Booking Japan Airlines flights using QF points

[travelislife]

I am trying to book a flight for 2 people in business class from BKK-NGO-CTS on Japan Airlines. It is showing availability on a BA search, it is also showing as available on a JL search (though they might show better availability for their own members), but when I call Qantas are seeing nothing on the phone. Is there any other search facility I should use to actually confirm the seats are available? I have had problems previously where they need to do a manual request or something like that, but the last agent I spoke with wasn't very clued on to even trying this.

Anyone else had this problem before with trying to book JL flights using QF points?

 

[travelislife]

Okay interestingly enough just now when trying to double check availability on the JL site I can get it to show but it keeps dropping out saying the 'site is busy, please try again later' so maybe this is impacting on the back end side and what Qantas can see.

 

[travelislife]

Okay this is still strange. The rep I just spoke to has managed to find the BKK-NGO seats (only after telling me they weren't available though at first) but can't get the connecting NGO-CTS flight to price. Now I think something funny must be going on, Japan Airlines generally don't release revenue fares or domestic award seats by themselves until 3 months out, but when connecting to an international ticket they do allow them to be sold. Very frustrating, just need to get an agent that knows how to use the system!

 

[travelislife]

4th agent lucky! BKK-NGO-CTS booked on JAL BKK-NGO business class on the 787, NGO-CTS (economy class only aircraft). 53,000 points plus only $37.20 in taxes! Booking fee waived as not possible to book online. By far the best 'surcharges' I have ever had using Qantas points.

Business is U class, domestic economy is S class.

 

[Mattg]

Glad you got there in the end. Although it's not possible to book JAL flights using QF points online, I hadn't previously heard of any problems trying to book an award over the phone.