Reward seats no longer available to book since website changes? Or is it just me?

[The Flying Schwartz]

I need to do a short notice trip PQQ-SYD on the QF Dash8 service. I checked yesterday and there was plenty of availability with Reward seats every day for the next 7 days or so. I go back in today to book and they're all gone apart from 1 or 2 at times and days that don't suit. I wonder if this has anything to do with the rewards/points re-jig of the website or they just suddenly became popular?

 

[ChrisMars]

Sounds frustrating.

What does expertflyer or seats.aero say for thos rewards? I read seats.aero should be free for up to two month booking yo check those award seats.

Have you try both website and mobile app?

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

PQQ is only a regional airport so doesn’t show on seats.aero, not sure about EF. There’s usually at least one seat on a couple of flights each day, yesterday there were three flights with two reward seats each on Saturday. Just surprised they disappeared that quickly along with availability on dates either side.

And yes, tried app as well.

 

[SYD]

PQQ is only a regional airport so doesn’t show on seats.aero, not sure about EF. There’s usually at least one seat on a couple of flights each day, yesterday there were three flights with two reward seats each on Saturday. Just surprised they disappeared that quickly along with availability on dates either side.

And yes, tried app as well.

There’s been a major website update that was supposed to bring Classic Rewards to the top of the search results. Maybe they’ve broken something in the process…

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

There’s been a major website update that was supposed to bring Classic Rewards to the top of the search results. Maybe they’ve broken something in the process…

That’s what I suspected too but maybe I’m just unlucky this time

 

[mustkill]

Worth calling to book/check availability. Just say "your website is broken" to avoid booking fee.

 

[flying_double]

Lead in fares for 5-10 March are now $270, with most at $305 or above. This will be above the Classic Reward threshold, so you’ve lost out to yield management. The lead in fare from 11 March drops to $211 - availlabilty is at that price point and $238.

 

[RichardMEL]

All 3 flights on Sat are showing V class minimum - much higher Y fare classes than usually for a CR. I doubt a P1 could get an X seat released tbh. Either they have new bookings or it's YM.

I would not tie this to the website, but simple changes in availability as can be common close in to departure.

 

[drron]

We like to plan well in advance. In 2026 we have a cruise ending in CPT and then a safari. Coming home late January or early Feb. 3 weeks ago the occasional J CR but now zilch. They do offer a "CR" on EK SYD - JNB for 159000 + $1800+.
I am unsure how mrsdrron will ever be able to use her points for something we would like.

 

[RichardMEL]

We like to plan well in advance. In 2026 we have a cruise ending in CPT and then a safari. Coming home late January or early Feb. 3 weeks ago the occasional J CR but now zilch. They do offer a "CR" on EK SYD - JNB for 159000 + $1800+.
I am unsure how mrsdrron will ever be able to use her points for something we would like.

Remember it is EK deciding the majority of that obscene carrier charge - not QF.

 

[drron]

Remember it is EK deciding the majority of that obscene carrier charge - not QF.

I know. but the point is absolutely nada CR on QF.

 

[NM]

We like to plan well in advance. In 2026 we have a cruise ending in CPT and then a safari. Coming home late January or early Feb. 3 weeks ago the occasional J CR but now zilch. They do offer a "CR" on EK SYD - JNB for 159000 + $1800+.
I am unsure how mrsdrron will ever be able to use her points for something we would like.

You might need to wait until late February 2025 to find CRs loaded for travel in early Feb 2026!

 

[drron]

You might need to wait until late February 2025 to find CRs loaded for travel in early Feb 2026!

But I was looking at Jan,feb 2025. And the same goes for Mrsdrron searching for flights back from BKK,SIN,Japan - Nada, I'm now with @JohnK . It's a joke of a program.

 

[JohnK]

But I was looking at Jan,feb 2025. And the same goes for Mrsdrron searching for flights back from BKK,SIN,Japan - Nada, I'm now with @JohnK . It's a joke of a program.

What alternate universe do I find myself in today when @drron agrees with me?

You're searching for awards almost 12 months out and there's very little availability. That is sad. Wait until you get a chance to go into the lottery where QF may release some extra award seats to make some people happy.