QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[Captain Halliday]

I think they are suggesting there are times when I class has inventory but there's no I class fares loaded for the travel dates - which does happen. But I've had success getting seats released in this situation.

Business Sale should be I class - are you suggesting there's situations where there will be I class but no business sale seats?
Yes!

I’ve encountered this before. In my experience it’s phantom availability.

Most recently it was SYD-HND for 7/8/9DEC23 with EF showing I9, no sale fare on QF website and the agent (HBA) confirming the GDS showed I0, D9.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I’ve encountered this before. In my experience it’s phantom availability.

Most recently it was SYD-HND for 7/8/9DEC23 with EF showing I9, no sale fare on QF website and the agent (HBA) confirming the GDS showed I0, D9.

Did you have POS set to Australia ?
I have noticed there is sometimes a difference between the default US and Australia fare buckets.

 

[Captain Halliday]

Did you have POS set to Australia ?
I have noticed there is sometimes a difference between the default US and Australia fare buckets.

No. Set to US as that seems to give the most accurate U and I results.

 

[RichardMEL]

I agree with @sudoer - if a Business Sale fare doesn't show up it can well be that a fare is not currently published/offered in that market, but inventory can be available for a number of reasons. The two are not mutually exclusive, but usually yes the J sales fares book into I.

 

[Ade]

16 Jan 2023 - QF WP requesting 1x CBR-MEL, travel for 17 Feb 2023. No reward seats showing on the website. Called the premium line.

First call - waited over 10 mins, no one picked up. HUCA
Second call - after selecting the options, got a message that the waiting time is less than 15 mins and to press 1 to get a call back. Requested call back
Third call - No call after 30 mins of second call, so called again. This time waiting time is less than 30 mins and to press 1 to get a call back.
Fourth call - QF had called twice, but I was in a meeting and couldn't answer the call. So called again. Wait time less than 10 mins, press 1 to get call back.

Fifth call - QF agent, Diane from AKL called.

Requested seats - was advised that the only flights eligible for request were the early morning ones. I told that it's too early for me to be in MEL and prefer an afternoon flight. Puts me on hold, comes back after 2 mins and tells that she can try to request 1xY on the 1345 service. Agreed, request placed, on hold for 3 mins, come back, success.

Also helps book return on 18 Feb 2023. Payment taken, e-ticket to be issued within the hour (last spoke to agent around 5 pm). No sign of ticket yet.

All in all - all good. Booking shows in My Bookings. Hopeful that tickets will land by tonight.

Asks if there is any further assistance needed - explained that I have a DSC booking that I need to do. Gave what flight numbers I was after. Tries to price it, prices comes $700 more than Google Flights & ITA Matrix. Said that I need to think and get back. Leaves the flights in the profile with a dummy PNR. Up to me to decide now.

Side Bar - as part of the DSC booking, I asked what fare class in J was Sale, Saver & Flex. I was told by the AKL agent that "I" is "Sale", "C, D" are "Saver" and "J" is "Flex". All this while I was thinking what "I" was Sale, "D" Saver and "C, J" Flex.

 

[encryptededdy]

explained that I have a DSC booking that I need to do

Is this a DSC TravelPass? Or a cheeky gift voucher?

 

[justinbrett]

Side Bar - as part of the DSC booking, I asked what fare class in J was Sale, Saver & Flex. I was told by the AKL agent that "I" is "Sale", "C, D" are "Saver" and "J" is "Flex". All this while I was thinking what "I" was Sale, "D" Saver and "C, J" Flex.

I thought C was the lower end of flex, but must be the higher end of Saver. I guess it doesn't make any difference - it still goes U>I>D>C>J. D is required for P1 release, not C.

 

[Ade]

Update: called up the premium line to get pricing on the DSC booking. Answered immediately, no wait time by Akrim from CPT. Very knowledgable and friendly agent. He advised that bookings can be on-hold usually for about 72 hours. However, subject to availability and there is no guarantee. But usually, no one touches the booking for upto 72 hours. After this, the seats are automatically released back to the bookable pool.

I also asked about the e-ticket not issues for CBR-MEL return booking. He looked into it and apologised. The previous agent had missed a small step that prevented the booking from ticketed. He later did something and instantly, points were deducted and the Amadeus e-ticket landed. QF PDF landed 2 mins later. Happy with CPT

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

Is this a DSC TravelPass? Or a cheeky gift voucher?

It was a cheeky gift voucher ... the last of it from the DSC released in April 2022. Time to re-stock ...

Post automatically merged: Jan 16, 2023

D is required for P1 release, not C.

Meaning, only P1's can request a D seat to be released, assuming I=0?

 

[justinbrett]

Meaning, only P1's can request a D seat to be released, assuming I=0?

That's my understanding.

 

[RichardMEL]

Meaning, only P1's can request a D seat to be released, assuming I=0?

Emphasis on "request" - I've certainly had D9I0 knocked back. Internationally I mean.

I think Domestic there's a little more leeway, but that's just an thought and most definitely not to be relied on.

 

[justinbrett]

Emphasis on "request" - I've certainly had D9I0 knocked back. Internationally I mean.

I think Domestic there's a little more leeway, but that's just an thought and most definitely not to be relied on.

As much as WP can only request I.

It's always a request, nothing is guaranteed.

 

[Chalkie]

Success for this WP with 1 business class seat release for QF75 (Syd-Yvr) and QF76 (Yvr-Syd) in December 2023. This is for a Christmas trip to Vancouver for my Mum.

Expertflyer showed I9 for both flights, but on the QF website it looked like only "business sale" was available for QF76. But the favourable request response came through almost immediately, so who knows what was going on there.

I made the booking during the course of the London day (where I am right now) so it sounded as though I went to the SA call centre. The agent seemed competent and wasn't taken by surprise with my request; she just got on with it, so I can't complain about the service I received.

Ticketed in less than 24 hours, so Mum's visit to Vancouver is all locked in!

I'm really glad this came through; I've been trying to burn through my 1M points balance while I'm still a WP - that's going to come to an end at my next anniversary. I've had some great success with securing J class awards with the help of the terrific award assistance service here, and with this latest classic reward, I'm down to 200K.

While I've got LTG, like many others I'm shifting away from QF in favour of better value propositions, so I don't think WP is on the horizon for me after this year.

 

[jimmy hutspah]

Success today requesting release of both an I fare MEL-DFW in Oct and an A fare LAX-MEL in Nov. Am WP.

 

[muppet]

Well with absolutely no luck in either direction for SCL with Sale and I fares available, I’ll go the long way.

QF94 LAX-MEL 3 x A - approved.

 

[muppet]

As WP:

QF73 SYD-SFO JUNE I9 = 1 x U denied
QF11 SYD-LAX JUNE I9 = 1 x U denied
QF11 SYD-LAX JUNE A9 = 1 x P approved
QF94 LAX-MEL JUNE I3 = 1 x U approved

The result was very quick the first request to SFO and home LAX-MEL, the second request for U via Sydney was taking a bit longer and was told to call back in 24 hours - however the very helpful agent called me a minute later to say it came back denied. So she put in for a P fare and it was approved by the bot over the phone. Very positive and professional experience.

 

[Matt_01]

Requested x1 F seat on QF2 SIN-SYD, bot said no, manual review said yes.

 

[smckay]

My first attempt at a request, came on the same day QF released a bazillion rewards seats and as expected their system melted.
I wanted SYD-DFW-YVR-SYD in J, and praise the Lord there they were, seats just sitting looking at me on the exact days I wanted at 9.30am.
But, rookie mistake, once I had selected the seats I stoopidly searched for a rental car.... then the seats were taken. Bummer.

So I called up and got SA. Double bummer. Man was a bit vague, didn't realise I wanted 2 flights. SYD-DFW approved immediately (like, a 1 minute wait). Popped up in MMB, thanks very much. Then he was like oh you need another flight? Yeah man, like I already told you YVR-SYD please.
This one went in to the ethernet and he told me to call back later. Really? The *busiest* day in QF history for a while and I have to call back?
Luckily he gave me the YVR-SYD PNR as he didn't load my FF #, and every time I tried to add it the server spat it.
Called back about an hour later, got Hobart and asked for confirmation. Yes, all approved. My lady was on the ball, she said so where else are you going? Charlotte I say and she spots a Y rewards flight which I was going to pay for. Then, trying to get me to YVR took about 40 minutes with no real routing that worked.
Ticketed within the phone call, and with the AA PNR I dropped myself in to Main Cabin extra for 55 bucks. Bit exxy for a cuppla red's but at least I can stretch out.

I'm not sure if I scored due to the Rewards releases but I am taking this one as a win for me.

Next challenge will be SYD-AMS return in May 2024.

 

[justinbrett]

Is it just me or does it sound like members are having better luck requesting F seats vs J? I would have though it would be the opposite.

 

[mrsterryn]

Is it just me or does it sound like members are having better luck requesting F seats vs J? I would have though it would be the opposite.

Actually wouldn't surprise me. My first class ticket for Nov /Dec was actually the cheapest cost that I have ever got in my first class flights Sydney to Heathrow.
I have been flying premium cabins for about ten years now . The business class ticket for the same flight was only $200 ish less than my first class

 

[Matt_01]

Is it just me or does it sound like members are having better luck requesting F seats vs J? I would have though it would be the opposite.

There have been a few times over the years when I have requested seat release QF has been more willing to hand out F seats over J. Not sure why this is is the case I will take the F seat if J is not available.