First/business classic award release for Bronze FF

[shib71]

I have seen threads pointing out that the higher class awards are released to lower status members later than economy seats, but didn't see anything about the timing. So here is a little anecdata for everyone: I (proud Bronze QFF) just booked my first First flight on Qantas for 5 September 2018 - about 310 days away.

I settled for LAX-MEL-SYD when I couldn't find any LAX-SYD. Strangely I found that the call centre staff couldn't see the award seats I found on the Qantas website, and I ended up having to talk to someone from the local Sydney office to get them.

 

[ellen10]

Nice catch shib71.
It's very hard for us lower level (I'm silver) people to find availability.

 

[NoName]

I'm also bronze and also rarely see any J/F cabin awards on QF metal. This is where having some family Gold & Platinums has been invaluable for me.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I have seen threads pointing out that the higher class awards are released to lower status members later than economy seats, but didn't see anything about the timing. So here is a little anecdata for everyone: I (proud Bronze QFF) just booked my first First flight on Qantas for 5 September 2018 - about 310 days away.

I settled for LAX-MEL-SYD when I couldn't find any LAX-SYD. Strangely I found that the call centre staff couldn't see the award seats I found on the Qantas website, and I ended up having to talk to someone from the local Sydney office to get them.

What class did you book?

 

[junbugging]

I (proud Bronze QFF) just booked my first First flight on Qantas.

What class did you book?

I'm going to go with First.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I'm going to go with First.

Thanks. Couldn't tell if that was a mistype or not especially as the thread title mentions both First and Business classes.

 

[Mattg]

Good for you! Enjoy

I just had a look, and 5 September 2018 is exactly 308 days from now. Jetstar award seats are also released 308 days in advance - I wonder if it's a coincidence?

 

[RichardMEL]

Thanks. Couldn't tell if that was a mistype or not especially as the thread title mentions both First and Business classes.

Well LAX-MEL could be in F with MEL-SYD in J....

 

[Mattg]

Looking further into this, I think the OP is onto something here. I just did some searches for J seats from MEL-SIN and BNE-SIN from a bronze account, and there are quite a few award seats available for flights up to 308 days in advance. Beyond the 308 day mark though, there are no J seats on any QF flights to SIN whatsoever.

 

[cjd600]

As NB I have had luck with F and J between 300-310 days, since it seemed to dry up at 353 about 18 months ago

 

[rooboy68]

I've also noticed the award seats become available when your only looking a week or two ahead. Maybe there's a magic number at the other end?

 

[van]

Never had any problem booking reward seats as long as I was flexible with dates. I have booked with QF and CX in business recently no problems. I am LTS with QF.

 

[RobJ]

I have seen threads pointing out that the higher class awards are released to lower status members later than economy seats, but didn't see anything about the timing. So here is a little anecdata for everyone: I (proud Bronze QFF) just booked my first First flight on Qantas for 5 September 2018 - about 310 days away.

I settled for LAX-MEL-SYD when I couldn't find any LAX-SYD. Strangely I found that the call centre staff couldn't see the award seats I found on the Qantas website, and I ended up having to talk to someone from the local Sydney office to get them.

Not quite the same subject, but be very wary of QF's rewards points specials. Having just received an invitation to take up a reduced points offer in the near future, I made a dummy booking for one of their examples: Sydney - Christchurch. The "special" was 128 000 points plus $1076 fees. I then made a dummy booking for January, where a full-price trip was available for $499 return, earning points rather than spending them.

 

[Mattg]

Not quite the same subject, but be very wary of QF's rewards points specials. Having just received an invitation to take up a reduced points offer in the near future, I made a dummy booking for one of their examples: Sydney - Christchurch. The "special" was 128 000 points plus $1076 fees. I then made a dummy booking for January, where a full-price trip was available for $499 return, earning points rather than spending them.

Sorry, but I have no idea how you got that price for Sydney-Christchurch in economy.

For a return SYD-CHC reward booking, the price I'm seeing is 25,200 points + $207.02 fees.

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Not quite the same subject, but be very wary of QF's rewards points specials. Having just received an invitation to take up a reduced points offer in the near future, I made a dummy booking for one of their examples: Sydney - Christchurch. The "special" was 128 000 points plus $1076 fees. I then made a dummy booking for January, where a full-price trip was available for $499 return, earning points rather than spending them.

That’s more like the points and co-payment for SYD-LHR in J.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sorry, but I have no idea how you got that price for Sydney-Christchurch in economy.

For a return SYD-CHC reward booking, the price I'm seeing is 25,200 points + $207.02 fees.

view airfare in points rather than cash? or a points plus pay, if the economy fare was high.

A family member did the same thing... paid over 250,000 for a J return across the Tasman. Until I cancelled it!!

A friend paid over 200,000 points for a return to Santiago. Until they mentioned it to me... cancelled what they had and with the same points flew one way business and the other economy (no availability one way in J)

So it is possible to rack up huge award prices.

 

[piratematerial]

Not quite the same subject, but be very wary of QF's rewards points specials. Having just received an invitation to take up a reduced points offer in the near future, I made a dummy booking for one of their examples: Sydney - Christchurch. The "special" was 128 000 points plus $1076 fees. I then made a dummy booking for January, where a full-price trip was available for $499 return, earning points rather than spending them.

Their example was for 5 adults.

From Sydney to Christchurch in Economy return on Qantas for 5 adults, now 126,000 Qantas Points (was 180,000 Qantas Points) plus AU$1,035 taxes, fees and carrier charges*.​

 

[geoffshaw]

Is someone who isn't a NB able to check SIN-MEL J reward availability for the week of the 23rd of October? It's the last leg we need for our 2x 280k award and it's stressing me not being able to know what is available

 

[Mattg]

Is someone who isn't a NB able to check SIN-MEL J reward availability for the week of the 23rd of October? It's the last leg we need for our 2x 280k award and it's stressing me not being able to know what is available

Here you go:



There is currently availability for 2xJ seats (for Gold members, anyway) on the following flights:
22/10 - QF36 & QF38
23/10 - QF38
28/10 - QF38

 

[bismarck]

Is someone who isn't a NB able to check SIN-MEL J reward availability for the week of the 23rd of October? It's the last leg we need for our 2x 280k award and it's stressing me not being able to know what is available

I am seeing availability for 2 on QF38 on 23rd as a WP