Flight Availability/Loadings & Upgrade Probability Help Desk

[Sprucegoose]

PLEASE INCLUDE DATE, FLIGHT NUMBER, ORIGIN & DESTINATION IN ALL REQUESTS

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>>>> ADDED BY ADMIN (6 Sept 2010) <<<<

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Background to this thread
We have noticed an increase in the posting of questions about seat availability on specific flights. These are all valid questions and we all appreciate the efforts our members go to to provide answers.

The only drawback is that our forums can become "cluttered" with specific questions about availability on specific flights. This tends to reduce the overall usability of our site.
We have therefore created this new consolidated thread where you can ask questions about seat availability on specific flights. Hopefully, this will reduce clutter and improve useability.

Guidelines for posting in this thread
Please post questions about availability of specific flights or upgrade probability in this new consolidated thread. Be sure to include the airline, flight number, date, origin and destination and any other relevant detail.

When answering questions, please include the original question. This will assist in readability and management of the thread.

Thanks!

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For Questions about Aircraft Configuration and Seat Availability, please use this thread:​

Understanding [Fare Buckets] Expert Flyer

I'd appreciate some help understanding the information EF provides. For example, F6 A6 J9 C9 D9 I0 B9 H9 K9 M9 R9 L9 V9 S0 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0 What letters do I look at to try to work out how many seats are still available in economy? What letters do I look at to try to work out how many...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

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See this thread for hints on how to read loadings:

Interpreting and Understanding Expert Flyer​

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If looking for, say Qantas points upgrades, look for A class for First, mid to high D or any I class for Business and any R for Premium Economy.

Look for the most expensive category of the cabin YOU are currently booked in as being sold out e.g. J0 to first, W0 to Business & Y0 to PE for increased op-up chances. Also, look for availability on the discount premium buckets (A, P, I, D, U, T & Z inventories).

Conversely, look for high numbers in the discount economy buckets (N, O, Q, E & X inventories) for reduced op-up chances.

Seat maps can be a VERY rough guide but note that just because a seat is not showing as allocated does not mean that seat hasn't been sold. Not everyone pre-selects seats.

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>>>> END OF ADMIN UPDATE <<<<

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Original thread title: update on QF93 on 12 sept

Appreciate it if someone could check EP for loadings.

thnxs

SPRUCE

 

[Lost Redditor]

Could I please trouble for an updated loading of QF1, SYD - SIN coming Wednesday, 3 July? Thanks!

QF 1 SYD 14:45 → SIN 21:20
F0 A0 P0 J8 C8 D0 I0 U0 W8 R0 T0 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

 

[exLXCXFF]

QF 1 SYD 14:45 → SIN 21:20
F0 A0 P0 J8 C8 D0 I0 U0 W8 R0 T0 Z0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

Thanks - I keep my fingers crossed.

 

[exceladdict]

Could I please kindly request availability per-sin qf71 on Thurs 19 September and sin-per qf72 on Mon 23rd and Tues 24th September?

 

[OATEK]

Could I please kindly request availability per-sin qf71 on Thurs 19 September and sin-per qf72 on Mon 23rd and Tues 24th September?

QF71
J9 C2 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K6 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

QF72
J9 C9 D6 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0 (23rd)
J9 C9 D9 I7 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0 (24th)

 

[JFi]

Hi,
First time using Classic Upgrade Rewards so if someone could provide some insight that would be much appreciated.

Have a paid economy ticket and noticed it can be upgraded to business. This is for girlfriend who is a newly minted QFF and flying QF for the first time. At first, I tried to do a dummy booking for business to check the seats available but when choosing seats got the Window/Aisle message rather than the seat map. Did some research and noticed that means all the seats available to be selected at current status level are gone.

Did some further research and thanks to everyone here, got the idea and signed up for a free Expert Flyer account and discovered on the A333, 7 rows x 4 seats, for the back rows 4 to 7 most seats are "Occupied" with only 3 seats marked as "Available" (6K, 7A/K). The first 3 rows are all "Blocked" except for 2 marked "Occupied". Not sure if there's a difference between the Expert Flyer free and paid account in terms of showing seat availability.

Question: Based on other threads, I understand upgrades are based on status and pretty much a lottery, but in this situation with the seats available (if "Blocked" means just that and are actually free then there's 13 seats free for now) and her new account status, is it worth me transferring 65k points for her to try for an upgrade? The flight is in 23 days. Given girlfriend isn't exactly on the list of eligible family members for points transfers, don't want to transfer points to her if based on people's opinion, the chances of success are highly unlikely. Any views appreciated! Thank you.

 

[Hvr]

What route? And actual dates?
Also, does your GF have any QF status?

This will allow someone with an Expert Flyer account to provide an educated guess.

 

[ChrisMars]

The issue with the seat map is that people who didnt pick their seat yet, well, there seat looks like it s unsold. It just hasn t been assigned. The number os seats for sales in J may be a better indicator. You should be able to see that with expertflyer too (give us the Jx Dx Ix number. J9 D9 I9 would be good).

Having say all that, is your gf and you in a de facto? If so you don t even need to fly under the radar, you can transfer.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/discover-and-join/terms-and-conditions.html#eligiblefamilymembers

 

[oz_boater]

On expert flyer, look at seats available in business fare buckets rather than the seat map.
That is buckets J, C, D & I

On the flights below there are at least 9 seats in the cheapest business bucket (I) for QF59 so I would be pretty confident of an upgrade, where as on QF25 there are just 6 seats in the most expensive bucket so it is fairly full.

Post automatically merged: Monday at 2:02 PM

Also, simply that she is your GF is not enough to be able to transfer points to her or ask for an upgrade on her behalf. She needs to have a legal relationship (married or defacto).

Rarely enforced, but it is part of the rules for using point / sending points.

Best of luck

 

[sudoer]

Also, simply that she is your GF is not enough to be able to transfer points to her or ask for an upgrade on her behalf. She needs to have a legal relationship (married or defacto).

Rarely enforced, but it is part of the rules for using point / sending points.

I would add that if OP is going down the de facto route, I'd make sure the QFF accounts have the same mailing address on file.

'Partner' means the spouse or partner in a de facto relationship (within the meaning of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)), who resides at the same address as the Primary Member;

 

[RichardMEL]

You've done some good research @JFi and you have got pretty much most of it - good job!. I'd just add a couple of comments.

1. The "window or aisle" prompt doesn't have mean ALL the seats available to the viewing status level are taken. It can mean there are not enough other seats available to move to. Given what you saw via EF as 3 inallocated, and looking for one pax, it implies the preallocation limit may have been reached. That also implies the flight may be quite full. Refer to tip above about looking at the actual availability in J as clie.
2. Assuming you have no or low status, when looking at a seat map like yhis, the blocks may mean seats taken, seats not available to allocate(due to status) and/or a mixture. Sometimes blocks can show for other reasons.

The A333 implies an international route most likely. Upgrades will be processed from 7 days out so even an empty looking cabin can fill quickly.

If you provide more detail we can provide a slightly more educated opinion.

 

[exLXCXFF]

QF71
J9 C2 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K6 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

QF72
J9 C9 D6 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0 (23rd)
J9 C9 D9 I7 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0 (24th)

Looks like F1 has already filled up most of cattle class - you wonder whether QF would add more capacity like for Taylor closer to the date of sold out…

 

[the8guy]

Hi, can someone please check loading for VA 742 from OOL - MEL 2nd July 2024, leaving 2:55pm ? TIA

 

[pjm99au]

Hi, can someone please check loading for VA 742 from OOL - MEL 2nd July 2024, leaving 2:55pm ? TIA

VA 742

OOL 2:55p → MEL 5:20p J2 C0 D0 Y9 B9 W9 H9 K9 L9 R9 E9 O9 N9 V9 P9 Q9 T9 I9 S9

 

[exceladdict]

QF71
J9 C2 D0 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K6 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0

QF72
J9 C9 D6 I0 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K0 M0 L0 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0 (23rd)
J9 C9 D9 I7 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V0 S0 N0 Q0 O0 G0 X0 E0 (24th)

Looks like F1 has already filled up most of cattle class - you wonder whether QF would add more capacity like for Taylor closer to the date of sold out…

Gosh yeah a WP request not looking likely!

 

[JFi]

Thank you all for your input! Much appreciated.
Apologies for not providing enough information. The flight is QF80 NRT - MEL on July 23rd. She has no status (not sure if age of account matters for the upgrade lottery but couldn't find anything).

On expert flyer, look at seats available in business fare buckets rather than the seat map.
That is buckets J, C, D & I

On the flights below there are at least 9 seats in the cheapest business bucket (I) for QF59 so I would be pretty confident of an upgrade, where as on QF25 there are just 6 seats in the most expensive bucket so it is fairly full.

Thank you for the tip! Sorry, I'm still new to Expert Flyer but I checked out their user guide but all I can see is "Seat Alerts" in my account. There's no other options for anything such as Flight Availability, Flight Timetables, Flight Status etc or any other option which I assume is because I have a free account.

I would add that if OP is going down the de facto route, I'd make sure the QFF accounts have the same mailing address on file.

Thanks for that!! Didn't see that. I was going to go the de facto route so will change the addresses to match! I saw some people go the first cousin route but I think it's easier for me to show a de facto relationship rather than her being my first cousin if QF need proof lol

Also does anyone know if the age of accounts is an issue when transferring points as GF's account is brand new? I couldn't find anything but I know some other loyalty programs like Marriott requires both accounts to be opened for at least 30 days if there's activity or 90 days when there's no activity in order for points transfers between accounts.

 

[RichardMEL]

Ok Ive looked at the QF80/23JUL

J9 C9 D9 I8

Pretty good. Fyi the seatmap, as P1, I see the same as you for row 4-7, 1A and K are blocks and all of row 2 is occupied.

I would note that Y appears full with oy flex fares showing available for sale (Y - M class) which suggest a fair load. There are a swath of blocked seats down back, which maybe for group(s), and an unteresting few rows near the front all open. Hmm

Anyway my thought is that, right now, it's a big fat "maybe." - probably still less likely than likely, but se don't know the mix of pax and who has status and requests in - or who even could buy J seat(s) over the next 3 weeks...

If I were you, I'd hold off on anything for the lady and see how things develop closer to flight. Iirc the transfers are pretty instant. I guess she could transfer back if no uograde.

There used to be the notion that time if a request (ie how long it is in) had bearing on the outcome. I am not so sure that is still a thing, and at this point, with no statys, a request put in 3 weeks or 3 days prior may make no difference with that equation.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

 

[clipitar]

Hello,
Could I please kindly request availability for AC5 YUL-NRT on Tues August 13th and Thursday August 15th?
Thank you!

 

[pjm99au]

Hello,
Could I please kindly request availability for AC5 YUL-NRT on Tues August 13th and Thursday August 15th?
Thank you!

13/8

AC 5	YUL 12:50p → NRT 3:30p J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 R0 O9 E9 A9 N0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9

15/8

AC 5	YUL 12:50p → NRT 3:30p J9 C9 D9 Z9 P9 R0 O4 E4 A2 N0 Y9 B9 M9 U9 H9 Q9 V9 W9 S9 T9 L9 K9 G9

 

[oz_boater]

Ok Ive looked at the QF80/23JUL

J9 C9 D9 I8

Pretty good. Fyi the seatmap, as P1, I see the same as you for row 4-7, 1A and K are blocks and all of row 2 is occupied.



There used to be the notion that time if a request (ie how long it is in) had bearing on the outcome. I am not so sure that is still a thing, and at this point, with no statys, a request put in 3 weeks or 3 days prior may make no difference with that equation.

Just my thoughts. Good luck.

AFAIK It is still status, then within a given status, order of application.

 

[serfty]

AFAIK It is still status, then within a given status, order of application.

Note the T&C's changed a few years ago and status may not always be the first determinant these days. For example, there are anecdotes of SG in PE being upgraded before WP in Y.

More on the T&C changes here:

<snip>
But I now see the following:

17.3.2 Qantas Loyalty will determine which requests for Classic Upgrade Rewards will be awarded, if any, at any time within seven days of the scheduled departure of the flight from its port of origin, depending on several factors determined by Qantas, acting reasonably, including the original booked cabin and the Member's Membership tier.

& Here:

I believe it changed June 2019. Here's what the T&C's used to indicate:

Spoiler: Relevant T&C's

16.3 Classic Upgrade Rewards - for international travel (on flights QF1-199)

16.3.1 Classic Upgrade Rewards can be requested for a specific flight and date by phoning Qantas or, if the Member holds an E-Ticket, at this website, between 353 days and 24 hours before scheduled departure from the first port of the flight. The awarding of Classic Upgrade Rewards is subject to availability. Requests for Classic Upgrade Rewards will not be accepted within 24 hours of scheduled departure from the port of origin.

16.3.2 Qantas Loyalty will determine which requests for Classic Upgrade Rewards will be awarded, if any, at any time between seven days and 24 hours before the scheduled departure of the flight from its port of origin, depending on the Qantas Frequent Flyer status level of the Member.

16.3.3 Classic Upgrade Rewards will be awarded to Members according to their Qantas Frequent Flyer status levels in the following order: Platinum One Members first, then Platinum Members, then Gold Members, then Silver Members and then Bronze Members.