Where's all the UA J (Polaris) TPAC availability gone?

[MathNerd]

UA used to consistently release J availability for their TPAC routes MEL/SYD/BNE <-> LAX/SFO/IAH, sometimes at T-1 and all the way up to T-30 even.

Now, when running any sort of search (Example 1 or Example 2), there's nothing (at least in J).

Has a "change" happened? I have been monitoring the LAX/SFO <-> MEL route recently, as I need to book a flight home after a trip to the US in about 2 months time.
I'm a fair way away from their usual T-14 (I think?) drop, but if what I'm seeing right now is the usual, then it'll be a bit tough to get the date/s I'm after when that window does roll around.

Any advice or insight into what's going on?
Thanks!

 

[levelnine]

That's the risk with last minute availability. It may not show up.

It's happened several times before.

 

[MathNerd]

That's the risk with last minute availability. It may not show up.

It's happened several times before.

Damn. There's basically 2 options available, from where I sit:

1. Wait, wait and cross fingers that anything opens up (open to any West Coast US/CA, to any East Coast AU - that's the long haul, and happy with Y to reposition at either end).
2. Use the AmEx Statement Credit "Spend $1000 or More at United Airlines, Get $400 Back" on multiple cards to "load up" my United account (at a ~40% discount) with Travel Bank or Future Flight Credits, then use these to book the flight. The offer ends at the end of this month.

I've just never ever seen a lack of availability, for the entire time I've monitored this route/s. Just so happens that the availability drops off just when I need it to continue its pattern. It's all part of the game, I guess

Thanks for your insights, very much appreciated!

 

[im.daniel]

I've just never ever seen a lack of availability, for the entire time I've monitored this route/s.

Agree. It's been consistent for years now - and I've benefitted quite a lot from this

QF/AA also tend to release seats last minute as well TPAC if that's also an option.

 

[Mattg]

Could it just be that it's currently a busy period, so less distressed inventory to go around (to be released as reward seats)?

I would expect to see seats come back around late August or maybe mid-October, when there's less demand.

 

[im.daniel]

Could it just be that it's currently a busy period, so less distressed inventory to go around (to be released as reward seats)?

Potentially, but historically over the past 2-3 years, I find that AA/QF release less last minute J TPAC seats than UA - so for me, it’s strange that AA currently have last minute seats available, but absolutely nothing on UA

Even in peak times (1 week leading up to Christmas, 1 week post Xmas, 1-2 weeks post New Year), I have managed 1-2x J seats TPAC for myself and family on short notice.

 

[BRIS_VA_HAWK]

Having just flown BNE-SFO and LAX-SYD, I found that it was a case of checking daily, generally best checked after midnight Chicago time for J availability. Managed to obtain BNE-SFO about 3 months out and LAX-SYD about 6-8 weeks prior. As always YMMV.

 

[jase05]

Potentially, but historically over the past 2-3 years, I find that AA/QF release less last minute J TPAC seats than UA - so for me, it’s strange that AA currently have last minute seats available, but absolutely nothing on UA

Even in peak times (1 week leading up to Christmas, 1 week post Xmas, 1-2 weeks post New Year), I have managed 1-2x J seats TPAC for myself and family on short notice.

As a data point UA has little to no availability through their own program currently so I suspect that they are just not releasing any currently and it’s more of a UA issue than a VA issue