International Award Seats

[Expon]

Hi guys,

I was having a chat with a few people at work today and we were wondering if new international awards seats become available closer to departure date? This is probably more applicable to business class but still valid for economy.

Do more business class seats open up closer to departure date? what is a common window for them to be made available?

I thought if anyone knows the answer it would be found in the wealth of experience and knowledge these forums provide.

 

[NM]

yes, it does happen. But it depends completely on how the QF Yield Management folks they they going with selling seats for real revenue. So its only going to happen for flights with light loads and little prospect of selling the seats. If the flight is well sold and they think they can get more last minute sales, then no extra seats will be released into the award buckets.

 

[littl_flier]

With QF, not very often but it's been known to happen occassionally. More of a chance with carriers like BA though. I've heard of being able to book a F award on BA on the morning of departure after seats opened up.

 

[Mal]

It definately does happen.

For example, I saw a F seat SYD-HKG on QF available mid Jan when I was looking last night. There's no logical reason why that's remained available for a good 300 days.

I bet that wasn't available before a few days ago

As NM says though, you're unlikely to find the hugely popular routes suddenly showing availability in J or F. Think SYD-LAX or SYD-LHR!