Help to book Long Haul Business

[RedSMS]

Hi all, it's been a while.

Please excuse me if this is the wrong place for such a request.

I'm Beginning the enormously difficult task of trying to travel to the USA to attend a biennial dermatology conference. I am a Gold FF with QF until the end of July. I am planning on heading to Buffalo NY to spend some time with a mate, (whose son has a similar skin condition to me). Our plan from there is to head to Albuqurque NM for the conference , which runs from Thursday June 27th - Sunday 30th June. It is likely that we will spend 5-7 days having a break together after the conference. Looking to head back to MEL around 5th-10th July.

Since I stay with my mate in Buffalo, accommodation isn't really an issue, (and I can work from OS), so my departure dates are quite flexible. I would be comfortable departing MEL as early as the first week of June if need be.

Flying, (especially long haul) is incredibly debilitating and uncomfortable for me unless I'm in Business Class. I have a severe genetic skin disorder, and the thin air makes my skin dry, painful and it becomes difficult for me to move. Last year I was upgraded from Premium Economy to Business from LAX-MEL and it was absolutely amazing for me.

I've typed out similar requests before, and have received some jocular replies such as "Don't we all want to fly at the pointy end?"

I've been through a lot of cough in this life, so it won't ruffle my feathers if you feel you need to be the jester here.

I don't care about short-med haul domestic flights within the USA, put me in the back, I don't mind. If I could fly J from MEL/SYD/BNE-LAX-JFK/PHL/ORD/IAD-BUF or MEL/SYD-DFW-BUF (assuming AA flies DFW-BUF), it would be brilliant.

I've spent a dozen hours looking at the QF website. I did see (I'm pretty sure) MEL-NRT-JFK on June 10th for 159,000 points?

Other than that, I am bamboozled by how difficult it is.

Under normal circumstances, I would lodge a request with Frequent Flyer Solutions, but they are unavailable atm.

I have been an expertflyer member from time to time, but I don't travel OS often enough to justify the cost.

Any suggestion/offer of assistance - small or large would be amazing, and I'd feel very blessed.

Thanks All.

 

[MikeG]

Maybe try this free tool... ONly works 60 days out if not a paid member:

https://seats.aero/qantas

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Having the points is one thing for QFi, its your status that's more important.
Any available seats on QF, in F/J will firstly be offered to the CL/P1/WP/then SG, and then comes down to PS.
I don't know your QFF status, but if you have at least QFF SG, your chances are better than those lower in QFF.
July is also school holidays, so could be considered peak/shoulder peak for QF, as they might be more interested in selling seats than uipgrades.
QFd is a bit different, as if they have U seats, you can use points for them, and know you have succeeded.
For QFi, you can buy a flexY tix, and put in for an upgrade, but would not know if you have succeeded, or not till a few days before flight.
I have not flown that far, so can't say on J exp, on long int flights, mine are only Au - NZ in J and premY.
There is a great demand for upgrades, so the last time when you made it, was lucky.
Not saying you won't succeed, but it will be hard road trying.
Best of luck anyway.

 

[levelnine]

I did see (I'm pretty sure) MEL-NRT-JFK on June 10th for 159,000 points?

If you have found a flight that is remotely suitable, book it straight away. Premium award availability is very hard to come by. You can always change flights for 5,000 points if a better option comes along.

 

[levelnine]

My best tip for you is to acquire some Velocity points very quickly (ie credit card sign up bonus).

Plenty of availability on United with Velocity points.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Business class award seats AU<--->USA always hard. But a lot capacity now (various airlines) for cash

Albuquerque International Sunport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Consider FJ.

List of Fiji Airways destinations - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Flys
from ADL MEL SYD BNE
to YVR HNL SFO

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

To HNL and then another award/cash flight to the mainland another option.

As above, any credit cards with points that can be transferred to an airline ffp?

 

[BriarFlyer]

OP post was from June 2023 so possibly/probably has booked by now.