Changes to Qantas search tool and points redemption?

[whole-lotta-moxie]

It seems that qantas have changed their search engine, or am i missing something? When I use to search on qantas i could search for a whole month and search on Business or First for the month. I can't seem to get that option now. The other change is that the points seem to have changed also. It use to come back with a list of flights all with same points cost, now each flight seems to be different depending on various connections.

This is what it looks like now, without the option to search for a month for business or first class seats

what it use to look like

Below are the 2 different points that come up for the same flights, MEL to SING


what it use to look like

 

[SYD]

The calendar view is still there (sometimes) but can be fickle to get it to display. I recall someone suggesting a way to force it to appear - hopefully someone can chip in.

Were you searching one way or return? The points diff might be something do do with how the options fall within either QF classic rewards, QF partner rewards or Oneworld reward?

Classic Flight Reward Tables | Qantas Frequent Flyer

Find out how many Qantas Points you need for Classic Flight Rewards.

www.qantas.com

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

I searched for one way flights not return.
I didn't seem to have options for the different types of rewards and they seemed more expensive than they use to be

 

[ChrisMars]

It seems that qantas have changed their search engine, or am i missing something? When I use to search on qantas i could search for a whole month and search on Business or First for the month. I can't seem to get that option now. The other change is that the points seem to have changed also. It use to come back with a list of flights all with same points cost, now each flight seems to be different depending on various connections.

View attachment 258834
what it use to look like
View attachment 258837
Below are the 2 different points that come up for the same flights, MEL to SING
View attachment 258835
View attachment 258836
what it use to look like
View attachment 258838

Use the multi city search, check the "flexible dates" when you pick your date, and make sure to chose the "use points" option. This will bring you the monthly calendar.

For your second question, the flight you compare have different mileage use gcmap with airport code to get the mileage because of the different stopover.

- Great Circle Mapper

A map from the Great Circle Mapper.

www.gcmap.com

Once you have the mileage, check the Partner reward table (since it's not Qantas or Jetstar) and you get your cost. What you are quoted is correct

Classic Flight Reward Tables | Qantas Frequent Flyer

Find out how many Qantas Points you need for Classic Flight Rewards.

www.qantas.com

And of course, watch out for pay+point vs rewards seat. Pay+point is just a AUD to QF points convertion at a fixed rate, and have poor value.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I reported in another thread that the search tool is returning some errors where it is combining the sector price rather than the through fare. This isn't happening with all itineraries, but i found errors with several airlines including Emirates.

As pointed out, you may need to cross-check the distance and award tables.

The saver and sale fares are just converting regular airfares into points. They are almost always much more expensive.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Thank you all. It has been a long time since i have looked for flights and the old brain cells are struggling. I forgot that going via Hong Kong would add more miles and therefore making the cost of flights higher

With your guidance i have been able to make it work. I forgot to use the multi city search tool.

It is looking like it use to

 

[Pushka]

I tried to use the multi city search tool last night and could not get the link to show this option. Anyone else? It's the only way to find Qr flights it seems.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I tried to use the multi city search tool last night and could not get the link to show this option. Anyone else? It's the only way to find Qr flights it seems.

On the Qantas home page, once you click in the 'from' box in 'book a trip' the rest of the section should expand. In the bottom left hand corner is 'multi-city'

 

[Matt_01]

I tried to use the multi city search tool last night and could not get the link to show this option. Anyone else? It's the only way to find Qr flights it seems.

The site will show options for QR using the standard search if the flights are available within the QF 253 days. I find this to be problematic as there are so few QR seats released you need to get in at the 360 day mark or they are gone normally within a week.

Below is a standard search SYD-LHR for 9 Sep 22.

 

[SYD]

I tried to use the multi city search tool last night and could not get the link to show this option. Anyone else? It's the only way to find Qr flights it seems.

I can see those sort of results but it is a bit fickle. I’ve mostly tried on my iPad but I do find iOS and QANTAS.com not the most compatible. eg I couldn’t always click through to days with award options beyond 353 days even though it was showing further out dates with points options available…

 

[SYD]

The site will show options for QR using the standard search if the flights are available within the QF 253 days. I find this to be problematic as there are so few QR seats released you need to get in at the 360 day mark or they are gone normally within a week.

Below is a standard search SYD-LHR for 9 Sep 22.

View attachment 259035

Yep, I can see that option. But as mentioned earlier, it’s only ever 1x J seat…

On your screenshot are you seeing the flexible travel dates before and after and are you able to select any dates beyond the 9th?

The classic calendar view let’s you select dates beyond 353 but it’s a PITA to get back to if trying to work what is actually available on each day.

 

[Pushka]

The link is working now but throws an error message so it seems like there are no QR award flights into Adelaide. Can't get to see any dates that all.

 

[SYD]

The link is working now but throws an error message so it seems like there are no QR award flights into Adelaide. Can't get to see any dates that all.

BTW, there‘s another thread re QR availability via QFF.

QR withholding award seats from Qantas?

It's been pointed out to me that Qatar Airways seems to be releasing fewer award seats to Qantas Frequent Flyer members than it is for other Oneworld partner airlines. For example, if you search for Qatar Airways business class award availability from PER to LHR anytime in 2022, there are 4 "U"...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[Matt_01]

On your screenshot are you seeing the flexible travel dates before and after and are you able to select any dates beyond the 9th?

The classic calendar view let’s you select dates beyond 353 but it’s a PITA to get back to if trying to work what is actually available on each day.

To answer your first question the answer is no I cannot see past the 253 day mark.

QF used to have a link to the classic calendar at the bottom of the results page but removed this a few months ago. IMO their digital team is making a meal of the website. Also not sure if you noticed on the same search the results for CX seem high for a J rewards, however cross checking on the multi city tool you are getting F as J is not available. I can see how this would confuse some.

 

[Matt_01]

The link is working now but throws an error message so it seems like there are no QR award flights into Adelaide. Can't get to see any dates that all.

QR into ADL or any other major AU port seems to have been non existent for a while now. I am looking to book and the best option to get back to ADL seems to be with MH or SQ. QR, EK and CX all seem to be problematic.

 

[SYD]

To answer your first question the answer is no I cannot see past the 253 day mark.

QF used to have a link to the classic calendar at the bottom of the results page but removed this a few months ago. IMO their digital team is making a meal of the website. Also not sure if you noticed on the same search the results for CX seem high for a J rewards, however cross checking on the multi city tool you are getting F as J is not available. I can see how this would confuse some.
View attachment 259038

This is 9 Sep 2x PAX but I can’t select days beyond the 9th even though it suggests thing are available out to the 15th…

Note also 2x J ex KUL and HKG…..

 

[Pushka]

I did get CX out of Australia in May in J for two.

 

[Pushka]

There's nothing into Adl even on AA.

 

[whole-lotta-moxie]

Not sure what you are looking for but i found flights out of ADL to DOH but i could not get DOH to ADL

 

[Matt_01]

Thank you all. It has been a long time since i have looked for flights and the old brain cells are struggling. I forgot that going via Hong Kong would add more miles and therefore making the cost of flights higher

After the QF FF shake up in Mid 2019 the points cost to fly to the UK/EU on any of the partners will be 318K points which is also the cap for the OW rewards if you just use OW carriers. Flying CX/ JL may use a few more points but the taxes are less.

Not sure what you are looking for but i found flights out of ADL to DOH but i could not get DOH to ADL

I assume you are searching for 1 PAX, it is known that QR seems to only offer x1 J to QFF ex AU but more if going through other locations e.g. KUL, HKG. As a follow on from above as points will cap an extra flight may be required if someones wants to include QR.

At present I am looking to book flights AU-UK/EU rtn in 2022, I am not concerned which carrier or whatever obscure route I may have to use there or back, as points cap at 318K and milage will not be issue. What is important is getting to the UK via a green zone and getting back to ADL as the first AU entry point, MH or SQ seems to be the best options.