Need help with USA trip + Expert Flyer

[spentan]

Hi all,

I am planning a trip to the USA, which includes SFO as my first destination (from CBR), and then returning to CBR from LAX.

Basically what I'm after is a Classic Award in First or Business, (Business preferably, so that I can price match with Citibank Price Match Guarantee, and earn the points + SCs).

I signed up for Expert Flyer as well, what kind of seat alerts will help me most. I also heard about WPs getting Premium Desk to release them a seat for Classic Award Availability, my question regarding that is how is it done? What classes are usually released etc?

So basically,

Its:
CBR-SYD-LAX-SFO, or CBR-MEL-LAX-SFO. I could also go CBR-BNE-LAX-SFO, but that wouldn't be an A380 and therefore not as nice imho.

Preferably on 29th Aug. I'm happy to go on 28th or 30th too.

Returning, I'm looking at LAX-SYD-CBR, or LAX-MEL-CBR, or even LAX-BNE-CBR. This is for 10th October. (again + or - a day or so).

What classes should I put a seat alert in for? I had a look and there are a lot of A or I class seats avail, are these the ones available for release by Premium desk for WPs?? Or do they have to be P or U?

Some help would be great. I tried to call Platinum desk just then, but the lady told me that the guys/gals that can request releases of seats etc are only in 7am-9pm.

Thanks

 

[serfty]

You need P for "First" and U for "Business" Classic awards.

 

[spentan]

You need P for "First" and U for "Business" Classic awards.

Hi Serfty, thanks for the reply.

Are P and U required so that Qantas can release Classic Awards for WPs? (Or is that a different class?)

 

[Limewood]

I'd be surprised no matter what status that you could get J seats in August.

 

[serfty]

Hi Serfty, thanks for the reply.

Are P and U required so that Qantas can release Classic Awards for WPs? (Or is that a different class?)

P and U are the classic award seat.

For seats to be released you'd need something like A9 (First) and I9 (Business).

 

[spentan]

P and U are the classic award seat.

For seats to be released you'd need something like A9 (First) and I9 (Business).

hmm, ok, By A9 and I9, you mean that there has to be availability of 9 in either class A or I right?

(i.e A9 is not a weird version of A Class)?

I'll have a look at Expertflyer tonight and see whats what.

 

[spentan]

I'd be surprised no matter what status that you could get J seats in August.

I was under the impression that WPs can get seats released closer to the date.

I was having a look, there seems to be an abundance of A seats on QF 11 and 93, on 27Aug (Monday), A9 was showing for both.

Just had a look. there seems to be I9 for most of the flights as well,

I will have a chat to premium desk tomorrow and see what they say.

 

[LuisT]

I was under the impression that WPs can get seats released closer to the date.

I was having a look, there seems to be an abundance of A seats on QF 11 and 93, on 27Aug (Monday), A9 was showing for both.

Just had a look. there seems to be I9 for most of the flights as well,

I will have a chat to premium desk tomorrow and see what they say.

Keen to hear how you go with this... Want to do the same thing myself...

 

[jamesatfish]

I was under the impression that WPs can get seats released closer to the date.

Sometimes things do get easier closer to the dates you wish to fly, so if you can't get what you want right now just wait a week and call back again. Rinse and repeat until you get your flights or find an alternate option. I've always been able to find something suitable using this technique, though my experiences have only been with F awards though so I'm not sure if the higher demand for J seats makes it less likely that they will be opened for classic award redemption upon request.

Being based in CBR helps too, as it does provide the additional connection options you mentioned. Also don't forget CBR-SYD-DFW-SFO if you're not specifically looking to fly First.