QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[encryptededdy]

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.

Because there's only one flight to SYD a day, and evidently they think it's better off as an overnight. Evidently Qantas doesn't see the day slot as more precious than the night slot.

impact as booked airport hotel for early morning departure which not need it late night departure, better to stay in Tokyo

Yep, I'm impacted too Used a Qantas hotels $100 voucher which cannot be refunded.

daytime JAL flight

JL51 is overnight
The only daytime will be ANA's NH889

 

[Lynda2475]

So I need to insist I'm moved to BNE flight then, hopefully being WP might help with that (but will require an overnight in Brisbane and being on early morning flight to get t work on time come Monday since last flight form BNE to SYD is at 8:45pm which doesn't meet MCT).

Or work out a multi-stop way home via somewhere else.

Or even hope their request gets denied and SYD flights remain in original slot.

 

[Captain Halliday]

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.

We're OT but that comes down to yield.

The numbers in EF can only be used as a very rough guide, but I see more 9s on the day flight than I do on the overnight flight.

That doesn't directly corelate to revenue or profit, but it certainly appears loads are higher at night than they are in the day.

To get back on topic:

SYD-SCL various dates June I5>I3 declined

School holidays so not surprised.

 

[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.

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?

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.

Because that flight has been consistently cheaper (lower loads) throughout this whole year. In fact when booking Y for November trip, the evening departure were down to flex only at $1800 whilst the morning had super sale at $550.

You're probably in the minority that wants the morning flight. Departing SYD it's not too bad but departing HND its pretty bad.

 

[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.

 

[SYD]

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.
View attachment 413953
View attachment 413952

I’ve been looking at HKG also, need to fly next year and those Sep CR seats landed as a block. Unfortunately, I don’t know what day it opened but I suspect Oct, Nov etc may work the same.

 

[DAC1]

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.
View attachment 413953
View attachment 413952

I have been monitoring this for the last 2 months. They release the I and U (for WP/SG only) for the first or second half of each month in a block. I find it’s usually released around three weeks after the end of the block (so for example September 16-30 was released on October 21-22).

 

[im.daniel]

Saturday 1st Feb 2025 JNB-SYD QF64 I9 - Declined on the spot

 

[muppet]

Saturday 1st Feb 2025 JNB-SYD QF64 I9 - Declined on the spot

Unless you’re WP1 or your agent doesn’t want to wait, they’re all pretty much declined on the spot.

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.
View attachment 413953
View attachment 413952

October also represents the Northern Summer / Winter timetable reset (although its end of Oct not beginning) but that can influence what’s released and when.

 

[WilsonM]

29/1/25 SIN-SYD QF292 Q7 - denied
29/1/25 SIN-MEL-SYD QF36/QF418 Q9 O9 - denied
30/1/25 SIN-SYD QF82 Q7 - denied
31/1/25 SIN-SYD QF82 Q9 - denied
31/1/25 SIN-SYD QF292 Q9 O9 - denied
01/2/25 SIN-SYD QF82 Q9 - Approved
01/2/25 SIN-SYD QF292 Q9 - Approved (went with this one)

Interesting insight from the awesome agent who helped me out - he said he can't remember seeing a seat released in January for flights back into Australia for the last few months at all, even in Y with the availability necessary. Granted, I'm only WP so P1 might be able to get manual reviews easily, but an interesting comment. Ofc it's all conjecture, and he was clear that he had no idea on whether this was a policy or not.

 

[Lynda2475]

Interesting insight from the awesome agent who helped me out - he said he can't remember seeing a seat released in January for flights back into Australia for the last few months at all, even in Y

Not surprising given its school holidays and many rushing back in the last few days of January before school starts.

I would expect those who regularly travel at this time of year to have booked their seats 10-11 months out; and that includes those seeking a seat release. Feb/Mar always going to be easier tome to get seats.

 

[Princess Fiona]

29/1/25 SIN-SYD QF292 Q7 - denied
29/1/25 SIN-MEL-SYD QF36/QF418 Q9 O9 - denied
30/1/25 SIN-SYD QF82 Q7 - denied
31/1/25 SIN-SYD QF82 Q9 - denied
31/1/25 SIN-SYD QF292 Q9 O9 - denied
01/2/25 SIN-SYD QF82 Q9 - Approved
01/2/25 SIN-SYD QF292 Q9 - Approved (went with this one)

Interesting insight from the awesome agent who helped me out - he said he can't remember seeing a seat released in January for flights back into Australia for the last few months at all, even in Y with the availability necessary. Granted, I'm only WP so P1 might be able to get manual reviews easily, but an interesting comment. Ofc it's all conjecture, and he was clear that he had no idea on whether this was a policy or not.

I flew on a 318K J Award in January this year and had a seat released on QF1 and QF12 at either end.
Seats were requested in November from memory and did require manual review for both.