Classic Reward Availability: SYD > JNB

[MrJetset]

353 was for everyone. SG and above had access to more awards and will see that when searching. WP and above can request availability be opened up.

 

[boardie_19]

Hi,

Looking for some advice around booking a classic reward flight Syd - Johannesburg in November.

I am a Gold FF.

There is currently lots of Classic Reward availability for Economy and premium economy but zero classic reward Business seats from September 2022 to Feb 2023. Does this mean that Qantas is yet to release the Business class classic rewards for this journey?
I have access to the flight loads (ex staff member) so can see that on most Syd-JNB flight in November that there are currently no (or low) business class booking so I’m assuming that I haven’t missed out on a available reward seats.
Is it worth waiting for Qantas to hopefully release reward availability or is there a chance that they just won’t have classic reward seats on this journey?

Thanks very much!

Hi there,

P1 here. I can see a seat in J this morning for Tuesday 15th November returning 4th December.

Not sure how long it will last for though.

 

[ZRFF]

Hi there,

P1 here. I can see a seat in J this morning for Tuesday 15th November returning 4th December.

Not sure how long it will last for though.

Thanks so much! Unfortunately doesn’t look like this is available to me as a Gold FF

 

[SYD]

Thanks so much! Unfortunately doesn’t look like this is available to me as a Gold FF

I couldn’t see it either as WP so if those seats are still there, not too many peeps will be able to directly book them so you could resort to calling QFF - if you don’t mind being on hold… Who knows, there might be other options also.

 

[vetrade]

We have been regular travellers to JNB to visit family and usually SYD - JNB forms part part of a J OW Award itinerary to SA and Europe. So I am familiar with looking regularly for J awards on QF63 - heading there again at end of July, 2022, and when I booked them last year we could have had our choice of virtually any date we wanted even though I'm only bronze and don't get to see availability until around 297 days out (since QF changed the rules to give Gold & Platinums preferrential access).

Over the last few months I've noticed a dramatic change in what J awards are displayed for QF63 & QF64 (JNB - SYD). A quick look a few minutes ago shows there are at least 2 x J seats on 30 Aug and 6th & 7th Sept, BUT there are "No Flights" listed for 28/29/31 Aug, 1-5, 8-11, 15/17/18/20/22/24 and 25 Sept, and all of October. "No flights" means QF isn't displaying any options - even Y fares or options through DOH on those dates. Crazy thing is that QF and Skyscanner are still listing revenue seats for those dates. The question is "What is QF up to?" but I would be very doubtful that they think they are going to get so many revenue fares for these flights that they don't want to release award seats.

I did read an article recently that said QF and PER airport were close to inking a deal for QF to use PER for international flights again and Alan Joyce has said they want to resurrect the PER - JNB flights. Pure speculation on my part, but I'm wondering if QF are planning to schedule PER - JNB flights in the not too distant future and may steer people from Sth Oz, Vic and Tassie seeking J award seats onto that flight rather than having to go via SYD.

They are up to something and I guess we will just have to wait to find out exactly what it is.

 

[ZRFF]

We have been regular travellers to JNB to visit family and usually SYD - JNB forms part part of a J OW Award itinerary to SA and Europe. So I am familiar with looking regularly for J awards on QF63 - heading there again at end of July, 2022, and when I booked them last year we could have had our choice of virtually any date we wanted even though I'm only bronze and don't get to see availability until around 297 days out (since QF changed the rules to give Gold & Platinums preferrential access).

Over the last few months I've noticed a dramatic change in what J awards are displayed for QF63 & QF64 (JNB - SYD). A quick look a few minutes ago shows there are at least 2 x J seats on 30 Aug and 6th & 7th Sept, BUT there are "No Flights" listed for 28/29/31 Aug, 1-5, 8-11, 15/17/18/20/22/24 and 25 Sept, and all of October. "No flights" means QF isn't displaying any options - even Y fares or options through DOH on those dates. Crazy thing is that QF and Skyscanner are still listing revenue seats for those dates. The question is "What is QF up to?" but I would be very doubtful that they think they are going to get so many revenue fares for these flights that they don't want to release award seats.

I did read an article recently that said QF and PER airport were close to inking a deal for QF to use PER for international flights again and Alan Joyce has said they want to resurrect the PER - JNB flights. Pure speculation on my part, but I'm wondering if QF are planning to schedule PER - JNB flights in the not too distant future and may steer people from Sth Oz, Vic and Tassie seeking J award seats onto that flight rather than having to go via SYD.

They are up to something and I guess we will just have to wait to find out exactly what it is.

Wow very interesting! Thanks for sharing.

 

[ZRFF]

Just some info for anyone who might be following this thread and need flights to South Africa. Looks like Qatar Airlines have just released a bunch of business reward seats to Johannesburg in October and early November 2022. There seems to be quite a lot of availability from Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

 

[sanne]

I’ve been looking daily for J award flights QF SYD to JNB for May 23. I have flown this route for many years pre Covid and as long as I was online when they were released I’ve always got 2 x J both for outbound and inbound flights. This year nothing, not even an Y seat.

There has been the odd 1 seat on Qatar but I like the direct flight from SYD. I’m only Silver now but had no problems before regardless of my status.

Has anyone seen any award seats with QF on this route?

 

[ksthommo]

Looks like Qantas flight rewards are only available to the end of February 2023 at present, can only see economy available.
Lots of options available for QFF Gold in May via Doha on Qatar, economy only again.

Good Luck

 

[sanne]

Thanks. I guess I just keep looking.

 

[Guvner]

Economy Awards are available, not seeing any Biz though.

 

[Mattg]

Qantas just announced the launch of a PER-JNB route - keep an eye on that in case they release award seats.

 

[papeto]

Please note Qantas has cancelled some direct SYD to JNB return flights and replaced them with SYD>PER>JNB flights on certain days.

My partner and I were originally booked on QF 64 from JNB to Syd on the 28 th Feb 23 ( J and premuim econ) on reward tickets . That flight was cancelled and my ticket was replaced with QF 66 from JNB to PER on the 28 th Feb and than connecting to Sydney ( 1hr 25 min connection time). The last leg would get into Sydney at 10:30 pm so last flight in before the airport curfew.

My partner was moved to the 1 March 23 flight which still has QF64 - direct JNB to SYD as he was flying premuim economy I guess.

Note I didn’t get an email telling me about these changes, I noticed it when I checked the Qantas app to let family know the flight times.

Having read the convuluted way the Perth connection is going to work and previous flight issues with Qantas, I had zero faith they will make the tight Perth connection. Most likely you’ll get rebooked on the next available flight so they will probably re- book you on the red eye to Sydney leaving Perth at 10:55pm arriving 06:05 am the next morning in Sydney.( so an extra 5 hours in the delightful Qantas Lounge).

For that reason, but also as I wanted totravel with my partner I contacted Qantas and asked them to move me to the direct flight on 1 Mar 23. After having to refer it up the chain, they finally agreed, so can report I am back on a direct flight.

So make sure you check your flights if booked on the direct SYD - JNB flights, Qantas may have been tinkering with it without letting you know.