Booking Premium Seats Using Classic Rewards Points

[cougar_df]

Hi, I'm attempting to book a return flight from Sydney to Vancouver using my classic rewards points to get either a Premium Economy or Business seat x 2. However, when presented with flight/seat options, all of the available premium seats would have a message indicating that (what seemed like the longer leg) would be in economy. For example, for the onward journey, the option I selected was QF11 to JFK + CX889 to Vancouver. Regardless of whether Premium Economy or Business, each option would say "Your flight from Sydney to New York will be in economy". Ditto for the return trip, and it didn't seem to make any difference which combination of flights I chose.

How on earth can I get a premium seat for the entire duration of my trip?

 

[opusman]

Book as early as possible (classic award seats are released ~350 days ahead), and consider alternative routings. SYD-LAX is a very popular route, and the A380 is more popular than the 747. You might have more luck going through BNE.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, I'm attempting to book a return flight from Sydney to Vancouver using my classic rewards points to get either a Premium Economy or Business seat x 2. However, when presented with flight/seat options, all of the available premium seats would have a message indicating that (what seemed like the longer leg) would be in economy. For example, for the onward journey, the option I selected was QF11 to JFK + CX889 to Vancouver. Regardless of whether Premium Economy or Business, each option would say "Your flight from Sydney to New York will be in economy". Ditto for the return trip, and it didn't seem to make any difference which combination of flights I chose.

How on earth can I get a premium seat for the entire duration of my trip?

Book 365 days in advance, or book with partner airlines.

Cathay and Japan airlines are more expensive using QFF points, but have much better availability. Search individually AU to HKG or Tokyo, then separately from Asia to your pick of US gateways.

Japan airlines flights don't show on the QF website.

 

[scwappy]

Or try going via Asia if you have lots of points

 

[serfty]

Book 365 days in advance. ...

... or 353 days with Qantas ...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

... or 353 days with Qantas ...

Thanks Serfty - my bad. I didn't check when QF award seats were open for reservation.

 

[serfty]

Thanks Serfty - my bad. I didn't check when QF award seats were open for reservation.

Cheers - I do as I have been booking lounge haul premium for many a year ...

 

[shippo]

I was lucky enough to book 2x business seats SYD-YVR for 16 Jan last weekend. Note that the direct flights are only for a limited period between Dec and Jan each year.

 

[JohnM]

Cheers - I do as I have been booking lounge haul premium for many a year ...

Precisely... I've just snared J redemptions SYD-JNB-SYD at -353 days (although that route is not so difficult to get J redemptions). But the Golden Rule for Getting What You Want is -353d.

Also suggest that the OP book outbound at its -353d and book inbound separately at its -353d to maximise chances.

 

[JohnM]

I was lucky enough to book 2x business seats SYD-YVR for 16 Jan last weekend. Note that the direct flights are only for a limited period between Dec and Jan each year.

Not so. There was a trial in that period that has recently morphed into a year-round service 3x/week.

 

[Katy]

Not so. There was a trial in that period that has recently morphed into a year-round service 3x/week.

I thought it only expanded out to a single summer season (Jun/Jul) as well as the Dec/Jan winter season?

ETA: Just checked with some dummy dates and got excited for a minute but it's only showing me via DFW/LAX flights

 

[JohnM]

I thought it only expanded out to a single summer season (Jun/Jul) as well as the Dec/Jan winter season?

ETA: Just checked with some dummy dates and got excited for a minute but it's only showing me via DFW/LAX flights

Sorry, my bad. I thought after the initial trial they had expanded to year-round but it was expanded only seasonally.