Business Class Award Seats

[Ken1]

We're travelling SYD - SFO in early May and LAX - SYD in June with award tickets and we were lucky enough to get Business Class seats for the LAX - SYD flight. We've never flown business class so we're really looking forward to it.

I've been advised by several Qantas staff at 131313 that it is still possible for business class seats to become available on the SYD - SFO sector so I should check regularly. Several weeks ago I was told that they tend to release seats gradually throughout the year rather than release all award seating 12 months out as previously. She also said that at this stage the flight is only a third full in business. Yesterday I spoke to another Qantas staff member and was told that in his experience they seem now to more be using available seats to offer paid upgrades rather than releasing more award seating.

I guess the best hope of one becoming available would be if someone already booked business with an award ticket cancels but I'm interested in hearing of any experiences of business award seating becoming available in the few months before the flight.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

 

[simongr]

Hi Ken1
The prevailing wisdom seems to be that there is no rhyme or reason as to when/if seats become available. They do open up sometimes and others they dont.
Things are progressively changing at QF in relation to the program so anything can happen. Also QF are thinking of "anytime" awards - more expensive but might give you what you want.

Merry Xmas and keep looking for those seats

 

[coyote25]

Also QF are thinking of "anytime" awards - more expensive but might give you what you want.

I think I'm in the minority here but I don't expect QANTAS to offer anytime business or first awards, the way they protect that section of the plane, running with empty seats but not letting people use points to upgrade doesn't necessarily point to anytime awards in these classes. They always want to protect the revenue/stauts from these seats, and sadly don't seem to count award points as money.

I do expect to pay at least double to four times points for Y awards seats that booked into no awards fares. The big question is how much they reduce the number of 'normal' award seats We'll find out soon enough.

 

[moa999]

Ken,
Don't say what status FF member you are, or whether you are even QF FF, but the staff can also 'request' yield management to release seats that aren't otherwise available

 

[moa999]

and sadly don't seem to count award points as money.

depending on the path QF go down, those award seats may well be real money (eg Air Canada/ Aeroplan) for the airline
Even if kept owned if run as totally separate profit centres can be considered like real money

Although I do agree that I expect more changes at the back of the bus than the front

 

[straitman]

Ken,
Don't say what status FF member you are, or whether you are even QF FF, but the staff can also 'request' yield management to release seats that aren't otherwise available

This is a option that a few of us have used from time to time. I believe it is only available to Platinum FF's though I'm happy to be corrected.

 

[Ken1]

Ken,
Don't say what status FF member you are, or whether you are even QF FF, but the staff can also 'request' yield management to release seats that aren't otherwise available

Aubs,

I'm a Bronze Qantas Frequent Flyer. We build up most of our points from cards as we only fly for holidays, not for business.

I realise it's most unlikley that business seats will now become available but I will keep checking just in case.

Ken

 

[sr81]

staff can also 'request' yield management to release seats that aren't otherwise available

From my understanding this is for Y seats only and yes, this is a benefit of Plat. Happy to be corrected.

 

[straitman]

From my understanding this is for Y seats only and yes, this is a benefit of Plat. Happy to be corrected.

sr81,

I have asked for and received J reward seating (U to be precise) that was otherwise unavailable.

In addition there is greater availability in Y when looking up FF seating availability. That's probably what you were thinking of.

 

[Tooner]

... running with empty seats but not letting people use points to upgrade doesn't necessarily point to anytime awards in these classes. They always want to protect the revenue/stauts from these seats, and sadly don't seem to count award points as money.

I can't agree on this one - QF make money out of selling the points and are happy for you to spend them due to the horrible accounting required (another point in favour of the Aeroplan style spin-off). I think the issue is more along the lines that the yield management gods determine that the seats could be sold for cash, increasing the cash flow overall, and keeping you as a points holder on the shelf for a later date. Remember, an award seat is a paid seat!

 

[JohnK]

Yesterday I spoke to another Qantas staff member and was told that in his experience they seem now to more be using available seats to offer paid upgrades rather than releasing more award seating.

Am I interpreting this statement right? As far as I am aware Qantas does not offer paid upgrades, ala UA, to business or first class.

 

[Ken1]

Sorry, I didn't word that correctly. I meant that he said they tend to keep available business class seats for people who have paid an Economy airfare to use points to upgrade.

Ken

 

[Reggie]

Sorry, I didn't word that correctly. I meant that he said they tend to keep available business class seats for people who have paid an Economy airfare to use points to upgrade.

Ken

Thanks for clarifying this point.