QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[RichardMEL]

Called QF hope against hope to request a relatively last minute reward seat to LAX for a couple of weeks time (long story, not relevant here as to why ). Some flights had A and I class, some had I0(return) but I thought cant hurt to ask.

MEL-LAX J released on the spot for either 93 or 95. I cheekily asked about F on 93... a couple of minutes... I have a seat in F! Return flight date both flights on 787's J opened up (I0 flight) instantly as well on the 94. I ask about the 96 as I would prefer the later flight all things being equal and well that's requested and gone for manual review, but super agent in HBA (who was fantastic with all my requests and changes on the fly) seemed to think it should clear in 24h. He has put the booking on hold for a week just in case.

I don't know if the P1 gave any more "clout" over WP making this request, but I was super impressed given it's just a few weeks (and fares are insane)

Super impressed and again all done, bar that flight on request, instantly "computer says yes" ...

Fantastic agent. I believe his name was Rahat(or similar to that). He said he was in HBA. Fantastic service.

 

[madrooster]

I don't know if the P1 gave any more "clout" over WP making this request, but I was super impressed given it's just a few weeks (and fares are insane)

Super impressed and again all done, bar that flight on request, instantly "computer says yes" ...

QF P1s can open up seats from D class for J and F class for F. That's why you were able to get them. A regular platinum wouldn't have gotten those.

 

[serfty]

P1s

Careful - I read that as something else.

can open up seats from ... F class for F. That's why you were able to get them.

Interesting, effectively P from F - that would mean P1 (no s ) can get a First class reward seat anytime there is any availability.

Are you sure it's not A class?

And PE, From R?

 

[RichardMEL]

Comment.. the flight I am waitlisted on is showing D avail, but like D6 or something, and that's ion request.. so I think it's not quite so clear cut.

Still, if the F class booking was indeed a benefit of P1 then that's worth something and given the derth of P1 tangible benefits I'm pretty happy to have finally being able to take advantage of this and have it work out. I certainly feel that the status benefit is rewarded and that's a real plus!

 

[madrooster]

Comment.. the flight I am waitlisted on is showing D avail, but like D6 or something, and that's ion request.. so I think it's not quite so clear cut.

That's correct. You must be have D class available to request as a QF P1. A regular platinum cannot request if it's showing D6.

Interesting, effectively P from F - that would mean P1 (no s ) can get a First class reward seat anytime there is any availability.

Are you sure it's not A class?

And PE, From R?

Correct. QF P1's can get a full F availability (ie. no A left) converted to P. Realistically speaking, generally the only time that ever happens though, is when there is literally 1 F seat left in the cabin. When there's 2 seats left it's usually F2 A1.

It's in line with the fact that it's often easier to get a F seat released than a J seat released.

 

[mviy]

Hmmmm. It might be worth getting P1 if it's going to be incredibly easy to get seats released on points for family members.

 

[RichardMEL]

Hmmmm. It might be worth getting P1 if it's going to be incredibly easy to get seats released on points for family members.

Uh I don't know about a) incredibly easy being always the case and b) family members.

The redemption is for me, and the agent specifically asked if it was for me, and I suspect that is important. While P1 can sponsor a family member for upgrade, it is still assessed at their level, and there's nothing I know of about P1 priority working towards family member redemptions, unless of course the P1 is one of the pax.

I am still really rapt that I got that F seat like that and a nice benefit of P1

(that flight that was D6 is now down to D2 so I think chances are not so good for that but that's OK)

 

[michaele]

Requested PE/J AUS-LAX outbound 2nd or 3rd May and J returning May 11. Confirmed PE on the return leg, nothing outbound. Looks like they just took a large booking on QF11 for May 2 while I was watching over the weekend - wouldn't even release an Economy seat!

 

[Quickstatus]

Essentially because the flights are sold out at the “sale”end.

For example QF11 2/5 only has the expensive C and J fares in the business cabin. To score a rewards request usually need a few I fares available. In this case I then D are all sold.

There are lots of I fares on QF73 to SFO 2nd May. You should be able to pick up a J on that route.

 

[SelfFundedWP]

Is there a limit to how many requests you make? I want an F seat released on 25th jan 2019 SYD-LHR, if i ring up and ask and it gets denied, can I ask for the same thing on +- a few days of that date?

 

[Quickstatus]

Yes you can.

 

[SelfFundedWP]

Yes you can.

Thank you

 

[mviy]

I think they can try up to 3 possibilities at a time.

 

[Brettmcg]

QF P1s can open up seats from D class for J and F class for F. That's why you were able to get them. A regular platinum wouldn't have gotten those.

I tried to get one Business Award seat for a family member on QF4 HNL-SYD

13OCT18
J9 C3 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 G0

14OCT18
J9 C9 D1 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 G0

15OCT18
J9 C9 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S8 G0

Nada. All they were prepared to give was an X class on 14OCT18.

 

[Danger]

I tried to get one Business Award seat for a family member on QF4 HNL-SYD

13OCT18
J9 C3 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 G0

14OCT18
J9 C9 D1 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 G0

15OCT18
J9 C9 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S8 G0

Nada. All they were prepared to give was an X class on 14OCT18.

Qantas won't consider a request for international business if there are no seats in I.

 

[Brettmcg]

Qantas won't consider a request for international business if there are no seats in I.

The quoted poster suggests P1s can open up availability from D class.

My post was anecdotal evidence of that not being the case.

 

[Quickstatus]

Would need I or D availability for P1 but maybe not D1. Might have to have more D - closer to D9 perhaps?. Or maybe any D but might have blackout dates?

Suspect that D availability is only one factor

 

[Danger]

The quoted poster suggests P1s can open up availability from D class.

My post was anecdotal evidence of that not being the case.

My apologies. I wasn't aware you're WP1.

That said, my understanding is availability in D (or I) for example only permits a request to be made; it doesn't guarantee a seat being available so I wouldn't consider your case as ruling out WP's from having more access to requests.

 

[Brettmcg]

Would need I or D availability for P1 but maybe not D1. Might have to have more D - closer to D9 perhaps?. Or maybe any D but might have blackout dates?

Suspect that D availability is only one factor

I imagine you are probably right. If the loads had been J9 C9 D6, I think it would have been a different story!

 

[madrooster]

I tried to get one Business Award seat for a family member on QF4 HNL-SYD

13OCT18
J9 C3 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 G0

14OCT18
J9 C9 D1 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S9 G0

15OCT18
J9 C9 D0 I0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 S8 G0

Nada. All they were prepared to give was an X class on 14OCT18.

HNL is also a notoriously difficult route outright, far worse than LAX/DFW/SFO/JFK. That probably doesn't help either.