Can't get any good seats with points

[steved]

I had 600000 Qantas points and could not get any business class seats to or from America even looking 10 months ahead no direct flights to the US.
Even trying to book points with American next April May is near impossible to get any seats as there are no economy seats for 4 cities I want to go to . I have used 300000 points just to get to 3 cities in first class, one flight is actually business class and the seat they gave me has no window.
Does anyone here use Velocity points and have had better luck getting seats. One flight I want is 110000 points for two people first class and as they have no economy seats with points
the US price for first class is $400 a seat.
Another thing I found out with American Airlines is first class domestic flights don't get you into the lounges.
The only thing I won't complain about is the cost of each flight was on ly around $US 11.50 for two tickets, much cheaper than what Qantas wants here.

 

[Limewood]

Yes that is a problem these days book near a year out is best.

Try QF SYD/SFO in J for next year.

Try going via HNL on QF in J then AA to mainland or via HKG on CX or JAL via Tokyo, join Award Nexus to find award seats.

 

[steved]

I got $625 return seat on Hawaiian and upgraded to extra rooms seats, Hawaiian gives you 2 x32 kg luggage. and used Hawaiian points to go to Vegas. I did this after we gave up on getting any Qantas seats .I need to get from Vegas to Minneapolis and AA only has first class seats and it is 110k points for two people. Never heard of Award Nexus will look them up
thanks

 

[smit0847]

Wheres that sticky I keep asking for on this topic?

 

[Deleted member]

I suspect with simpler and fairer the upgrade is the way to go. I plan on doing PE with upgrade on my next U.S. Run

 

[Mark3000]

Hi Steve,
I think First class with AA does get you into the lounges. At least we did but maybe that was because I was Gold at the time, but they let all 4 of us in with domestic first tickets

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I had 600000 Qantas points and could not get any business class seats to or from America even looking 10 months ahead no direct flights to the US.

You might have to look for connecting flights via either Tokyo or Hong Kong. Both of those are more points, but you should be able to access better availability (using Japan Airlines from Australia via Tokyo, and Cathay from Australia via Hong Kong). You will also have a much greater choice in arrival cities in the USA flying either of those carriers.

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF steved, or at least the posting side of things .

Platinum status or above on QFF helps a lot but I'm afraid you have just had the same ruse awakening to the points redemption that so many people have, eventually. Very good advice given by Limewood.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi Steve,
I think First class with AA does get you into the lounges. At least we did but maybe that was because I was Gold at the time, but they let all 4 of us in with domestic first tickets

Domestic first class in the USA doesn't generally give lounge access - but OW status will.

There are exceptions... select transcontinental 3-cabin flights (first and business) will come with lounge access (applicable routes are JFK-LAX/SFO and LAX-MIA)

 

[Fifa]

I plan on doing PE with upgrade on my next U.S. Run

That's my plan too .

 

[Pointcollector]

I've tried that, no status = no upgrade :-(

 

[amaroo]

This has never been a problem for us in 10 years of redeeming long haul award seats in F & J This year we'll clock up 26 long haul award flights (10 in F) and have another 8 in the rack for next year.

We've clocked up >130 long haul award flights (F and J) with QFF.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I've tried that, no status = no upgrade :-(

It's a simple equation really. The number of J seats available on the flight you are booked on needs to exceed the number of people above you (or the total pax in your booking) in the pecking order so if there are 15 J seats available and 10 points upgrade requests then everyone will be a happy camper. If there are 5 J seats available and 10 points upgrade requests then 5 happy campers and 5 people will not get the upgrade which is when having status comes in handy.

Not sure how long ago you tried but it's a lot easier than it used to be. Sometimes even status won't help you eg Platinums could miss out on a points upgrade if there aren't seats to upgrade to in a higher cabin.

You need to read this thread:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....er-program/qf-upgrade-success-rate-56353.html

Another datapoint:
Fell from PS to NB at the end of July. Got the text message for the Sunday QF7 SYD-DFW. Y --> J success! Only attempt I have ever made, so 1/1.