Classic Reward Availability: SYD > JNB

[ZRFF]

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!

 

[SYD]

QF rarely release more J seats after the 353 day date. I have a vague recollection that JNB is one of those sectors with very few J award seats. Others May calibrate that. But they used to have very good sale fares.

If nothing appears at 10am BNE time for 353 days forward, then something is going on there.

 

[RichardMEL]

FYI the correct IATA code is JNB, not JHB.

 

[ZRFF]

FYI the correct IATA code is JNB, not JHB.

Thanks! Have updated the post with the correct IATA.

 

[ZRFF]

QF rarely release more J seats after the 353 day date. I have a vague recollection that JNB is one of those sectors with very few J award seats. Others May calibrate that. But they used to have very good sale fares.

If nothing appears at 10am BNE time for 353 days forward, then something is going on there.

Thanks very much for your reply. I’ve just checked for reward availability for 353 days from now (just gone 10am in Brisbane) and there is only Economy classic reward seats available. No classic reward seats for Premium Economy or Business. So strange!!

Looks like I’ll have to book an Economy seat.

 

[Guvner]

3rd Nov:



Back up option? Cancel if QF63 pops up.

 

[ZRFF]

3rd Nov:

View attachment 273116

Back up option? Cancel if QF63 pops up.

This is a great option, thank you.

Silly question, how do I get that option? I have tried using Multi City search as well as searching this route (Sydney > Johannesburg) on different days but I am only shown Qantas flights.

 

[Guvner]

Try the “Rewards Only” filter top left.

 

[ZRFF]

Try the “Rewards Only” filter top left.

That worked! Thanks so much for your help.

 

[SYD]

I was looking at availability via the QF app earlier (filling in time on a treadmill), and noticed that’s it’s actually slightly better at showing availability. As you mentioned in your OP, there is J availability thru to around Sep and then nothing. Strange.

I did see the QR options - some via ADL or MEL but occasionally some days with one stop thru DOH ex-SYD. Unfortunately, QR only works for one pax ex-Oz in J…

 

[zig]

Did this sector a few times pre-covid and it was always difficult to find J award seats.

 

[sanne]

My husband and I flew SYD/JNB/SYD every year pre Covid always in J and always got award flights. I was on line at 10am on the day they were released. Some of those years we were Platinum but mostly Gold. Now a lowly LTS I wonder how we’ll go when I look for next years flights. Not going this year.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Another thing to consider when booking this award is that OneWorld partner, British Airways flies domestically in South Africa meaning you could potentially fly into another hub like CPT then catch a connecting BA flight to JNB. My understanding is that you'd need to call that booking in since whilst British Airways, South Africa is a OneWorld member, it's not in the booking engine.

-RooFlyer88

 

[SYD]

Another thing to consider when booking this award is that OneWorld partner, British Airways flies domestically in South Africa meaning you could potentially fly into another hub like CPT then catch a connecting BA flight to JNB. My understanding is that you'd need to call that booking in since whilst British Airways, South Africa is a OneWorld member, it's not in the booking engine.

-RooFlyer88

The BA LHR-CPT flights appear on QF but no J award flights connecting ex-Oz leapt out…

 

[Guvner]

Another thing to consider when booking this award is that OneWorld partner, British Airways flies domestically in South Africa meaning you could potentially fly into another hub like CPT then catch a connecting BA flight to JNB. My understanding is that you'd need to call that booking in since whilst British Airways, South Africa is a OneWorld member, it's not in the booking engine.

-RooFlyer88

I've done JNB-SYD (Biz Awards) a few times and usually manage to tag on a Comair/BA flight from DUR or CPT to JNB.

 

[ZRFF]

Thanks all for your help and advice!
I’ve checked again this morning at 10am for the reward seats being released on this route but doesn’t look like Qantas is releasing at business seats. Not sure why this would be!! If anyone happens to find out please do share!

Looks like my best option is to go on Qatar. I have always wanted to try the Qatar QSuite so this is a great opportunity!

Thanks again for your help.

 

[RichardMEL]

Try 11am AEDT (ie now) as it equates to 0000 Zulu for release. In summer time it gets a little different.

 

[ZRFF]

Try 11am AEDT (ie now) as it equates to 0000 Zulu for release. In summer time it gets a little different.

Thanks!

Have just checked and no classic reward seats in business. And I can see via the Qantas staff travel website that there are currently no bookings in this cabin so its not like I have missed out on the reward seats. Very strange!

 

[MrJetset]

The 353 day rule no longer applies. Those quoting this may not have been looking recently. There’s enough evidence to conclude that QF are not releasing awards as they used to. Nor are other carriers.

Some, like EK, are only releasing a month or two from departure.

You can’t begrudge them wanting revenue post Covid.

See Where are the awards?

 

[ANstar]

Thanks all for your help and advice!
I’ve checked again this morning at 10am for the reward seats being released on this route but doesn’t look like Qantas is releasing at business seats. Not sure why this would be!! If anyone happens to find out please do share!

Looks like my best option is to go on Qatar. I have always wanted to try the Qatar QSuite so this is a great opportunity!

Thanks again for your help.

Didn't QF only release awards for those Gold and above a -353? Silver and Bronze had to wait until something like -330 from memory. That being said I do believe they aren't releasing as before and are probably trying to maximise potential revenue.