QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

[kangarooflyer88]

Submitted a request as WP for 2x J MEL-PER QF9 9/2/24, agent (unsure of location but seemed to be knowledgeable) said it was ‘requestable’, placed on short hold, provided booking ref and is in the app. I was expecting an instant approval or more likely a decline as a non-P1. Reckon there’s any hope? First time requesting

Expert flyer inventory says:
J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 W9 R9 T9 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E0

I requested 2 Y seats on QF9 on 1/9/24 a couple of weeks ago and after a bit of a hold it got declined with the error, "allocation exhausted". Ended up settling for a domestic version of that route on the same date, and hoping that I can fly ahead to QF9 at OLCI.

-RooFlyer88

 

[justinbrett]

I requested 2 Y seats on QF9 on 1/9/24 a couple of weeks ago and after a bit of a hold it got declined with the error, "allocation exhausted". Ended up settling for a domestic version of that route on the same date, and hoping that I can fly ahead to QF9 at OLCI.

-RooFlyer88

You could have booked Y on QF9 and gone for a Y+ upgrade, it's a bargain and better than domestic 737 J product (you can't prebook Y+ on this route).

Edit - bargain from a revenue fare, forgot the tax they put on CR upgrades.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You could have booked Y on QF9 and gone for a Y+ upgrade, it's a bargain and better than domestic 737 J product (you can't prebook Y+ on this route).

Edit - bargain from a revenue fare, forgot the tax they put on CR upgrades.

The agent I spoke to try getting Economy, Premium Economy and Business class seats opened up on that date on that route and the computer said the same thing, "allocation exhausted". We'll see if I can squeeze into QF9 via fly ahead, but I'm still satisfied with getting 2 seats on the 9th given there was no classic award availability to begin with when I searched.

 

[Capricornus]

Submitted a request as WP for 2x J MEL-PER QF9 9/2/24, agent (unsure of location but seemed to be knowledgeable) said it was ‘requestable’, placed on short hold, provided booking ref and is in the app. I was expecting an instant approval or more likely a decline as a non-P1. Reckon there’s any hope? First time requesting

Expert flyer inventory says:
J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 W9 R9 T9 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E0

I think a very high chance. 80%

 

[Lynda2475]

We'll see if I can squeeze into QF9 via fly ahead

Not sure why you think this is a thing? As a general rule Qantas only offer fly ahead when there are weather/other issues limiting flights; and even then IME usually only available for Y as rarely any empty J seats same day.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Not sure why you think this is a thing? As a general rule Qantas only offer fly ahead when there are weather/other issues limiting flights; and even then IME usually only available for Y as rarely any empty J seats same day.

I've had it offered a number of times and since I am flying in Y from MEL to PER it's a possibility.

 

[jrfsp]

Not sure why you think this is a thing? As a general rule Qantas only offer fly ahead when there are weather/other issues limiting flights; and even then IME usually only available for Y as rarely any empty J seats same day.

I’d imagine international flights / sectors are excluded also

 

[RichardMEL]

Agree that it's VERY unlikely the international tag would be offered. While strictly it IS a domestic flight, we all know it's treated differently. Still, it's a nice idea.

 

[justinbrett]

While strictly it IS a domestic flight

Oh please no, don't open that can of worms again

 

[Lynda2475]

I’d imagine international flights / sectors are excluded also

Especially given separate terminals on opposite sides of the airport.

 

[elanshin]

Not sure why you think this is a thing? As a general rule Qantas only offer fly ahead when there are weather/other issues limiting flights; and even then IME usually only available for Y as rarely any empty J seats same day.

Generally speaking, Y is often offered to fly ahead if there's space especially on triangle routes. Heck I often see EVERY flight offered for SYD <> MEL on fly ahead. I'm confident enough with enough data points, that I often book later flights and slide onto a much ealier flight as long as I see beforehand it's not completely full day.

In this case the Int'l might be an issue as others have mentioned.

Especially given separate terminals on opposite sides of the airport.

Isn't this MEL, so practically next door. Although generally with fly ahead you would've selected the flight way before reaching the airport.

 

[Lynda2475]

I've only been offered fly ahead about 20% of the time SYD/MEL, and once from BNE-SYD but often when you click it then says no longer available. I certainly haven't seen it on international.

Isn't this MEL, so practically next door.

Oops my bad, but still doubt it would be offered; and if it were no guarantee of being seated together.

 

[RichardMEL]

Technically flying forward is only a thing for P1 in terms of the official benefits offered - and that has a caveat that it's only on Flex fares. That's the official wording. In practice, there are two usual scenarios imo. The first is for P1, and sometimes lower status pax that flying ahead/forward whatever you want to call it will be provided if asked for and space is available of course and with common sense - and often for things like international connections where it makes sense (as in, we often suggest on here pax show up earlier than booked tight connections and can sometimes be accommodated). Referring specifically to P1, that the "flex fare" aspect on the official policy can be waived by airport agents, and has definitely been in my experience.

The other instance, of course, is for irrops or expected issues that may create delays/cancellations (most usually weather) and that's when QF will push flying ahead both in the app and at the airport (just the other week in SYD I think I recall announcements for any pax wanting to catch an earlier flight to Melbourne to come forward).

Anyway my point is that airport staff have great leeway and can exercise it (it used to be much easier for them back in the day - as in my understanding is more auditing has been done over more recent years of overriding of fare conditions and the like by airport agents and that has left some a bit shy to try and do such things lest they get a tap on the shoulder about it) but technically there are only certain circumstances where it's going to be a thing for most pax. So worth the question in a general sense of course, but to not expect it to be a thing - even for Gold/Plat - outside of things like expected delays/weather or international connections or the like. Of course, fully flex fares will definitely help

imo.

 

[Flyrner]

Submitted a request as WP for 2x J MEL-PER QF9 9/2/24, agent (unsure of location but seemed to be knowledgeable) said it was ‘requestable’, placed on short hold, provided booking ref and is in the app. I was expecting an instant approval or more likely a decline as a non-P1. Reckon there’s any hope? First time requesting

Expert flyer inventory says:
J9 C9 D9 I9 U0 W9 R9 T9 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X9 E0

Declined. Not surprised but still disappointed! Received an email asking me to call but no changes in the app. Ah well

 

[Ade]

WP here requested 1x return CBR-MEL for the weekend of 09th-10th Dec. No reward seats available on the website. Could not get both direction released, so requested MEL-CBR only for 10th and request was put in. Within the hour received an email that there is an outcome. Called up 13 12 11, went straight to HBA, Lisa from HBA did an amazing job. Payment taken on the call. Expect e-tkt within a couple of hours.

Doing 09th Dec CBR-MEL reward J on VA

 

[sudoer]

Declined. Not surprised but still disappointed! Received an email asking me to call but no changes in the app. Ah well

I'm also not surprised. In my experience, what matters on these tag flights like QF1 SYD-SIN, QF5 SYD-PER, QF9 MEL-PER is not the availability for that shorter leg, but availability for the longer multi-leg e.g. QF1 SYD-LHR, QF5 SYD-FCO, QF9 MEL-LHR

If you can get through to HBA I've found they won't put in a bot request for the tag flight in if the longer route isn't showing I class.

For 9/2/24 the QF9 MEL-LHR loads are J9 C9 D8 I0

If you can shift your departure date, QF9 MEL-LHR on 7/2/24 is showing J9 C9 D9 I6 and would be worth requesting.

 

[Flyrner]

I'm also not surprised. In my experience, what matters on these tag flights like QF1 SYD-SIN, QF5 SYD-PER, QF9 MEL-PER is not the availability for that shorter leg, but availability for the longer multi-leg e.g. QF1 SYD-LHR, QF5 SYD-FCO, QF9 MEL-LHR

If you can get through to HBA I've found they won't put in a bot request for the tag flight in if the longer route isn't showing I class.

For 9/2/24 the QF9 MEL-LHR loads are J9 C9 D8 I0

If you can shift your departure date, QF9 MEL-LHR on 7/2/24 is showing J9 C9 D9 I6 and would be worth requesting.

Ah yes makes sense., thanks for that. Not to worry, will Flounge it up and then work off the hangover in whY

 

[Danger]

I'm also not surprised. In my experience, what matters on these tag flights like QF1 SYD-SIN, QF5 SYD-PER, QF9 MEL-PER is not the availability for that shorter leg, but availability for the longer multi-leg e.g. QF1 SYD-LHR, QF5 SYD-FCO, QF9 MEL-LHR

If you can get through to HBA I've found they won't put in a bot request for the tag flight in if the longer route isn't showing I class.

For 9/2/24 the QF9 MEL-LHR loads are J9 C9 D8 I0

If you can shift your departure date, QF9 MEL-LHR on 7/2/24 is showing J9 C9 D9 I6 and would be worth requesting.

Another member and I suggested the same up thread, but then came this comment.

you can request just the domestic sectors on QF9/10 - it is separate inventory than to/from LHR

 

[PSS]

Data point: submitted request as WP for 3x Y SYD-PER on 18/12/23, agent seemed to be in Aus, placed on short hold and confirmed through. Was quite surprised, the customer service has improved quite a fair bit - staff seem more patient and polite.

 

[dairyfloss]

Requested business 'U' award seats to be released each way SYD<>MCY for a weekend in March 2024 (not the easter weekend), and it was confirmed on the spot*. Inventory showed availability in 'D' & 'I', and so it was pretty likely. This was for my 7YO son, and has been linked with a revenue booking for his mum & dad. My wife will hit WP for the first time after this trip. Son will remain a lowly SG and only make 1,000SCs this member year

* On the spot, but it did take 2 calls to get this sorted. The 1st agent, while very helpful, had confused the required inbound flight with one that already had award seats available, and the system hung on that request... I called back after seeing in the booking that it was the wrong flight, and the 2nd time I got someone who was able to immediately clear it through the system, and get him booked and ticketed, plus link TCP with my revenue booking.

Cheers,
Matt.