J reward seats BNE DFW May 2017

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dflyerau

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I haven't got a huge amount of experience looking with QF for award seats, but the website is showing no availability for the entire month of May for 2 pax? Surely there's a reason behind that rather than them all actually being booked?
 
QANTAS releases 2 seats in J for flights about 353 days out on most routes (and then for high status travellers, those with lower status can see what's left later). These are usually booked pretty quickly. So you're way too late for May flights.

If the loads are light and you are WP or above you could ring up and ask if seats could be released. You would need to be flexible on the dates you wish to travel to have any chance.
 
I'm not surprised by what you have found.

A couple of points for you:

1) You have probably waited too long before booking. Around 12 months out is the time to start looking, not 6 months out.

2) Most award seats are reserved for people with status.

3) Consider alternate carriers/routes like CX. I have 2 business class flights with them to the US in 2017, both via Hong Kong. These were booked 12 months out.
 
I haven't got a huge amount of experience looking with QF for award seats, but the website is showing no availability for the entire month of May for 2 pax? Surely there's a reason behind that rather than them all actually being booked?
May 2017, that's only 6 months out. J award tickets will be long gone by now, especially if you are after more than one. Most people will book these high demand routes as soon (literally) as they become available just under 12 months before travel.
I see plenty of Y and even a few Premium Economy seats in the month.
 
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I start looking well before they are released more than 12 months out so I know exactly what to look for as soon as they are released. And sometimes I still miss out.
 
I haven't got a huge amount of experience looking with QF for award seats, but the website is showing no availability for the entire month of May for 2 pax? Surely there's a reason behind that rather than them all actually being booked?

Ring QFF now if 11th or 12th May are any good.AA have 2 MilesAAver J awards on those dates and QF should be able to get those.On AA72 SYD-LAX.
 
QANTAS releases 2 seats in J for flights about 353 days out on most routes (and then for high status travellers, those with lower status can see what's left later). These are usually booked pretty quickly. So you're way too late for May flights.

If the loads are light and you are WP or above you could ring up and ask if seats could be released. You would need to be flexible on the dates you wish to travel to have any chance.

When you say high status travellers get to book 353 days out and the rest later. How long is later?
I've been watching QF J flights from SFO & LAX to Oz for a few months & I have only seen one or two days become available.
I am better off giving up on QF and flying CX or AA?
 
See this thread: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....f-early-2017-award-availability-74536-26.html

If your status is less than SG then availability may not be as good for QF flights. You could be looking at T-310 days out for NB.

You should check how far out you can see award seats now on your chosen route and monitor it over time so you're ready to pounce when the seats you want become available.

The problem is that with credit card signup bonuses (some are now up around 100k points), failed upgrade requests as NB, PS etc. more and more people have built up large points balances. However QANTAS has not increased the availability of classic award seats. This is frustrating as classic award seats are one of the best uses of points, but it is what it is.

There are a lot of flyers with NB and PS status with high points balances. If you are a NB you're at the bottom of the queue for points upgrades (so least likely to be successful) and the last to see award seats on QF metal. If you only want to use your points on flights it's quite easy to build up a large points balance.
 
Thanks for the link and explanation. You have been most helpful. I was unaware of the change in policy but now I know why I can't see the release of J seats at 253 days.
I haven't had any problem when making previous bookings. When I look back a few months I can see availability on some days.
I'll keep monitoring as I don't need to book until early next year.
 
You should still check to see if seats get released earlier but not necessarily expect that they will be. Flexibility with dates on which you can travel is important.
 
Thanks for the responses.

If we have a family member (eg parent) who is a chairman's lounge member is that likely to be of any assistance?
 
Thanks for the responses.

If we have a family member (eg parent) who is a chairman's lounge member is that likely to be of any assistance?

maybe? I am not sure of the perks of CL in terms of requesting of awards. I suppose they could always try.....
 
As mentioned upstream - the critical first step in securing these awards is planning.

I just booked BNE-SYD-DFW for the 4 of us departing Dec 2017. Kids will fly J all the way ... cheese & kisses and me will fly J / F. I could see availability for 2 X J and 1 x F ... I was on the phone at 10.01 requesting a release (plat benefit) and by 10.40 the bookings were completed.

I'd certainly try and get your CL parent to request - I reckon you'd get it! Good luck.
 
Thanks for the responses.

If we have a family member (eg parent) who is a chairman's lounge member is that likely to be of any assistance?
Did you manage to get them with your parent's help? - I would have thought you would. Another time perhaps they can help with the booking, as they would be able to see availability as soon as it is released. As others have said planning is the key. I booked two J awards CBR-LAX for my daughter and her fiancé. I monitored seats for a month in advance, so I knew what I was doing and sat at the computer on D day and booked them within minutes of them being released. From what I saw BNE- DFW is an easier route to get awards on, but not 6 months out.
 
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Agree with Dr. Ralph about CX - HKG.

Get award Y daylight flight to HKG then go J or PE on CX out of there direct to numerous US cities like YVR, SFO, ORD, JFK, BOS, LAX etc. then possibly snag PE or J seats from YVR, SFO, LAX, DFW back to OZ in effect a circle pacific and award seats usually plentiful out of HKG its what we have done in the past and doing again. Also you'll save a bucket on QF fees out of OZ.
 
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Agree with Dr. Ralph about CX - HKG.

Get award Y daylight flight to HKG then go J or PE on CX out of there direct to numerous US cities like YVR, SFO, ORD, JFK, BOS, LAX etc. then possibly snag PE or J seats from YVR, SFO, LAX, DFW back to OZ in effect a circle pacific and award seats usually plentiful out of HKG its what we have done in the past and doing again. Also you'll save a bucket on QF fees out of OZ.

I have little luck with QFF for BNE-LAX so usually book a VA reward and I find it easier to book QFF coming home. That is what I am doing in AUG/SEP.
 
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