Oneworld Classic Flight Reward Discussion - The Definitive Thread

[Vrz]

Does anyone know of any blackout dates for reward seats?
from some basic google searches it seems that most airlines don't list any blackout dates.

Specifically I was looking at early July 2024 (KUL-> PER) (KUL -> ADL) via Malaysian Airlines,
I have been monitoring it for the past few weeks and it seems like each day seats would be released (+360 days approx)
But recently it seems like MAS stopped releasing dates after late June 2024.

is it the case of blackout dates? or is there a pause at the moment, then the seat release will catch up again?

 

[levelnine]

is it the case of blackout dates? or is there a pause at the moment, then the seat release will catch up again?

There is no list because each airline is different and each airline is constantly changing what they release. It is particularly dynamic in the post-COVID environment.

One possibility is that they have halted releasing award seats because late June is entering peak travel season, which will be even worse next year due to the Olympics. But I could be wrong and they start releasing them again tomorrow. Again, no one knows with 100% certainty.

 

[Vrz]

Is it typical for reward seats to not be released during peak travel season?
Using previous years as a reference?

 

[levelnine]

Is it typical for reward seats to not be released during peak travel season?
Using previous years as a reference?

I had a quick look at your route.

MH are still releasing seats at the end of the schedule, so no idea what you're on about:

 

[Aceskywalker]

Sorry, not sure mate but I've got another question...I've got a rtw trip starting in Denpasar (so taxes etc. priced in Ind Rup.) I'm trying to add sectors but Q call centre is saying they can't price it & that I need to call Qantas Denpasar direct +622125556300 for them to price it? Does anyone know if this is correct, it's Fiji & Manila CC giving the advice so not confident it's correct...

Just a follow up, I sent reward escalation an email & they got back to me, Fiji & Manilla call centres had given the wrong advice, nothing knew I know but that both calls centres had consensus & gave the same wrong advice is baffling...I'll give them credit for being consistant though. Once on it, reward escalation team very professional & quick, amazing!

 

[Vrz]

I had a quick look at your route.

MH are still releasing seats at the end of the schedule, so no idea what you're on about:
View attachment 336062

View attachment 336063

So those dates you see there (27/6, 28/6...etc)
Came out about a week ago, one day at a time.

I've been monitoring daily, and nothing has come out for about a week or so.
Using the previous schedule of release the seats, it should have been roughly released up to 6/7/24 by now

 

[levelnine]

So those dates you see there (27/6, 28/6...etc)
Came out about a week ago, one day at a time.

I've been monitoring daily, and nothing has come out for about a week or so.
Using the previous schedule of release the seats, it should have been roughly released up to 6/7/24 by now

You are confused.

Qantas' booking calendar opens 353 days in advance, which is currently 30 June 2024. It isn't even open for July 2024 yet.

 

[am0985]

I was looking at CMB - MEL on UL (not for OWA just for a single trip), they've abruptly blocked off daily seats appearing on this from July 1st 2024 despite appearing before.

You can still get LHR - CMB from July 1st currently, though I wonder if this is a school holiday thing as VIC school holidays begin at this point. If so then LHR - CMB will likely dry up a couple of weeks into July 2024.

Post automatically merged: Jul 13, 2023

You are confused.

Qantas' booking calendar opens 353 days in advance, which is currently 30 June 2024. It isn't even open for July 2024 yet.

View attachment 336067

I believe they were asking about MH seats not QF.

QF's calendar is only for seats on QF metal, it is possible to find seats after 30th June 2024 for airlines that release them (as long as "flexible with dates.."is ticked).

 

[levelnine]

I believe they were asking about MH seats not QF.

QF's calendar is only for seats on QF metal, it is possible to find seats after 30th June 2024 for airlines that release them (as long as "flexible with dates.."is ticked).

Incorrect. Even with flexible dates checked:

 

[Mr H]

You are confused.

Qantas' booking calendar opens 353 days in advance, which is currently 30 June 2024. It isn't even open for July 2024 yet.

If you click on flexible dates the calendar view will show some later dates too.

 

[am0985]

Incorrect. Even with flexible dates checked:
View attachment 336068

No, you're in the wrong here. This shows MH may be limiting seats after the 30th. This isn't down to the QF 353 day deadline though.

You can still see seats for routes even after the 353 deadline for other airlines. Search for example LHR - CMB and enter 30/06/2023 as the date with flexible dates.

The system will only allow you to select 30th when you search but you can see availability into early July.

 

[levelnine]

This shows MH may be limiting seats after the 30th. This isn't down to the QF 353 day deadline though.

Apologies, I shouldn't have cited the QF353 deadline as the reason.

 

[Vrz]

I was looking at CMB - MEL on UL (not for OWA just for a single trip), they've abruptly blocked off daily seats appearing on this from July 1st 2024 despite appearing before.

You can still get LHR - CMB from July 1st currently, though I wonder if this is a school holiday thing as VIC school holidays begin at this point. If so then LHR - CMB will likely dry up a couple of weeks into July 2024.

Post automatically merged: Jul 13, 2023

I believe they were asking about MH seats not QF.

QF's calendar is only for seats on QF metal, it is possible to find seats after 30th June 2024 for airlines that release them (as long as "flexible with dates.."is ticked).

Thanks for your confirmation.

This was my experience as well, leading up to the 29/30 of July 24 the reward seats were being released daily. (this was about a week ago)
But it seems to have stopped now.

In previous years or previous school holidays have these been blackout periods?
And did the reward seats eventually get released? or do they airlines tend to keep it as revenue fares only?

 

[Mr H]

In previous years or previous school holidays have these been blackout periods?
And did the reward seats eventually get released? or do they airlines tend to keep it as revenue fares only?

I have not tracked this extensively but have come across flights with various airlines/routesthat have been added daily suddenly drying up. I have never really thought about the reason and have not seen them added later but I have generally just changed my plans/routes/dates to something that is available - so maybe they do get added when I have long since forgotten about them.

 

[melbkate]

Could someone help with this search issue?

When I use multi-city on QF for MEL-BKK for my first leg I get J seats via Tokyo on JL - going MEL-NRT-BKK

However if I search up the same date June 3 for only MEL-NRT I only get economy...

 

[Captain Halliday]

Could someone help with this search issue?

When I use multi-city on QF for MEL-BKK for my first leg I get J seats via Tokyo on JL - going MEL-NRT-BKK

However if I search up the same date June 3 for only MEL-NRT I only get economy...

It’s likely MSC.

 

[Mr H]

Could someone help with this search issue?

When I use multi-city on QF for MEL-BKK for my first leg I get J seats via Tokyo on JL - going MEL-NRT-BKK

However if I search up the same date June 3 for only MEL-NRT I only get economy...

As Captain Halliday says - it is probably a married sector issue. Married sectors mean the route is sold, not the individual flights. Or sometimes individual sectors are sold and can't be married to create a connection. It's all about inventory management for the airlines.

 

[melbkate]

As Captain Halliday says - it is probably a married sector issue. Married sectors mean the route is sold, not the individual flights. Or sometimes individual sectors are sold and can't be married to create a connection. It's all about inventory management for the airlines.

Thanks is there anyway to know what airlines have married at all or just by process of elimination?

 

[Mr H]

Thanks is there anyway to know what airlines have married at all or just by process of elimination?

Most of them seem to do it to a greater or lesser extent. I have encountered it with QF, SQ, JL, MH, CX but I am sure there have been other flights where I simply haven't noticed.

 

[melbkate]

Quick question are there any cons to starting a OWA booking from another country from where I am eventually hoping to depart?

Example wanting MEL-BKK-AMM-FCO and returning home.

I can see some seats from BKK-FCO and also some coming home from HEL-NRT should I grab them or does the originating city / country need to be from Australia for the better tax calculations and possibly the rules?