Article: Reward Seat Release Patterns Have Changed Fundamentally

[AFF Editor]

Reward Seat Release Patterns Have Changed Fundamentally is an article written by the AFF editorial team:

Reward Seat Release Patterns Have Changed Fundamentally

Qantas no longer releases most Classic Reward seats on international flights 353 days in advance. Instead, airlines are releasing frequent flyer redemption seats in batches closer to departure.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[jrfsp]

Very interesting analysis. I don't have an issue with batch release, if anything i prefer it.

I think the key metric (which wouldn't be public) would be total number of award seats which are released and how it compares to previous years (but also in light of number of FF member / points balance / rewards sought)

 

[aikman]

I also prefer batch releases. This is an improvement in my view. Long may it continue.

 

[fletty]

In 2023, you’re most likely to find EmiratesFirst Class availability within a day or two of departure

In July my partner and I were flying CDG>DXB>SIN on Emirates with a J redemption on the first leg and then Y for the second. We managed to book 2x seats in F for both legs about 2 days before departure from CDG.
Definitely a welcome and exciting surprise to wake up to!

 

[SYD]

For QF, this is very much a post Covid thing and hopefully not permanent!

I’ve noticed for over a year the complete lack of whY classic reward seats on many sectors while looking for unicorn premium reward seats. Really quite bizarre and yes, very random.

Yet another reason to really pi$$ off otherwise loyal customers…

 

[exceladdict]

I feel that this style of release is a devaluation for status members, particularly gold and silver, who are unable to request seats being released.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Good topic to consider. I was initially a bit frustrated by the Qantas seat dumps on the basis it meant they were artificially holding seats back until the occasional drop, though now if that becomes routine (albeit unpredictable) I might also prefer that. It could potentially give you more flexibility to book trips fairly far ahead on the knowledge that "eventually" there'll be a dump to snag the seat.

I feel that this style of release is a devaluation for status members, particularly gold and silver, who are unable to request seats being released.

This, however, I agree with. If the drop is large enough to cover your plans, great; if not, then it is indeed noteworthy that the status benefit has been "enhanced" away.

 

[mel1]

I don't understand how anyone can plan booking a few days ahead? I need hotels, tours, restaurants etc all booked...and unless I have flights in place, how do I plan all that?

 

[freqflyer77]

I feel that this style of release is a devaluation for status members, particularly gold and silver, who are unable to request seats being released.

100% - as someone with Qantas Gold Status I think this is a slap in the face personally and a 'removal' of one of the biggest benefits of having high status.

 

[SYD]

I don't understand how anyone can plan booking a few days ahead? I need hotels, tours, restaurants etc all booked...and unless I have flights in place, how do I plan all that?

Once upon a time, we could actually fly somewhere and wing it from there!

Virtually impossible now…..

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

I don't understand how anyone can plan booking a few days ahead? I need hotels, tours, restaurants etc all booked...and unless I have flights in place, how do I plan all that?

Agree - for most people this simply isn't feasible especially these days. The only way this would work for me (and I'd wager most) is if I already had the trip booked and hoped to upgrade/book a premium seat and it turns out to be good luck if you succeed at the last minute. However, for that to work, you'd need ticket flexibility or be prepared to incur penalties to change the original flight, which isn't feasible/ideal either.

 

[eminere]

I don't understand how anyone can plan booking a few days ahead? I need hotels, tours, restaurants etc all booked...and unless I have flights in place, how do I plan all that?

Not to mention that unless you are a resident of the country you're travelling to, you'll need proof of a return flight ticket.

 

[mel1]

Not to mention that unless you are a resident of the country you're travelling to, you'll need proof of a return flight ticket.

Good point.

 

[mel1]

Agree - for most people this simply isn't feasible especially these days. The only way this would work for me (and I'd wager most) is if I already had the trip booked and hoped to upgrade/book a premium seat and it turns out to be good luck if you succeed at the last minute. However, for that to work, you'd need ticket flexibility or be prepared to incur penalties to change the original flight, which isn't feasible/ideal either.

This article is depressing! I've been itching for Sept to finish so I can book Business seats from Sydney to Amsterdam (return), either on Singapore or Emirates for Sept 2024. That's the way I've done it for years.

 

[SYD]

Not to mention that unless you are a resident of the country you're travelling to, you'll need proof of a return flight ticket.

In the Uber short notice but extremely flexible case, you would book a fully flex / refundable paid flight while waiting for something rewarding to open up!

I’d do that.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

In the Uber short notice but extremely flexible case, you would book a fully flex / refundable paid flight while waiting for something rewarding to open up!

I’d do that.

Yep. Although that's quite a lot of money to have tied up and potential commit if nothing does open up. If you're someone who ordinarily books flex tickets regardless, it's a muchness I suppose, but I suspect most people don't do that, especially for leisure.

 

[Pushka]

Even through KL the award seats for 10-11 months out is appalling.

Post automatically merged: Sep 4, 2023

Not to mention that unless you are a resident of the country you're travelling to, you'll need proof of a return flight ticket.

I've only been asked for this in the US.

 

[Kremmen]

I also prefer batch releases. This is an improvement in my view. Long may it continue.

If you only ever fly on one airline and don't plan far ahead, it's fine. Otherwise, it's terrible.

Let's say you want to fly to somewhere connecting from QF to JL. JL releases its award seats at 331 days out and there's no way to connect to them. By the time QF releases at random, all the JL seats are gone.

On the Star Alliance side, one of my favourite ways to get to the USA was via TG and NH. (A350 to BKK, A380 to NRT, 787 to the USA, all with good connections.) 5 years ago, NH would release seats 356 days out with TG a little later and I booked that route easily a few times. More recently, NH still releases award seats a long way out, but TG does batches later. Award tickets involving both TG and NH are now practically impossible.

In short, huge numbers of routes involving partners are simply impossible to book awards on any more, which is a massive devaluation for long-haul travel.

 

[Rosege]

Wondering if VA might be doing something similar. Just flew adl dps in J and looking to book for next year and can't see anything for any dates at all from June onwards (possibly earlier but haven't checked)

 

[siri]

This article is depressing! I've been itching for Sept to finish so I can book Business seats from Sydney to Amsterdam (return), either on Singapore or Emirates for Sept 2024. That's the way I've done it for years.

Try Japan Air since they fly to amsterdam from tokyo.. every sept i use to do that..