QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[blackcat20]

Who do you ring to ask about seats, is it just the normal QFF number?

 

[chrisbris]

BNE to LHR on 23rd December - was not hopeful being so close to Christmas. Looking for 2 seats for my sister and her partner.

As P1 the agent put request through and lucky days - 2 Y seats released BNE-SYD-DXB-LHR

 

[Kangol]

Who do you ring to ask about seats, is it just the normal QFF number?

Yes. Normal res number on the back of your card. You can only request them over the phone - no online option.

 

[Danger]

Success with Australia-DXB in F close to Christmas. F9 A9.

 

[vmile]

Success HKG-SYD one seat mid September 2018 J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 showing on both flights.

 

[eminere]

Newbie to all of this so please excuse, but can you only request for QF-operated flights? Should I try for EK or is that impossible?

 

[mviy]

You can only request the release of seats for QF operated flights. Even then you need the loads in the cheapest fare bucket to be light to have a chance. If too many people have already got seats released for that flight or the loads are too high or for some other reason they won’t release the seats.

For everything else it’s WYSIWYG unless there’s some issue where award seats aren’t showing online due to some integration issue with the partner airline’s systems and seats that should be showing are not.

 

[eminere]

You can only request the release of seats for QF operated flights. Even then you need the loads in the cheapest fare bucket to be light to have a chance. If too many people have already got seats released for that flight or the loads are too high or for some other reason they won’t release the seats.

For everything else it’s WYSIWYG unless there’s some issue where award seats aren’t showing online due to some integration issue with the partner airline’s systems and seats that should be showing are not.

Dang. There goes my plan...

Thanks for the info.

 

[mviy]

If you have ExpertFlyer subscription you can lookup the loads for flights you're interested in and if not, you can use
Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

Doing a bit of research before ringing up and asking can help with getting an idea as to which dates you should be asking for.

 

[Austman]

I've been WP for over 10 years but have never requested an award seat to be released.

Until now.

I want a domestic return for 1 pax - me.

The outgoing date was fine - seats were there. But the return date had very limited availability and at awful times (for me). So I called Qantas and requested a seat to be released for my preferred return flight(s). A first for me. The process was very pleasant and I gave 2 options that I would be happy to take - both afternoon flights. Qantas made a reservation and suggested I call back in 3 days (the next business day) to see if my request had been granted.

At the moment, and for the past 2 days, I can see the return sector of my booking as being "requested" for both my options. The outgoing sector is "confirmed".

An interesting process...

I'm not sure if it's of much interest to report back on how it goes? But I will anyway!

 

[Austman]

Oh and the + in the WP+ meant it would be interesting to know if the process is different for those higher than WP.

 

[madrooster]

The process isn't any different for the higher ranks. Domestic is sent for manual approval. International is done by automation.

 

[vantage03]

The process isn't any different for the higher ranks. Domestic is sent for manual approval. International is done by automation.

Correct. In addition, those with SST access (Special Services Team for P1 and some CL members) can get human intervention on the International flights if 'computer says no'.

 

[Danger]

Wiki - QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

 

[Austman]

Wiki - QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

Ahh - sorry. If the mods could add this thread to the end of that wiki?

 

[Austman]

I've looked through the wiki and there's not too much about the process for domestic requests which seems to be quite a different process compared to international requests.

It's now 48 hours since my request was made on Friday afternoon. I've was told to call back on Monday or Tuesday. So a couple of observations:

1. Yield management might not work weekends?
2. You have to keep calling back? They are not going to call you?

The problem for me is that there were alternatives I could have selected when my request was made. They just weren't my preferred choice. They were either very late in the evening or connections via SYD. By having to wait for days to get an answer I might lose those alternatives as it's flights on 24th December I'm wanting.

To me, the 72 or 96 hours that they tell you to wait seems odd.

If my request is accepted, will the booking show "confirmed" rather than "requested"?

 

[madrooster]

It's now 48 hours since my request was made on Friday afternoon. I've was told to call back on Monday or Tuesday. So a couple of observations:

1. Yield management might not work weekends?
2. You have to keep calling back? They are not going to call you?

Yield does not work on weekends. It'll be early Monday morning at earliest.

If my request is accepted, will the booking show "confirmed" rather than "requested"?

Yes.

 

[Matt_01]

Oh and the + in the WP+ meant it would be interesting to know if the process is different for those higher than WP.

As madrooster mentioned the process is the same for the WP1.

Over the past month I (WP1) have requested a seats (F and J) on weekends and the computer decision (response) has been immediate, this even seemed to have surprised the agent. Computer said "Yes" to all.

Even once confirmed you will need to call back to pay fees and taxes so they will ticket.

 

[Austman]

As madrooster mentioned the process is the same for the WP1.

Over the past month I (WP1) have requested a seats (F and J) on weekends and the computer decision (response) has been immediate, this even seemed to have surprised the agent. Computer said "Yes" to all.

Even once confirmed you will need to call back to pay fees and taxes so they will ticket.

Good information. But were they (the J) for domestic?

 

[Matt_01]

Good information. But were they (the J) for domestic?

They all included at least 1 sector in domestic J:

• MEL-SYD (J) to connect with QF1(F), I also asked for specific domestic flights.
• MEL-BNE (J) to connect with EK43 (F), I also asked for specific domestic flights.
• There was one, HKG-MEL(J)-ADL(J) where I not could not get my prefered MEL-ADL connection however was able to get choice 2. On arrival I will ask to fly forward at the lounge and see what happens.

The fare bucket class for the Dom J fights must have been available.