Award Flight availabilty nothing there

[ellen10]

I just tried looking for an award flight for next year with Qantas Classic Awards and there were departing flights in economy but no economy seats for the return journey (only business) 353 days ahead is this normal?
Do they release extra seats later?

Should I book one way departing flight first and then wait.

BTW I could book the same flights I want in Sept/Oct this year(only 3 months away but not flights 11 months away) How is this so.

I was trying to get in early as people suggest

 

[NM]

Award seat availability is all tied into the black magic known as yield management. This is an art and not a science, and is performed better by some airlines that by others.

If there are no award seats available on a particular flight, then it would seem that the airline is expecting that they can sell the remaining seats to people willing to pay money for them. One example of why there may be business class awards and no economy call awards is because its a peak leisure travel period where historical stats show they are likely to sell out the economy cabin, but that they will have unsold business class seats at that time of the year.

If you book as a one-way award, the risk is that a suitable return award flight may not become available and you will have to choose between cancelling the other flight (and wearing the cancellation penalty) or purchasing a one-way ticket to get home.

In my experience, its more likely that additional economy award seats will be released over time than it is for premium cabin award seats to be released.

 

[ellen10]

Thank you for your reply NM

It all seems so easy when you join up to Qantas! And I thought earning the FF points was the hardest bit.

So the 353 day book ahead rule really applies to your return date and not your departure, am I right?
And then its only when they release the seats if and when.
I guess one has to just keep checking availability.

Do you think with their new program Any seat Any time Classic seats will become less available?

 

[NM]

It all seems so easy when you join up to Qantas! And I thought earning the FF points was the hardest bit.

That is similar to the experience of others

So the 353 day book ahead rule really applies to your return date and not your departure, am I right?

You can book as two separate one-way awards, booking teh outbound at 353 days before, then wait a few days/weeks/whatever and book the return at 353 days out. You just have the risk that there may not be availability for the return and you have to cancel the outbound and wear the cancellation penalty.

Do you think with their new program Any seat Any time Classic seats will become less available?

That is the view held by many people. However, Qantas has denied they will do that. I have no thoughts except that I will be watching to see what happens.

 

[ellen10]

Thank you NM

So how much is the cancellation penalty?

 

[NM]

Thank you NM

So how much is the cancellation penalty?

5000 points, I believe.

 

[Driver]

I booked a US trip - Bris/Syd to SFO out and LAX to Bris return - booked on the day we needed to return. No problem at all. The flights gradually disappeared but since then I have seen them come back. We are not flying in Australian nor US school breaks. Although it's nerve wracking waiting till the return date to book, it did work for us. After booking the international flights I was able to call Qantas and book, using reward points, all our domestic flights within the US (American Airlines). I was also able to get seat allocation arranged for all flights (of course this might not happen but we can hope). The domestic flights have changed many times during the year but we are only 8 weeks from flying and at present all flights are in place. I never get complacent. Expect changes and be patient! Good luck!

 

[ellen10]

Driver thanks for your reply

Yes it is nerve wracking to have to wait for the return flight date until you can book. The return date will probably be ok as it is not school holidays time, however the departure date is in school holidays, that is my worry. I guess I will have to decide whether to book a one way first and then hope the return date will match up before I book the paying flight.

The seat allocation, did you ring qantas to arrange that?

 

[Driver]

If your outward flight appears I would grab it quick - I've never had a lot of luck in school holidays. It is only 5000 points to cancel and well worth the peace of mind. If you return leg is not in the holidays you will probably be ok. My flights all disappeared a while after I booked but then they came back closer to the time, so keep looking. Qantas have been terrific about seat allocation. Ring 131313. Go to checkmytrip.com once you have your booking and have arranged your seats. You can type in your booking reference and last name and up comes all your details including a green tick if your seats have been allocated. It's a good site and you can see any changes that occur and also print your boarding passes. Now when you get to the airport, you have to print your boarding pass from a machine, line up to check your luggage and then line up to go through security which can take some time. At least you can save a few minutes by having your boarding passes printed. Another good site I'm using is tripit.com - I've put my whole itinerary on there and then printed it. Hope you get your flights and have a good trip!

 

[serfty]

... Go to checkmytrip.com once you have your booking and have arranged your seats. You can type in your booking reference and last name and up comes all your details including a green tick if your seats have been allocated. It's a good site and you can see any changes that occur and also print your boarding passes. ...

I'm not sure you can print BP's (Boarding Passes) using CheckMyTrip, but it is a useful site.

 

[Driver]

I'm not sure you can print BP's (Boarding Passes) using CheckMyTrip, but it is a useful site.

Just checked that and you are right! It is Tripit.com where you can print your pass and check flight status. As you say though, a handy site!

 

[ellen10]

Thanks again Driver

I have written down your your very informative instruction. I will put it to use for my next trip to Cairns/Port Douglas in October (not on frequent flyer points). Next year is the big trip to France and UK where I hope to use points. I think I will take the advice and book the outgoing flight when it appears for fear that I may miss out and gamble on the return flight being available later.

Yes trip it is a good site.

Just heard on the news that qantas may be trying a take over bid of Air New Zealand that would be interesting.