Is it even possible to get classic awards in business internationally anymore?

[smckay]

As a newly minted SG I have found little change in the QF rewards from Australia but maybe a few more on the other carriers compared to my time as Silver.
But, I was pretty lucky to score rewards flights Syd-Akl in J on the dares I needed last/this week within 2 days if departure.
I still think QF are miserable in their premium cabin offerings compared to other carriers, but that is balanced by their limited international routes. They are still a business that needs to turn a profit. I have been told by QF callcentre staff some time ago that 2 J seats per flight are made available which would explain the ‘lack’ of seats.
All of my J rewards have been with other carriers and multiple legs. I think of all the rewards flights made in the past 6 years, typically one every year only 1 has been direct which was LHR-SYD in J. Even the call centre lady congratulated me on my win

 

[Sydney88]

I've noticed there's barley anything compared to earlier in the year when I was looking. Unless there's something wrong with my profile I can't find a single classic reward J ticket to Europe or US from Sydney on QF or Partner any date.

 

[am0985]

Important to remember QF status only helps you for QF inventory. Vast majority of possibilities on QFF won't be with QF anyway especially given how stingy they are giving out seats to even higher status flyers - so what you'll be similar to everyone else.

 

[Sydney88]

Has anyone noticed that when searching classic rewards there is J availability showing in where can I go or on the header showing different dates under the normal search e.g. 19th July it's showing a reward flight for 159,000 points Syd to Rome but I can't view the reward to book. I assume it's visible to >Platinum is anyone able to have a look and confirm?

 

[jrfsp]

Has anyone noticed that when searching classic rewards there is J availability showing in where can I go or on the header showing different dates under the normal search e.g. 19th July it's showing a reward flight for 159,000 points Syd to Rome but I can't view the reward to book. I assume it's visible to >Platinum is anyone able to have a look and confirm?

Cant see it, nothing around those dates for classic reward

 

[smckay]

I saw one BA to LHR then FCO but that was all Y. No J seats I could see.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Not QF metal, but heads up that it appears Fiji has just (or at least very recently) released heaps of J availability throughout their schedule in 2023, including over the July school holidays. Lots of availability to be found across the network, but notably the A359 for the entire trip SYD-NAN-LAX and back.

I booked via Alaska to use up the rest of the points (and fantastic redemption rate), but a quick look at QF's website shows plenty of availability there as well.

 

[Sydney88]

It's odd that the searching the where I can go map shows reward seats and even when you click to book them they show up in the header but they aren't below to book. I saw a Plat One said on another thread they could see a reward seat that a Plat couldn't see so maybe they can see them. Not expecting that I'll have a chance at getting them but would be interesting to know what's going on as it must be getting that data from somewhere.

 

[4lex]

I noticed the same problem with the where can I go tool. (WP). Wasn't able to book these on the phone either, ladies said the rewards displayed simply didn't exist. I eventually found per syd dfw den lhr doh per in j&f after about a month of half an hour a day with the multi city tool booking one leg at a time, and it cost an extra week away, about half a mill and a few grand in surcharges

 

[Deno]

use the multi city tool and look at leaving from other cities as well

I am about to book an award booking. Do you use the multi city tool to return from a different location? I want to Fly Singapore - London, but fly back, Paris - Singapore. Is that Possible?

 

[VPS]

I am about to book an award booking. Do you use the multi city tool to return from a different location? I want to Fly Singapore - London, but fly back, Paris - Singapore. Is that Possible?

I'm pretty sure you can - give it a whirl - you don't have to continue to booking

 

[Deno]

Thanks, I will give it a crack.

 

[smckay]

I am about to book an award booking. Do you use the multi city tool to return from a different location? I want to Fly Singapore - London, but fly back, Paris - Singapore. Is that Possible?

Yes. That's how I have got most of my rewards flights.

 

[Guvner]

Quite a bit of EK F over the next few months available ex MEL/SYD.

example:

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Quite a bit of EK F over the next few months available ex MEL/SYD.

example:
View attachment 287401

Good heavens that co-pay.

 

[FFnoob11]

I can see Emirates availability (business, economy) starting around ~March-April next year for Sydney - major European destinations, but no availability in any class after early April. Similar for Qatar (although a couple of weeks ago I could see a lot of Qatar first availability to Paris/Amsterdam/Madrid around July 2023)

Any ideas why? I thought Emirates was 328 days out which should mean early July 2023? And Qatar 361 days?

[I'm an gold FF if that makes a difference]

 

[Guvner]

Good heavens that co-pay.

About 15% of the rev fare. Quite a few QF metal awards are around 10-15% so, yes, at the top end, but not way over the top.

 

[Rosege]

Good heavens that co-pay.

Every so often I find a J fare cheaper than what the co-pay is (generally not One World though).

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

QF's co-pays aren't my preferred benchmark either, though I suppose EK's aren't too over the top when compared to them.

That said, I had a seat in F booked on QF metal with 70,000 Alaska miles and about $8 in taxes from LAX-SYD that I lost during Covid. Those redemption rates still exist, though the availability is obviously not there (even via QF with the [imho] ridiculous co-pay).

 

[SYD]

Good heavens that co-pay.

Discussed at length here and not just a QFF redemption issue…

Emirates hikes up carrier charges on reward seats

Emirates has jacked up its already-high carrier charges (including via QFF) according to Point Hacks, eg Perth-Vienna in J or F has gone from $452 to $974 one way. Crikey! https://www.pointhacks.com.au/skywards/emirates-increases-carrier-charges-qantas-rewards/

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au