The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[Seat0B]

thank you for this.

recently dropped from Silver to bronze. Should I ask her to call QFF and maybe they could do something for us?I've heard so many good things about the Hobart contact centre but understand this is for platinum


was

Is your wife a platinum? If so, then it might be worth trying. If she is only silver, probably unlikely there will be any result. You will just have to apply for the upgrade and take your chances.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Because QFF points cannot be transferred to any other airline's FF system, you are quite stuck, so to speak.
Using points, all you flights will have to be in the OW alliance, so if only Y is offered, have to take that.
There are some hotel points that are tranferrable to QFF, as well as credit cards spent, but if you have only got QFF, you have to use that.
Coming back via HKG in Y, if that is what you can see with CX, its the only choice, in OW without stumping more $ for comin back one way Y with TR (Scoot) or SQ.
Not sure what the ideal solution is tho.
Might have to pay one way Y coming back with SQ, not cheap, but the only way to get back to Aust with a bit of comfort, esp with bubs.
As mentioned on other replies, you can fly the ultra low TR from Europe (they currently (I think) fly from Germany & Greece) to SIN, then SQ from SIN to Aust.
Ultimately 440xx_ QFF points, is not really a lot of points, esp for 2.5 pax if you take an indepth look at it, and covid has made the flying situation worst, lots of airlines are still just coming back into full/partly full capacity.

 

[RooFlyer]

Would you have any recommendations? Perhaps there is another way to fly home using points / reward seats. I can only see two economy reward seats via HK to Syd on Mon 25 Sept.

No recommendations from me, sorry. But have a look at this service Award Flight Assist - Frequent Flyer Solutions You can get a quote to find some seats to suit your points etc. I use them FWTW.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Because QFF points cannot be transferred to any other airline's FF system, you are quite stuck, so to speak.
Using points, all you flights will have to be in the OW alliance, so if only Y is offered, have to take that.
There are some hotel points that are tranferrable to QFF, as well as credit cards spent, but if you have only got QFF, you have to use that.
Coming back via HKG in Y, if that is what you can see with CX, its the only choice, in OW without stumping more $ for comin back one way Y with TR (Scoot) or SQ.
Not sure what the ideal solution is tho.
Might have to pay one way Y coming back with SQ, not cheap, but the only way to get back to Aust with a bit of comfort, esp with bubs.
As mentioned on other replies, you can fly the ultra low TR from Europe (they currently (I think) fly from Germany & Greece) to SIN, then SQ from SIN to Aust.
Ultimately 440xx_ QFF points, is not really a lot of points, esp for 2.5 pax if you take an indepth look at it, and covid has made the flying situation worst, lots of airlines are still just coming back into full/partly full capacity.

Yes you're correct. I can confidently say this after investing a good portion of the long weekend to looking at all options between Sydney and Athens.

Best case, I'll be able to fly 1 out of 4 legs (1, Syd to Sing, 2, Sing to LHR, 3, LHR to Sing & 4, Sing to Syd) in business and the rest in economy for my wife and 6 month old. First world problems I suppose. I could suggest to my wife she fly economy and I do business however I might as well write my obituary now.

From time to time, Sing to LHR and LHR to Sing there appear to be some options. Do you have any suggestions via OW for this component?

I'm currently thinking

• Option a) Singapore and finding the LHR leg via Business (rare / no chance)
• Option b) Shanghai business China Eastern
• Option c) Delhi business (Sri Lankian Air)
• Any other suggestions?

thanks again everyone

 

[jpp42]

Option c) Delhi business (Sri Lankian Air)

Sri Lankan has a decent business product and the transit in Colombo is fine, but adds time. However do you want to visit Delhi or are you talking about transiting to another airline from Delhi on to Europe? That's really going to extend your trip and to transit on a seperate ticket you'll need to enter India at Delhi which is a hassle, and not particularly comfortable in various ways. A nonstop from Asia to Europe would be preferable even if in economy in my view.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Sri Lankan has a decent business product and the transit in Colombo is fine, but adds time. However do you want to visit Delhi or are you talking about transiting to another airline from Delhi on to Europe? That's really going to extend your trip and to transit on a seperate ticket you'll need to enter India at Delhi which is a hassle, and not particularly comfortable in various ways. A nonstop from Asia to Europe would be preferable even if in economy in my view.

I wasn't aware it was such a hassle. Even if we were to only transit through New Delhi? We're looking at flights options (which there are some) same day/ next day. Any input would be appreciated.

Another option was flying direct into BKK and then connecting to LHR however this is economy and cash. Maybe I will find options for the way back to Syd

 

[jpp42]

I wasn't aware it was such a hassle. Even if we were to only transit through New Delhi? We're looking at flights options (which there are some) same day/ next day. Any input would be appreciated.

Please review this thread for an idea of the challenges presented at DEL: Delhi Airport (DEL) Transit Experinces

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Please review this thread for an idea of the challenges presented at DEL: Delhi Airport (DEL) Transit Experinces

Thank you. I'll have a read now.

 

[aaronm]

What is the baggage allowance for a QF redemption in AA domestic economy? According to this page (https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/baggage/checked-baggage.html) it is 32kg on a oneworld partner however my booking confirmation shows no detail under the baggage section, QF website seems to suggest “0 pieces”.

Also, as Gold/oneworld Sapphire I understand my baggage benefits should extend to anyone else on the booking, is this correct? So theoretically on an economy redemption the baggage allowance would be 2x32kg per passenger on the booking.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Yes you're correct. I can confidently say this after investing a good portion of the long weekend to looking at all options between Sydney and Athens.

Best case, I'll be able to fly 1 out of 4 legs (1, Syd to Sing, 2, Sing to LHR, 3, LHR to Sing & 4, Sing to Syd) in business and the rest in economy for my wife and 6 month old. First world problems I suppose. I could suggest to my wife she fly economy and I do business however I might as well write my obituary now.

From time to time, Sing to LHR and LHR to Sing there appear to be some options. Do you have any suggestions via OW for this component?

I'm currently thinking

• Option a) Singapore and finding the LHR leg via Business (rare / no chance)
• Option b) Shanghai business China Eastern
• Option c) Delhi business (Sri Lankian Air)
• Any other suggestions?

thanks again everyone

A quick update on my end

Purchased HEL to SIN business class (QFF 180k)
We have secured two x business class airfares from Helsinki to Singapore flying Finair. My wife and I are happy to spend 180k points for 13hrs in business.

I'm going to try and find SIN to FCO, etc via a OW partner.

I wanted to ask another question to the group.

If we purchase SYD to SIN return via Qantas, there is very little chance of bidding and securing an upgrade with Bronze status is that correct? Maybe if I ask my question differently - if I bid on an upgrade, and there are available seats, would Qantas award the bid regardless of QFF status?

I'm on Expertflyer.com and can see plenty of business class seats for the flights we're looking at however understand its 4 months away and someone made the comment that the bids rarely are successful when upgrading.

Many thanks again everyone

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Yes, on that route, its difficult, not impossible, but difficult.
You as a QFF NB have to wait till all the top tier QFF get their offers accepted, there is classic flight award, there is also bid now where QF will offer people the chance to go up (upgrade by paying a $ sum), go up a class, usually Y to J for a sum of $, etc, etc.
On QFd, if there is an upgrade spot, you can get it straight at the booking stage, by getting a use points award, but on QFi flights, there is the up to down the status tree use of points.
Good luck anyway.
EK does sell QF tix, MEL to SIN, while it would be a pain in the bum to travel QFd with a toddler, and with bags, etc, but that is an option, as EK will sell premY MEL - SIN on a rev tix, more expensive, but a bit more space than in Y with a QF 330, as EK uses their 380.
Some on here I waffle on too much, true, but just putting options.

 

[tdimdad]

You as a QFF NB have to wait till all the top tier QFF get their offers accepted

Which reminds me of a question (which probably has been answered elsewhere a few times over): the reward upgrade processing order. There are at least three variables in the play: pax status, fare class paid, and upgrade request date. If, say, 3 * J seats are converted into reward seats, what's the order of those variables when deciding who gets processed first?
Would that possibly be = highest status first, within each status the highest fare class, and within each fare class the oldest requests first?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

They would probably put their highest value "customers" ie CL first.
Keep the big wigs (big spenders) happy, least complains.
Albo would have his VIP 737 when he travels on official business, but other in the APS (public service) (mid range diplomatic staff), etc would have to travel on QF commercial flights.
Then P1/WP/SG/PS/NB?
EF might show a lot of availability, but who knows, it (all the J seats) "might" get all sold off, or go to the CL then higher grade FF members.
WP/P1 have their HBA service centre most of the time first go, so they would get first dibs.
Would be nice if QF has a dedicated 380 up to SIN and return, but their 380 from SYD goes onto the UK, and the rest of the available flights are their 330, which has less J seats, meaning getting award seats as far as SIN might work for J upgrade one way, but coming back, might have to face wordings "available seats will be in economy" in the booking.

 

[RichardMEL]

EK does sell QF tix, MEL to SIN, while it would be a pain in the bum to travel QFd with a toddler, and with bags, etc, but that is an option, as EK will sell premY MEL - SIN on a rev tix, more expensive, but a bit more space than in Y with a QF 330, as EK uses their 380.

EK flies the 777-300ER (77W) currently on MEL-SIN and v.v.

Premium Economy is not generally available on the 777, though they will be installing 24 W seats on this aircraft type. However it's very unlikely to be available on a specific route such as MEL-SIN in the short-medium term imo. They do not sell a W cabin on this sector currently.

Also EK405 currently departs MEL after 0200, hardly a friendly time.

Also "EK does sell QF tix, MEL to SIN.." makes no sense. If you're trying to say that there's a QF codeshare on EK MEL-SIIN, then that is correct, but it is QF who would sell that, and not EK. If you mean EK will sell an EK codeshare on the QF flight(s) to SIN, that's true, but not terribly relevant in the QF forum imo. Either way perhaps you need to try to be more clear with your meaning.

 

[RichardMEL]

They would probably put their highest value "customers" ie CL first.
Keep the big wigs (big spenders) happy, least complains.
Albo would have his VIP 737 when he travels on official business, but other in the APS (public service) (mid range diplomatic staff), etc would have to travel on QF commercial flights.
Then P1/WP/SG/PS/NB?
EF might show a lot of availability, but who knows, it (all the J seats) "might" get all sold off, or go to the CL then higher grade FF members.
WP/P1 have their HBA service centre most of the time first go, so they would get first dibs.
Would be nice if QF has a dedicated 380 up to SIN and return, but their 380 from SYD goes onto the UK, and the rest of the available flights are their 330, which has less J seats, meaning getting award seats as far as SIN might work for J upgrade one way, but coming back, might have to face wordings "available seats will be in economy" in the booking.

huh? You are mkxing up reward seats and upgrades - two different beasts on international sectors given upgrades are processed from 7 days prior to departure.

You make it sound like most in the Public Service are CL. Probably not. Only departmental secretary and the highest level MAY be. There may be a number of P1's, though QF does treat those on gov paid fares slightly differently.

CL are unlikely to be the highest value, but they can have influence. The most highest value would be CLPO (CL Plat 1) who actually fly bum in seat. Then probably a bunch more P1's actually provide a lot of revenue to QF.

Either way why NOT reward the highest status passengers? that's the whole POINT of the status system.

 

[Bluewave]

I'm trying to figure out if I will earn any QFF points/SC on upcoming Cathay Pacific flights that have been booked by an overseas Travel Agent for me (I had no say). I fly BNE-HKG-TPE on CX156/450 in Coach/Economy (M ticket), then return TPE-HKG-BNE on CX407/157 in Coach/Economy (H ticket). The Qantas points calculator doesn't show ticket class letters, only "Flexible Economy", etc. Would anyone know what class M or H mean? Should I reach out to CX to ask what my options are, if any, for earning and/or upgrading?

 

[Lynda2475]

M & H are both discount economy

 

[Bluewave]

I'm trying to figure out if I will earn any QFF points/SC on upcoming Cathay Pacific flights that have been booked by an overseas Travel Agent for me (I had no say). I fly BNE-HKG-TPE on CX156/450 in Coach/Economy (M ticket), then return TPE-HKG-BNE on CX407/157 in Coach/Economy (H ticket). The Qantas points calculator doesn't show ticket class letters, only "Flexible Economy", etc. Would anyone know what class M or H mean? Should I reach out to CX to ask what my options are, if any, for earning and/or upgrading?

So, I just saw this on QF website:
www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/qantas-class-types.html
M is Economy Saver
H is Economy Flex
Assuming CX has same ticket classes, I guess only my return leg will be eligible for QFF pts/SC.
Does anyone know if this is correct?

Post automatically merged: Apr 17, 2023

M & H are both discount economy

Oh, okay.

 

[Lynda2475]

Could be wrong, unless you have another one world program to credit to, maybe put QF number and see. In my previous job used to get discount outbound and flex return, so google could be wrong.

 

[serfty]

A quick update on my end

Purchased HEL to SIN business class (QFF 180k)
We have secured two x business class airfares from Helsinki to Singapore flying Finair. My wife and I are happy to spend 180k points for 13hrs in business.

I'm going to try and find SIN to FCO, etc via a OW partner.

I wanted to ask another question to the group.

If we purchase SYD to SIN return via Qantas, there is very little chance of bidding and securing an upgrade with Bronze status is that correct? Maybe if I ask my question differently - if I bid on an upgrade, and there are available seats, would Qantas award the bid regardless of QFF status?

I'm on Expertflyer.com and can see plenty of business class seats for the flights we're looking at however understand its 4 months away and someone made the comment that the bids rarely are successful when upgrading.

Many thanks again everyone

Post in thread 'International Upgrades - the pecking order' International Upgrades - the pecking order