QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[Brettmcg]

Perhaps I should have tried to be clearer in my writing. When asking for QF291/3K779, the agent submitted it but the bot came back empty. When asking for the return trip, 3K780/QF2, the agent told outright that they can't submit partner originated requests. She offered to check if QF2, though.

For QF291, EF showed T4 but the agent told that she can submit only Y and J requests. I didn't quiz her about it but could it have been because the connection would have had only Y and J cabins?

If she was mistaken about the return trip, I'm happy to try again because that's the harder / more expensive segment for us to obtain. But effectively for now, I'm back to the drawing board to see if I can find something useful.

To me that sounds like an inexperienced CSA going about the process in the wrong way.

Usually, they will request the QF metal flights in question, then, if those requests are successful, bolt on the connecting flights from existing inventory if they are available.

I don't think MSC applies to QF->3K v.v., but it has (at least historically) on CX/AY/QF awards.

 

[encryptededdy]

So I had the call center hold some released award seats earlier this month for 3 days whilst I decided if I wanted them - at the time I was told to either call back within 3 days to confirm, or the tickets would auto cancel. I didn't end up wanting the seats, so I let the date pass and just assumed they would be cancelled.

Imagine my surprise today when I logged into my QFF account and found myself 177k points short! At first I thought my account was hacked (especially as I've been keeping a close eye on my VFF account given those accounts are getting hacked every day it seems), but it turns out it was just this booking from 3 weeks ago had suddenly decided to charge me the points.

Thankfully a quick 5 minute call with Hobart and the points are back in my account. They told me that the original booking was not set up correctly as held seats.

 

[levelnine]

Successfully released some seats in J for travel to the US next year.

The most interesting point was the operator said I was the first person to have seats successfully released today after submitting requests from many others. Inquiring about where people were asking for seats to be released, they were all to/from Europe. It helps confirm what we already know — you have to be very, very, very lucky to get seats to Europe as a WP (P1 is a different story).

 

[arrow]

you have to be very, very, very lucky to get seats to Europe as a WP (P1 is a different story).

I’m a P1 and it is extremely difficult to have Europe flights released. Never had any success on QF9/10 or QF5/6 or QF33/34. Had some success on QF1/2 on off peak times and once in F for the summer. Most of the requests come back rejected even with lots of D & I inventory.

 

[levelnine]

I’m a P1 and it is extremely difficult to have Europe flights released. Never had any success on QF9/10 or QF5/6 or QF33/34. Had some success on QF1/2 on off peak times and once in F for the summer. Most of the requests come back rejected even with lots of D & I inventory.

That caveat was mainly added because every time I mention the difficulty of attaining award releases on flights to Europe, some P1 jumps in and goes 'I got seats to LHR released just last week' .

 

[arrow]

That caveat was mainly added because every time I mention the difficulty of attaining award releases on flights to Europe, some P1 jumps in and goes 'I got seats to LHR released just last week' .

Fair enough. Even though I do cough about hundreds of requests getting rejected, I did get a couple of seats which I might not have received if I wasn’t P1

 

[Princess Fiona]

Fair enough. Even though I do cough about hundreds of requests getting rejected, I did get a couple of seats which I might not have received if I wasn’t P1

This is by far the best benefit of P1 IMHO. I would totally miss this above all if I was to fall to Plat.

 

[Spacetravel]

That caveat was mainly added because every time I mention the difficulty of attaining award releases on flights to Europe, some P1 jumps in and goes 'I got seats to LHR released just last week' .

I got F in QF2 31/07/25 released (Platinum)
Unfortunately QF1 every date I wanted was declined in all premium classes. Economy was available, so took that and will try for an upgrade.

 

[jbmemories]

Never had any success on QF9/10

I guess it was the computer being generous to me in August for my QF9 J release - perhaps it was nearly the end of summer that it decided to release?

No luck for any route on the way back.

 

[Warragul]

I got F in QF2 31/07/25 released (Platinum)
Unfortunately QF1 every date I wanted was declined in all premium classes. Economy was available, so took that and will try for an upgrade.

I(WP) successfully requested tonight two F seats between SYD-SIN return on QF 1 & 2. Outbound Sept 2 return Oct 13. I supplied a date range of about a week for each, Sept 2 was the beginning of the outbound range and Oct 13 the last day of the return range

For some reason, couldn't add connecting flights to CBR, not really a concern. I'm not the biggest spender with QF and this will most likely be first and last time being platinum so I'm stoked.

 

[Flatforlonghaul]

2nd - I8
3rd - I2
4th - I0
5th - I2
6th - I6

I appreciated your reply, DAC1 (hence the 'like' at the time)

Update - I held back on the request due to family member's dates wavering... Turned out to my advantage. I had a look on Tuesday and there were 2 x CR J seats SIN PER. Snapped them up. **EDITED for clarity - the new dates were for a week later - but still rare on QF71/2**

Still "looking forward" to the opportunity to try the WP release request option.... Sucker for punishment I guess.

 

[Captain Halliday]

SYD-JNB I9>U3 various dates June 2025 (before school holidays) all declined.

 

[encryptededdy]

Success in getting the following business seats released;

- Apr 23 QF25 (I3) Approved
- Apr 24 QF25 (I3) Approved - booked
- Apr 24 QF59 (I3) Approved
- May 11 QF60 (I1) Declined
- May 12 QF26 (I1) Approved

Wasn't able to reach Hobart across 2 calls tonight. First agent requested but claimed they didn't receive a response. I asked them for a PNR and upon pulling it up, I could see the above flights approved/requested (AKA Declined). I politely HUCA'd and the supplied the new agent with my PNR. She immediately confirmed the flights that were approved and declined, which I already knew by looking up the PNR.

I also encountered a weird anomaly whilst checking for award seats on the return leg, but I'll post about this in another thread.

 

[BriarFlyer]

QF1 SYD-LHR 27/2 A7 1 x approved
QF2 LHR-SYD 7/3 A6 1 x approved

 

[ChrisMars]

What are WP people experience in getting 3xJ (or 3xF) released on long haul to europe?

 

[RealtimeY]

When requesting seat releases is it okay to ask for a few dates in one hit and see what comes back, to then pick and choose from? Or does it need to be done one after another

 

[encryptededdy]

When requesting seat releases is it okay to ask for a few dates in one hit and see what comes back, to then pick and choose from? Or does it need to be done one after another

Yeah absolutely

 

[RealtimeY]

QF11 7/5 SYD-LAX I5 -> U2 success
QF11 8/5 SYD-LAX I9 -> U2 fail
QF11 9/5 SYD-LAX I8 -> U2 fail

QF12 20/5 LAX-SYD I9 -> U2 success
QF12 21/5 LAX-SYD I5 -> U2 success

 

[elanshin]

QF26 Jan 7 HND - SYD I2 > U2 success
QF60 Jan 8 HND - SYD I3 > U2 success.

I took QF26. If anyone else is interested jan 8 should be bookable. I suspect others as re either requesting or booking as well.
There were 2 other flights last night that had I seats around those dates and they're gone now.

 

[Danger]

I must say it's been pleasing to still see success with this benefit, despite the introduction of the classic plus thing.