Chance of award business class seat being released ?

[auspal]

I am a sole passenger travelling Qantas to Los Angeles from Brisbane this Friday 28th September, returning 19th October.

I paid for the return flight at the sale price which I am not able to upgrade with points. However when I booked I was told that if business seats became available as a reward flight, I would be able to cancel this booking and rebook the award flight, and to keep checking for the possible release of business seats up till 24 hours before take-off.

Is anyone able to tell me if there is a chance that Qantas will release any award business seats prior to my travel, and is there any point in continuing to check?

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I am a sole passenger travelling Qantas to Los Angeles from Brisbane this Friday 28th September, returning 19th October.

I paid for the return flight at the sale price which I am not able to upgrade with points. However when I booked I was told that if business seats became available as a reward flight, I would be able to cancel this booking and rebook the award flight, and to keep checking for the possible release of business seats up till 24 hours before take-off.

Is anyone able to tell me if there is a chance that Qantas will release any award business seats prior to my travel, and is there any point in continuing to check?

If it's a Sale fare it would be nonrefundable but you may be able to use it as a credit towards future travel with QF but there will be change fees of some sort involved at the time you go to rebook.

I would check the fare rules thoroughly about the costs for changing plus the expiry date of the credit ie the date you must complete all travel by.

As you have bought a Sale fare it would be a return fare so if you were able to get an award seat BNE/LAX you would also have to get an award seat back (assuming you have around 192K points in the kitty).

To be perfectly honest at this stage of the game being only days away from departure & in the middle of school holidays I don't see it happening.

If it was me I would either buy the cheapest Y fare non-upgradeable to J & allocate the best possible seat I could. I wouldn't waste money on a higher Y fare as there's no guarantee your upgrade request will come through.

Alternatively I would get a JASA fare which is a sure thing as no lottery required.

 

[auspal]

Thanks for the reply, I will keep it as it is then and pay for the exit row.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks for the reply, I will keep it as it is then and pay for the exit row.

They only charge for exit B&C or H&J seats as the window exits A&K have limited leg space due to the life raft contained in the lower section of the exit door.

If you are freq flyer silver or above regular seat selection is free otherwise for anyone else it's $20.

Towards the back of the 744 seats 70B or 70J have more leg room as there is no window seat in front ie 69A or 69K & there will only be one other pax next to you.

 

[auspal]

Thanks for the help, will check it out, its a long flight, and any comfort is appreciated.

 

[ColinP]

If you are freq flyer silver or above regular seat selection is free otherwise for anyone else it's $20.

I just noticed yesterday that the prices have been "enhanced". It's now $25 for seat selection and $90 (up from $80) for exit row.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I just noticed yesterday that the prices have been "enhanced". It's now $25 for seat selection and $90 (up from $80) for exit row.

The $90 fee is for shorter international flights so for BNE/LAX that must've increased from $160 then.

If travelling in whY I choose not to pay the exit row fees & opt for the best seat status can 'buy'.

Personally I don't agree with any airline marketing exit row seats as 'extra legroom seats' as the primary reason someone sits there should be for safety before anything else.

Having been an FA (not with QF) IMHO first & foremost exit row seats should be offered to those able bodied pax who are willing to assist in the event of emergency as opposed to less suitable folk who come up with the cash.

 

[ColinP]

The $90 fee is for shorter international flights so for BNE/LAX that must've increased from $160 then.

If travelling in whY I choose not to pay the exit row fees & opt for the best seat status can 'buy'.

Personally I don't agree with any airline marketing exit row seats as 'extra legroom seats' as the primary reason someone sits there should be for safety before anything else.

Having been an FA (not with QF) IMHO first & foremost exit row seats should be offered to those able bodied pax who are willing to assist in the event of emergency as opposed to less suitable folk who come up with the cash.

Interesting that you say that. This is an upcoming SIN-ADL YASA for my son. He's a strapping 6'2" 22 year old with a private pilot's licence who I'm sure would be at least some use in an emergency. He has chosen not to pay for the exit row.

 

[auspal]

I wont have any problems assisting in an emergency, and I totally agree with you ozbeachbabe.

 

[oz_mark]

The $90 fee is for shorter international flights so for BNE/LAX that must've increased from $160 then.

Yep, it's $180.

Long haul segments A$180 per segment.
For example, between Australia and Europe, America or Africa.

Medium haul segments - A$90 per segment.
For example, between Australia and Asia, or Asia and Europe, or Los Angeles and New York.

Short haul segments – A$45 per segment.
For example, between Australia and New Zealand or New Caledonia.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Interesting that you say that. This is an upcoming SIN-ADL YASA for my son. He's a strapping 6'2" 22 year old with a private pilot's licence who I'm sure would be at least some use in an emergency. He has chosen not to pay for the exit row.

I did a YASA with my SO who is 6'3" in may on QF7 SYD/DFW back in May & I asked him if he wanted to pay extra for the exit row but he didn't so we selected the first row of two seats towards the back of the 744.

The only thing I would do differently next time is opt for the 2nd row of two as the person in the "K" seat can stretch their legs out as there's no seat in front so IMHO it's better than the exit & ideal for a couple without that 3rd person climbing over you or you climbing over them.

On arrival at DFW he actually said "well for an economy flight that wasn't too bad".