QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[ozflier]

I've got 2 outstanding international reward trips (OWAs) and have never had so much difficulty having business class seats released as a Platinum flyer.
These one-world bookings are getting harder
Both return trips are to Europe next March and May. If I did not use OWAs, the flights would be more "doable", but the classic points required would be out of my reach.
For one, I have to fly via North America both ways, and for the other, one-way.
The flights are indirect, and some shorter ones are in economy (that's bearable though).
I would have preferred to fly direct to/from Australia. If it wasn't booked as an OWA, there are options at least in Southeast Asia, e.g., Air France and onwards with them on Philippine Airlines, but these are not OW members.
I understand that Plats are not guaranteed release of 2 business class seats just because there are "saver" revenue fares available and a minimum of 8 "I" fares on sale. But it is disappointing.
These trips will see the end of my collection of Qantas Points and my efforts to maximize our flying on Qantas / Oneworld.
I'm actually looking forward to next year when I will have free choice with the airlines we use!

 

[SeatBackForward]

I understand that Plats are not guaranteed release of 2 business class seats

Are you requesting these on oneworld partners? This perk only applies to Qantas flights.

 

[MrJetset]

I don't believe there are any blackouts on when you can request an award from the bot. The agents will submit the request and the bot may or may not approve.

The defined blackouts are on the manual review process available to P1 after the bot declines the request.

There is a blackout on manual reviews to LHR starting in line with the April 2027 school hols and extending through summer (unsure exactly when it ends but assume around September)

I can't comment on CDG/FCO, and I don't believe there are blackouts on the US routes.

There are blackout dates. A PDF was once posted showing agents the dates that were generally school holidays or peak periods. Sometimes it would specify certain days of the week. HBA agents admitted it time and time again. They were instructed not to submit because the bot was programmed to decline.

 

[ozflier]

Are you requesting these on oneworld partners? This perk only applies to Qantas flights.

No Qantas only . I only mentioned other carriers that i could book wiht QFF points to reflect how much more expensive most of them were.

 

[elanshin]

I've got 2 outstanding international reward trips (OWAs) and have never had so much difficulty having business class seats released as a Platinum flyer.
These one-world bookings are getting harder
Both return trips are to Europe next March and May. If I did not use OWAs, the flights would be more "doable", but the classic points required would be out of my reach.
For one, I have to fly via North America both ways, and for the other, one-way.
The flights are indirect, and some shorter ones are in economy (that's bearable though).
I would have preferred to fly direct to/from Australia. If it wasn't booked as an OWA, there are options at least in Southeast Asia, e.g., Air France and onwards with them on Philippine Airlines, but these are not OW members.
I understand that Plats are not guaranteed release of 2 business class seats just because there are "saver" revenue fares available and a minimum of 8 "I" fares on sale. But it is disappointing.
These trips will see the end of my collection of Qantas Points and my efforts to maximize our flying on Qantas / Oneworld.
I'm actually looking forward to next year when I will have free choice with the airlines we use!

I think with 2027 CR booking we're seeing the ME conflict affecting things. We're probably seeing a serious shift in future bookings away from ME3, which means everyone else EXPECTS to be fairly full- thus less reasons to open awards. Reminder that ME3 has as much capacity as everyone else combined. I can't imagine the general flying public rushing to book ME3 right now for 2027 plans.

 

[elanshin]

Separate note.

HKG - MEL Aug 29 I2 > U2 unsuccessful.
Was a long shot, but my partner needs 18SC before Sep 1. We'll probably do some additional flying in Europe instead.