QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[jimmy hutspah]

great result this morning. called early (7am) got SA a couple times - HUACA - got Suva on 3rd time but the guy (Eddie) seemed pretty competent so thought i'd give it a crack. Requested MEL-DFW J class on 3 diff dates on the way out (late Oct, 24), and LAX-MEL on 2 diff dates on the way back, in either J or F (mid Nov, 24). He sent the requests off to the bot and about 3 minutes later every single one of them came back a Yes, so had my choice of any combo. I'm WP.

Note: Actually just returned from a similar US trip (J over & F back) also from a reward request, though that time i didn't get my exact date preferences. but its easily the best perk of WP.

 

[rejuvinate]

Hi as WP I was unsuccessful in requesting

HND - PER in Y on the 23rd March 2024
However HND - SYD QF60 does have classic reward availability in Y.
But then needing to move on to Perth, is there any way that I can avoid the need to have to collect bags for say flight QF651 SYD - PER?
Just a bit worried about that...

(& apparently no other options for classic reward in Y through to Perth whether coming back via SYD / BNE / MEL)

Thanks

 

[RichardMEL]

Hi as WP I was unsuccessful in requesting

HND - PER in Y on the 23rd March 2024
However HND - SYD QF60 does have classic reward availability in Y.
But then needing to move on to Perth, is there any way that I can avoid the need to have to collect bags for say flight QF651 SYD - PER?
Just a bit worried about that...

(& apparently no other options for classic reward in Y through to Perth whether coming back via SYD / BNE / MEL)

Thanks

A little confused by what you're saying? First you say you were declined, but seems like you've gotten HND-SYD and then you have a separate ticket on QF651 SYD-PER? Is that correct?

Anyway, the only way you can avoid collecting bags is to fly with Hand Luggage Only (HLO). Otherwise ALL arrivals into Australia are required to clear customs andimmigration. In this case, in SYD, and re-check.

Now, if you had a booking on the QF5 (if it's running that day) SYD-PER (for March I have a feeling that's a no) that would then be a way to avoid it (as it's an "international" tag flight and the connection technically would be int-int and youclear in PER)

Otherwise, you will have to clear customs in SYD and transfer to domestic to catch the QF651 SYD-PER domestic flight. If it's a separate ticket, you may run into problems if there's a delay..... (though being QF->QF would be helpful)

 

[RichardMEL]

Funny experience this evening requesting DFW-MEL in early Jan; Flight showing J9 C9 D0 I9 (yes, that's D0 I9) - the QF agent even confirmed that was correct at his end, and weird. Went on to say that I needed D class open for the request - I reminded him of the I and he was oh, yes...) . Anyway he then told me there was a blackout on ex-US Jan 1-9 and he didn't think it would... oh it just released and confirmed. LOL. So that was odd, weird, and appreciated

 

[jukebox333]

Tried again for QF9 MEL-PER Jx2 in early January

J9 C9 D9 I7 W9 R9 T9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V8 S0 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0

Agent put the request into the system and asked me to hold - still no joy... :-(

Will try again between Christmas and New Year

 

[sudoer]

Tried again for QF9 MEL-PER Jx2 in early January

J9 C9 D9 I7 W9 R9 T9 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V8 S0 N0 Q0 O0 X0 E0

Agent put the request into the system and asked me to hold - still no joy... :-(

Will try again between Christmas and New Year

What are the loads for MEL-LHR?

 

[Princess Fiona]

I have just had both U and P released (one seat) on QF1 for January SYD-LHR and also Ux 1 on QF12 for February.

 

[Kangol]

I have just had both U and P released (one seat) on QF1 for January SYD-LHR and also Ux 1 on QF12 for February.

Whilst a low probability of the QF1 release at one month out, it certainly keeps the naysayers quiet about QF1/2 releases being impossible.

 

[ChrisMars]

Whilst a low probability of the QF1 release at one month out, it certainly keeps the naysayers quiet about QF1/2 releases being impossible.

I believe those were P1 requests?

 

[RichardMEL]

I believe those were P1 requests?

Yes, P1.

I'd note though that the aforementioned DFW-MEL release I got for under a month's time was OK'd by the bot - so a WP could have gotten this I imagine. I had MEL-DFW on review and that was confirmed this morning. Happy (peak travel days)

 

[Princess Fiona]

I believe those were P1 requests?

Yes they were for me

 

[jukebox333]

What are the loads for MEL-LHR?

I don't know, sorry - just asked about the MEL-PER sector over on the availability thread

 

[levelnine]

Whilst a low probability of the QF1 release at one month out, it certainly keeps the naysayers quiet about QF1/2 releases being impossible.

Who has said it was impossible for a P1 as opposed to a WP?

 

[RichardMEL]

I'm going to suggest that the apparent generosity with various reward releases - both general and to premium pax - is part of the "charm offensive" by QF currently in full swing. Not a conspiracy theory or anything like that, but it does feel like there's a marked effort to "make people happy" in various ways - and if releasing a U and F on a QF1 does the trick for a very high value flyer (as our Princess is) then that's likely a small cost to QF to do so. Just as with my very recent experience of the agent suggesting there was a blackout and in front of him the bot confirmed my request. He was surprised. I was surprised.

The other thought that comes to mind is that perhaps we're seeing a softening of demand at the higher end (and PF did indicate this is for next month, so reasonably close in - and Euro winter too) - that added with general extra capacity out there is possibly loosening the tight reign on inventory we've seen for quite some time. It's certainly very encouraging to see happening!

 

[ChrisMars]

Yes, P1.

I'd note though that the aforementioned DFW-MEL release I got for under a month's time was OK'd by the bot - so a WP could have gotten this I imagine. I had MEL-DFW on review and that was confirmed this morning. Happy (peak travel days)

Not that it matters too much, are you sure that the droid doesn't differantiate (and favor) P1 over WP? I understand P1 get the manual review if the droid says no, but I thought the droid 'yes' threshold was a bit lower than what is required for a WP.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Not that it matters too much, are you sure that the droid doesn't differantiate (and favor) P1 over WP? I understand P1 get the manual review if the droid says no, but I thought the droid 'yes' threshold was a bit lower than what is required for a WP.

You would imagine that it is it set for a different threshold. P1 can request U when there is only D and higher available but P must have I class.

 

[RichardMEL]

Good points both above. I did think of that after I posted the comment. I'd note that I *was* available, but again it hopefully has smarter logic to definitely take status into account. Would it have given it to a WP? No idea. Given there was I9, maybe.. but even the agent was surprised when it came back confirmed as he was talking to me

 

[AirKat]

Hi everyone, its been a year since I've requested international reward seats and I understand the system has changed. I rang yesterday at 353 days out and the helpful agent told me it no longer works like that and I need to wait for a Business Sale fare to be showing up. He said he could see them for dates a couple of weeks before when I'm looking to travel so it would just take a few more weeks. But when I look up the date he said they were there, I can't see them. Does anyone know what it is I am looking for? Reading through this thread I thought it was I class, but I seems to be showing on my date so I think I'm doing something wrong. Appreciate your expertise

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

point of sale restrictions I suspect depending on where you are requesting a flight from

a great example is for QF3 AKL-JFK
expertflyer US or AOE POS never shows I for some reason, even when available on the QF website (NZ POS)

I've been told by agents they needed to log into another POS to request occasionally

 

[dairyfloss]

Hi everyone, its been a year since I've requested international reward seats and I understand the system has changed. I rang yesterday at 353 days out and the helpful agent told me it no longer works like that and I need to wait for a Business Sale fare to be showing up. He said he could see them for dates a couple of weeks before when I'm looking to travel so it would just take a few more weeks. But when I look up the date he said they were there, I can't see them. Does anyone know what it is I am looking for? Reading through this thread I thought it was I class, but I seems to be showing on my date so I think I'm doing something wrong. Appreciate your expertise

If a WP, for release of INT J class, you'll need fares available in the Business 'I' fare bucket, which generally correlates to a Business Sale fare when searching flights in the usual manner. This said, whilst having 'I' fares available is the key, it still won't unlock the door on its own. QF has other quite tight restrictions on certain flights (e.g. QF1/2, QF3/4, QF103/104) and periods, like school holidays, and major events (e.g. the 2024 Olympics), where you may not be able to access anything, regardless of published inventory. Which destination and period are you looking at?

Cheers,
Matt.