I feel the pain! I think you just need to keep calling. I spoke to three agents telling me ‘no availability’ until the fourth one found the flights and booked them.
I dunno what the key is, but eventually you should find an agent that can book.
So a miracle happened today, but still not 100% what I was after.
After the above call, I HUACA again and was able to get a consultant (finally a more switched on / helpful one) who was able to escalate to their "team coach" on why they were unable to see the reward seats I wanted. The call initially started the same - ie. they were unable to see the reward seats I could see online / they're only for new bookings etc.
They then tried a "different method", then "miraculously", they were able to find and add the reward seats and in the class I wanted too - I was like, woohoo finally a step in the right direction!
The desired reward seat / flight then appeared in manage my booking during the call (I was on hold for at least 45mins - 1hr though) so I knew something was done in the background.
From there though, they re-calculated the amount of points required and it seemed a bit off, so they put me on hold again for another 30mins whilst they re-calculated and came back to me stating that as the booking was done under my partner's QFF account, that I'd have to transfer points as there was insufficient points in her account (I can definitely vouch that there was enough points though).
I then said no problem and just obliged - I transferred the points accordingly. They then said that it would take "some time" (quoted a few hrs) for the points to appear on their end. I didn't really believe it, but I went along with it anyway and we mutually ended the call after I asked what I needed to do when I called back a few hours later once the points "turned up" in my partner's account.
I then HUACA, and I was VERY surprised to hear an Australian accent (I won't mention the name of the consultant for privacy reasons, but they were
THE BEST I've had from Qantas).
I then explained the whole situation and that I was just looking to just pay for a flight change as per the previous call.
I was then put on hold again for about 45mins - 1hr due to their system being slow and for some investigation.
When the call resumed, the consultant wasn't happy with the points / taxes calculation from their internal team (ie. it came back a lot more than what it should have been) so they offered to investigate further and call back. I was more than happy to receive a call back.
1.5hrs later, I did indeed get that call back and the points / taxes calculation now came up correct on their end (their initial hunch was correct in that the taxes payable was a lot less than their internal team's calculations).
Passed my CC details and confirmed to proceed, I then got an updated e-ticket within 45mins after the call.
The consultant then asked if I called any special number to get through or if I was transferred from another consultant - I just told them I called the 13 13 13 number.
They then mentioned that they were surprised I got through, because I had just got through to the Hobart team and generally this team is a priority line.
To the consultant (if you're on this forum) - you know who you are - thankyou very much for sorting out my long standing issue and I'm surprised that as a lowly Bronze, I had luck in getting through to Hobart!
The only issue I now have though (as per mentioned, not 100% what I was after), is, it didn't end up being a capped 318k OWA. My flights are with QF, AY, AF, BA and QF.
All legs are in business apart from the BA one which is in PE (which I'm okay with as there's nothing available at all now, not even economy)
I'm assuming that the issue may lie with the AF flight not being eligible under the "OWA"? If yes, I could probably look for alternatives, but then I'd probably have to go through the whole process of calling until I get a consultant who can "miraculously" see reward seats which I can see. That in itself will take ages again.
I've just searched, and BA have options but I do have to transit and it would add hours to the trip, plus additional airport time. I think for the sake of 20-30k points, I'll just leave it as-is as I've had pretty much enough of most Qantas consultants lying about :
1. Not being able to see the reward seats I can see online
2. Claiming those reward seats showing online are for new bookings only (which is a lie, because after 4hrs and a little bit of luck, I managed to claim those seats which were showing online)
I guess you can't always win... Sorry about the long winded post!
TL;DR - After HUACA x 2 and 4hrs on the phone, I was finally able to change my JQ economy rewards seats to a QF business rewards seat (and get through to Hobart as a bronze member), but the entire itinerary didn't fall under the 318k OWA as I suspect it's the AF leg that is causing ineligibility.
