QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[sap1l]

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

This benefit is the main thing keeping me with QF (vs a different OW airline). If this and/or award SCs go away, it may be time for me to look elsewhere.

 

[elanshin]

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

If anything i feel like theres more possibly with I9s everywhere for routes that are a bit far in the future. Might end up being an actual benefit to plat+:with the release of classic+ reducing immediate CR inventory.

 

[Cool Cat Phil]

Success in getting the following business seats released;

- oct 13 2025 QF76 Approved
- oct 15 2025 QF76 Approved - booked
- oct 8 2025 QF76 Declined
- oct 11 2025 QF76 Declined

plus all flights QF originating from JFK, DFW, SFO & LAX to SYD /MEL oct 8- oct 11 2025 Declined.

Obvious observation, no cigar for award seats to be released final days of NSW & VIC school holidays.

However the week after school holidays came’s up winner.

Following 6 hours of no ticketing received yesterday, a call back was required.
Turns out, the operator forgot to obtain the DOB for both pax as a requirement for international sectors. Ticketed immediately after providing DOB details.

Very pain free process overall, most occasions calls handled offshore- and again was quite surprised at the high competence of all interactions .

 

[encryptededdy]

As noted by @elanshin, classic plus isn't its own fare class, but instead it's the ability to buy cash fares at a given rate. Whilst Classic Plus is probably most often drawing from the same I inventory that we do when we request an award flight release, they don't directly affect our success with this benefit.

Subjectively I haven't detected any difference in my ability to get CR seats released for before vs. after CR+. I mean, I can't even seem to predict when it'll succeed at all (going to japan around easter/anzac day - thought I would be declined, all approved, however going to singapore in any day in november - an absolute chore to find valid dates)

 

[TheDefenestrator]

My first successful request:
QF25 26 Jun SYD-HND I1 -> U1 Declined
QF59 26 Jun SYD-HND I1 -> U1 Approved and booked

Requested Sunday afternoon, ticketed earlier today (points deducted and card charged).

 

[ant-au]

Finding it very difficult to get back from EU to PER in early Oct. Can't even get to SIN.
Hadn't seen anything released on EF, then checked and noticed school holidays are around then. Guessing this might be why & might prove to be rather difficult...

 

[Cloud9]

Finding it very difficult to get back from EU to PER in early Oct. Can't even get to SIN.
Hadn't seen anything released on EF, then checked and noticed school holidays are around then. Guessing this might be why & might prove to be rather difficult...

What about the long way via N.A.?

 

[jbmemories]

Finding it very difficult to get back from EU to PER in early Oct. Can't even get to SIN.
Hadn't seen anything released on EF, then checked and noticed school holidays are around then. Guessing this might be why & might prove to be rather difficult...

When you said you can't even get to SIN, are you referring to EU Port - SIN on QF?

Flights from the EU to PER are very difficult to get released unless you're P1. Otherwise, unless you're actively tracking on seat alert trackers (or EF), it's up to the fare buckets and the computer's decision.


As others have suggested, it might even be worth trying to fly to a SEA-Hub, then returning to AU (SIN-PER Reward ticket?) might be the cost-effective way to return.

 

[elanshin]

Finding it very difficult to get back from EU to PER in early Oct. Can't even get to SIN.
Hadn't seen anything released on EF, then checked and noticed school holidays are around then. Guessing this might be why & might prove to be rather difficult...

I was looking around Oct, did you check AY to ports like HKG/SIN/BKK/KIX/TYO then going from there to PER? might end up being two hop.

 

[tdimdad]

Sun 12/1/25 QF19 (SYD-MNL) I5 declined. The agent tried all dates 6/1 - 12/1 but was able to submit only 12/1 and it came back negative.
Between 6/1 - 12/1 QF291 (SYD-SIN) allowed bot requests across various cabins on different days but all came back declined.

Fri 24/1/25 QF98/QF539 (MNL-xBNE-SYD) I5/I5 declined. Similar to above, the agent tried dates 22/1 - 26/1 but would have been able to release only domestic connections.
While checking what she can submit, I heard her mumbling out loud about MNL-xHKG-SYD. Interesting that the system would bring up options which she wouldn't be able to work with as those would most likely have been CX operated flights.

 

[SydneySwan]

Two days ago Mrs SS requested the opening of 2 J CR seats on QF19 on 29/07. CR+ seats were available. Declined. CR seats were freely available on 30/07 so we booked those but logistically 29/07 would have been best option.

Mrs SS now 1 out of 2 for release of CR J seats - was successful a few months ago for request from HKG to SYD for Aug 2024.

 

[merp1811]

Early march 2025, HKG - MEL, HKG -xSYD - MEL
both I9 - declined x2 U

 

[elanshin]

Fri 24/1/25 QF98/QF539 (MNL-xBNE-SYD) I5/I5 declined. Similar to above, the agent tried dates 22/1 - 26/1 but would have been able to release only domestic connections.
While checking what she can submit, I heard her mumbling out loud about MNL-xHKG-SYD. Interesting that the system would bring up options which she wouldn't be able to work with as those would most likely have been CX operated flights.

It might be there already exists a CR on CX for MNL - HKG. When i was booking the agent proactively offered a flight i wasn't considering before but showed on her screen.

 

[tdimdad]

Now I'm confused. After the declined requests, I now have them showing up in my trips, all with the same PNR. Will they clear out automatically or can I try to call and confirm my preferred ones?

 

[smckay]

They'll clear out in time.
You might also get an email saying to call about them. Unless you see 'confirmed' in the booking don't bother calling.

 

[merp1811]

Now I'm confused. After the declined requests, I now have them showing up in my trips, all with the same PNR. Will they clear out automatically or can I try to call and confirm my preferred ones?
View attachment 413729

Usually call up to cancel them - they need to create a booking to process the request but usually the call centre will cancel the booking if unsuccessful. They've probably forgotten. Has happened to me before too

 

[muppet]

I sought seats for a sibling for next year MEL-SIN-LHR in Y. August 2025.

MEL-SIN N9O9Q9 - 1x X approved
SIN-LHR N9O9Q9 - 1x X denied
LHR-SIN N9O9Q9 - 1x X approved
SIN-MEL N9O9Q9 - 1x X approved

Very odd. Tried multiple days and SIN-LHR no go. Thought Y would be no problem.

EDIT: WP

 

[MrMickeyg]

What about the long way via N.A.?

this is usually a good bet... I got back on a CR seat from Europe via Vancouver in July this year. Getting Europe to Oz the other way was impossible using reward seats..

 

[elanshin]

I was just looking around at stuff for Oct 2025 and noticed interesting things.

I could book regular Business reward flight on 30 Sept 2025 for HKG but for all flights in Oct 2025, they haven't opened D or I class (nor CR). I wonder if this is a way to restrict tickets until they are also ready to release it for CR.

 

[levelnine]

I could book regular Business reward flight on 30 Sept 2025 for HKG but for all flights in Oct 2025, they haven't opened D or I class (nor CR). I wonder if this is a way to restrict tickets until they are also ready to release it for CR.

Well it is a CR, just one that isn't assigned to the typical U fare class.

I've seen it happen many times before. It is annoying because they are hard to find (not being in U means most award search tools won't find them) and I've had the call centre say they can't see them either — only bookable online.