Factors impacting classic award avails early 2020?

[TahoeSkier]

Hi crew

For the past two months I been monitoring avails to LAX for Jan/Feb 2020 via all eastern seaboard ports like a hawk, and it's been an absolute drought! I have seen nothing J/F on QF metal, from any airport, which is highly unusual. Over the past several years there has always been options as long as you were flexible with departure location etc.

Any reasons for the absolute lunar landscape at present for Jan/Feb 2020?

 

[Doctore1003]

I see solid availability in Feb, but then I'm Gold so that could be it.

I can't recall what the wait time is now for Silver and Bronze - was it around 308 days? But I guess that would take you well into Feb, ... hmmm.

Anyway, if you have a family member with gold or higher status you can get them to book for you now.

 

[Matt_01]

I can also see good availability throughout Jan/Feb 2020 and across all classes.

 

[TahoeSkier]

I see solid availability in Feb, but then I'm Gold so that could be it.

I can't recall what the wait time is now for Silver and Bronze - was it around 308 days? But I guess that would take you well into Feb, ... hmmm.

Anyway, if you have a family member with gold or higher status you can get them to book for you now.

Uncle has recently dropped Gold sadly!

Rule of thumb seems to be approx 297 days for Bronze, I have been onto it since around 330 out.

 

[TahoeSkier]

I can also see good availability throughout Jan/Feb 2020 and across all classes.

Guessing Gold/Plat...

 

[Matt_01]

Guessing Gold/Plat...

P1

 

[TahoeSkier]

P1

That'll help!

 

[sudoer]

Uncle has recently dropped Gold sadly!

Any other family members with status? Ask them to book for you? (and transfer them the points, of course)

 

[TahoeSkier]

Any other family members with status? Ask them to book for you? (and transfer them the points, of course)

Sadly not.

I was just curious whether there might be some 'environmental factors' at play, as I have historically always had a decent selection of options when looking around 300 days out. This time, nada.

 

[Matt_01]

That'll help!

In the past it has not, until recently any flights I was after to the US, UK, or JP I had to call up and request seat release. Maybe QF have been tinkering with their ITS as being able to see F and J on these trunk routes seems new.

Maybe the reason for your comment

I was just curious whether there might be some 'environmental factors' at play, as I have historically always had a decent selection of options when looking around 300 days out. This time, nada.

 

[TahoeSkier]

Well - finally a lucky break!

Random search at brekky today and 2x seats MEL-LAX via BNE, very late January. Great outcome - love the 789 J product, and Dom J leg will add to the experience.

I assume at this 'late' stage it was a cancellation back into stock, rather than a 'release'?

 

[kingzac]

I got BNE-LAX on J and DFW-SYD in F for Feb 2020 just last week.
Getting the flight back was the hard part and why I pounced on the F to SYD.

I'm only a lowly silver until next week when I'm back to gold so I was surprised by the amount of flights over.