Business class future booking research

[Newby00]

Hello seasoned FF,
I am looking to book Perth- Paris (using emirates codeshare via Dubai) for the end of June next year(2015) in Business class, using FF points.
min. 2 persons on points , possibly 3 if enough points at booking time, otherwise 3rd person will be a paid fare etc.

1.when is the earliest FF fares become available?

2. what/how is the best way to book this to ensure we get these seats, for least amount of points etc.

3. Any tips or suggestions on searching or booking etc.

many thanks

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Hello seasoned FF,
I am looking to book Perth- Paris (using emirates codeshare via Dubai) for the end of June next year(2015) in Business class, using FF points.
min. 2 persons on points , possibly 3 if enough points at booking time, otherwise 3rd person will be a paid fare etc.

1.when is the earliest FF fares become available?

2. what/how is the best way to book this to ensure we get these seats, for least amount of points etc.

3. Any tips or suggestions on searching or booking etc.

many thanks

Hi there!

1. Using QFF points you can book almost a year in advance. I would start sooner than later if you have particular dates in mind.
2. There is no trick to using QFF points on Emirates PER-CDG... Find the dates that work for you and press Pay Now!
3. If you are not at least Platinum status and can't find dates with award inventory - perhaps using QFF points may not be the best value for you in this case.

Personally I would make sure you are on Emirates where possible and book any additional tickets directly on EK (ie: not QF Codeshare) unless you have status, or want to retain status where the extra $$ on a QF# for the person with status may be worthwhile.

There's no special hidden rules when it comes to award seats using QFF points, especially out of Perth to Europe.

Hope this helps!

 

[Mwenenzi]

2. what/how is the best way to book this to ensure we get these seats, for least amount of points etc.

Also do not confuse points & pay normal revenue fares with award fights which are points & pay$$ for surcharges.

 

[Newby00]

THank you for your replies.

I have been doing searches on QFF website for PER - (Paris)CDG, and NEVER does the EK BUSINESS CLASS SEATS show available - whether it be next month, later this year, 10-12 months away etc. Like they are never even available?????
Anyone know if Qantas FF even realease Business Seats for this route on EK metal ??? We are looking to travel at peak Eurpoe time though - end June 2015 -so wasnt sure if they even release Business seats at peak times either?
Need 2x FF point seats, and 1-2 Paid seats - all in Business Only Bronze member now though as havent travelled on paid fares for a while now
Any suggestions??

Many thanks
Even the Cathay seats in Business are extrememly scarce no matter what the dates.

 

[limlib]

Qatar are one world and maybe an option also with FF points as they fly from Perth also.

 

[mannej]

2 J seats for a NB to Europe in peak time.

I would say good luck, however as they seats aren't likely released yet, I would set up an Expert Flyer alert so you are notified when they do become available.
You have a number of options of getting to CDG, so make sure you do your research first.

 

[Duffa]

THank you for your replies.

I have been doing searches on QFF website for PER - (Paris)CDG, and NEVER does the EK BUSINESS CLASS SEATS show available - whether it be next month, later this year, 10-12 months away etc. Like they are never even available?????
Anyone know if Qantas FF even realease Business Seats for this route on EK metal ??? We are looking to travel at peak Eurpoe time though - end June 2015 -so wasnt sure if they even release Business seats at peak times either?
Need 2x FF point seats, and 1-2 Paid seats - all in Business Only Bronze member now though as havent travelled on paid fares for a while now
Any suggestions??

Many thanks
Even the Cathay seats in Business are extrememly scarce no matter what the dates.

I agree. You might get a rare flight on EK metal or a 50:50 with QF. In the latter case, the magic iMini pops up to tell you "your flight from X - X will be in economy"
QF truly does $*** for awards.

 

[grussellt]

Hello seasoned FF,
I am looking to book Perth- Paris (using emirates codeshare via Dubai) for the end of June next year(2015) in Business class, using FF points.
min. 2 persons on points , possibly 3 if enough points at booking time, otherwise 3rd person will be a paid fare etc.

1.when is the earliest FF fares become available?

When looking for award seats use a multi-city search i.e. PER-DXB/DXB-CDG. You may have to accept a trip via MEL or SYD and/or a longer connection time in DXB. A call to QFF may offer other alternatives not acailable online.

 

[Nizar]

Is there any reason you want to fly EK ?
You could use your QFF points on other OW airlines to get to CDG such as CX or QR.

 

[BD1959]

You could well be a victim of the work experience kid. I just did a dummy booking and could not J return on any dates. All it would off was Y and Y+. Selected that and - lo and behold - no Y+ available, but J with QR.

Now, try a multi-city and lots of things open up. Select PER->DXB->CDG->DXB-PER and a wonderment of seats for two people become visible.
Better still, there's a new twist on the "!" flag, most of the DXB-CDG availability is via LHR (looks like QF is doing it's level best to kill the EK partnership) and when you drop the cursor onto the J selection with the "!" a warning appears that the flight from LHR to CDG is in Business. Carrying on through with the dummy booking to the confirmation page, everything is shown in Business. I would screen dump and wait until ticketing arrives to confirm.

Because there's very little direct availability between DXB and CDG it appears to throw the booking engine completely out. Shame an airline, fast on it's way to being a virtual airline has such a sh!7e revenue generating facility, but I'm sure the business geniuses getting paid the big bucks can explain it.

Most of the return availability is on QR.

Happy Bookings,

BD

 

[ashleyn]

Have a look at using a search tool such as Award Nexus https://awardnexus.com/page/intro to do the hack work for you.