Where is the availability to Bali?

[WilsonM]

So after an extensive and painful search, it's come to my attention that for whatever reason, there's just a complete lack of availability to/from Bali in some cases where IMO there really should be.

Firstly, Qantas has ZERO Economy seats available as Classic Reward seats on MEL-DPS (QF45) throughout the entire calendar, although it has a couple of Business Class seats. There are also plenty of JQ Y seats, but just none on QF. Bye bye any PC/PC+ status earnings.

There are, however, plenty of married segments in Y and J, originating from Sydney (SYD-MEL-DPS). Weird. Sydney's direct QF43/QF44 is not great, but I have found instances of both Y and J CRs at various points throughout the calendar - not fantastic, but at least it exists.

Also, for the life of me, I cannot find a single J reward seat on VA from anywhere in Australia, to Bali. I can find 2, yes 2 whole seats, on Bali-Sydney and Bali-Brisbane, in the entire calendar.

Am I missing something, or are both QF and VA really tightening the noose on DPS? The loads for DPS are strong, but surely not that strong. Either that or I've just completely lost the plot and can't search an airline website to save my life.

 

[levelnine]

Sounds like you need the Point Hacks Concierge given their latest email was all about finding award availability to Bali .

 

[Pushka]

Even paid J fares are snapped up quickly on Qantas and reward seats likely grabbed as soon as released.

 

[jase05]

Tons of award availability on GA with VS miles

 

[kamchatsky]

I booked VA91 MEL-DPS Y Awards on next year Easter Saturday (19/04), and QF44 DPS-SYD Y at the end of school holidays (27/04). And I booked them for 4 people. I am a lowly bronze.

So there are opportunities here and there, but just need to be very quick with booking awards as Bali is always popular, and they know they can sell tickets very quickly.

 

[Flyfrequently]

Current Red Tail sale from MEL.
Give or take a dollar, same price as we paid for June this year.
Still a popular destination, can understand lack of reward seats if pax are prepared to pay.

 

[SYD]

Last year I managed to get DPS-PER (JQ)-SYD(QF J) for travel about this time last year. But they were few and far between even back then.

The multi-sector search did throw up some options.

 

[Flyfrequently]

So after an extensive and painful search, it's come to my attention that for whatever reason, there's just a complete lack of availability to/from Bali in some cases where IMO there really should be.

Firstly, Qantas has ZERO Economy seats available as Classic Reward seats on MEL-DPS (QF45) throughout the entire calendar, although it has a couple of Business Class seats.

Interesting and frustrating at the same time @WilsonM

Though I was pleasantly surprised to see on 29 April J MEL-SYD-DPS for 62k points CR+ with taxes at $336 (CR is 57k plus taxes)

 

[antycbr]

Consider going on SQ via Singapore?

 

[Gold Member]

I know you’re looking for QF, but…

Aeroplan TG Biz 45K via BKK, or 50K with a free stopover in BKK and reasonable availability. Same with SQ/SIN but with much less availability.

Paid? Scoot BIZ (PE) with a night in SIN for about $600 AUD.

 

[bussyboy]

Just noticed bargain Y fares from CBR via MEL B737 (slightly more $ via SYD on the A330 from what I've seen)



Might fly the KLM J on to SIN for something different!

 

[henrus]

Firstly, Qantas has ZERO Economy seats available as Classic Reward seats on MEL-DPS (QF45) throughout the entire calendar, although it has a couple of Business Class seats. There are also plenty of JQ Y seats, but just none on QF. Bye bye any PC/PC+ status earnings.

So first of all this is incorrect, there are classic reward seats in Economy on QF45 this year. There aren't a lot but I could see them on 23 Oct, 27 Oct, 13 Nov, then next year 22 Jan, 26 Jan, 27 Jan, 29 Jan, 31 Jan and almost all of Feb.


Second, You list your status as Platinum so you could try requesting a seat?

How to open up more Qantas reward seats with Platinum status

As a Platinum or Platinum One frequent flyer, you have a great perk at your fingertips.

www.pointhacks.com.au

Qantas Platinum and above can request for some cash sale/saver fares to be converted to classic rewards, see the guide above for info.

Am I missing something, or are both QF and VA really tightening the noose on DPS? The loads for DPS are strong, but surely not that strong. Either that or I've just completely lost the plot and can't search an airline website to save my life.

Nope, the loads on QF's MEL-DPS services are really strong. If you want classic rewards then you've got to get in quick as they get snapped up fast. On most MEL-DPS flights they've been consistently releasing seats outside of holidays it's just others have beaten you to it.

As for VA, they are also consistently releasing reward seats but DPS routes get snapped up very quickly because VA Platinum members can buy a flex fare and then use one of their 4 free upgrades to business class (but it's only confirmed on the spot if a reward seat exists). For example at the end of schedule published 26 June there are MEL-DPS J reward seats but expect them to go quickly because a platinum member can buy the $773 flex fare and get a confirmed upgrade into business class (that would usually cost $1450).