Strategy for Plat requesting classic award (PVG to Syd) seat release in Dec 2011

[kpc]

Based on this from another thread:

WPs also can put in a request for a seat if they can't see any availability online. This requires calling QF Premium and will incur the necessary telephone assistance charges. It isn't guaranteed, but if it works, paying the extra fee isn't so bad in circumspect (we're talking premium seats here, i.e. J or F). I've put in requests twice now - one F award and one J partner award - and both been successful.

Q for the experts. I'm going to Shanghai (from Syd) in Dec 2011 for a conference, and I've been watching (classic) award availability for my +1. On the outward journey there is economy and business availability on the direct QF service but nothing on the inbound at 353 days out on the direct QF PVG - Syd service (there is availability on the indirect Cx service). I have to travel on the direct QF service, (probably in J). I was hoping to get a classic award to PVG in Y, and return in J (that's all the points I have; the return flight is an O/N one) for my +1.

My Q is how do I go about making the request to the Premium desk for my +1? I won't be booking my own flights til 2-3 months prior to travel. Will this make a difference? Can I just ring QF premium to ask for either a J or Y seat to be (hopefully) released for the Pvg-Syd leg? Can I ask for both J and Y with a preference for J?.....or am I asking too early and should just wait (pray) that QF releases a classic award from Pvg-Syd in due course...I'm also acutely aware that Xmas will be just around the corner.

Your advice as to my best strategy woold be appreciated.
Thanks

PS I have never done this before so looking for guidance to maximise my chances

 

[serfty]

Generally you need I class availability. Hi Z or X helps as well.

I guess all you can do is call and ask.

 

[anat0l]

It's been a while since I've had the experience of WP request, so it may or may not still be a "feature" of the service. It certainly isn't written anywhere, so the first thing you need to be aware of is that if it doesn't work, you do not have grounds for complaint - do not bother trying to cite T&Cs or precedent.

In saying this:

• If you decide to make a WP request, be prepared to book at once as soon as QF get back to you (it could be straight away, it could be after being on hold whilst they contact Yield Management, or it could be within a few days). If you don't book, the yield gods may not be on your side when you change your mind. Moreover, it isn't good karma to waste someone's time.
• Note that all WP requests must be made over the phone and hence will incur assistance fees. They will usually allow you to pay this in cash, but be prepared to stick to the rules (i.e. pay in points).
• Remember you can always change or cancel awards, even if it costs you a token amount. In contrast, once Classic Awards are gone and yield won't let you open up another one, unless you bend over for a higher award or ASA, you're out of luck, period.
• If at first you don't succeed, try again after some time. Circumstances may change, more availability may show itself. There is no known pattern that we're aware of with regards to release, availability and how yield management are feeling on the day, so there's no better advice (besides anecdotal) that anyone can give you with respect to when to book/try/strike.
• I assume your ticket will be booked in cash, not points. If you are going for an award as well and intending for your +1 to travel with you, you are best to book/request both awards at the same time.

Good luck!

 

[MrJetset]

In my experience you generally have to have the required amount of points in your account. The premium agent actually proceeds to make a booking, using all of your information, and the request generally takes a minute for an automated response. It pays to be flexible, and agents will check +/- 3 days. I have always had success with this.

In some cases when the system doesn't respond, they will send the request to yield management for evaluation.

Sometimes the rep will allow a short hold of 48 hours if transferring points from another person's account, or buying points. Interestingly when I check the booking on ba.com, the booking has in big red letters "This ticket has not been paid for. You have 60:02 hours left before it expires" so the hold is actually longer, however I would finalise the booking asap.

 

[kpc]

Had success asking for a Y classic award seat be released for Pvg-Syd for my +1 one week before Xmas 2011 (did not have enough points for J award:shock. I rang QF, gave them my preferred date and flight, was put on hold for not more than 5 minutes, then told it was approved! Option of paying 3500 QF pts for the over the phone booking or $60. Chose the former....what would you have done?

The process is exactly as described in the post above by Jock28; the agent explained the request is submitted electronically, and can be approved almost straight away. If it is rejected, manual intervention is required and they have to decide whether to release an award seat based on sales, probability of selling that seat etc.

I have been checking award availability from 355 days out and no award seats for any classes have been released for mid December on the above route for my preferred date:shock: (maybe QF are expecting to sell all their seats to the expats coming home for Xmas!); should have just done this in the first place, instead of wasting my time and checking every second day or so for award availability!

 

[straitman]

I did this the other day for a flight to LA in May.

Online there were no J seats available but I asked and after going through the process as discussed they came back with a whole bunch of different options over a few days.

Very impressed. I now have to decide (fairly quickly) if I really want it.

As most of my spare points are with Amex they even extended to time to commit from 1 day to 3 or 4 days.

 

[Febs]

should have just done this in the first place, instead of wasting my time and checking every second day or so for award availability!

Yup. It's hit and miss, but it definitely happens (more often than not for me). There's no trick to it - just call and ask.

Only time I've ever been rejected is LAX-SYD during peak season. BNE and MEL were no go too, but they got me on LAX-AKL on my preferred date (heaven forbid we spent another day in Vegas ). Worked out for the best too - we were both upgraded Y->J (WP and PS), and we missed a HUGE immi queue in SYD due to landing a few hours later (one of the biggest my friend who works there had ever seen).

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Not a fan of these increased "assisted booking" fees, especially when certain fares (such as some with CX legs) have to be booked online.

 

[ajca]

Does anyone know if it is possible to request classic award seats on BA flights? e.g. from London to Dubrovnik. There are some classic award seats available on this route, but not on the day I'm looking for.

I assume this is not possible, but I thought it would be worth checking

 

[anat0l]

Does anyone know if it is possible to request classic award seats on BA flights? e.g. from London to Dubrovnik. There are some classic award seats available on this route, but not on the day I'm looking for.

I assume this is not possible, but I thought it would be worth checking

I suppose you could try. I had to request a CX J award once. It ended up being granted. No idea how QF make such a request (vs. their own metal inventory simply calling their yield management department).

For intra-Europe flights, though, do you really think it's worth it rather than just coughing up the money for a cash ticket?

 

[anat0l]

The 'secret' is out

Well, not really a 'secret'. We've known it for a while, but AusBT puts it out in the 'open' for (from what I can tell) the first time, with some corroboration from QF themselves.

Revealed: Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum's hidden benefits - Flights | hotels | frequent flyer | business class - Australian Business Traveller

This came over my Twitter feed as "Revealed: Qantas Frequent Flyer Platinum's hidden benefits - turn any paid seat into an award seat!" :-|

 

[markis10]

Award seat requests to yield have been around for a long time, used it for the first time in 2002 for a J seat to TPE. I have only used it twice but it's nice when you need it!

 

[Alanslegal]

Reviving an old thread, I just tried my first request for a simple classic economy award.

QF WP desk said unless there is Q bucket inventory, they cannot put in the WP request for a seat to be opened up.

And they would not put in a request for BA.

WP desk seemend friendly enough but no dice.

Any comments?

 

[serfty]

I did not know one could request for X awards ...

Certainly I bucket is useful for requesting Business awards.