Early release of Classic Rewards to members with status

[FrustratedQP]

Given that classic rewards are released in batches, no longer released at a set number of days before travel. On what basis do Qantas rely on when they offer ‘Early access to Classic Flight Reward Seats’ to gold members? Are those batches of Reward Flights released earlier for members with Status?

 

[Andy72]

It was true. Now not so much. Platinum and p1 can request seats that are not for sale on the website, but not gold

 

[SYD]

Given that classic rewards are released in batches, no longer released at a set number of days before travel. On what basis do Qantas rely on when they offer ‘Early access to Classic Flight Reward Seats’ to gold members? Are those batches of Reward Flights released earlier for members with Status?

Yes, unfortunately the old 350 odd days out release pattern hasn’t been reliable (verging on non existent) for QFi routes. But they are doing some small batch release on some sectors around 340 ish days out that Gold would have access to. But non of the premier routes.

There hasn’t been a general release for a while but when there was, I’m not aware of any “early access” however.

 

[henrus]

On what basis do Qantas rely on when they offer ‘Early access to Classic Flight Reward Seats’ to gold members? Are those batches of Reward Flights released earlier for members with Status?

The old time frames are still in place, if not logged in or bronze you won't see premium reward seats on international flights until 297 days out, silver can see them at 323 and gold and above can see all dates.

Obviously with batch releases this is less reliable but there is still the time frame between 324-353 days where only Gold and above can see reward seats. This is still visible for example below I'm logged in on the right but not on the left. This search is 29 Oct 2025 so 345 days away and as you can see I can see a classic reward seat but someone with Bronze/Silver status would only see a classic plus reward on the same flight.

 

[FrustratedQP]

Thanks for the explanation henrus, I appreciate it.

 

[ANstar]

The old time frames are still in place, if not logged in or bronze you won't see premium reward seats on international flights until 297 days out, silver can see them at 323 and gold and above can see all dates.

Obviously with batch releases this is less reliable but there is still the time frame between 324-353 days where only Gold and above can see reward seats. This is still visible for example below I'm logged in on the right but not on the left. This search is 29 Oct 2025 so 345 days away and as you can see I can see a classic reward seat but someone with Bronze/Silver status would only see a classic plus reward on the same flight.

View attachment 415650

Not all routes release to the old schedule... instead on routes like LAX/SIN etc they only release classic plus in premium cabins that far out most dates.

 

[henrus]

Not all routes release to the old schedule... instead on routes like LAX/SIN etc they only release classic plus in premium cabins that far out most dates.

The old schedule was never a published policy so nothings really changed in Qantas' regard and in their words (my bold), the same/similar wording has been used for over 20 years:

Classic Flight Rewards are available on Qantas, Jetstar and partner airlines. Seats are subject to capacity controls, availability is limited, and some flights may not have any Classic Flight Rewards available.

Routes like LAX/SIN (and LHR) are some of the most popular on the network and these days they can regularly sell every cash fare on them hence getting a reward seat is very rare.

 

[SYD]

Obviously with batch releases this is less reliable but there is still the time frame between 324-353 days where only Gold and above can see reward seats. This is still visible for example below I'm logged in on the right but not on the left. This search is 29 Oct 2025 so 345 days away and as you can see I can see a classic reward seat but someone with Bronze/Silver status would only see a classic plus reward on the same flight.

View attachment 415650

I had a bit of a laugh on the weekend. We’ve been tracking a particular route that has decent availability in Oct 25 but waiting for Nov 25.
SYD+1 suddenly yells, “They’ve all gone, they were there yesterday. Now they gone and only Classic+”
Me: “Are you logged in?”
“Ah, no… Oh, they’re still there….”.

But anyway, your example above is one of those “mini batch” release (I referred to above) that they seemed to be doing on some routes now.