QR availability for Qantas FF awards?

[madrooster]

QR hasn't published any flights beyond 23/08/2017, let alone seats. I wonder what's going on...The agency helpdesk also doesn't know why either.

 

[cjd600]

Maybe there'll be a flood of awards released once the work experience kid plugs the cord back in

 

[BriarFlyer]

For the date we wanted, they were two months behind. Something weird going on.

Interesting. I've been checking as new days are released, but there *is* more availability going back a couple of months. I shall continue to search in the upcoming months; probably with SQ secured as back-up (the cancellation fee is too reasonable not to have that back-up.) Thanks blackcat20!

 

[Ultan Lankford]

My own pet theory is that they are working on new schedules and have so far halted releasing new flights. When I rang QR, they said that as a normal paying customer, you can book the flight even if the dates are not available and then you get a free one off date change when the seats come online. Not sure now if this is restricted to certain classes of fare or not. For award fares, well we just have to suck it up and see.

 

[BriarFlyer]

They're back!

 

[blackcat20]

They're back!

Indeed they are. Too late for us now but nevermind. Fortunately we booked the CX A350 so I dont think we're missing much. Maybe next time.

 

[NZflygirl]

I've also been checking availability daily ahead of trying for a J/F redemption in early September 2017, but I had thought that any award seats were being snapped up by those of higher status (I have none) not that they weren't loaded at all. So thanks for the heads-up. I won't give up hope and will keep watching in case there is a backlog released.

OP mentioned an afternoon loading of the new/next day; what time does this happen? I'd been checking in the morning but will change my strategy.

If you're flying DOH- LHR double check that leg as I think they're clamping down on NOT giving out F awards. On their own site they say it's not available for awards although I did see it advertised in ausbt earlier in the yr but I suspect that's changed. I didn't realise they only have 6 A380s currently so not much in the way of routes to get F. I think a 7th is in progress.

EDIT: I've just seen your post below - congrats on securing F to CDG! Insanely jealous!

 

[BriarFlyer]

IMaybe next time.

Always good to have something to look forward to.

I've just booked SYD-CDG for Sept next year. Fingers crossed we can get SQ for the return dates when they're released. It would be AWFUL if we couldn't and had to stay an extra week or two!

 

[BriarFlyer]

If you're flying DOH- LHR double check that leg as I think they're clamping down on NOT giving out F awards. On their own site they say it's not available for awards although I did see it advertised in ausbt earlier in the yr but I suspect that's changed. I didn't realise they only have 6 A380s currently so not much in the way of routes to get F. I think a 7th is in progress.

There did appear to be some F availability showing although I booked J in the end. A380 SYD-DOH-CDG. F would have been a lovely indulgence but would have depleted the points reservoir and likely spoiled us for all future flying. We'll save that for another time.

 

[blackcat20]

Always good to have something to look forward to.

I've just booked SYD-CDG for Sept next year. Fingers crossed we can get SQ for the return dates when they're released. It would be AWFUL if we couldn't and had to stay an extra week or two!

We had planned SQ to the States (which we got) and QR back, but ended up going with CX with stop in HKG (I've never been) so cant complain too much. I found SQ availability was a lot better than people suggested...

 

[BriarFlyer]

We had planned SQ to the States (which we got) and QR back, but ended up going with CX with stop in HKG (I've never been) so cant complain too much. I found SQ availability was a lot better than people suggested...

Nothing to complain about, esp a HKG stopover. I'm seeing plenty of SQ availability at the moment but we're still a few weeks away. Fingers crossed the pattern holds.

 

[Snoopydoo]

Hi all, can someone kindly explain how I can book a QR flight on J ex SYD-YYZ for Sept 17? I have the points for a one way redemption flight but no SC. Still trying to work out who to fly back with ex JFK, maybe CX for a stopover in HKG. Thanks!

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Hi all, can someone kindly explain how I can book a QR flight on J ex SYD-YYZ for Sept 17? I have the points for a one way redemption flight but no SC. Still trying to work out who to fly back with ex JFK, maybe CX for a stopover in HKG. Thanks!

Presently on the QF site, only options SYD > YYZ in J for September 2017 is on BA via LHR. ( only dates is 5th and 7th September 2017)

Keep checking everyday, as I suspect other carriers like QR & CX will appear with J award seats shortly.

 

[Ultan Lankford]

Is anyone noticing that their usual awards are not the same now. Availability is a lot more hit and miss then before,when it appeared they were rock solid.

 

[Mattg]

Good to see (some) QR availability back.

Hi all, can someone kindly explain how I can book a QR flight on J ex SYD-YYZ for Sept 17? I have the points for a one way redemption flight but no SC. Still trying to work out who to fly back with ex JFK, maybe CX for a stopover in HKG. Thanks!

You'll need to use the multi-city booking tool on the Qantas website. Search for flights from SYD-DOH and DOH-YYZ separately. As long as the transit in Doha remains under 24 hours, it should price as one award.

Coming back from JFK via HKG on CX is probably not a bad idea. You could even turn it into a oneworld award (round the world with up to 5 stopovers) - you'd be up to around 280,000 points with this itinerary anyway.

 

[Snoopydoo]

Presently on the QF site, only options SYD > YYZ in J for September 2017 is on BA via LHR. ( only dates is 5th and 7th September 2017)

Keep checking everyday, as I suspect other carriers like QR & CX will appear with J award seats shortly.

Good to see (some) QR availability back.



You'll need to use the multi-city booking tool on the Qantas website. Search for flights from SYD-DOH and DOH-YYZ separately. As long as the transit in Doha remains under 24 hours, it should price as one award.

Coming back from JFK via HKG on CX is probably not a bad idea. You could even turn it into a oneworld award (round the world with up to 5 stopovers) - you'd be up to around 280,000 points with this itinerary anyway.

Thank you, I was checking on the QR site and wondering why nothing was coming up and then realised that QR doesn't fly SYD-YYZ direct. Also have my eye on a CX/BA flight out, # of points are exactly the same. a long LHR layover might be fun as I've never been but I hate the configuration of the BA planes.

How do I turn my JFK-HKG-SYD return trip into a OW award?

 

[BriarFlyer]

Also have my eye on a CX/BA flight out, # of points are exactly the same.

IMHO BA would have to be a lot less points to be good value (compared with QF, CX, QR) but sometimes they're the only option. Unfortunately.

 

[Mattg]

Thank you, I was checking on the QR site and wondering why nothing was coming up and then realised that QR doesn't fly SYD-YYZ direct. Also have my eye on a CX/BA flight out, # of points are exactly the same. a long LHR layover might be fun as I've never been but I hate the configuration of the BA planes.

How do I turn my JFK-HKG-SYD return trip into a OW award?

You could book the entire itinerary as a oneworld award if you wanted. You get up to 5 stopovers and 35,000 miles in distance. The cost in business class is 280,000 Qantas points and you can travel on any oneworld airline. Considering that SYD-DOH-YYZ on QR and JFK-HKG-SYD are both 139,000 points, it's a bit of a "no brainer".

You'd just book it as a multi-city itinerary.

For example:
Sydney-Doha on QR (stopover)
Doha-London on QR (stopover)
London-Toronto on BA (stopover)
Toronto-New York on AA (stopover)
New York-Hong Kong on CX (stopover)
Hong Kong-Sydney on CX

That's just one of many possible 280K oneworld award routings...

IMHO BA would have to be a lot less points to be good value (compared with QF, CX, QR) but sometimes they're the only option. Unfortunately.

Not to mention the high fuel surcharges with BA.

 

[Snoopydoo]

Thanks for the clarification, unfortunately at this stage I only have enough points for a one way redemption trip with the 2nd leg to be paid for by cash. I have considered saving my points to use for a much bigger trip in a couple of years but now I don't think I want to wait that long

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Good to see (some) QR availability back.



You'll need to use the multi-city booking tool on the Qantas website. Search for flights from SYD-DOH and DOH-YYZ separately. As long as the transit in Doha remains under 24 hours, it should price as one award.

Coming back from JFK via HKG on CX is probably not a bad idea. You could even turn it into a oneworld award (round the world with up to 5 stopovers) - you'd be up to around 280,000 points with this itinerary anyway.

Ah yes, the multi-city booking tool is great as well for these type of unusual bookings!