The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[AIRwin]

Would anyone know what class M or H mean?

For Cathay:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/airline-earning-tables/earn-category-tables.html?int_cam=au%3Aairline-earning-tables%3Aarticle%3Afrequent-flyer-earn-categories%3Aen%3Ann#cathay-pacific

 

[Bluewave]

For Cathay:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/earn-points/airline-earning-tables/earn-category-tables.html?int_cam=au%3Aairline-earning-tables%3Aarticle%3Afrequent-flyer-earn-categories%3Aen%3Ann#cathay-pacific

Thanks! Very clear now.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

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

thank you

A quick update

1. 1 out of 4 legs purchased via QFF on business.
2. I can see SYD to HKG, SYD to PVG, SYD to ICH. China Eastern business looks quite nice, as does Cathay to HKG.
   

Dumb question - is it possible to search for reward fights on the QFF website for legs outside of Aus. e.g SIN to MAD, ZUR etc? I cannot seem to retrieve any airfares (economy, premium or business) from HKG, PVG or ICH to europe via the QFF site - presuming the site doesn't cater for this?

 

[Lynda2475]

Dumb question - is it possible to search for reward fights on the QFF website for legs outside of Aus. e.g SIN to MAD, ZUR etc? I cannot seem to retrieve any airfares (economy, premium or business) from HKG, PVG or ICH to europe via the QFF site - presuming the site doesn't cater for this?

Its a currency thing, online QF wont price itineraries commencing in countries where they dont take payment in that countries currency.

To check availability, try a multi city search with first flight being in Australia i.e:

SYD-MEL
SIN-MAD

and it should work. Noting also works best when the city pairs are services by a Qantas partner so check that AA, BA, Iberia, Korean etc fly to the cities you want.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Its a currency thing, online QF wont price itineraries commencing in countries where they dont take payment in that countries currency.

To check availability, try a multi city search with first flight being in Australia i.e:

SYD-MEL
SIN-MAD

and it should work. Noting also works best when the city pairs are services by a Qantas partner so check that AA, BA, Iberia, Korean etc fly to the cities you want.

I tried this but still doesn't work.

The site is quite frustrating (as a user) and I find sometimes it returns results, sometimes it doesn't. I understand its based on availability however even the calendar view (multi city) doesn't work some days.

Currently weighing up -
SYD to HKG (business via Melb) - close to booking (100k all up plus taxes)
HKG to anywhere in europe not working on QFF (most likely will buy flights separately - any recommendations on sites?)
SIN to SYD (economy and bid on upgrade on way back)

any thoughts?

 

[dairyfloss]

thank you

A quick update

1. 1 out of 4 legs purchased via QFF on business.
2. I can see SYD to HKG, SYD to PVG, SYD to ICH. China Eastern business looks quite nice, as does Cathay to HKG.

Dumb question - is it possible to search for reward fights on the QFF website for legs outside of Aus. e.g SIN to MAD, ZUR etc? I cannot seem to retrieve any airfares (economy, premium or business) from HKG, PVG or ICH to europe via the QFF site - presuming the site doesn't cater for this?

Its a currency thing, online QF wont price itineraries commencing in countries where they dont take payment in that countries currency.

To check availability, try a multi city search with first flight being in Australia i.e:

SYD-MEL
SIN-MAD

and it should work. Noting also works best when the city pairs are services by a Qantas partner so check that AA, BA, Iberia, Korean etc fly to the cities you want.

QF may not allow bookings from origins where it doesn't have a point of sale, but that's not an issue with any of the above origins. I think this is just about limited reward availability. I did a multi-city search just now starting on QF's AU site, and after redirecting me to the Singapore site to complete the booking, found SIN-MAD in Sep 2023, for example, and have found some Y and Y+ options on certain days, flying on AY/IB or BA. Like below:


There was a also number of options around the same time from SIN-ZUR, including options in F on EK:

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

QF may not allow bookings from origins where it doesn't have a point of sale, but that's not an issue with any of the above origins. I think this is just about limited reward availability. I did a multi-city search just now starting on QF's AU site, and after redirecting me to the Singapore site to complete the booking, found SIN-MAD in Sep 2023, for example, and have found some Y and Y+ options on certain days, flying on AY/IB or BA. Like below:

View attachment 324430
There was a also number of options around the same time from SIN-ZUR, including options in F on EK:
View attachment 324431
Cheers,
Matt.

this is very helpful thank you!

I can now see (maybe the site was having issues this morning) options to europe.

So we're now debating two options
1) Fly syd to hkg (business on cathay) then economy hkg to paris (air france). cost $4.5k
2) Fly syd to Tokyo (economy on qantas) then business tokyo to helsinki, then helsinki to paris. cost $3k

Basically option 1 is 10.5hrs in business v option 2 13.5hrs in business could need to connect.

 

[Seat0B]

The site is quite frustrating (as a user) and I find sometimes it returns results, sometimes it doesn't. I understand its based on availability however even the calendar view (multi city) doesn't work some days.

Sorry to be cynical, but welcome to Qantas - consistently inconsistent

 

[tdimdad]

1) Fly syd to hkg (business on cathay) then economy hkg to paris (air france). cost $4.5k
2) Fly syd to Tokyo (economy on qantas) then business tokyo to helsinki, then helsinki to paris. cost $3k

If I may offer an opinion, take the most comfortable option for the longest leg and save the economies for the shorter legs. In your case, option 2 would be the one I'd pick (plus it saves $ for some nice dinners and bubbles in Paris).

 

[Seat0B]

Update on my claim for DSC for involuntary down graded leg of trip. On Tuesday, I got this "follow up" email - but still no action onmy DSC claim, let alone the cash refund etc.... waiting, waiting, waiting

 

[MelbourneBoy]

If I may offer an opinion, take the most comfortable option for the longest leg and save the economies for the shorter legs. In your case, option 2 would be the one I'd pick (plus it saves $ for some nice dinners and bubbles in Paris).

Thank you for this.

We've successfully booked

1. Syd to Tokyo (cash - qantas economy). 10.5hrs (3 nights Tokyo)
2. Osaka to Helsinki (180k points - finair business) 13hrs (2 nights Helsinki)
3. Helsinki to Paris (cash - economy) 3hrs (3 nights Paris)
4. Paris to Athens (cash - economy) 3 hrs
5. Athens to Helsinki (cash - economy) 3 hrs
6. Helsinki to Singapore (180k points - finair business) 13 hrs (2 nights singapore)
7. Singapore to Sydney (cash - economy) 7.5hrs

thanks for everyone's help!

 

[wombatpatties]

I’ve been a member for awhile, so not really a newbie, BUT since the reorganising of this website, (which I said I wouldn’t return!). I can’t understand how to book a free flight to the U.K. When I search, it yields only 30 day trip, but I’m wanting at least 5-6 weeks. Can they restrict amounts of travel time on a free flight?

 

[RichardMEL]

I’ve been a member for awhile, so not really a newbie, BUT since the reorganising of this website, (which I said I wouldn’t return!). I can’t understand how to book a free flight to the U.K. When I search, it yields only 30 day trip, but I’m wanting at least 5-6 weeks. Can they restrict amounts of travel time on a free flight?

Do you mean a QF reward ticket?

You should be able to book a return flight whenever, within the available period of available flights that is. The problem may well be a lack of reward seats in the month you're searching for? can you give us some examples of what you mean?

(there's no minimum or maximum stay on reward tickets AFAIK)

 

[wombatpatties]

Do you mean a QF reward ticket?

You should be able to book a return flight whenever, within the available period of available flights that is. The problem may well be a lack of reward seats in the month you're searching for? can you give us some examples of what you mean?

(there's no minimum or maximum stay on reward tickets AFAIK)

Yes a reward flight with points accumulated . Tried again, and dates for 2024 only go to 11th April, so must be too early to book. Thanks anyway for replying. If I get stuck again, I’ll post you.

 

[sqrt()]

Yes a reward flight with points accumulated . Tried again, and dates for 2024 only go to 11th April, so must be too early to book. Thanks anyway for replying. If I get stuck again, I’ll post you.

You can book the outbound leg now and then call up and book the return when availability opens up. May have to pay a change fee 5k points, and will definitely have to pay the extra taxes for the return.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Yes a reward flight with points accumulated . Tried again, and dates for 2024 only go to 11th April, so must be too early to book. Thanks anyway for replying. If I get stuck again, I’ll post you.

Qantas have booking to 353 days out (amadeus GDS)
Others, like AA, to 330 days out (Sabre GDS)
No advantage/disadvantage to book as one way vs return. About 5 years since I booked a return ticket.

 

[Lynda2475]

No advantage/disadvantage to book as one way vs return.

Except if the return itinerary (assuming its not direct) helps quality for a OWA therefore capping and saving points.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Except if the return itinerary (assuming its not direct) helps quality for a OWA therefore capping and saving points.

wombatpatties was asking about a return trip to UK, presumably from AU. A QF OWA is another big step, but good if you can get it to work.

 

[Randel]

Just wondering what the process is for part refund of a downgraded portion of trip.

Will Qantas do this automatically or do I have to lodge a complaint?

How do they work out the $ refunadable?

We booked and paid $ for return J flights from Perth to Queenstown. The mid arvo return flight was delayed, so our connecting flight Sydney to Perth was changed to the last flight of the day.

I checked our seats and noticed that my wife and I were now seperated - one still in J and one kicked to Y. As this was now the last flight of the day, no options for a later flight to enable us to be together in J.

Tried calling Qantas, tried the check in counters and J lounge reception - no luck in getting us together.

Do we wait and hope Qantas will do the right thing?

One other thing - the Domestic J Lounge in Sydney is a disgrace. Filthy.

 

[wombatpatties]

wombatpatties was asking about a return trip to UK, presumably from AU. A QF OWA is another big step, but good if you can get it to work.

OWA. Means what? Other way around??