QR withholding award seats from Qantas?

[AussiePom]

I've done a bunch of recent searches and bookings. The most recent was for flights to europe in mid feb. I ended up booking with Avios when flights were not available in QF. I was new to this phenomenon and hadn't researched on AFF yet, so I was on the phone with the QFF agent saying that i could see the avialbility with other OW carrier sites..... Disappointing as it's so hard to earn Avios in AUS....

 

[SYD]

I've done a bunch of recent searches and bookings. The most recent was for flights to europe in mid feb. I ended up booking with Avios when flights were not available in QF. I was new to this phenomenon and hadn't researched on AFF yet, so I was on the phone with the QFF agent saying that i could see the avialbility with other OW carrier sites..... Disappointing as it's so hard to earn Avios in AUS....

Yet easier to burn than QFF….

 

[Myrna]

Used BA website to check J redemption from LHR-DOH-SYD. Found 4 J seats via BNE and not directly to SYD. But when tried to "book" it would not price avios and taxes! Suspect they would be astronomical anyway!

 

[cowombat]

As Matt mentions, no problem booking 2 x Q-Suites from MEL - AMS using Aadvantage points. It's QF that's the perennial problem. And even if QF offered the seats on QR, it would be at twice the points and 8 times the fees......

 

[worldholdonn]

I scored one from Per to Oslo in June

I saw it, pondered for 5 minutes and booked.

 

[Guvner]

I've been searching/exploring awards on QF on many carriers, and to many destinations, (trying to burn down ~ 1M points) over the past month pretty much daily, and there are myriad examples of where premium cabin redemptions are unavailable, yet mysteriously other OW carriers show availability. It must be a deliberate strategy to force QFF members in to Economy awards (QF and partners) for whatever reason(s).

 

[snakenlibra]

Good morning,
I should be doing something wrong on Qantas website looking for redemption tickets.
I cannot get access to the blocky table that displays the award availability across the days/months. Instead I get only a long list of daily flight options available. Hope this makes sense?
Any advice will be really appreciated.
The first picture is what I am getting now; but pre-Covid I used to be able to get options in the form of Picture 2. Obviously it still exists as the image is copied from the latest article titled 'QFF blocked from redeeming QR Qsuites'.
Matt, could you please advise?

many thanks
Chris Lim

 

[Guvner]

That format change on the left has been in effect (intermittently) for a week or two now. It's very annoying as when you see the columns you assume there is availability. So you scroll down to just repeatedly see "No Seats". The old format used to display the columns only when "seats" existed.

 

[snakenlibra]

Thanks for the quick answer Guvner, but how do I get back to the old format with the various different colors of the ribbons within the days/month of travel please?
Many thanks

 

[theoracle30]

Thanks for the quick answer Guvner, but how do I get back to the old format with the various different colors of the ribbons within the days/month of travel please?
Many thanks

You need to search via 'Multi City' tool and check 'flexible with dates' on the calendar. Then you'll see the ribbons.

 

[Guvner]

Multi-City search:






Normal Search:

 

[adenda]

Whatever the reason for this it's only been in place in the last 2 years. I had 2 QSuites booked ticketed and allocated for a OWA in 2020 (was booked in 2019). But of course that trip was cancelled and attempts to rebook it all ran into the 1 seat only restriction. Looked at the Auckland option but unfortunately the extra miles pushed us over the OWA limit. Ended up doing the same as Matt suggested and booked MH to KUL and then picked QR from there to Europe. But that's now also been cancelled ...
Not sure if it's Qantas doing this otherwise wouldn't they block the Auckland option?

 

[snakenlibra]

HI '@theoracle30' thanks for the information. Really appreciated.
Chris

 

[Lynda2475]

Multi-City searc

Try putting a second leg (even if you dont intend to fly it) so you get the calendar view.

 

[Guvner]

Try putting a second leg (even if you dont intend to fly it) so you get the calendar view.

Yep, the poster asked how to get the Picture2 view.

 

[hossein_au]

Out of interest have you tried calling Qantas (wait times) and getting a quote for 4 people on that route/date to see if it's just a website problem?

Something tells me that the systems Oneworld airlines use aren't that impressive and lack the ability to hold seats back from one airline but not others.

Yes I have. Same result. Ended up booking one seat using QFF and one using AA (both on the same flight).

 

[gilldo]

Ever think it's simply QR trying to ensure that the many cashed up QF J class pax PAY for two seats rather than use QF points.

They don't want to completely block access, so they allow one, but most people travel in twos or more. Also, points holders from other airlines are less likely to book Australia to Doha using points

 

[Human]

I'm wondering whether this may have something to do with Qantas' partnership with Emirates? Could it be that someone at Qantas wants to limit the attractiveness or availability of Qatar in order to give a leg-up to Qantas' (non-Oneworld) alliance partner?

 

[bam71]

Probably, and lets face it, Qatar is streets ahead (IMO) of EK. QR is definitely my first choice if travelling via the ME

 

[aaa99]

Is Qatar similar to CX in releasing seats to partners? CX and JL generally seem to release some extra seats 2 weeks before the flight. Is it similar here?