Qantas deliberately hiding QF awards to QFF and pushing JQ seats instead?

[MervinL]

Background: I dont fly Qantas much, in fact I'd avoid at all costs. Regardless, I'm a silver, and have lots of points. I also have AA and Alaskan points which I use to book QF J - if I have to fly them.

Looking at 4 Economy award seats in October for the family to return from Singapore to Perth. AA showing plenty of dates with 4 seats available.
View attachment 366430

Zero chance of finding these same seats on Qantas' website, literally just shows Jetstar ONLY. How is it that AA Advantage members with zero status can have better access to Qantas metal than QFF silver?

Here is all I see with a Qantas search. Seems really fishy, plenty of JQ space
View attachment 366431

I must admit, as someone who can been using points for premium travel from several carriers over many years. Qantas points have slowly but surely slipped to being the absolute worst. No chance I'd ever touch another QFF earning CC

I've NOT had any issues trying to book using points for international or domestic with QF. I'm a bronze member with QF Club and have always been able to find plenty of options when I am looking. Very happy and satisfied with my experience over at least 20yrs of FF membership

 

[encryptededdy]

I've NOT had any issues trying to book using points for international or domestic with QF. I'm a bronze member with QF Club and have always been able to find plenty of options when I am looking. Very happy and satisfied with my experience over at least 20yrs of FF membership

Welcome to AFF. Are you mostly searching for Economy or Premium class seats? I find Economy seats on QF to be quite good compared to some other programs, but the same cannot be said about premium classes.

 

[VeniVidiVici]

I've NOT had any issues trying to book using points for international or domestic with QF. I'm a bronze member with QF Club and have always been able to find plenty of options when I am looking. Very happy and satisfied with my experience over at least 20yrs of FF membership

Tell us your secrets...

I've booked a few trips using rewards as a bronze but I'd never say I didn't have a problem or that it was easy. Currently looking to book a trip to SEA, in fact anywhere but seats are as rare as hen's teeth unless it's DPS on Jetstar

 

[Andy72]

Tell us your secrets...

I've booked a few trips using rewards as a bronze but I'd never say I didn't have a problem or that it was easy. Currently looking to book a trip to SEA, in fact anywhere but seats are as rare as hen's teeth unless it's DPS on Jetstar

The multi city tool is your friend. Lots of AA / AS rewards that you can use qantas points to redeem

 

[Flyings ok]

I cross referenced with BA Executive Club, they show no availability. So it matches QF’s. Wonder if the AA space is phantom?

Not phantom. I use my AA points on Qantas flights as can get flights not visible on QFF site. Is simply another 'legal' rort Qantas has discovered. There is no end to how low they will go if it serves them. I simply cannot seem to be able to use my QFF points on anything that is not just Syd-Mel etc. Good luck getting Asia or Europe.

 

[p--and--t]

Not phantom. I use my AA points on Qantas flights as can get flights not visible on QFF site. Is simply another 'legal' rort Qantas has discovered. There is no end to how low they will go if it serves them. I simply cannot seem to be able to use my QFF points on anything that is not just Syd-Mel etc. Good luck getting Asia or Europe.

Obviously you didn't look too hard. Got at least 8 flights to Asia in last 18 months off QF multi sector booking engine

 

[jpp42]

Not phantom. I use my AA points on Qantas flights as can get flights not visible on QFF site. Is simply another 'legal' rort Qantas has discovered. There is no end to how low they will go if it serves them.

Eh, if you check the threads on Qantas IT glitches, I think Hanlon's Razor applies here - Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity. Qantas's IT systems are old and creaky (polite terms), and AFF'ers compare the company's expertise level to work experience kids. Keep in mind that QFF points are a liability to Qantas Group - they want people to spend them. Spending them on partner airline capacity is not something they'd actively want to block. So, while yes they should improve their systems to avoid such frustrations, I don't think it's likely to be on purpose.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I think it is an open secret at this point that Qantas opens up more classic award availability to its partners like AA than people who are Lifetime Bronze or Silver members who are limited to what 255 days or something like that?

 

[elanshin]

I think it is an open secret at this point that Qantas opens up more classic award availability to its partners like AA than people who are Lifetime Bronze or Silver members who are limited to what 255 days or something like that?

I actually believe right now that QF is on a deliberate ploy not to release their inventory at 353 days and 323 days for status holders and instead do drops like the one in Sep.

That way the general flying public feels like they have a chance to use their points which has been one of the gripes coming out of covid. Of course serious FF are on top of any reward drops and get onto it fast (see all the good EU J flights disappearing within a day last drop).

 

[FlyingFiona]

Of course serious FF are on top of any reward drops and get onto it fast (see all the good EU J flights disappearing within a day last drop).

Because they sit on their laptops everyday at midnight or because they have intel?

 

[exLXCXFF]

Because they sit on their laptops everyday at midnight or because they have intel?

I‘d say a combo of both, and because the have an abundance of points to burn.

 

[lovestotravel]

I actually believe right now that QF is on a deliberate ploy not to release their inventory at 353 days and 323 days for status holders and instead do drops like the one in Sep.

That way the general flying public feels like they have a chance to use their points which has been one of the gripes coming out of covid. Of course serious FF are on top of any reward drops and get onto it fast (see all the good EU J flights disappearing within a day last drop).

The last LHR flights that dropped around 10/11am Sydney time, were gone in less than 2 hours.

 

[VeniVidiVici]

The multi city tool is your friend. Lots of AA / AS rewards that you can use qantas points to redeem

I always use multi city, again, I wouldn't say it's easy.

Multi city should be renamed glitch city with the amount of errors it throws up.

 

[SYD]

I always use multi city, again, I wouldn't say it's easy.

Multi city should be renamed glitch city with the amount of errors it throws up.

They fixed one glitch that it now remembers your last search (handy if going back to change dates).

 

[appaz]

Another example of Qantas taking the p!ss?

AAdvantage

QFF

Same flight, same plane, same date
AA fees & taxes USD$27.60
Qantas fees & taxes USD$236.20

Explain how Qantas can be USD$200+ more per passenger for the exact same flight?

 

[bussyboy]

AA fees & taxes USD$27.60
Qantas fees & taxes USD$236.20

Explain how Qantas can be AUD$250 more per passenger for the exact same flight?

Is it different agreements between AA and JL, or just profiteering?

Either way, I'm happy to buy USD from you at 0.8344USD/AUD if you're selling

 

[appaz]

Is it different agreements between AA and JL, or just profiteering?

Either way, I'm happy to buy USD from you at 0.8344USD/AUD if you're selling

Left out the ++

You get the point, this seems extreme. Looking a similar flights with Alaskan Mileage Plan, fees and taxes reflective of those charged on AA.

So poor Qantas gets shafted by JAL? Unlikely...

 

[madrooster]

So poor Qantas gets shafted by JAL? Unlikely...

The QF/JL agreement is that QF collects fuel surcharges on JL flights. AA doesn't collect fuel surcharges for JL on redemptions, which I presume to because AA's base reimbursement rate to JL is higher.

QF's redemption tables somewhat assume the mileage flown is a long haul route in their pricing. For this reason longer intra-region routes like NRT-CGK are bad value.

 

[appaz]

The QF/JL agreement is that QF collects fuel surcharges on JL flights. AA doesn't collect fuel surcharges for JL on redemptions, which I presume to because AA's base reimbursement rate to JL is higher.

QF's redemption tables somewhat assume the mileage flown is a long haul route in their pricing. For this reason longer intra-region routes like NRT-CGK are bad value.

Bad value, yes thats one way of putting it

2.5x the points and 10x the fees, poor Qantas

Where exactly is the good value with redeeming QFF points these days?

 

[madrooster]

2.5x the points and 10x the fees, poor Qantas

Where exactly is the good value with redeeming QFF points these days?

If you think QF's collection of fuel surcharges (that are set by JL by the way) are bad... check out what EK charges their members for redeeming on QF.

There is plenty of value to be had in QFF. Every program has sweet spots... make good use of them.