QFF Platinum requesting release of extra Classic Reward seats?

[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.
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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.
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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
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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.

 

[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?
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It turns out that the BNE-SYD leg has stuck and is now confirmed. Though, unnecessary without the inbound from MNL...

Interestingly, the points are yet to be deducted. Anyway, another call to be made.

 

[sap1l]

Thursday 18/09/25 SYD-SIN QF1 I2 - denied
Friday 19/09/25 SYD-BKK QF295 I3 - approved
Friday 19/09/25 SYD-SIN QF1 I6 - denied
Saturday 20/09/25 SYD-SIN QF1 I5 - denied
Saturday 20/09/25 SYD-BKK QF295 I5 - denied

Yet again I have no idea how the revenue gods work. I suppose less people would be traveling out on Friday vs the weekend as these are day flights, but I would have thought I'd get the Saturday QF1 approved instead.

 

[elanshin]

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.

Definitely not the case as I got a I2 Jan flight from HND-SYD on 2 different days released. Definitely peak as well since economy fares on Qf costed $1600+ (one way).

The droid does dark magic voodoo sometimes.

 

[SYD]

What’s the current consensus on getting 2x J ex SIN or BKK to SYD (for travel in 12mths time)?

I’m currently planning an Asia trip for late next year. Getting up there should be easy (DIY) but we hope to finish up in SAI. I can see QF/PJ rewards back to BKK or VA/SQ to SIN - both readily available.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Called up Qantas earlier today to request a release of a seat NAN > SYD in economy on Nov 29th only to be told that there was no inventory at the specified fare class so they couldn't even request a seat.

I'll be looking to book one more flight (probably a long haul "domestic" to Canada/USA in business) before I lose my coveted World Platinum status and am demoted to simply Global Gold.

-RooFlyer88

 

[henrus]

Called up Qantas earlier today to request a release of a seat NAN > SYD in economy on Nov 29th only to be told that there was no inventory at the specified fare class so they couldn't even request a seat.

This is normal, for international flights there needs to be at least Q fares available for platinums to seat request (economy sale fares). On that flight they are no sale fares only saver.

 

[ChrisFlyer]

Called up Qantas earlier today to request a release of a seat NAN > SYD in economy on Nov 29th only to be told that there was no inventory at the specified fare class so they couldn't even request a seat.

I'll be looking to book one more flight (probably a long haul "domestic" to Canada/USA in business) before I lose my coveted World Platinum status and am demoted to simply Global Gold.

-RooFlyer88

Fixed it. A shame you didn't break out Photoshop for this one, it'd have taken longer...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Another update (and success story for once). I'm planning on flying back home in February (home for me is Canada and DTW is the nearest airport from where that is). After checking on the loads I found the most ideal flight itinerary that had I availability : QF415 (SYD to MEL) > QF 21 (MEL to DFW) > AA 2508 (DFW >DTW). I called up the QFF Platinum desk and spoke to Karen who was lovely. Unfortunately, QF21 wasn't available for release despite it being I5, she tried a couple more options and found one that would at least get me to the Americas in business: QF550 (SYD > BNE) > QF 15 (BNE > LAX) which I accepted. I'll now need to work out getting to DTW from LAX, but that shouldn't be too difficult.

And yes, I know it's QF 15 on an A330, it's no luxurious experience like on the A380 or 787, but you know what, it's a J seat and I'll take it!

-RooFlyer88

 

[jrfsp]

Another update (and success story for once). I'm planning on flying back home in February (home for me is Canada and DTW is the nearest airport from where that is). After checking on the loads I found the most ideal flight itinerary that had I availability : QF415 (SYD to MEL) > QF 21 (MEL to DFW) > AA 2508 (DFW >DTW). I called up the QFF Platinum desk and spoke to Karen who was lovely. Unfortunately, QF21 wasn't available for release despite it being I5, she tried a couple more options and found one that would at least get me to the Americas in business: QF550 (SYD > BNE) > QF 15 (BNE > LAX) which I accepted. I'll now need to work out getting to DTW from LAX, but that shouldn't be too difficult.

And yes, I know it's QF 15 on an A330, it's no luxurious experience like on the A380 or 787, but you know what, it's a J seat and I'll take it!

-RooFlyer88

In all honesty the seat and the service is exactly the same not sure what else you’re expecting, the A380 has the lounge to be fair but otherwise I can’t think of any difference, if anything the service might be much quicker than that on the 787/380

 

[kangarooflyer88]

In all honesty the seat and the service is exactly the same not sure what else you’re expecting, the A380 has the lounge to be fair but otherwise I can’t think of any difference, if anything the service might be much quicker than that on the 787/380

Whilst it may be true that the seat and hard product are indeed quite similar to say SYD to LAX on the A380, the real concern I see is the soft product as crew don’t have a dedicated rest area as is the case in the 787 or A380. Instead Qantas reserves a couple of business class seats for the crew. which would lead me to think they might be grumpy with that arrangement.

-RooFlyer88

 

[henrus]

Instead Qantas reserves a couple of business class seats for the crew. which would lead me to think they might be grumpy with that arrangement.

The business class seats are for the flight deck crew, there are several rows of economy blocked for the cabin crew.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

The business class seats are for the flight deck crew, there are several rows of economy blocked for the cabin crew.

Fair enough. I think that only strengthens my argument that the crew won’t be particularly happy. There’s a huge difference between a bunk bed nestled away from passengers versions lying flat on a poor man’s business class seat.