Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flights?

[dsotm]

A few years ago, my wife and I used points to fly first class between Melbourne and Sydney. It was just for a bit of fun (Seat 1A and 1B on a 747-400 but we had a good (but short) time. She's flying again in a couple of weeks to see a friend and I was going to use the same deal as a treat, but the flights and first class options don't appear in the booking window on the Qantas FF site. Does anyone know if you can stil use points for domestic travel on international first class seats?

Cheers,
Peter

 

[simongr]

OK - now I have re-read your post I actually understand what you are doing.

You can't book First domestically. If you are on a three class aircraft in Business class you might be able to get allocated a seat in first.

 

[NM]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

If you really did sit in seats 1A and 1B in a 747-400, then I posit you were actually in business class and not in first class. The 747-400s come in two basic configurations (ok, there are 3, bit two different configs in the nose section). The 2-class config has business class seating in the nose, as 2x2 for 4 rows and then one row of 2x2x2.

The 3-class config has First Class in the nose, as 1x1 in row 1, then 3 rows of 1x2x1. So in first class, there is no seat 1B, just 1A and 1K.

Business class is available for sale and sometimes for awards on domestic segments of international flights. And in many cases now, QF use 2-class 747-400 aircraft for the SYD-MEL segments of QF74 (and QF73 MEL-SYD). This aircraft is generally the one that operates QF25 (or operated QF26 for the MEL-SYD) which is a 2-class flight.

So even though QF73/74 is a 3-class service to/from SFO, the SYD-MEL and MEL-SYD domestic segments are only 2-class. Note that sometimes this can be a 747-300 if that is what will be operating QF25 on that day.

 

[dsotm]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

Well you got me. It was definitely the front two seats in First downstairs on. I never First, so my memory assumed 1A and 1B. I've gone ahead and booked Business anyway. Thanks for the class-layout tips.

Peter

 

[simongr]

If it is a international flight number - dont forget to call ahead and preallocate seating

 

[NM]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

Well you got me. It was definitely the front two seats in First downstairs on. I never First, so my memory assumed 1A and 1B. I've gone ahead and booked Business anyway. Thanks for the class-layout tips.

Peter

were the seats adjacent with one window and one aisle (in which case it was business class on a 2-class aircraft), or were they on opposite sides of teh cabin, both being window seats (in which case it was the first class cabin)?

Note that sometimes a 3-class aircraft operates a 2-class route and the first class cabin is sold as business class. This happens sometimes on the QF175/176 route between Sydney and Brisbane for the once-a-week repositioning flight. So that may be a way to get a First Class seat, but with business class service.

 

[dsotm]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

were the seats adjacent with one window and one aisle (in which case it was business class on a 2-class aircraft), or were they on opposite sides of teh cabin, both being window seats (in which case it was the first class cabin)?

It was definitely first class with ginormous seats, aisle between the two seats, Krug champagne, canapes, etc, etc. I've flown business class a lot and it sure wasn't business. Just wish I could afford it to London.

 

[serfty]

The you probably had 1A & 1K, did this myself (At least in 1A) SYD-MEL when QF31 used to go SYD-MEL-SIN. [2am departure ex MEL :shock: ]

Indicative Qantas 747 Seat Maps:

• Three Class
• Two CLass

 

[dsotm]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

Yep that's it 1A and 1K.

 

[DTM1]

Had the pleasure of flying in the first cabin of a 744 yesterday from Perth to Melbourne (QF 802). was very nice indeed.

I understand from cabin crew that this is becoming more common due to aircraft shortages (they did the Mel - Per route before that and were then continuing on to Syd from Mel), although I have been flying Mel - Per weekly for the last 6 weeks and this is the first time that I have seen a 744 replace a 743.

 

[NM]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

I understand from cabin crew that this is becoming more common due to aircraft shortages (they did the Mel - Per route before that and were then continuing on to Syd from Mel), although I have been flying Mel - Per weekly for the last 6 weeks and this is the first time that I have seen a 744 replace a 743.

QF is still down a 743 as its being repaired at AVV following the runaway container loader scratched it a few weeks ago.

 

[DTM1]

ah, that explains it. thanks.

although I'm surprised they removed a 3 class 744 from longhaul and not a 2 class.

 

[serfty]

Had the pleasure of flying in the first cabin of a 744 yesterday from Perth to Melbourne (QF 802). was very nice indeed.

I understand from cabin crew that this is becoming more common due to aircraft shortages (they did the Mel - Per route before that and were then continuing on to Syd from Mel) ...

As per NM's post - See this Flyertalk Thread: Limited 747-400 ops SYD/MEL-PER - FlyerTalk Forums

Link to Photos of damage: Qantas 743 Grounded Ymml - PPRuNe Forums

 

[Wunala Dreaming]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

I'm not surprised....

They didn't "remove" it from LH per se, VH-OEF (744ER) would have been awaiting maitenance or was parked in between flights.

Qantas will use whatever aircraft is available, and as it happens, a 3-class 747-400 was available at the time (you have to remember there are alot more 3-class 747-400s compared with 2-class 747-400s).

Rgds

 

[Mal]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

You used to be able to book/use points awards on certain SYD-MEL/MEL-SYD flights and get First Class service/seat.

Qantas killed this off about 18 months ago IIRC. Was quite fun and I did it a few times.

 

[v8Statesman]

Had the pleasure of flying in the first cabin of a 744 yesterday from Perth to Melbourne (QF 802). was very nice indeed.

I understand from cabin crew that this is becoming more common due to aircraft shortages (they did the Mel - Per route before that and were then continuing on to Syd from Mel), although I have been flying Mel - Per weekly for the last 6 weeks and this is the first time that I have seen a 744 replace a 743.

744 replaced a 743 on the see eye ex Per to Syd 2 weeks ago

 

[v8Statesman]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

QF is still down a 743 as its being repaired at AVV following the runaway container loader scratched it a few weeks ago.

Yes. That happened in Perth 3 weeks ago. I was very delayed. They did a quick fix and got us on our way.

 

[serfty]

Ot!

Yes. That happened in Perth 3 weeks ago. I was very delayed. They did a quick fix and got us on our way.

actually, there were two issues with two separate aircraft.

The photos linked to above are of EBX - it's problem occurred at MEL. The aircraft had one failed attempt ("air return" to MEL) and another more successful a day later to fly unpressurized to AVV for repair.

EBW had a more minor issue in PER a day after EBX, it was back in action very quickly.

 

[NM]

Re: Using Qantas points to fly First Class on domestic routes on international flight

It was the EBX 'problem" that I was referring to. Its going to take a little time to get that bird back in the sky.

 

[DTM1]

I'm reasonably flexible with my flight schedules, so I like to choose the plane I go on. How can I work out which plane is being used on a given sector, and particularly, whether it's 744 or 330 ?