Question for Qantas FF experts

[kjt313]

Hi all,
We are wanting to go to Orlando on the 27th December 16 for a month long family holiday.
We have enough points to get four of us there return (there are five but will pay for one return) and are platinum FF members.
After getting advice from the qantas FF staff we decided to book one way flights to Dallas as soon as they become available and then when the leg Dallas - Orlando were released by AA we would change our ticket if we could. Well that didn't work - we could not get any flights to Dallas so in desperation booked Syd-Mel-LAX on the 28th December. We thought we would stay one night in LAX or just try and change our ticket to Orlando if we can when the flights become available. Or last option would be to book a domestic LAX-Orlando.
The helpful staff at the Qantas call centre did say being premium FF members we could ring up when all flights (return as well) are available to request our desired seats and we may have luck that way.
My question to you all is has anyone had any luck doing this? I understand it is a very busy time of year :-(

Should i have been better to just do points plus pay so we were all going straight to Orlando on the one ticket.
Thank you in advance
Any other advice on what our best option would be would be most appreciated.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF kjt313.

You should be able to add flights to your existing booking once these become available. It may cost 3,000 QFF points to make the change and taxes and surcharges will be recalculated as well.

 

[serfty]

Note that to add LAX-MCO to SYD-MEL-LAX will cost more points than just the 3000 each change fee; there's at least an additional 10K points or 18K with a AX stopover > 24 hours.

Fares within the USA are often quite inexpensive (relative to Oz) and a revenue booking may be a better option. I can see some in early December from USD205 o/w.

 

[Anna]

I hope they told you that if you ring up, you might get charged a telephone assistance fee on top of any other charges.

 

[JohnK]

I hope they told you that if you ring up, you might get charged a telephone assistance fee on top of any other charges.

I was told the telephone assistance fee is no longer charged.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

JohnK, only in this circumstance, or that the telephone assistance fee is not charged at all on any telephone bookings by QF now?

 

[JohnK]

JohnK, only in this circumstance, or that the telephone assistance fee is not charged at all on any telephone bookings by QF now?

Changing awards, requesting seats to be released. That is the only dealings I have had with them recently.

 

[marki]

Welcome to AFF ktj313 tell how it went.

 

[kjt313]

Changing awards, requesting seats to be released. That is the only dealings I have had with them recently.

I was told 3500 points and $80 pp to change over phone

 

[kjt313]

Thank you all.

I was wondering how much chance i would have of getting seats even if none available on the web.

I was told by Qantas FF staff that as a platinum member we have the right to request seats? Anyone had any luck with this?

After reading your advice i think i will wait until my return flights become available and call qantas...or i just book four return flights SYD-LAX and pay for the domestic return flight.

Its all very confusing!

 

[cjd600]

Thank you all.

I was wondering how much chance i would have of getting seats even if none available on the web.

I was told by Qantas FF staff that as a platinum member we have the right to request seats? Anyone had any luck with this?

After reading your advice i think i will wait until my return flights become available and call qantas...or i just book four return flights SYD-LAX and pay for the domestic return flight.

Its all very confusing!

For discussion/success on award seat release for platinum members, refer to this thread http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-platinum-requesting-release-extra-63895.html

Most members are after extra J or F seat releases - assume you have booked in Y (economy)?
Theoretically these may be easier to have released, but you still do have the problem of travelling at a peak time, school holidays, Xmas period etc.
It costs nothing to ask (and nothing for them to be released), so you may as well try.
Note your return flights late Jan (assume just before school goes back), may face the same availability issues from a Classic Award perspective...
I think you did the right thing jumping on the SYD-MEL-LAX while they were there

 

[JohnK]

I was told 3500 points and $80 pp to change over phone

That's interesting. Try calling back to speak to another consultant.

Thank you all.

I was wondering how much chance i would have of getting seats even if none available on the web.

I was told by Qantas FF staff that as a platinum member we have the right to request seats? Anyone had any luck with this?

After reading your advice i think i will wait until my return flights become available and call qantas...or i just book four return flights SYD-LAX and pay for the domestic return flight.

Its all very confusing!

You can request for seats to be released on Qantas flights. Not sure how you would go getting 4 seats released but it's worth a try.

 

[bsb]

Fares within the USA are often quite inexpensive (relative to Oz) and a revenue booking may be a better option. I can see some in early December from USD205 o/w.

Id buy the LAX MCO fare. Look at other airlines like Southwest. All domestic US travel is awful compared to Australia, so it's not like QF v JQ.

re points redemptions, you did the right thing and QF Premium are very helpful and understanding. I can't speak highly enough of them these days. If there are options, they'll help. Also look YVR SFO and HNL at a pinch (JQ from HNL is highly likely)

good luck!!!