QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[azza_1992]

As a newly minted platinum I was rejected on LAX-BNE, despite I6+ inventory on expertflyer, 9 months' notice, and a couple of HUACAs.

Not a huge deal, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth as it required significant reworking of a 280k redemption.

 

[JohnM]

As a newly minted platinum I was rejected on LAX-BNE, despite I6+ inventory on expertflyer, 9 months' notice, and a couple of HUACAs.

Not a huge deal, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth as it required significant reworking of a 280k redemption.

I'm wondering whether the one-way coming back to Australia, rather than going out, could have anything to do with it?

Someone may be able to comment on that idea.

 

[Kangol]

I'm wondering whether the one-way coming back to Australia, rather than going out, could have anything to do with it?

Someone may be able to comment on that idea.

Time of year and day of the week may be a factor, eg. school holidays or another busy time.
I've had a request as a P1 declined if that is of any consideration.

 

[fairbasa]

I was told by a Premium agent the magic fare bucket is 'Q' for economy seats. If there's Q availability, they will release it.

I don't know the accuracy of their advice.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

As a newly minted platinum I was rejected on LAX-BNE, despite I6+ inventory on expertflyer, 9 months' notice, and a couple of HUACAs.

Not a huge deal, but it did leave a bad taste in my mouth as it required significant reworking of a 280k redemption.

Reading through previous posts in this thread, there is no link between any fare buckets availability and release of seats.
Some members had success with seats when specific classes have seats available, but it's not the reason seats are granted.

Your value to the airline/loyalty program changes EVERY SINGLE DAY, and if you're HUCA, your new value may be a contributing factor.
For example, if you call up and don't get the seat, and the next day you fly SYD-MEL, your lifetime value to QF changes, and therefore so may the outcome on any favours you're asking.

Need to remember that airlines see award seats as DISTRESSED INVENTORY. Seats they don't think they will be able to sell commercial rates.

 

[madrooster]

Need to remember that airlines see award seats as DISTRESSED INVENTORY. Seats they don't think they will be able to sell commercial rates.

i'm going to be the bold one to throw a spanner on that one... I have a number of cases where I've had people obtain a seat releases as platinums and the end result was the flight was oversold in that cabin. I've now seen this 20-30 times in the past 3 years. Many of the dates where a release was granted, was during a period where I wouldn't expect them to release, eg. start or end of school holidays. I would not say that it's entirely viewed as distressed inventory, at least at QF.

 

[get me outta here]

What tended to happen to those ‘oversolds’, did lesser mortals have to sit in a different class?

i'm going to be the bold one to throw a spanner on that one... I have a number of cases where I've had people obtain a seat releases as platinums and the end result was the flight was oversold in that cabin. I've now seen this 20-30 times in the past 3 years. Many of the dates where a release was granted, was during a period where I wouldn't expect them to release, eg. start or end of school holidays. I would not say that it's entirely viewed as distressed inventory, at least at QF.

 

[madrooster]

What tended to happen to those ‘oversolds’, did lesser mortals have to sit in a different class?

No because these were platinums. The no status pax got the boot.

 

[JohnM]

And rightly so...

 

[get me outta here]

As I suspected.

No because these were platinums. The no status pax got the boot.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

i'm going to be the bold one to throw a spanner on that one... I have a number of cases where I've had people obtain a seat releases as platinums and the end result was the flight was oversold in that cabin. I've now seen this 20-30 times in the past 3 years. Many of the dates where a release was granted, was during a period where I wouldn't expect them to release, eg. start or end of school holidays. I would not say that it's entirely viewed as distressed inventory, at least at QF.

I'll take a wild guess that it could be the following scenario:

- At the time the booking/request is made by the Platinum member the forward sales on the flight are below expectation (flash sales, double sc etc may have been later to give sales a boost)
- Qantas (Airline) and Qantas (Loyalty) are separate businesses. It's possible to be valuable to one of those companies and not the other. Eg: Earn 10M points a year and burn them on Cathay Pacific flights - Qantas (Airline) couldn't give two hoots about you. Qantas Loyalty will view you as an ultra-high-value customer. Qantas Loyalty may PAY Qantas (Airline) a premium (heck - even at commercial rates maybe) to get you that seat.

To be brutally honest - the airline loyalty biz has evolved 25x in the past 10 years. These days your status means next to nothing to the airlines. The elite status they assign to you is the 'front facing' value that you resonate with .... "oh I'm Platinum I get xx_xx_xx". That message synergies with the alliance and it's a feel good system built on recognition which loyalty programs were originally designed on back in the 80s and 90s.

These days your value to the airline is based on other factors. Qantas is public in saying they use a lifetime value score.

A bit over the top answer.... but to really understand why or why not seats get released, it can help to know how the inner workings of the machine operate.

 

[JohnM]

Well, as long as one gets released when I request it, I guess I don't care how it came about .

That said, I've only asked once - recently for QF9 MEL-PER in J in November. I honestly did not expect success, given that there are plenty of dedicated domestic flights on that route. But, lo and behold, it was granted. I was gobsmacked (pleasantly) .

 

[kpc]

Anyone have recent success for a Plat award release for Qf 9 Per-Lhr in J class? Ta

 

[Danger]

First positive experience with attempting to get seats released as a WP - 2 x J seats released on PER-LHR in January next year, was showing J9 C9 D7 I6 on ExpertFlyer.

I think that may be the first report on AFF of inventory being opened up on this route. I don't think I've even heard of a regular award seat in J being available. May I ask what the co-pay was?

Anyone have recent success for a Plat award release for Qf 9 Per-Lhr in J class? Ta

 

[azza_1992]

I think that may be the first report on AFF of inventory being opened up on this route. I don't think I've even heard of a regular award seat in J being available. May I ask what the co-pay was?

Surcharges and taxes totalled $650 per pax, but that was for BNE-PER-LHR.

 

[madrooster]

I think that may be the first report on AFF of inventory being opened up on this route. I don't think I've even heard of a regular award seat in J being available. May I ask what the co-pay was?

The fuel fine for that route is $540. It's $540 if booked as MEL-LHR as QF9, or PER-LHR as QF9. Both incur $540. Taxes are then about $500 return due to UK APD.

 

[Quickstatus]

Status is just a “badge” by which the customer can perceive their value to the airline and just informs the customer of their entitlements. It is not the metric by which the airline values the customer.

And don’t forget Classic reward seat Release on request is NOT a written or official benefit for Platinums. That this is possible is entirely within the gift of the airline who can also taketh away. So while “I” inventory seems a necessary requirement (occasionally D) it is not the full story. Overall it’s a “request” which means they can “deny”.

 

[Quickstatus]

I am reticent to say this, but IMO persistent HUACAS may not be in the long term best interest of travellers using this unwritten perk (different kettle of fish for WP1). if it does not happen, then it does not happen. Obviously never argue the point.

 

[aikman]

I don't suppose anyone has tried using the SMS service to request seats to be released?

 

[Dr_Goz]

I don't suppose anyone has tried using the SMS service to request seats to be released?

Tried it whilst on night shift the other night.
"Maria" hadn't no idea what I was talking about, so I gave up and phoned the next day.