QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[kangarooflyer88]

Was just unsuccessful (as a WP) in trying to get 2 x J seats released on one of the following flights:

07JUN25 QF127 SYD-HKG I7
07JUN25 QF029 MEL-HKG I3
08JUL25 QF060 HND-SYD I2

The flights to HKG got put to the droid first, then I decided to check the outbound leg from HND in a separate request.

Sorry to hear of your experience with this. Some thoughts on how to make this possibly work:

• Would you be able to travel a bit earlier (e.g. June 15 or earlier)? The reason I ask is QF operates a nonstop to Seoul (at least through the 15th) and I do wonder if maybe there might be more availability there
• What about other nearby Asian cities like Manila (MNL), Jakarta (JKT), Bali (DPS) or Tokyo Na-rita (NRT)? The latter Tokyo option would be from Melbourne or Brisbane. From there it should be child's play to get a flight on a OneWorld partner like Cathy over to Honkers

 

[sudoer]

07JUN25 QF127 SYD-HKG I7
07JUN25 QF029 MEL-HKG I3

Long weekends ex AU are usually tough to get approvals

 

[OATEK]

Was just unsuccessful (as a WP) in trying to get 2 x J seats released on one of the following flights:

07JUN25 QF127 SYD-HKG I7
07JUN25 QF029 MEL-HKG I3
08JUL25 QF060 HND-SYD I2

The flights to HKG got put to the droid first, then I decided to check the outbound leg from HND in a separate request.

I think you are little unlucky. QF 127 is J9 C9 D9 I7 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X0 E0. I have had seats released with I7 in the past, but they have been on A380 or B787. QF29 is J9 C7 D7 I3 U0 Y9 B9 H9 K9 M9 L9 V9 S9 N9 Q9 O9 G0 X0 E0 so at D7/I3 chances would be quite a lot lower again.

 

[Flyerwin]

I didn't realise you can even do this as WP - you learn something new everyday.

 

[BriarFlyer]

I didn't realise you can even do this as WP - you learn something new everyday.

On AFF forums, you certainly do!

To me this is the most valuable WP perk.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

I didn't realise you can even do this as WP - you learn something new everyday.

You can do it but it’s far from a sure thing. When it works it’s one of the greatest things to happen especially in Business and First class. In my case I’ve had some success getting some domestic flights released in coach during peak travel periods (e.g., MEL to SYD on Dec 23 last year) and most recently flying Sydney to LA (via Brisbane) in business.

What I will say is it takes a bit of luck and homework for these requests to succeed. You need to find business (I) availability for your flight in decent quantity. But that by itself isn’t enough, it’s also up to the discretion of revenue management which will still deny your claim despite plenty of availability. So you’ll want to have multiple dates and routings available. That way if the agent cannot release a business seat to JFK on QF3 you can try looking for availability routing via DFW, SFO, LAX, HNL (provided there is availability on a partner like AA for the short domestic flights to JFK). But remember only QF operated flights are eligible for these requests.

 

[jbmemories]

Do people use other search tools on top of EF to request flight releases?

 

[Flyerwin]

To me this is the most valuable WP perk.

For sure! I wish I knew this a month ago...

 

[Boeyn]

Sorry to hear of your experience with this. Some thoughts on how to make this possibly work:

• Would you be able to travel a bit earlier (e.g. June 15 or earlier)? The reason I ask is QF operates a nonstop to Seoul (at least through the 15th) and I do wonder if maybe there might be more availability there
• What about other nearby Asian cities like Manila (MNL), Jakarta (JKT), Bali (DPS) or Tokyo Na-rita (NRT)? The latter Tokyo option would be from Melbourne or Brisbane. From there it should be child's play to get a flight on a OneWorld partner like Cathy over to Honkers

Thanks for these suggestions. The HKG flight is actually to position us for a HKG-DXB-LHR trip in EK J that we have separately booked for 8/6. Unfortunately that means we are pretty fixed on the date, and a bit reluctant to consider non-direct options on what is already a pretty long trip. I’ll definitely keep an eye on the loads for these flights closer and potentially request a release again in a few months, but otherwise we’ll just have to cop 1/3 sectors being in Y.

Long weekends ex AU are usually tough to get approvals

Very good point - I had completely overlooked this.

 

[exceladdict]

Do people use other search tools on top of EF to request flight releases?

I have used ita matrix, searching for the specific fare bucket also.

 

[SYD]

I have used ita matrix, searching for the specific fare bucket also.

Oh, I must try that. Do you just search X PAX and the relevant fare bucket?

 

[exceladdict]

Oh, I must try that. Do you just search X PAX and the relevant fare bucket?

Yep, I think it's F BC=D or similar. I do it just infrequently enough to have to re learn every time.
Where I'm confused is whether for connecting flights (which is what I'm usually going for, looking for SCs as PC) what is needed is availability on the connecting route, or both individual legs (I assume the latter). But this makes it a bit slower vs the old BCD availability tool or EF

 

[dairyfloss]

Yep, I think it's F BC=D or similar. I do it just infrequently enough to have to re learn every time.
Where I'm confused is whether for connecting flights (which is what I'm usually going for, looking for SCs as PC) what is needed is availability on the connecting route, or both individual legs (I assume the latter). But this makes it a bit slower vs the old BCD availability tool or EF

Yes - and you can do one or multiple specific codes, at the same time. For example:

Syntax	Example	Meaning
F BC=code	F bc=D	Use fares with the specified prime booking code. Note: the actual booking class used may be different due to being overridden by the carrier's booking code exception table.
F BC=code|BC=code|...	F bc=D|bc=I	Specify that fares use one of several prime booking codes (e.g. book in either Y or B class). See the note on the above item.

Adding: There's lots of good detail out there, whih I find to be well summarised on this page, though notiing is is BA flavoured, so you need to correct for that as needed: Link to 'Nice, This...'

Cheers,
Matt.​

 

[muppet]

Yes - and you can do one or multiple specific codes, at the same time. For example:

​

Syntax F BC=code	Example F bc=D	Meaning Use fares with the specified prime booking code. Note: the actual booking class used may be different due to being overridden by the carrier's booking code exception table.
F BC=code|BC=code|...	F bc=D|bc=I	Specify that fares use one of several prime booking codes (e.g. book in either Y or B class). See the note on the above item.

​

Thanks is is very useful - especially for those without expertflyer subscriptions.

Are there any known limitations?

For example, I just did a search for N (which I think is what’s needed for a Y seat release) and ITA had no results but expertflyer says N9. It worked on ITA fine when searching for full fare Y or J however.

 

[RealtimeY]

ITA matrix does not show availability for most non-flex economy fares on QF. For gauging reward release availability it will only really work for business.

 

[elanshin]

Thanks for these suggestions. The HKG flight is actually to position us for a HKG-DXB-LHR trip in EK J that we have separately booked for 8/6. Unfortunately that means we are pretty fixed on the date, and a bit reluctant to consider non-direct options on what is already a pretty long trip. I’ll definitely keep an eye on the loads for these flights closer and potentially request a release again in a few months, but otherwise we’ll just have to cop 1/3 sectors being in Y.



Very good point - I had completely overlooked this.

If you have possibility of getting Asia Miles, CX might have awards on their own stock.

 

[PrezRegan]

I (P1) tried to get 1 seat in J released from CBR-MEL return for this coming weekend and even though there were flights with D and I availability, the consultant said no

Couldn't even get a Y seat released, was advised that there was no availability whatsoever despite EF showing D/I 2.

Could/should I have asked for a manual review?

 

[Brettmcg]

I (P1) tried to get 1 seat in J released from CBR-MEL return for this coming weekend and even though there were flights with D and I availability, the consultant said no

Couldn't even get a Y seat released, was advised that there was no availability whatsoever despite EF showing D/I 2.

Could/should I have asked for a manual review?

Were you speaking with VIP Service Team? D class being available doesn't guarantee a seat will be opened up. Not sure which day you are travelling but the required RBD is not available on any CBR-MEL flight on Saturday. Looks a bit better on Sunday.

No manual review on domestic, only applied to international requests

 

[PrezRegan]

Were you speaking with VIP Service Team? D class being available doesn't guarantee a seat will be opened up. Not sure which day you are travelling but the required RBD is not available on any CBR-MEL flight on Saturday. Looks a bit better on Sunday.

No manual review on domestic, only applied to international requests

Yeah I'm reasonably certain it was hba, dude sounded Aussie enough.
I was surprised I couldn't even get a Y award ticket.
Ah well, thems the breaks I guess.

 

[defurax]

With CBR they probably have to factor in the 50% chance of cancellation