Attn: Platinum QFF's - access to classic reward seats on flights?

[Philosiphier]

I have just read that not all QFF memberships are created equal when it comes to accessing rewards flights. I was wondering if someone with Platinum status could tell me if you see any business class seats available for flights from HNL-SYD on or around the 5th April 2011?
I was wondering if there are any available, or just not to us lowly Bronze members.

Hoping someone might try and check this out for fun (?) if nothing else?

Cherio! :mrgreen:

Zoe.

 

[markis10]

No QF flight on the 5th and there is a J seat classic available in the 6th.

 

[nlagalle]

Hi Zoe,

There is nothing on the Tuesday but there is a seat on the Wednesday that I can see..

Cheers,

Nick

 

[Philosiphier]

Hey guys, thanks for posting replies so quickly.. tis a bummer that there are actually flights there, but not available for Bronze members... do you think it likely that they may post more available to Bronze members leading up to the departure date? Or once all the bronze-available reward J-class seats are gone, they are just... gone?

 

[nlagalle]

Hey guys, thanks for posting replies so quickly.. tis a bummer that there are actually flights there, but not available for Bronze members... do you think it likely that they may post more available to Bronze members leading up to the departure date? Or once all the bronze-available reward J-class seats are gone, they are just... gone?

you can't see anything on the following day? Once they are gone they are usually gone.

 

[Philosiphier]

you can't see anything on the following day? Once they are gone they are usually gone.

Nope... there is nothing in Business class for the whole of April.. it's not until May that I'm able to see two, but that's a little bit too late hehe

 

[nlagalle]

Nope... there is nothing in Business class for the whole of April.. it's not until May that I'm able to see two, but that's a little bit too late hehe

Ahh you are looking for 2 seats? if so then that will affect our searches. I was only looking for 1 seat, not 2.

 

[Philosiphier]

Ahh you are looking for 2 seats? if so then that will affect our searches. I was only looking for 1 seat, not 2.

Oh, sorry, yeah, I am after two seats.. should've mentioned that before!

(I meant though, that I can see two available dates for J class tickets in May, but that's by the by) :mrgreen: Whoops - make that ONE available date, I must've been thinking of a different month!

 

[nlagalle]

Oh, sorry, yeah, I am after two seats.. should've mentioned that before!

(I meant though, that I can see two available dates for J class tickets in May, but that's by the by) :mrgreen:

yes, but as there are only single seats available, they won't show up when searching for 2.. try searching for a single seat.

 

[Philosiphier]

yes, but as there are only single seats available, they won't show up when searching for 2.. try searching for a single seat.

Is there any way to tell if there is more than one single seat available?

 

[nlagalle]

Is there any way to tell if there is more than one single seat available?

Yep.. search for 2 seats! but there is nothing in that period. Infact there is only 1 J seat available...

 

[Philosiphier]

I thought you were implying that if I searched for two single seats, rather than one "double" seat, that this might somehow make a difference.. I think our wires are a little crossed (or at least mine is!)

 

[nlagalle]

I thought you were implying that if I searched for two single seats, rather than one "double" seat, that this might somehow make a difference.. I think our wires are a little crossed (or at least mine is!)

yes.. if you search with flexible dates you'll get a calendar which will show you availability over the month. i did this and there is only 1 seat - on the 6th.

 

[Philosiphier]

yes.. if you search with flexible dates you'll get a calendar which will show you availability over the month. i did this and there is only 1 seat - on the 6th.

Yep.. I was able to see this myself originally.. I was curious to know that if, as a platinum QFF, you had access to more classic award business class seats.. that's all...

 

[nlagalle]

Yep.. I was able to see this myself originally.. I was curious to know that if, as a platinum QFF, you had access to more classic award business class seats.. that's all...

I don't believe so.. I think it is only for Y seating (there was something about greater availability for higher tiers a while back).

 

[NM]

Yep.. I was able to see this myself originally.. I was curious to know that if, as a platinum QFF, you had access to more classic award business class seats.. that's all...

Anecdotal evidence has shown that all members see the same business and first class awards (as well as all members of OneWorld FF programs). The different availability seems to only be in economy class, where it seems low-status QF FF members get access to less award seat availability than higher status members or any members of other OneWorld FF programs.

 

[Philosiphier]

Anecdotal evidence has shown that all members see the same business and first class awards (as well as all members of OneWorld FF programs). The different availability seems to only be in economy class, where it seems low-status QF FF members get access to less award seat availability than higher status members or any members of other OneWorld FF programs.

ahhhh okie dokie.. thankie

 

[Alanslegal]

I see a few award Y seats on or around the 5th. I know its not J (read really PE style) but flying JQi on the 5th is 2-4-2 configuration and travelling in pairs, getting seats on either side is perfectly fine imo.

Using points = 36,000 points plus tax OR pay for seat from $447usd o/w pp.

 

[anat0l]

As a QF WP, I can almost always book a Y classic seat whenever I like; it'll show up online. This doesn't happen often with other tiers. With premium seats it's still hit and miss online, but generally I see better availability as a WP than lower tiers.

In line with this, just because a WP can see an open seat doesn't mean that someone of lower status can book it (i.e. you can't ask your WP friend to find a seat for you, then force QF to give that seat to you just because a WP can see it and you can't. You could get your friend to book the seat with your name on it, however, but the points will come from their coffers.)

WPs also can put in a request for a seat if they can't see any availability online. This requires calling QF Premium and will incur the necessary telephone assistance charges. It isn't guaranteed, but if it works, paying the extra fee isn't so bad in circumspect (we're talking premium seats here, i.e. J or F). I've put in requests twice now - one F award and one J partner award - and both been successful.

 

[Philosiphier]

As a QF WP, I can almost always book a Y classic seat whenever I like; it'll show up online. This doesn't happen often with other tiers. With premium seats it's still hit and miss online, but generally I see better availability as a WP than lower tiers.

In line with this, just because a WP can see an open seat doesn't mean that someone of lower status can book it (i.e. you can't ask your WP friend to find a seat for you, then force QF to give that seat to you just because a WP can see it and you can't. You could get your friend to book the seat with your name on it, however, but the points will come from their coffers.)

WPs also can put in a request for a seat if they can't see any availability online. This requires calling QF Premium and will incur the necessary telephone assistance charges. It isn't guaranteed, but if it works, paying the extra fee isn't so bad in circumspect (we're talking premium seats here, i.e. J or F). I've put in requests twice now - one F award and one J partner award - and both been successful.

Thanks for that.. tis very interesting.. I would love to have platinum status and be able to access all these added perks.. but then - who wouldn't? I am afraid Plat is out of reach as we fly but maybe 2-3 times per year.. but it may be something to aspire to in the future Or perhaps, next time, we actually plan our trip around return flights and book the seats immediately. This was our problem, I had booked business class one way, then were waiting on a few days before we could borrow some points from my hubby's parents, but, alas, this time delay was enough for someone else to snap up our planned return flight.. if nothing else it has taught us a lesson! :-|

It is very interesting to know that these options are available though.. thanks for your input