

How many Platinum's are likely to be looking for 4 Y? IME when seats are released it is not hard to find 4 whY, the challenge is finding more than 1 J or F.