Article: Reward Seat Release Patterns Have Changed Fundamentally

[renatts]

What I consider strange about the whole thing is QF appear to be releasing J awards to partners, but not their own members. Pretty much the opposite of other FF Programs.

I was fiddling with some routing the other day and using AA to search for flights via Japan to avoid JQ showing up. SYD - HND and BNE - NRT QF Flights were both available in both directions, 2 in J, for 2 or 3 days a week through of June/July via AA. Searched via QF, not a single one of those days even showed 1 J seat. After that I checked SYD - SIN, BNE - SIN, MEL - NRT and there was sporadic availability on AA that wasn’t showing on QF. Flights also appeared on BA searches.

Could be phantom availability on AA/BA, I didn’t go through the booking process, but I wouldn’t put it past QF to restrict their own Australian FF Members while providing access to overseas partners.

 

[levelnine]

Flights were both available in both directions, 2 in J, for 2 or 3 days a week through of June/July via AA. Searched via QF, not a single one of those days even showed 1 J seat.

It's phantom. Click through to booking and you get an error message.

 

[LondonAussie]

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.

Depends where you're going. I have regularly flown to European countries on one-way tickets and no one bats an eyelid. I also fly back to the UK on my Australian passport and have only once been asked if I was a resident of the UK or if I had onward travel from there - that was flying back from the US.

 

[burmans]

Depends where you're going. I have regularly flown to European countries on one-way tickets and no one bats an eyelid. I also fly back to the UK on my Australian passport and have only once been asked if I was a resident of the UK or if I had onward travel from there - that was flying back from the US.

Maybe it’s the demographic that’s means this question gets asked?

 

[eminere]

Depends where you're going. I have regularly flown to European countries on one-way tickets and no one bats an eyelid. I also fly back to the UK on my Australian passport and have only once been asked if I was a resident of the UK or if I had onward travel from there - that was flying back from the US.

Yes, but why risk it at all?

 

[TurboNator]

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?

100%! Ridiculous to think otherwise.

 

[elanshin]

100%! Ridiculous to think otherwise.

There are plenty of spontaneous travellers who like the excitement of not knowing exactly where they go / stay etc. this may not be you but definitely plenty of people like that sort of thrill.

 

[CaptJCool]

We are doing that for 3 weeks right now

Qantas hotels works perfectly fine for doing so

And dirt cheap here in Poland and Czechia

 

[TurboNator]

There are plenty of spontaneous travellers who like the excitement of not knowing exactly where they go / stay etc. this may not be you but definitely plenty of people like that sort of thrill.

Vast majority of people cannot do that. You know, those with jobs, families, kids...

 

[elanshin]

Vast majority of people cannot do that. You know, those with jobs, families, kids...

Yes, I agree plenty of people can't, but you asserted that it's ridiculous to think otherwise hence why I gave examples of people that could do it.

 

[TurboNator]

Yes, I agree plenty of people can't, but you asserted that it's ridiculous to think otherwise hence why I gave examples of people that could do it.

My point was that it is ridiculous to wait/hold reward fares until 2 days before the date... Unfair to majority (vast majority I'd say). The fact that there are people that might want to travel like that - they can pay with cash... also should be cheaper that way as an incentive to sell and not have a plane with empty seats...

 

[trendwhore]

There are plenty of spontaneous travellers who like the excitement of not knowing exactly where they go / stay etc. this may not be you but definitely plenty of people like that sort of thrill.

Yeah done it plenty of times for Japan. Manage to find flights couple days out etc

 

[hutch]

My point was that it is ridiculous to wait/hold reward fares until 2 days before the date... Unfair to majority (vast majority I'd say). The fact that there are people that might want to travel like that - they can pay with cash... also should be cheaper that way as an incentive to sell and not have a plane with empty seats...

Why do you think they are "holding" reward seats? The most likely scenario is that they wanted to sell seats for cash, they haven't sold, and hence airlines to try and increase revenue by opening up unsold seats as rewards.

 

[TurboNator]

Why do you think they are "holding" reward seats? The most likely scenario is that they wanted to sell seats for cash, they haven't sold, and hence airlines to try and increase revenue by opening up unsold seats as rewards.

I don't understand how is it possible that this many people (including hutch here) miss my point... Which is - Qantas have changed the game/moved the goal posts, drastically in their favour.

I know they want to sell the seats for cash (duh!) - I am saying they are not playing fair.

 

[burmans]

Why do you think they are "holding" reward seats? The most likely scenario is that they wanted to sell seats for cash, they haven't sold, and hence airlines to try and increase revenue by opening up unsold seats as rewards.

Exactly! Oh and anything airlines do has nothing to do with anyone’s concept of ‘fairness’, they are looking to maximise revenue. But if they can’t get revenue they can instead remove a liability, ie make those seats available as rewards.

 

[jase05]

Yes, I agree plenty of people can't, but you asserted that it's ridiculous to think otherwise hence why I gave examples of people that could do it.

Most definitely and I’ve noticed that our travel patterns have evolved with the changes.
We now book our time off work and then hotels, tours etc and leave flights to last from time to time. I’m finding that many awards are released about 10 days to a fortnight out now so chance my luck. Worst case scenario is we buy a revenue fare last minute if nothing comes up

 

[RooFlyer]

I’m finding that many awards are released about 10 days to a fortnight out now so chance my luck. Worst case scenario is we buy a revenue fare last minute if nothing comes up

I adore admire ( autocorrect!) that steely resolve. If you miss the award seats, the cash fares could be horrendously expensive.

 

[jase05]

I adore that steely resolve. If you miss the award seats, the cash fares could be horrendously expensive.

Cash fares are fine if you are flexible even just a bit. Might not be exactly what I want but often a nearby port might be cheaper for example my next trip is only to Asia so I’m happy to get a revenue fare to/from anywhere if no awards turn up that interest me. I look at awards as bonuses now and if I’m lucky enough to find one I’m happy if not I’ll just pay

 

[Seat0B]

I look at awards as bonuses now and if I’m lucky enough to find one I’m happy if not I’ll just pay

I guess I’m more or less in this camp now. If I absolutely have yo be somewhere specific, or on a specific date, then I expect to take a paid fare. If I don’t have constraints like that then I will try for an award seat.

I too have changed my booking pattern since COVID and these airline changes. I now also book fully refundable hotels (and I really check the small print as to what refundable means) so I can change if a better flight desk of hotel deal comes up. Or if I just change my mind.

 

[hutch]

I don't understand how is it possible that this many people (including hutch here) miss my point... Which is - Qantas have changed the game/moved the goal posts, drastically in their favour.

I know they want to sell the seats for cash (duh!) - I am saying they are not playing fair.

Unfortunately, I'm yet to fully master the ability to understand what people are trying to articulate, outside of the words they have provided in writing.