Bronze Vs Silver - Classic Flight Rewards (Availability)

[mrsterryn]

I didn't actually realise that some rewards seats only appeared with higher status

 

[rock86]

I didn't actually realise that some rewards seats only appeared with higher status

They still appear for the lower tier status', it's just that QF Gold/Platinum get first crack of the cherry and Silver/Bronze can book them ~310 days out if there's still availability.

 

[Townsend]

I have recently (finally) made it to gold after being silver for many years. I am finding no difference in seat availability......if any thing my choice is worse!I am flying to Canberra today and checked in the minute that check in opened. Despite the flight being mid-morning and therefore to late for business travellers, the most forward row I was offered was 8.

We are flying Melb to LAX in January in (sigh) premium economy and purchased tickets two months ago. When we have done this previously, as silver, we have always been able to be able to book the front row. However this year as gold, the front row is not available.

I love not having to pay to use the lounge but I am finding my seat options are now worse than when I was silver.

 

[mviy]

Seat selection is a very different thing to Classic Flight Reward Availability.

QF enhanced things to block off rows for P1 that WP could previously select earlier. Similarly for WP that SG could previously select etc.

Your seat selection options are better than they would have been if you were a PS but you need to understand how the system works and use that to your advantage.

Once seats reserved for SG members (and higher status members should they wish to choose those seats) are taken the seat map will look no better than it would have if you were PS initially.

However at about T-80 (about 80 hours before the flight) the seat map begins to open up. It may open up even more as e.g. upgrades are processed (especially on international) so do check again including a little before check-in opens if you still haven't got your preferred seat.

Beginning to check about T-24 (when check-in opens) is usually going to be way too late to start looking.

If you want row 4 on domestic you need to be quick once the seat map opens up as obviously this row is very popular.

 

[Townsend]

Seat selection is a very different thing to Classic Flight Reward Availability.

QF enhanced things to block off rows for P1 that WP could previously select earlier. Similarly for WP that SG could previously select etc.

Your seat selection options are better than they would have been if you were a PS but you need to understand how the system works and use that to your advantage.

Once seats reserved for SG members (and higher status members should they wish to choose those seats) are taken the seat map will look no better than it would have if you were PS initially.

However at about T-80 (about 80 hours before the flight) the seat map begins to open up. It may open up even more as e.g. upgrades are processed (especially on international) so do check again including a little before check-in opens if you still haven't got your preferred seat.

Beginning to check about T-24 (when check-in opens) is usually going to be way too late to start looking.

If you want row 4 on domestic you need to be quick once the seat map opens up as obviously this row is very popular.

Thanks for that. It is very useful knowledge. It was frustrating to see two empty seats further forward on today’s flight when they had not been open for me a few hours before the flight.

 

[mviy]

Thanks for that. It is very useful knowledge. It was frustrating to see two empty seats further forward on today’s flight when they had not been open for me a few hours before the flight.

If the flight isn't going to be full they can block seats off especially middle seats. Having an unoccupied middle seat is great for high status travellers. If you finish your meal you can put it on the tray table for the middle seat freeing up your tray table for a laptop/book/tablet/newspaper or allowing you to put the tray table away well before the FAs collect the rubbish. More importantly it gives you extra personal space so someone with broad shoulders isn't going to be brushing against you the whole flight.

The seats may not open up. However if the flight is going to be full then they will have to open up the seats for selection at some point and if no one selects them allocate them to passengers whether they like them or not.

If you can't get row 4 you may find that if you can select a seat in one of the rows not far behind that the middle seat is empty on the flight. Again looking around T-80 will help with securing these seats.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

Used 1,325 million points this year whilst SG on two upcoming 280K awards and a QF F to HKG for Mrs Nick and myself. Relatively speaking, these flights were easy to find and book. Thank god I did because as a PS I am now seeing far less availability

Will try and regain SG during 2019/20, plan from there will be to book revenue (me) and award (Mrs Nick) flights so at least one of us will have ongoing status at the SG or above level

 

[Flying Fox]

With regards to availability of classic award seats;

1. Does QC Bronze get a better selection than Bronze?

2. Does QC Bronze get a better selection than Silver?

 

[mviy]

1. Does QC Bronze get a better selection than Bronze?

I don't know but if it does it would only make a marginal difference one would think. QP membership is primarily purchased for lounge access.

2. Does QC Bronze get a better selection than Silver?

One certainly wouldn't think so. Silver is higher status than Bronze.