QF early-2017 award availability - restricted to elite status holders?

[Quickstatus]

From the T&Cs: Double Status Credits may not be earned on some fare types and booking classes including Classic Flight Rewards and any flight with a QF flight number on the ticket which is not operated by Qantas including Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Valuair, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Pacific and other partner airlines. (my bolding)



Regards,

BD

thanks BD that is right change JQ to QF

 

[ETA_2022]

This is nuts.

On Jan 16 2017, I can't get 2 P (F award) seats on QF9. I'm an NB.

But I can get 2 P seats on QF9 to Dubai with the remainder on Emirates. I can also get 2 P seats on QF1 to Dubai, with QF9 from Dubai to London, which arrives at the same time as the QF9 only flight!

So I can't 2 P seats on QF9, but I can fly on the same plane in F, to Dubai or from Dubai, but not both. The 2 P seats are available, but Qantas won't allow me to book them.

I can get 2 P seats on QF9 on a later date.

 

[cjd600]

This is nuts.

On Jan 16 2017, I can't get 2 P (F award) seats on QF9. I'm an NB.

But I can get 2 P seats on QF9 to Dubai with the remainder on Emirates. I can also get 2 P seats on QF1 to Dubai, with QF9 from Dubai to London, which arrives at the same time as the QF9 only flight!

So I can't 2 P seats on QF9, but I can fly on the same plane in F, to Dubai or from Dubai, but not both. The 2 P seats are available, but Qantas won't allow me to book them.

I can get 2 P seats on QF9 on a later date.

Try multi-city MEL-DXB DXB-LHR for 16/17 Jan

 

[mviy]

I should add that ideally we would like 4 of us to get J seats on the same award flights for June next year on QF operated flights MEL to LHR. Would me getting WP help our chances much or not much difference to me holding SG? I would probably book 2 of the seats with a relative holding QC and PS booking the other two.

 

[cjd600]

I should add that ideally we would like 4 of us to get J seats on the same award flights for June next year on QF operated flights MEL to LHR. Would me getting WP help our chances much or not much difference to me holding SG? I would probably book 2 of the seats with a relative holding QC and PS booking the other two.

4 J's straight up on the one flight would be most unlikely I'd say.....regardless of status.
But, I managed it as PS SYD-DFW, so it can happen (havent seen 4 x J released on that route since though).
What WP would do is allow you to request release of seats -ie, book 2 upon release (2J seems max on most 'popular' routes, generally), and then request release of another 2.
Far from guaranteed this would be successful, but at least WP puts you in the position to be able to ask.....your chances may increase if flying on a tues/weds

 

[Quickstatus]

Unlikely.

PS may not even see one. And WP will not be able to get 4
You might have better luck for 1-2 to fly P (first reward) and the rest in U.

QC does not increase PS chances of nabbing U seats.

 

[TahoeSkier]

Hi all

Managed to jag 2x U seats for our QF94 return flight in late Feb! Very happy with this.

Now I am wondering how best to tackle QF93 (or QF11) over, mid-late Jan. Seems there's a few options:

-Keep monitoring the website and pray that 2x U open up on a day that we can travel over (unlikely)
-Book two cheap Y sale fares closer to the date (not eligible for upgrade)
-Book two Z/X Reward seats and apply for upgrade to U (not the best use of points, but very doable and allows upgrade)

Thoughts?

 

[Quickstatus]

Well done.

Buying a one way ticket transpacific is relatively expensive because it's nearly the price of a return ticket.
Y sale fares tend to be discounted only if you get a return ticket. It is unlikely that there will be cheaper Y sale fares for Jan 2017 between now and departure.

QF is seeing a slump in their forward bookings but mainly in the QFdom division- so you never know.

Other than getting a X/Z award and attempting to upgrade with points with unlikely success I would suggest Jetstar!

Yes Jetstar!!!!!

JQ 3 SYD-HNL flying the new plastic fantastic 787.
You could fly Starclass - JQ bizzo which is similar to QFcdomestic business.

Most importantly, this flight has had one way fares in the past about half the price of return.
Then get a cheap US first class domestic flight HNL to wherever in the USA.!!

Alternatively just over the horizon, try AKL-LAX (another 787) operated by AA starting from mid June. I think the flight numbers are not yet confirmed as regulatory approval pending but the QF codeshare is probably QF3225.

 

[ETA_2022]

Try multi-city MEL-DXB DXB-LHR for 16/17 Jan

Thanks, that worked and cost no more in points or taxes, etc. than a direct flight. Weird.

Also discovered that where there is a U (J award) seat available and the domestic connection for U is J, then the domestic connection for P (F award) is also J. If the domestic connection for U is Y, then the domestic connection for P is also Y and if U isn't available, then the domestic connection for P is Y too.

Not by any means an expert, but I have yet to see an instance where P gets a J domestic connection, if U isn't available or U's domestic connection is Y. This is in spite of U seats being available via a separate booking.

Bizarrely booking a multi-city MEL-SYD U and SYD-LHR-MEL P, costs the same in points and taxes as a MEL-(SYD)-LHR-MEL P with the MEL-SYD connection in Y and $12.40 less in taxes than a MEL-(SYD)-LHR-MEL P with the MEL-SYD connection in J.

So the lesson from this is, if you can't find a direct flight use multi-city, and if necessary, grab a J domestic connection and it should be no more expensive than a flight that includes a Y domestic connection and could actually be a bit cheaper than a flight that includes a J domestic connection.

 

[TahoeSkier]

Well done.

Buying a one way ticket transpacific is relatively expensive because it's nearly the price of a return ticket.
Y sale fares tend to be discounted only if you get a return ticket. It is unlikely that there will be cheaper Y sale fares for Jan 2017 between now and departure.

QF is seeing a slump in their forward bookings but mainly in the QFdom division- so you never know.

Other than getting a X/Z award and attempting to upgrade with points with unlikely success I would suggest Jetstar!

Yes Jetstar!!!!!

I would hope the fares drop in price a little? Right now it's roughly $1850 for a return fare - in past years we've managed to get return flights for approx $1150. If return did drop to $1150 ish again, what would I expect to pay for one way? Right now, roughly $1100.

Interesting re: jetstar, but with ski gear, the baggage allowance would not be sufficient, and adding a stop (or two if via SYD) does complicate things somewhat. There's value in boarding in MEL and stepping off in LAX.

X/Z reward may be our best bet after all. Roughly what taxes would apply on top of the 45k points per pax? I can't do a dummy run right now.

 

[BD1959]

X/Z reward may be our best bet after all. Roughly what taxes would apply on top of the 45k points per pax? I can't do a dummy run right now.

$244.

Regards,

BD

 

[Quickstatus]

Taxes are same as revenue ticket.

I don't think prices will drop. They have been steadily increasing in the last few years so the comparison will not be valid.

As a comparo. I bought J SYD-MEL-LAX return in February this year for a flight mid December-mid January for $5200. You can't get that now. The routing was to fit in with 3U SYD-MEL-LAX. And as a side bonus extra 80SC without the extra cost - same as QF11/12

No way you can get that price on that routing now.

 

[Kangol]

Thanks, that worked and cost no more in points or taxes, etc. than a direct flight. Weird.

Also discovered that where there is a U (J award) seat available and the domestic connection for U is J, then the domestic connection for P (F award) is also J. If the domestic connection for U is Y, then the domestic connection for P is also Y and if U isn't available, then the domestic connection for P is Y too.

Not by any means an expert, but I have yet to see an instance where P gets a J domestic connection, if U isn't available or U's domestic connection is Y. This is in spite of U seats being available via a separate booking.

Bizarrely booking a multi-city MEL-SYD U and SYD-LHR-MEL P, costs the same in points and taxes as a MEL-(SYD)-LHR-MEL P with the MEL-SYD connection in Y and $12.40 less in taxes than a MEL-(SYD)-LHR-MEL P with the MEL-SYD connection in J.

So the lesson from this is, if you can't find a direct flight use multi-city, and if necessary, grab a J domestic connection and it should be no more expensive than a flight that includes a Y domestic connection and could actually be a bit cheaper than a flight that includes a J domestic connection.

Probably due to "married segments" - do a search for more info.

 

[ETA_2022]

Probably due to "married segments" - do a search for more info.

Kangol, what is "probably due to married segments"?

 

[TahoeSkier]

Taxes are same as revenue ticket.

I don't think prices will drop. They have been steadily increasing in the last few years so the comparison will not be valid.

True. And yes I do recall MEL-LAX J being doable for circa $5.2k earlier in the year - doesn't get much better than that surely?

I think we will just jump on some X/Z Rewards on QF93 and be done with it. Keeps the dollar cost low, leaves the door open for a (slim) chance of upgrade, and keeps the flight direct.

Really appreciate all the advice too!

 

[Quickstatus]

True. And yes I do recall MEL-LAX J being doable for circa $5.2k earlier in the year - doesn't get much better than that surely?

I think we will just jump on some X/Z Rewards on QF93 and be done with it. Burn a few points, leaves the door open for a (slim) chance of upgrade, and keeps the flight direct.

Really appreciate all the advice too!

The good thing about going the X/Z rewards is the ease of cancellation or changing to a U if the stars align and an opportunity arises closer to blast off day.

As of today using a WP account there are no 2U MEL-LAX or even transiting via SYD/BNE.
There is a smattering of 1U during Feb2017. As a WP there is a fair chance I can request 1 extra on those flights.

There are 2Z though but these are via BNE which i can also see with a NB account. There are 2Z on 93 but rare - eg Jan 19

I would strongly suggest booking 2Z now. Easy to change and cancel later.

 

[TahoeSkier]

I would strongly suggest booking 2Z now. Easy to change and cancel later.

I can see four suitable days with 2x Z as an NB on 93. Just waiting on some QFF pts to credit then we will jump.

Have you flown PE? Is it worth the points hike over a Y seat? Looks pretty good, but in terms of points just annoyingly close to a U Reward!

 

[Quickstatus]

U is the sweet spot. Nevertheless with Z/W:

Z/W checkin lane
Separate boarding lane away from the great unwashed
Bigger pillow and blanket
An annoying drink while you endure the great unwashed walking past you into Y.
The seat: greater recline, elbow room, leg room - apparently similar to Domestic J (but not as good- very slightly)
Use of J toilets
Slightly better food
No qantas pyjamas.
FA smile more

I think its worth the extra points over Y.

Apparently the seats are slightly harder.

No access to lounge unless you have at least SG status or QC

If you have not done it before I suggest doing it once and see for yourself.

 

[TahoeSkier]

No access to lounge unless you have at least SG status or QC

If you have not done it before I suggest doing it once and see for yourself.

2x lounge passes on the way as part of my QFF Amex Card so the flight over is covered, and lounge in LAX automatically due to flying U I assume?

Good idea, I would like to check it out. I was booked into PE return in 2013, but was lucky enough to be upgraded both flights!

 

[Quickstatus]

U = auto lounge access in J lounge which unfortunately at LAX even with renos gets very busy.
As soon as you get into lounge suggest booking a shower spot