International flight booking with Classic Awards

[akky]

Hi guys, was looking for some tips.

I was planning to travel overseas in Feb, 2015 as I have finally racked up enough points to be able to book first class return trip.
However when I do search with Qantas & Partner Classic Awards, there are no flight availabilities? Infact, i checked all other dates in Feb aswell, and there was only really 2 first class flights available the whole month.

Has anyone else had the same experience? Is there a way around this?

Thanks in advance

 

[puppysparkes]

Hi OP, from reading this thread, I understand your current status and being on the QF website ready to book at 10am eastern standard time are contributing factors: thttp://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/qantas-frequent-flyer-program/oneworld-award-140k-280k-420k-8228.htmlTo enable other members to provide feedback can you advice what is your location and FF status?Thanks in advance.

 

[akky]

Hello
I am in QLD (it is around 9pm here), and Gold FF Status until next year

 

[Alanslegal]

With premium award seats (business/first) most are snapped up to a year in advance, so for flights just a bit over two months away .... the chances are securing those are highly diminished. Add ten millions members and (generally) two premium award seats per flight ..... the odds of getting award seats is almost the same odds as winning the regular money lottery.

 

[mannej]

You are leaving it extremely late trying to get awards for Feb 15.

 

[akky]

Hey, thanks for the info.
How about booking an economy flight, and then upgrading to business?

 

[Alanslegal]

How about booking an economy flight, and then upgrading to business?

You would have to book an economy ticket that is is upgradeable. Most of the sale tickets are not upgradeable.
You then register for an upgrade and your name gets thrown in the lottery, and you will not know if you've been upgraded until hours before your flight.
You have Gold status so your chances are increased but you will still be lower than all the other CL,P1,WP.

 

[Alanslegal]

Maybe if you gave us an idea where you want to fly, maybe we could give you some suggestions. Let's say you want to go to London, instead of relying on Qantas. You could use your points and fly CX to Hong Kong and then either CX or BA to London. That might open some award availability.

 

[puppysparkes]

Mannej has nailed it akky. Ordinarily I understand to optimise your chances you need to book 12 months out at 10am BNE time. Are you travelling with a WP at all? Tough call even at that from what I read.

 

[Pushka]

I booked for July J seats 12 months out. I checked just before the date I wanted was released and there was availability for the week prior. Two days later (12 months out) and had to change the date as no longer available. It seems that J and F are rare as hens teeth.

 

[JohnK]

A few months back I couldn't get a business class award seat BKK-SYD for early August 2015.

Some days I think I am wasting my time collecting FF points.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Hi guys, was looking for some tips.

I was planning to travel overseas in Feb, 2015 as I have finally racked up enough points to be able to book first class return trip.

However when I do search with Qantas & Partner Classic Awards, there are no flight availabilities? Infact, i checked all other dates in Feb aswell, and there was only really 2 first class flights available the whole month.

Has anyone else had the same experience? Is there a way around this?

Thanks in advance

What cities are you wanting to visit & how many people travelling?

There are often other economical ways via other ff programs that will allow you to travel 'up the front'.

Don't worry about not having any points as you can buy them.