QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[Matt_01]

Requested a couple of days ago x3 J AKL-SYD-HND (QF25) could only get 2 auto approved so got sent for manual review, response today no dice. Today requested x3 J AKL-MEL-HND (QF79) all auto approved. Sure I would have preferred QF25 but beggars can't be choosers.

 

[Kangol]

Has anyone (P1 or otherwise) had luck with getting around blockout periods for requesting award seats?
Wondering if there is a workaround of sorts.

 

[sudoer]

24APR23 QF2 LHR-SYD 2xU released, EF was showing I9.

 

[Matt_01]

Has anyone (P1 or otherwise) had luck with getting around blockout periods for requesting award seats?

Does anyone know the actual block out dates. I think I have read on other threads it is school holidays, Christmas etc. However prior to covid I had a fair bit of success in getting at least 2 J seats for the start and end of school holidays, normally the Apr and Sep. Last year was able to 2 seats released for my parents SYD-HNL which just happened to be in the Sep 22 school holiday period, getting these released took a few attempts. I am currently booking for Apr 23 school holidays as mention in my above post. However due some plan changes, today requested x3 J AKL-BNE-HND (QF61) 2 auto approved, 1 currently in for manual review. I cannot not remember the strike rate of bot approved vs SST or VIP intervention, IME getting flights is possible. I am P1.

 

[Kangol]

Does anyone know the actual block out dates. I think I have read on other threads it is school holidays, Christmas etc. However prior to covid I had a fair bit of success in getting at least 2 J seats for the start and end of school holidays, normally the Apr and Sep. Last year was able to 2 seats released for my parents SYD-HNL which just happened to be in the Sep 22 school holiday period, getting these released took a few attempts. I am currently booking for Apr 23 school holidays as mention in my above post. However due some plan changes, today requested x3 J AKL-BNE-HND (QF61) 2 auto approved, 1 currently in for manual review. I cannot not remember the strike rate of bot approved vs SST or VIP intervention, IME getting flights is possible. I am P1.

Was told that outbound to EU/LHR, it's from 31/8 - 3/10.
Inbound it's 27/8 - 31/10. This includes the Rome flight.
Also was informed that on some dates (can't remember exactly) if the automated response says no, they cannot even escalate it to revenue management for a manual review as P1s can. This is for all cabins.

 

[mrsterryn]

@Matt_01 husband actually managed to get Syd to LHR business class return on points for mid to end sept. It was booked as soon as the seats were released. No other year have we been able to get seats on points for this trip

 

[RichardMEL]

Was told that outbound to EU/LHR, it's from 31/8 - 3/10.
Inbound it's 27/8 - 31/10. This includes the Rome flight.
Also was informed that on some dates (can't remember exactly) if the automated response says no, they cannot even escalate it to revenue management for a manual review as P1s can. This is for all cabins.

Seems a bit odd as end of August into October, while they include AU school holidays (I think?) are more of a shoulder season, or headed there, for EU I would have thought. It's certainly post Northern summer. I wonder if that's about AU school holidays only or Europe demand?

 

[Kangol]

Seems a bit odd as end of August into October, while they include AU school holidays (I think?) are more of a shoulder season, or headed there, for EU I would have thought. It's certainly post Northern summer. I wonder if that's about AU school holidays only or Europe demand?

Probably demand. I don't know when they implemented the blockout dates either.
Suspect that issues with transiting in HKG and ?NRT/HND would mean those options are off the table for some.
Could be totally wrong though

 

[sudoer]

Bit of an odd one - I've called a few times over the past few weeks to request seats on QF1 SIN-LHR across a range of dates where ExpertFlyer is showing I9 but the agents tell me they can't see any I class seats.

I don't doubt the ability of the reps in this case - many have been HBA-based and very knowledgeable and efficient when helping out with other booking changes. QF1 SYD-LHR is showing I0, which I suspect is related. Has anyone come across this before?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Bit of an odd one - I've called a few times over the past few weeks to request seats on QF1 SIN-LHR across a range of dates where ExpertFlyer is showing I9 but the agents tell me they can't see any I class seats.

I don't doubt the ability of the reps in this case - many have been HBA-based and very knowledgeable and efficient when helping out with other booking changes. QF1 SYD-LHR is showing I0, which I suspect is related. Has anyone come across this before?

Yes. Also in recent weeks.

Routes where it’s appeared include:
SIN-BNE (showing I7)
SIN-SYD (I9)
MNL-SYD (I7)
ICN-SYD (I9)

 

[muppet]

Hoping for some advice from some experts.

A few months ago I requested LAX-SYD and the best the computer would allow is Z - so I confirmed it. The AUS/NZ-based agents (based on accent) suggested I call closer to the date to see if the answer for business or first release may be different.

Now about a month later, I can’t seem to find an agent to correctly make the request. In each case I end up with a PNR with multiple versions of the same flights, one confirmed in the commercial fare class (A) (incl. seat selection) and then another in the requested fare class (P). Ultimately I call back and get told the request was denied because I already have a confirmed seat?

Is the only way to do this, to request on a different date because i have the Z class seat ticketed? Or is the existance of the confirmed commercial seat in the PNR upsetting the system?

For example, my existing ticketed PNR has:

LAX - SYD QF18 Z Confirmed and ticketed
LAX - SYD QF12 A Confirmed (added by agent)
LAX - SYD QF12 P Requested (added by agent)

 

[MrJetset]

Hoping for some advice from some experts.

A few months ago I requested LAX-SYD and the best the computer would allow is Z - so I confirmed it. The AUS/NZ-based agents (based on accent) suggested I call closer to the date to see if the answer for business or first release may be different.

Now about a month later, I can’t seem to find an agent to correctly make the request. In each case I end up with a PNR with multiple versions of the same flights, one confirmed in the commercial fare class (A) (incl. seat selection) and then another in the requested fare class (P). Ultimately I call back and get told the request was denied because I already have a confirmed seat?

Is the only way to do this, to request on a different date because i have the Z class seat ticketed? Or is the existance of the confirmed commercial seat in the PNR upsetting the system?

For example, my existing ticketed PNR has:

LAX - SYD QF18 Z Confirmed and ticketed
LAX - SYD QF12 A Confirmed (added by agent)
LAX - SYD QF12 P Requested (added by agent)

This is the incorrect process used by offshore call centres.

You need to HUACA until you get HBA. The response should be instant.

 

[sudoer]

Agree with the above, the agent does not know what they are doing. HUACA

LAX - SYD QF12 A Confirmed (added by agent)
LAX - SYD QF12 P Requested (added by agent)

From these two, only the P (Requested) flight should be on the PNR.

 

[MrJetset]

The incorrect foreign call centre process is laid out here QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

The correct process is how it has always been. Request your dates, agent puts to the droid and a request should have an instant answer. They do not call through to anyone and putting a flight in a paid and award fare bucket is a red flag.

The experience after the above is here confirming everything the foreign call centre did was incorrect QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

 

[sudoer]

The correct process is how it has always been. Request your dates, agent puts to the droid and a request should have an instant answer.

Both pre and post covid I have had multiple instances were the droid hasn't given an immediate answer, and the HBA team said to call back in 24-48 hours or if I see the sector changes to Confirmed in MMB. One agent said that sometimes the droid freezes and they need to send an email to IT to reboot it - no idea how accurate that is. But yes, 90% of the time it's instant.

 

[muppet]

The incorrect foreign call centre process is laid out here QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

The correct process is how it has always been. Request your dates, agent puts to the droid and a request should have an instant answer. They do not call through to anyone and putting a flight in a paid and award fare bucket is a red flag.

The experience after the above is here confirming everything the foreign call centre did was incorrect QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic award seats?

oops I should have read the older posts - yes this was exactly the same

 

[muppet]

This is the incorrect process used by offshore call centres.

You need to HUACA until you get HBA. The response should be instant.

Agree with the above, the agent does not know what they are doing. HUACA



From these two, only the P (Requested) flight should be on the PNR.

Well as advised, I called again twice - on the second try I got through to Hobart and the release of the P class was instantly confirmed. Great result but really crazy how different someone’s experience can be depending who picks up the call!

Thanks for the advice/reassurance - having called 4 times now with that request I was almost about to give in and fly Z.

 

[ant-au]

Much like the above, I called earlier this week for 2 x J LHR-SYD (QF2) in May 2023.
Had the request added with a commercial fare (and seat booking) plus a Requested fare. Thought it looked odd.
Called 48 hours later, was told there was something "wrong" and would re-request.

Called just now (another 24hrs since 2nd call) and got onto an amazing lady from the Premium Line. Saw it and straight away knew it was done incorrect and re-did it from scratch.

Boom.
Confirmed in 5 minutes for the date & seats requested!

 

[Matt_01]

I realise I have not updated my post above #1044 "today requested x3 J AKL-BNE-HND (QF61) 2 auto approved, 1 currently in for manual review." The one that was in for manual review was approved within 24 hrs. So that was x3 J in total.

 

[Danger]

I made several calls to QF today to request award seats to be released.

Ruth in Suva couldn't get her head around what I was asking.

Kina in Suva said she would put in a request and "you will hear within 2 days".

Zoe in Suva asked for my booking reference.