Qantas to release thousands of Classic Reward seats in Y, PE, J, F on 24 Feb 2023 around 11am

[MelbFlyer]

The thing is - she mentions all the issues with JQ as of late, but isn't willing to budge with changing to a QF business flight purely because it isn't a direct one!

 

[snabbu]

Just book QF J and tell her it was the only option.
This whole saga seems a little unreal.

 

[DC3]

Alternatively, accept your partner's JQ choice and be happy

Happy flying JQ?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Happy flying JQ?

I’d invoke the Royal family / POTUS clause:

We can not travel on the same flight just in case…

 

[N0mad]

One Christmas Day arriving in Perth everyone received a wrapped gift that was on the conveyer belt !

a Qantas umbrella ☂
which stayed in Perth with my golfing brother-in-law

The kids received gifts in both Qantas lounges (SYD+BNE) on our way to SIN last year, Daughter got a flight attendant uniform and put it on in the lounge in SYD. needless to say we were treated very well and her in particular on both flights.

kids got their photo taken in the coughpit with the captain as well.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Just book QF J and tell her it was the only option.
This whole saga seems a little unreal.

I wish it was unreal, but it's real.

Happy flying JQ?

Considering the only option from Singapore with rewards seats on the date we wanted at the time of our booking was on JQ economy, we didn't really have a choice unless we wanted to book the flight back on a separate booking.

Of course, we didn't know that Qantas would release more reward seats a few weeks later (ie. a few weeks ago).

Had I knew that, I definitely would have omitted that last leg and just booked separately.

Therefore I wouldn't say it's "happy flying JQ", but moreso no other choice.

 

[SYD]

The QF website is saying that they‘ve “extended” their “commitment of up to 50% more Classic Flight Rewards on International and Trans Tasman”.

Is anyone actually seeing much new stuff appearing?

Still pretty random on what, if anything gets released 355 odd days out. eg QF 11 might have Y+ seats but zero (0) whY and of course zip J/F.

 

[Flying Fox]

So I've called up and again some inconsistent information:
1. The agent is "unable to see" the PE reward seats that I can see and book online
2. The JQ leg is unable to be cancelled, without losing the entire itinerary (ie. the 5 legs preceding)!

So basically I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place:
- My partner won't accept a non-direct flight (even on business!!), but at the same time then complains about JQ and the latest issues etc etc..
- I can't change my flight within my existing rewards booking as the agents "can't see" what I (and this whole community) can see and select online
- The agent is claiming that I cannot cancel this leg

I've HUACA around 50 times already (literally) and I really just want to get it sorted out - why does Qantas make it so difficult - I honestly don't understand. The biggest issue to me is that it's available online, so why can't the agents see that too?!

IMHO, accept your partner's decision and go with it.

Should it go pear shaped, well then you can always say 'I told you so' or after the event if a similar impasse occurs you can say 'remember the time I suggested QF but you insisted on JQ?'

Either way, if you end up recoverying in hosital after either statement, let me know and I'll send you a box of chocolates

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So I've decided to meet halfway in between - Premium Economy on the direct Singapore to Melbourne flight even though it's only 17k points difference between PE direct and Business via BNE.

See some seats available, currently calling to see if they can see the flight (as I'd rather have everything on the one PNR rather than booking a 2nd itinerary).



I don't think she's going to buy this unfortunately!



I understand the concern and additional time about a transfer, but for lounge access in both Singapore and Brisbane plus a fully flat bed on the international overnight leg, I'd pay the extra 17k in points (plus taxes) and transfer.



Me too, but I guess not everyone else sees that logic.



Yeah it's a 11.5hr total trip vs 7.5hrs - pretty much 50% extra but business vs economy - hmm..

But thankyou everyone for your messages of support - I knew I wasn't going crazy when I thought that taking a JQ economy seat after all legs in business was a crazy idea!

In hindsight I wished there was at (the very) least a QF economy reward seat from Singapore to Melbourne at the time of our booking. Instead, we had to settle for JQ reward seats out of all flights and seats.

I couldn't think of a more useless way to use points (even compared to the Qantas store!).

Lounges in singapore are cheap… about $30. The flight SIN-BNE is going to be 6 hours and change… by the time you eat and have to wake up for breakfast your sleeping time is a few hours max. Unless you really go hardcore and miss out on all the food.

So you arrive tired, then have to connect. It’s not always roses!

 

[MelbFlyer]

IMHO, accept your partner's decision and go with it.

Should it go pear shaped, well then you can always say 'I told you so' or after the event if a similar impasse occurs you can say 'remember the time I suggested QF but you insisted on JQ?'

Either way, if you end up recoverying in hosital after either statement, let me know and I'll send you a box of chocolates

Lounges in singapore are cheap… about $30. The flight SIN-BNE is going to be 6 hours and change… by the time you eat and have to wake up for breakfast your sleeping time is a few hours max. Unless you really go hardcore and miss out on all the food.

So you arrive tired, then have to connect. It’s not always roses!

Thankyou

In the end we've just decided to stick with JQ economy as it's too much hassle to book a new trip and/or get the existing flight changed without a (probable) screw up from Qantas. Just booked some extra legroom seats and will just stick with it.

The last thing I'd want is for my whole itinerary to go pear shaped due to a change of 1 leg.

We've already changed it twice (1st leg from CX economy to CX business, then to what it currently is - QF business) and that was enough hassle having to HUACA multiple times until I got an agent who could "see" the reward seats that we could see, and change it accordingly.

We've both linked our JQ flight with Qantas lounge invitations so we should have lounge access in Singapore prior to our overnight flight.

The invitations expire prior to our travel date (invitation expires in July, and our travel date is in October), but we've already linked it to our flight and the email / QR confirmation has the date of travel, so it should be okay.

If not, I should get a 2 more invitations in a few months time when my Qantas Premier CC anniversary comes up, so if they don't accept our expired passes (even though we have a QR code w/ the travel date), I can re-link with fresh invitations.

 

[clifford]

Anyone who expects to arrive not a little bit tired after an overnight flight (in any class) is probably being rather optimistic.

My way of dealing with it (and, of course, it doesn't necessarily appeal to spouses) is to have a few drinks along the way, so that when I arrive and maybe feel a little less than pristine, a don't worry that it's the jetlag or tiredness or whatever.

Works for me (mostly).

 

[ChrisMars]

...The flight SIN-BNE is going to be 6 hours and change… by the time you eat and have to wake up for breakfast your sleeping time is a few hours max. Unless you really go hardcore and miss out on all the food.
...

This one is 7h30, I believe skipping dinner is the best thing to do in this situation. J and F Qantas lounge provide some nice food, but even without lounge, I would happily pay for an airport dinner to convert 1h30 of dinner service to 1h30 of sleep time. I flew this one recently, my bed was ready, and the second the belt sign was off, I was lying flight, do-not-disturbed engaged. I felt great the next day.

 

[SYD]

I wish it was unreal, but it's real.

Probably warrants a seperate FF Dilemma thread?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This one is 7h30, I believe skipping dinner is the best thing to do in this situation. J and F Qantas lounge provide some nice food, but even without lounge, I would happily pay for an airport dinner to convert 1h30 of dinner service to 1h30 of sleep time. I flew this one recently, my bed was ready, and the second the belt sign was off, I was lying flight, do-not-disturbed engaged. I felt great the next day.

Blocked at 7h30, flight time at the moment around 7h10. Less the time after take-off and then cabin being prepared for landing… maybe around 6 hours for sleep… if you had no meals! Flights like SIN-AU, TYO-SIN, along with trans-atlantics are pretty brutal

 

[bjhearne]

We've both linked our JQ flight with Qantas lounge invitations so we should have lounge access in Singapore prior to our overnight flight.

Just be mindful JQ are moving to T4 at Changi from the 22nd of March so you will need to leave the Qantas lounge earlier to allow enough time to catch the transfer bus to T4

 

[DAC1]

Thankyou

In the end we've just decided to stick with JQ economy as it's too much hassle to book a new trip and/or get the existing flight changed without a (probable) screw up from Qantas. Just booked some extra legroom seats and will just stick with it.

The last thing I'd want is for my whole itinerary to go pear shaped due to a change of 1 leg.

We've already changed it twice (1st leg from CX economy to CX business, then to what it currently is - QF business) and that was enough hassle having to HUACA multiple times until I got an agent who could "see" the reward seats that we could see, and change it accordingly.

We've both linked our JQ flight with Qantas lounge invitations so we should have lounge access in Singapore prior to our overnight flight.

The invitations expire prior to our travel date (invitation expires in July, and our travel date is in October), but we've already linked it to our flight and the email / QR confirmation has the date of travel, so it should be okay.

If not, I should get a 2 more invitations in a few months time when my Qantas Premier CC anniversary comes up, so if they don't accept our expired passes (even though we have a QR code w/ the travel date), I can re-link with fresh invitations.

I think JQ is moving to a different terminal in SIN from the terminal that the QF lounge is in so might need to factor that in.

 

[serfty]

Thankyou

I think JQ is moving to a different terminal in SIN from the terminal that the QF lounge is in so might need to factor that in.

Yes, from 25th March, ALL Jetstar flights (JQ and 3K) will operate out of T4 at Changi.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Just be mindful JQ are moving to T4 at Changi from the 22nd of March so you will need to leave the Qantas lounge earlier to allow enough time to catch the transfer bus to T4

I think JQ is moving to a different terminal in SIN from the terminal that the QF lounge is in so might need to factor that in.

Yep, will factor that in.

 

[PineappleSkip]

Same here JK, its a great day to fly IMO, everyone is happy, passengers & crew.
Also, you get to stay away from the in-laws and crazy cousins

My last Xmas day flight was to visit interstate inlaws and crazy cousins. The flights and the lounges were the highlights of the day.

Have you considered getting a new partner?

What, switch to a Virgin partner?

Cheers skip

 

[cjd600]

I had SYD-NAD-LAX return on FJ J, in November to go to the Las Vegas F1.
Late last Friday evening (after a frustrating hour at 11am seeing QF F for my date, but the website erroring out, when trying to select, and then being otherwise engaged for the day), I managed to get QF J SYD-LAX return, and the direct flights I was after (although wasn't too upset with the FJ I had originally to try their A359 J class).
Then this morning, logged in and checked as I usually do, for availability on my dates. And an F SYD-LAX QF11 was there, a day prior to my J, which was not there from Friday evening onwards. And a whole bunch of J QF11 from mid-Oct to early Nov. Jagged the F, very happy.
So seems some more trickle release is ongoing, for the route I have been sweating on anyway....

So, as above, I ended up with:

SYD-LAX J
LAX-SYD J on same booking.

When SYD-LAX F popped up, I jumped on that with a separate booking straight away, rather than just changing the first leg above from J to F.
Yesterday got around to calling to drop the SYD-LAX leg from the initial booking, with some trepidation.
Off to a bad start as "needing to make a change to an award booking" somehow got received as wanting to convert a commercial fare to an award.
No, I already have an award, I just want to remove the first leg, and leave the second leg in place.Make a change to my existing award booking.
Eventually get understanding of the requirement.
She says, i will check on the fare conditions and the fees to be charged.
I say, its a standard classic award, so 5k points penalty to Change, and refund of points + charges.
Eventually get agreement on this as well, we are doing well 60mins in.
Finally she proudly advises she has cancelled he first leg and left the second leg in place, refund coming etc.
I had been checking MMB and saw the first leg drop off, and all seemed well.
My OCD meant another check of my current bookings, and the remaining LAX-SYD leg had also now disappeared.
Aaaargh, now left with my SYD-LAX F and no way home, bracing myself to do battle with QF CC to get the LAX-SYD reinstated (was confident this could be done as QF metal, and call recording would clearly show where the error lay, and what the intent was)). But did not have the stomach to do battle to get this understanding, agreement, and rectification processed.
A quick check of available awards, and my cancelled LAX-SYD J was now appearing as available again. Snapped it up, thankfully had a bank of points to allow it without the cancellation refund points coming through.
Heart attack averted, but another example of the Call Centre incompetence.....