The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[zeruassiul]

Hello legends,

Complete noob here trying to book our first business rewards seats on QF68 BLR-SYD in Jan-2025. I have the points but only bronze (that fated combination I know). I've subscribed to expert flyer, and can see no rewards availability in Jan 2025. I'm flexible with travelling later in the month to avoid the busy period. I also understand that reward seats don't open up on QF metal for bronze members until 297 days prior to the flight. Which is why I am looking at EF to see if these dates have any rewards at all.

What I'd like to know is how do I tell the difference whether the 0 that shows under the "Seats" column means all the reward seats have already been snapped up or they've not been released yet? I'm posting a sample image from EF here.

Thank you!

 

[encryptededdy]

What I'd like to know is how do I tell the difference whether the 0 that shows under the "Seats" column means all the reward seats have already been snapped up or they've not been released yet? I'm posting a sample image from EF here.

As Platinum, I'm seeing at least 1 Business Award (U) seat on QF68 BLR-SYD on the following days in Janurary 2025: 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26 and 29. Screenshot of an example below;


Looks like the seats are available, and should be available for you to book (as a Bronze member) in about a month's time (assuming nobody else takes them first!). Fingers crossed.

 

[RichardMEL]

Just a note that (assuming there is a DSC promo), QF codeshares on AA LAX-ORD would not earn DSC anyway, so booking separately is the better option. Possibly play with routings as @sydSuggested. maybe even route by MIA or DFW (plus AA sometimes run widebodies on these routes) or yes, on AS via SEA.

 

[zeruassiul]

As Platinum, I'm seeing at least 1 Business Award (U) seat on QF68 BLR-SYD on the following days in Janurary 2025: 1, 4, 5, 8, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26 and 29. Screenshot of an example below;
View attachment 371681

Looks like the seats are available, and should be available for you to book (as a Bronze member) in about a month's time (assuming nobody else takes them first!). Fingers crossed.

Thank you very much, I appreciate you looking this up for me! Do you see any as plat in Dec?

Also out of curiosity, why would expert flyer show 0 availability in Jan? Do they not have access to platinum availability?

Once again, thanks. My wife has had a very difficult pregnancy, and I am planning to surprise her with a business seat. Crossing my fingers these are available next month!

 

[encryptededdy]

Thank you very much, I appreciate you looking this up for me! Do you see any as plat in Dec?

Also out of curiosity, why would expert flyer show 0 availability in Jan? Do they not have access to platinum availability?

Once again, thanks. My wife has had a very difficult pregnancy, and I am planning to surprise her with a business seat. Crossing my fingers these are available next month!

Ah, I was searching for 1 seat only. Let me check 2 seats.

The following dates have 2 or more seats in Business Class on QF68 that I can see;

Dec 2024: 04, 07, 08, 11, 14, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28
Jan 2025: 01, 05, 08, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29

In theory you should be able to see the flights on 4th, 7th, 8th, and 11th of December already, unless they've set those seats as for high tier fliers only (which I very rarely see, but I suppose is possible)

As for EF, I think they only show U availability in instances where it's available for non-QFF programs to book? Not 100% sure there.

 

[JessicaTam]

I'm flying from MGB to ADL to CDG in a couple of weeks - QF award booking MGB-ADL, then EK ticket with a QF codeshare ADL-PER, then on EK metal PER-DXB-CDG. In economy, alas, but we make do.

Anyway, a couple of questions:

I'm flying up from MGB earlier in the day on a separate QF itinerary (couldn't get an EK itinerary with it all on one ticket) - if I understand correctly, I can ask the check in staff here to check my bag and I through to CDG and issue all four boarding passes - presuming they know how to do that?

Also, as I have about five hours in ADL before leaving for the Perth leg. If I get a QF lounge pass, am I able to use the Adelaide lounge even though I'm travelling on an EK flight number\itinerary on Qantas metal for the first leg?

(In hindsight, booking through EK rather than QF was probably not a smart move, as I won't get any QF status, but live and learn I guess.)

I am not sure if the MGB agents will be able to book you all the way through. You may have to head landside to grab your bags in ADL, have a cuppa until EK check-in opens, and then drop them off. International and Domestic is all in the one terminal in ADL, and you have 5 hours to kill, so plenty of time. EK check-in may open 4 hours before your flight so you shouldn't be landside for long.

I don't know about accessing the lounge, but you could put your flight here: March 2024 in case someone can guest you.

And don't head through international security too early, as there is only one duty free at the gate, and that is it!

 

[zeruassiul]

Ah, I was searching for 1 seat only. Let me check 2 seats.

The following dates have 2 or more seats in Business Class on QF68 that I can see;

Dec 2024: 04, 07, 08, 11, 14, 18, 21, 22, 25, 28
Jan 2025: 01, 05, 08, 11, 12, 15, 18, 19, 22, 25, 26, 29

In theory you should be able to see the flights on 4th, 7th, 8th, and 11th of December already, unless they've set those seats as for high tier fliers only (which I very rarely see, but I suppose is possible)

As for EF, I think they only show U availability in instances where it's available for non-QFF programs to book? Not 100% sure there.

Yes I actually see 2 tickets available on 1, 4, 7 DEC. From the 8th it's this route. I don't mind if I am able to snag even 1 ticket for her. I think my chances seem decent, fingers crossed. Thanks again for looking this up for me.

 

[encryptededdy]

From the 8th it's this route

Ah, you're right. There is no QF68 award space on that day. I either misread earlier or it was taken. You should be able to see the one on the 11th too.


Anyway, fingers crossed for you that the flights are still available in a month's time.

 

[zeruassiul]

Ah, you're right. There is no QF68 award space on that day. I either misread earlier or it was taken. You should be able to see the one on the 11th too.
View attachment 371739

Anyway, fingers crossed for you that the flights are still available in a month's time.

Thank you, final question from me. What do you mean by this - "There is no QF68 award space on that day."?

 

[encryptededdy]

"There is no QF68 award space on that day."?

There's no X or U seats (Classic Rewards Economy or Business) available on QF68 on that day.

 

[goosh]

This is probably a better thread to pose your questions:

Discussion/Q&A on Best QF Status Run Options

This thread is for Questions and General discussion regarding the Best Status Run Options for QFF as per this thread: Overview of Best Status Run Options [not the discussion thread] Please keep your questions and queries to this thread and avoid posting in the other. You can also get some...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

But also look at Alaska (AS). They were much better for discount First (post SCs as Biz to QFF - the same as AA) in my recent experiences.

Hubbing between LAX and ORD via SFO, PDX, SEA, DFW etc will reap the best SCs.

Be aware that the lowest whY fares may not earn points/SCs at all. Check the fare class quoted against the QFF warn tables.

Your SG status will get you into both AA and AS lounges.

Thank you for the information, much appreciated and apologies about the incorrect thread, but the information provided certainly helps..

 

[chol]

I was looking at booking a trip in December from BNE to MCO in Economy on Qantas classic reward flights (3 adults).

If I try to book through the web site or app it shows no classic reward availability in November or December, which is fine.
If I try to use the multi-city tool on the web site to get the calendar view it just always errors out for some reason using BNE to MCO.

Now, if I look in the multi-city tool on the web site for BNE to LAX I see availability on 2-Dec and 3-Dec arriving 12:15 PM. Then looking separately for an LAX to MCO award (which redirects me to the US Qantas site), I see LAX to MCO on 2-Dec (1 AA connection late that night) and 3-Dec (Loads of AA connections).

So, my question is if there is award availability looking for the separate flights with fine connection times (BNE to LAX, then LAX to MCO), why won't it show me availability if I try to look source to destination (BNE to MCO)? Just shows no classic rewards available for next 14 days etc... message.

Thanks,
Chol

 

[flyguy77]

Because it is what it is - you often need to find the connections rather than the Qantas website finding them all for you.

Could they fix it - probably
Do they want to - not really

Catch 22 - if it's easy to use there will be even less reward seats to find for the masses.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Answer:-- married sectors, to limit awards. QF are not alone in doing this. Common for USA airlines.

3 awards on the same flight a lot harder than 1 person.
Look for any airport in Florida.

List of airports in Florida - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

If you click on the wikipedia links the airport wikipedia page will show if AA or AS fly to them
examples
Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport - Wikipedia

Daytona Beach International Airport - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper

www.gcmap.com

 

[MelbFlyer]

It is annoying isn't it?

Months ago I searched for a MEL > LHR route knowing I'd have to transit somewhere - only economy reward seats came up.

If I change to MEL > SIN or MEL > HKG, then SIN or HKG > LHR from there, business reward seats pop up for both sectors.

It's all about married segments and airlines trying to control seat availability.

If you can search and book as two intentional separate legs, this is the way to do it.

 

[chol]

Thanks for explaining it all. That makes complete sense now.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For a lot of airports, doing 2 separate award booking is ok, but for some other airports, its not ideal.
Need to leave a lot of time to get from one T to another T, even if the airport terminals are close to one another like SYD or BNE.
Ie, transferring between T1 and T3 at SYD, or worst, HND and NRT, for JL services.
SIN and KUL and HKG are great, but LAX (I have not been through that one), is a pain
Or to a lesser extent, ICN and GIMPO.
Or even AVV and MEL if JQ is your forte.

 

[LT.]

Hi All

I have a booked and confirmed QFF Classic Reward (booked 12mths ago) in Business from Bologna > Dubai > Brisbane at the end of April for 2x pax on Emirates. They are on the same booking PNR (even though in Qantas they show as two separate legs - possibly because I booked it through the multi city and linked it up with a long stopover in DXB (10hrs)

It looks like there is First Class availability released pretty regularly 3-4 days before departure and I have enough points for the difference between Business and First.

Hypothetically, pending availability if I wanted to upgrade the second leg (or entire booking if thats more straight forward) with points to First Class is this possible and how do I do it?

I thought
a) Try to rebook the entire trip BOL > DXB > BNE a couple of days before (probably wont be able to do this because without cancelling the current award I won;t have points). Then cancel the existing booking.
b) try calling the QF contact centre to see if they can just upgrade/update the second leg and charge me the points difference
c) ask at EK counter in Bologna (probably unlikely)
d) Leave it and don't mess with my current business award booking. Getting back is more important than a leg in First Class if for some reason Qantas drops the booking or doesnt come through - tight schedule with 2-3days to sort out if anything goes wrong

I had a bit of a search on the net and I couldn't find an answer specific with my requirements.

Thanks so much for the help/advice.

Hi All. Further to this (and this might be better in the lounge thread). If I am able to upgrade only 1x pax to First class and the other in business. Can both enter business lounge in DXB (I.e. a lounge downgrade for 1x pax). I also read it is possible to bring one gues in, so if that's the case I guess both could go into the F lounge anyway (not sure if award ticket has any implications on that)

I separated the booking PNR for the 2x pax today to see if I find that easier to upgrade per person.

Thanks again for the help.

 

[chol]

It is annoying isn't it?

Months ago I searched for a MEL > LHR route knowing I'd have to transit somewhere - only economy reward seats came up.

If I change to MEL > SIN or MEL > HKG, then SIN or HKG > LHR from there, business reward seats pop up for both sectors.

It's all about married segments and airlines trying to control seat availability.

If you can search and book as two intentional separate legs, this is the way to do it.

In terms of Qantas, would this mean if you miss your 2nd leg you left high and dry as a no show?

 

[MelbFlyer]

In terms of Qantas, would this mean if you miss your 2nd leg you left high and dry as a no show?

Yes, if you miss your 2nd leg (either due to cancellation or delay of the first leg etc) if booked on a different PNR / ticket, you'd be out of luck / out of pocket for a new flight.

If they're on the same PNR, you'll be booked onto the next available flight.

I recently had a connecting flight booked on separate PNRs (due to different cabin class and presumably due to the connection time / married segment), I was able to make it (there was a 3.5hr gap between flights) and have my luggage through-checked to my final destination even despite the flights being on separate tickets. It was on Cathay Pacific via QFF points.