QF80 NRT - MEL business availability

[kko]

I'm trying to book award tickets in Business on QF80 from Tokyo Narita to Melbourne (for 2 people) for mid/late September and despite spending over 30 minutes on Qantas website, looking at various dates (not just in September) I have yet to find a single date where there's availability. There's some when flying via Brisbane, but never on QF80.

Has anyone been able to book that flight using points? Should I just give up and fly via Brisbane or wait and hope Qantas will release more later in the year. I'm in no rush, happy to wait if it makes sense.

 

[OATEK]

I'm trying to book award tickets in Business on QF80 from Tokyo Narita to Melbourne (for 2 people) for mid/late September and despite spending over 30 minutes on Qantas website, looking at various dates (not just in September) I have yet to find a single date where there's availability. There's some when flying via Brisbane, but never on QF80.

Has anyone been able to book that flight using points? Should I just give up and fly via Brisbane or wait and hope Qantas will release more later in the year. I'm in no rush, happy to wait if it makes sense.

There is plenty of X availability during the period you mention, but no U. So I would look at the via BNE option at this stage.

 

[Gold Member]

I'm in the same boat with the return flight.

I can see outbound biz availability MEL-NRT however AA's award availability doesn't match QF (phantom flights). But there's still enough there to make it worthwhile at 40k.

My fall back is TG via LM which has availability every day in every cabin from NRT, KIX and ICN for 40k. A350 on BKK-MEL and 787/388 from North Asia into BKK.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A350 on BKK-MEL

I wouldn't count on the A350 - already months behind schedule and unlikely for another 6 months at least (despite what the schedules show). If you are taking the TG option (rather than ANA direct to SYD which is another option), for go for the TG465 from BKK (midnight departure), it has the better chance ATM of full flats.