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).

 

[henrus]

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

I believe these will change as from 30 March 2025 the schedule should look like this:


I wouldn’t worry as you’ll automatically be rebooked but something to keep in mind given you’ll likely end up on the QF25 anyway once they make the schedule changes. These changes haven’t been loaded yet as they’ve only just been given approval.

When they are loaded look out for the change email and note you may be eligible for additional options via the self rebooking tool.

 

[encryptededdy]

I wouldn’t worry as you’ll automatically be rebooked but something to keep in mind given you’ll likely end up on the QF25 anyway once they make the schedule changes. These changes haven’t been loaded yet as they’ve only just been given approval.

Ah cough yeah, I've just realised I'll likely be affected by this too (flying in late April). Good heads up.

 

[jbmemories]

Ah cough yeah, I've just realised I'll likely be affected by this too (flying in late April). Good heads up.

You could always play a game of chance and book everything assuming you’ll arrive a day later should you get moved to QF25 instead.

And if you get there a day earlier on QF59 instead, could book a cheaper hotel for a day?

 

[encryptededdy]

You could always play a game of chance and book everything assuming you’ll arrive a day later should you get moved to QF25 instead.

And if you get there a day earlier on QF59 instead, could book a cheaper hotel for a day?

That's true, but if they're reducing capacity to Sydney then someone people are gonna have to get re-routed. Specifically I'm booked on the daytime HND-SYD which will no longer exist. I guess most likely I'll take a re-routing via. BNE (more status credits this way too )

 

[henrus]

Specifically I'm booked on the daytime HND-SYD which will no longer exist. I guess most likely I'll take a re-routing via. BNE (more status credits this way too )

Once you get the change notice you'll likely get one option to accept but via the self service tool can pick +/-7 days on other services via the following link (obviously will only work after the schedule change):
https://servicing.qantas.com/servicing/self-reaccommodation/retrieve

 

[jbmemories]

Once you get the change notice you'll likely get one option to accept but via the self service tool can pick +/-7 days on other services via the following link (obviously will only work after the schedule change):
https://servicing.qantas.com/servicing/self-reaccommodation/retrieve

Make sure to trip check, though; at times, Qantas may just decide to move you if you don't respond within 24 hours (even though it's meant to be 7+ days if it's quite further out). I've had that happen twice on a domestic flight and once in intl when they tried to 'upsell me' for a PER-LHR flight when it still needed to stop over at SIN anyways for refuelling due to the flight route adjustment.

 

[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.

 

[Lynda2475]

That's true, but if they're reducing capacity to Sydney then someone people are gonna have to get re-routed. Specifically I'm booked on the daytime HND-SYD which will no longer exist. I guess most likely I'll take a re-routing via. BNE (more status credits this way too )

Yes I specifically booked daytime flight to SYD in May to avoid an overnight home from ICN. This schedule change would mean needing to take another days leave from work, as no way could get to work by 9am nor be functional with no sleep (impossible to sleep in whY).

I'd need to look if there was a daytime JAL flight instead or also need to come home via BNE. Such a dud call to cull the SYD daytime flight, plus financial impact as booked airport hotel for early morning departure which not need it late night departure, better to stay in Tokyo.

Seriously why all the overnight flights?

 

[Captain Halliday]

Seriously why all the overnight flights?

Multiple factors, but slot availability and aircraft utilisation seem the major factors for SYD-HND.

 

[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.

 

[Lynda2475]

Multiple factors, but slot availability and aircraft utilisation seem the major factors for SYD-HND.

But why give BNE the precious day slot instead of leaving the SYD flight in the day slot? You'd think you use best slot for biggest market.