QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[philr2000]

Just had success getting 2 x J seats SYD-SIN on QF81 in October - first time requesting release and was surprised to get it (EF was showing I9). Lady from Cape Town centre was very helpful!

 

[BriarFlyer]

Nice to read about a successful request through an offshore agent.

 

[dylarr]

Nice to read about a successful request through an offshore agent.

I’ve had a couple of successful requests through Cape Town where the agent has been able to set the request up properly and get a response on the spot, collect taxes and points and have the ticket issued.

Not all agents though. It’s incredibly inconsistent but there are at least some agents there that know how to do it.

 

[Ade]

12/01/2023 - CBR-SYD Return 1xY - Rejected. No seats available on website, so called to put in a request. Request was made, PNR provided, advised that outcome could take up 48 hours. Later, I found reward seats on VA. Called QF to cancel the request, was advised that the request has been denied anyways.

 

[Sprucegoose]

12/01/2023 - CBR-SYD Return 1xY - Rejected. No seats available on website, so called to put in a request. Request was made, PNR provided, advised that outcome could take up 48 hours. Later, I found reward seats on VA. Called QF to cancel the request, was advised that the request has been denied anyways.

Did you talk to HBA?

 

[Ade]

Did you talk to HBA?

First request call was AKL. Second call after I found reward seats on VA was not HBA or AKL, guessing CPT (based off accent). Could’ve been MNL too …

 

[marks]

I had to attend a funeral between Xmas & NY with the family and i couldn't find enough seats for the 4pax BNE-SYD (Return was fine). Rang the platinum line and got the P1 HBA call centre. I thought I'd be in luck but no. The AI system that they used wouldn't approve. Tried twice. 3pax on points and I purchased one ticket. This was 2 days out from travel.
The next morning, there was still points seats available on that flight. Annoying.
But without points it would have been a very expensive exercise for a one day trip during the peak time.

If you can't get the seat, book what you can and wait 24hrs to see what is available. (if this works for you.)
I don't think I'll try this, in this case, where once again my tightness could cause travel issues with an important event.....

 

[levelnine]

Well, it looks like I need to buy a lottery ticket.

2x J released for MEL-DFW in peak Christmas travel season (departing mid December & returning late December).

Done through an incredible HBA agent.

 

[RichardMEL]

Well, it looks like I need to buy a lottery ticket.

2x J released for MEL-DFW in peak Christmas travel season (departing mid December & returning late December).

Done through an incredible HBA agent.

That is good to hear. I also have a reward J seat on this sector coming up.

I'm going to say it's a route that is a bit under the radar for QF.. or perhaps pax.. and so it may be one of those options for more folks - obviously the timing is also very good for connections to the east, south east and midwest.

 

[levelnine]

I'm going to say it's a route that is a bit under the radar for QF.. or perhaps pax..

This aligns with my thinking, and why I think the request was successful.

While it's not definitive proof of anything, it's also the only inbound route from the US that has Y award seats (indeed, 9+) in December 2023. LAX-SYD, LAX-MEL, DFW-SYD, LAX-BNE, JFK-SYD, SFO-SYD all show nothing. It's a bit of a hidden gem for awards.

 

[MrMickeyg]

Well, it looks like I need to buy a lottery ticket.

2x J released for MEL-DFW in peak Christmas travel season (departing mid December & returning late December).

Done through an incredible HBA agent.

is there a right time of day to get the Hobart team? i wanted to check award seat release but i'm often thinking about it late at night. And do i call the number on the back of my Platinum card?

 

[Danger]

is there a right time of day to get the Hobart team? i wanted to check award seat release but i'm often thinking about it late at night. And do i call the number on the back of my Platinum card?

There's no direct number for HBA.

Yes, call the number on the back of your card and hope for the best.

 

[dylarr]

is there a right time of day to get the Hobart team? i wanted to check award seat release but i'm often thinking about it late at night. And do i call the number on the back of my Platinum card?

HBA is online from 7am-11pm AEST/AEDT. There's a consensus here that earlier on in the day (i.e. 7am) is a pretty good time to call.

I still get offshore agents calling between these hours, however I've found it a bit easier now than what it was about 6 months ago to get through. To Qantas' absolute credit they have done a couple of rounds of recruitment at HBA in recent times and this definitely seems to have made a noticeable impact.

 

[MrMickeyg]

HBA is online from 7am-11pm AEST/AEDT. There's a consensus here that earlier on in the day (i.e. 7am) is a pretty good time to call.

I still get offshore agents calling between these hours, however I've found it a bit easier now than what it was about 6 months ago to get through. To Qantas' absolute credit they have done a couple of rounds of recruitment at HBA in recent times and this definitely seems to have made a noticeable impact.

So I called tonight (twice), looking for a Business class reward seat MEL-YVR return. I got Fiona with a kiwi accent, twice. Excellent service. I never knew this perk existed until I read about it here. Thanks all! In both cases the return leg was confirmed, had to try a new date for outbound.

Attempt 1
QF75 1/7 i7 = fail and QF76 17/7 i4 =success
Attempt 2
QF75 12/6 i9 = success and QF76 28/6 i4 = success.

 

[azza_1992]

Another success getting 2 J seats released last night.

QF62 HND-BNE, for various dates in mid-December with no award availability in any classes.

I6 - Fail
I0 - Fail
I6 - Success

 

[liamg]

Got an economy seat for my Mum in March, flying MEL-SYD. Only classic reward seats were before 8am or after 2pm which didn't suit her. 10am, 10:30am, 11am all showed N9 and all approved. Even better, the agent mentioned the 30% off sale has just launched, which I didn't even know about! I'm Platinum.

 

[ozflier]

Another success getting 2 J seats released last night.

QF62 HND-BNE, for various dates in mid-December with no award availability in any classes.

I6 - Fail
I0 - Fail
I6 - Success

Can I suggest that posters include whether the QF website has fares available at the "Business Sale" rate?
My impression is that the by far best chance to get the nod is if there are "Business Sale" fares available for the relevant flight at the same time there are "I" fares available .

 

[justinbrett]

Can I suggest that posters include whether the QF website has fares available at the "Business Sale" rate?
My impression is that the by far best chance to get the nod is if there are "Business Sale" fares available for the relevant flight at the same time there are "I" fares available .

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

My understanding was I was sale, D was saver, and C/J were flex.

 

[sudoer]

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

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.

 

[ozflier]

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

My understanding was I was sale, D was saver, and C/J were flex.

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