QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[TheRealTMA]

There’s not a call centre in Melbourne, is there? ( sorry out walking, not focusing very well.)

Why? Is the weather too bad? Or do melbournites refuse to work for lunch vouchers?"

 

[RichardMEL]

Perhaps, but I’d still always prefer to get Hobart. There, when they discover that I’m a local, we always get chatting about various things and they go the extra mile to try and help me out what I’m trying to achieve, even suggesting things I hadn’t thought of.

oh for sure, but my point (or hope?!) was more that the vast majority of QFF members can't get access to HBA unfortunately so if there's ANY improvement in the abilities of CPT/MNL/wherever that would be great for all

 

[DC3]

Thanks to QF GT, I have a holiday home in TAS... will that get me any special treatment, do you think?

It may help to also talk like a local when you call

 

[MarcB]

Success story...I managed to get 2 x U class released on QF61 (BNE-NRT) for mid-July next year. EF was showing "I3". I was prepared to try multiple dates, but got my first choice. I'm not sure where the call was answered (maybe Fiji based on the accent) but definitely was not Hobart. This is my first international release success story post-COVID era. Hopefully a sign that things are returning to 'normal'.

 

[DC3]

I'm not sure where the call was answered (maybe Fiji based on the accent) but definitely was not Hobart.

e-ticket looks good?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Just thought I'd check my chances on a QF flight from MEL to AKL in Y. Per EF I see no Q availability for the flight I have in mind and see the following loadings per EF: J6 C3 D2 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0.

What are my odds that I'll be able to request 2 Y seats for that flight? Is it even worth a try?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Just thought I'd check my chances on a QF flight from MEL to AKL in Y. Per EF I see no Q availability for the flight I have in mind and see the following loadings per EF: J6 C3 D2 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0.

What are my odds that I'll be able to request 2 Y seats for that flight? Is it even worth a try?

Anecdotally there needs to be Q class for requesting Int Y release for Plat.

So v unlikely you will get them. No harm in trying I suppose.

 

[sydneyboi]

Tried to get LHR-SYD in First one seat Jan 1 2 or 3 - Nothing - computer says NO....

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Requested QF9 (MEL -> PER) for January 9th. ExpertFlyer is showing the following loadings:
J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 W9 R9 T9 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O0 G0 X0 E0

When I called up QFF to request they release 2 seats after a bit of a hold I was told that the computer spat back allocation exceeded. Any ideas why? I see both Q9 and N9 which suggests it should be a shoe in for requesting the award seat.

-RooFlyer88

 

[mviy]

It’s showing U0 so I assume they have already sold some reward seats (if released). They may have already had some additional reward seats released or feel at a peak travel time they can most likely fill the remaining seats from paying customers.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

It’s showing U0 so I assume they have already sold some reward seats (if released). They may have already had some additional reward seats released or feel at a peak travel time they can most likely fill the remaining seats from paying customers.

Just to clarify I am looking for 2 classic economy award seats, so U loads shouldn't play a factor here.

 

[mviy]

Oh, economy. Still at peak times they may expect to overbook economy as it is.

 

[dairyfloss]

Requested QF9 (MEL -> PER) for January 9th. ExpertFlyer is showing the following loadings:
J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 W9 R9 T9 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O0 G0 X0 E0

When I called up QFF to request they release 2 seats after a bit of a hold I was told that the computer spat back allocation exceeded. Any ideas why? I see both Q9 and N9 which suggests it should be a shoe in for requesting the award seat.

-RooFlyer88

I'm sure there are sub-classes, tallies, and other factors which determine whether a seat is released or not. We see them reported here as fails all the time. Maybe try again without using the tag flight for one of the most demanded flights on the network? There's similar availability on QF769, earlier in the day. In fact you'd be a good chance to get business on that one if you wanted it (did you also try J or Y+ for QF9?, or more points than you want to part with?)


Cheers,
Matt.

 

[dylarr]

Any ideas why?

Having the required fare classes isn't a guarantee of approval. I'm assuming the system sees the MELPER leg of QF9 as an international flight and from experience it seems to be a bit more conservative with international flights than it is for domestics. For example, I rarely get knockbacks on domestic economy releases when N is available, I've had quite a few knockbacks on international flights even with Q availability. There's also blackout periods that apply to some routes and other logic which nobody other than Qantas would know about.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I'm sure there are sub-classes, tallies, and other factors which determine whether a seat is released or not. We see them reported here as fails all the time.

Maybe try again without using the tag flight for one of the most demanded flights on the network?

Fair enough. I just wanted to take QF9 so I can access the Flounge at MEL and have access to international standard catering enroute to PER. One question I do have is whether one could book a Premium Economy classic award on QF9 between MEL and PER and how many points are required there? If I plug that route into the points calculator all I see are Business and Economy award pricing.

There's similar availability on QF769, earlier in the day. In fact you'd be a good chance to get business on that one if you wanted it (did you also try J or Y+ for QF9?, or more points than you want to part with?)

That's something I'll consider although at this point with the compelling reason to book QF extinguished (i.e. access to the Flounge), I might very well head over to VA and book with them. It's 11,900 points/pax in Y to go MEL > PER

 

[dairyfloss]

Fair enough. I just wanted to take QF9 so I can access the Flounge at MEL and have access to international standard catering enroute to PER. One question I do have is whether one could book a Premium Economy classic award on QF9 between MEL and PER and how many points are required there? If I plug that route into the points calculator all I see are Business and Economy award pricing.

Yes, a valid question... and I'm not acually sure if they even offer it on this route? Others may have tried and could advise. If they did, then you can still use the Classic Flight Rewards Tables to figure it out, if absent from the calculator. These are located here: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/use-points/classic-flight-rewards/tables.html

Seems you'd be looking at 31,000 QFF points per person for MEL<>PER in Y+ (assumes distance of ~1,681 miles), plus any taxes, fees and carrier charges.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[levelnine]

the computer spat back allocation exceeded.

My understanding from reports in this thread is that there are a finite number of awards seats that can be allocated to each flight, regardless of the fare classes available. In other words, people may have gotten in ahead of you in securing award seats on that particular flight. I'm not sure if that allocation is ever adjusted up or down for a flight. And I'm not sure if that allocation is a single pool of award seats or is segregated into platinum releases and general releases.

 

[Kangol]

Tried to get LHR-SYD in First one seat Jan 1 2 or 3 - Nothing - computer says NO....

At two months out in peak holiday season, I can't imagine anyone would have an expectation of it being approved.

 

[mviy]

As far as I can remember, I personally have never had success requesting seats for myself, but some friends have had success.

I might request a return seat release in J/F to the UK for the European summer, but I don’t expect it to be approved.

 

[Happy Dude]

At two months out in peak holiday season, I can't imagine anyone would have an expectation of it being approved.

Given the recent reward seat dump which also covered the much sought after but usually denied for release peak holiday season in July/Aug, where NBs got J tix, one could see where an expectation may have developed.