Noumea Redempmptions

[mark62]

I am looking at booking an award flight for my daughter to accompany me on a biz trip to Noumea in August. I am fairly flexible with dates but there appears to be no economy award seats available in the entire month, whereas biz award seats are available almost every day. This is the converse of what I normally expect with award bookings. Any particular reason for this and any idea as to whether economy awards may become available?

 

[shifty]

Your correct. It happens sometimes. I had a look and couldn't find any award flights in X class from BNE or SYD to NOU for the entire month of August. I guess just keep checking as they may release something closer to the date.

 

[esquire]

Holiday season for the French

 

[mark62]

Yep but the same situation applies in Sept when the European holidays are over. You can fly just about any day that you want to as long as you are prepared to burn 72k points in business

 

[love_the_life]

Given the short distance from Australia, the "tropical" ambience of New Caledonia and the fact that QF can sell many tickets in economy to Noumea (fairly cheaply) I am not surprised that there are no Y redemptions available. I would suspect that very few are ever released and that these a snapped up quickly. I think it is a case of demand outstripping supply.
When we were there some years ago, we were told that most of the French tourists came in on charter flights and not through Australia.

 

[MrJetset]

I'm doing a SC run this weekend. I was able to book awards on the exact flights QF91 and QF92 in both Y and J. Surprised at such short notice.

 

[Ansett]

If you have status ie WP try ringing Plat line and see if they can release an award seat for you

 

[mark62]

I have zero status with QF unfortunately (an NB I think is the colloquial term) I do have Star Gold but I don't suppose that will help me much as Air Calin aren't in Star Alliance. Just have to hope some Y inventory becomes available. There is quite a bit available in May so maybe it will open up a bit

 

[MrJetset]

Why not just book and pay W? The points booking I made from my partner was fairly close in taxes to a sale Y fare.