Planning my first all-points first class trip

[MEL_Traveller]

Really! ? Yes I just checked and you are correct. One can book DXB -SEA Fir example on points. It wasn't the case last year, at least using points from Australian ports. Go for it!

But one can't book flights from Australian port s to USA on EK via DXB as QF code share tickets for paid flights, AFAIK.

Correct there is no QF code on flights to USA from DXB. But there doesn't need to be a codesharing arrangement in order to use points for airline partners... QF doesn't code share with 99% of it's oneworld partners, but you can still redeem flights. Not that the QF booking tool with show them!

 

[Kangol]

I am planning to book as early as I can. But when I checked for seats on Expert Flyer the minute the next days seats are released, there were only J awards available.

Are you saying that I might have better luck if I use the phone service? I'm totally willing to do that.

Booking over the phone will give you access to the same QF awards available online. The only value in phoning is if you are WP and ask to get seats released (that is the only and best way for a WP to do so AFAIK).

 

[kitkatff]

don't forget DXB-USA can be impacted by the laptop ban, if you have one.

 

[edwina86]

sort of off topic but just to confirm, how many days in advance do J seats open up? 355? is it different for bronze - more like 310? and what time do they usually drop on a weekday?
Thank you!

 

[grov]

The time can be important as J award seats on popular routes can vanish in the first minute after becoming available. Last time I checked the time was around midnight AEST - other folks will provide a more definite time.

 

[shib71]

I found that seats were released at midnight GMT. In Sydney that translated to 10am. I read somewhere that Qantas released seats 353 days before the flight, and Emirates 340, and that does seem to be true though I didn't check for it specifically. Apparently every airline releases their seats at different times.

 

[grov]

I found that seats were released at midnight GMT. In Sydney that translated to 10am. I read somewhere that Qantas released seats 353 days before the flight, and Emirates 340, and that does seem to be true though I didn't check for it specifically. Apparently every airline releases their seats at different times.

This sounds about right, as I had to wait a couple of weeks to add Emirates flights to my last J RTW. IIRC, American Airlines is also about 340 days.

 

[edwina86]

Thanks all! I've written that info down

 

[grov]

Thanks all! I've written that info down

The folks at Qantas are quite happy to tell you the exact date and time when you can first access an award - they have a calculator program on hand to assist in this process.
Remember that the Qantas website doesn't show all possible OneWorld award flights, and even Qantas have to do some digging to find award flights such as JAL.

 

[edwina86]

The folks at Qantas are quite happy to tell you the exact date and time when you can first access an award - they have a calculator program on hand to assist in this process.
Remember that the Qantas website doesn't show all possible OneWorld award flights, and even Qantas have to do some digging to find award flights such as JAL.

oh really?! Thanks for the extra info!

 

[grov]

oh really?! Thanks for the extra info!

Looking back over this thread you've received some really great advice. Perhaps I could add that if you cannot obtain your exact requirements, consider other flight paths, travelling to airports close to your desired destination (you can always complete the last leg with a low-cost flight or train) and be flexible with days. We are off soon RTW with J award flights that has cost around $1200 total. This will be my third lot of international J award flights (not counting the many award upgrades) - always great fun.

 

[edwina86]

Looking back over this thread you've received some really great advice. Perhaps I could add that if you cannot obtain your exact requirements, consider other flight paths, travelling to airports close to your desired destination (you can always complete the last leg with a low-cost flight or train) and be flexible with days. We are off soon RTW with J award flights that has cost around $1200 total. This will be my third lot of international J award flights (not counting the many award upgrades) - always great fun.

oh I'm not the OP, but I did get some handy advice thank you I'm usually pretty good at snagging J award seats but they've become much harder to come by with the whole bronze status thing - gotta be extra prepared!

 

[grov]

oh I'm not the OP, but I did get some handy advice thank you I'm usually pretty good at snagging J award seats but they've become much harder to come by with the whole bronze status thing - gotta be extra prepared!

Never have been a WP, now only Silver, but never had any problems with obtaining an J award flight that eventually gets me to where I want to go. May not be a direct route and may be on a different day, but a day or two extra at a great overseas destination is not a problem.

 

[Kangol]

When Do Airlines Open Award Seats? - One Mile at a Time

Note the time of release is not always midnight UTC, it can vary. eg. AA is midnight Central US (Dallas) time, JAL is 10am Japanese time.

I use this site to convert:
https://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html

 

[grov]

When Do Airlines Open Award Seats? - One Mile at a Time

Note the time of release is not always midnight UTC, it can vary. eg. AA is midnight Central US (Dallas) time, JAL is 10am Japanese time.

I use this site to convert:
https://www.timeanddate.com/date/dateadd.html

Thanks - really useful info, including the links.