The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[MelbFlyer]

Yep, if you’d gone in at T-80 you probably would have been able to select those also.

The advantage of going in sooner rather than when checkin opens is the upgrade list is being processed in the background and higher status PAX are being spirited out of whY into J. On an A380, that can also have very favourable outcomes - high status PAX gets spirited out of a good J seat into F! Which might also have been why you got lucky at checkin.

I did also login to the MMB portal >24hrs prior to the flight (to take advantage of T-80), but still wasn't able to select seats as 'seat selection is (was) unavailable'.

Odd.

 

[et76]

Hello all,

If I book a Emirates flight via the Qantas website that has a QF flight number will I be able to select seats on the Emirates flight? From what I've found searching it appears that I should be able to get my Emirates PNR and do it via the Emirates website. The Qantas website however has this table which seems to say otherwise.

Thanks.

 

[dairyfloss]

Hello all,

If I book a Emirates flight via the Qantas website that has a QF flight number will I be able to select seats on the Emirates flight? From what I've found searching it appears that I should be able to get my Emirates PNR and do it via the Emirates website. The Qantas website however has this table which seems to say otherwise.

Thanks.

View attachment 352335

Hi - the table above is not correct for some of the elements (for example - seating is definitely complimentary for QF status pax), and depending on the fare type, seat selection is included for QF Bronze. Best place to look at the detail for Emirates operated flights is here: Choose your Emirates seat | Booking Online | Book a flight | Emirates Australia

In any event, I would still be using the Emirates PNR on their booking management page to see what's possible after it is booked (or maybe after it is ticketed). In the worst case, 'Regular' seat selection is quite reasonable on EK, at between A$15 & A$35 per segment.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Daver6]

Hello all,

If I book a Emirates flight via the Qantas website that has a QF flight number will I be able to select seats on the Emirates flight? From what I've found searching it appears that I should be able to get my Emirates PNR and do it via the Emirates website. The Qantas website however has this table which seems to say otherwise.

Thanks.

View attachment 352335

Not sure what your QF status is. As a QF WP, I went to the EK website, ensured my QFF was in the system and I could select most seats for free.

 

[et76]

Thank you Matt.

Had major issues years ago with unable to do seat selection on a Singapore Airlines flight that was a Virgin codeshare and wanted to make sure this didn't happen again with Qantas and Emirates. Don't mind if I have to pay as long as I can select seats (have a family of 4 flying). Just a lowly Bronze.

 

[dairyfloss]

Thank you Matt.

Had major issues years ago with unable to do seat selection on a Singapore Airlines flight that was a Virgin codeshare and wanted to make sure this didn't happen again with Qantas and Emirates. Don't mind if I have to pay as long as I can select seats (have a family of 4 flying). Just a lowly Bronze.

No problem. You should definitely be able to do it, it's just about whether there is fees or not applied, and what that adds to the booking cost.

It may be worth comparing the cost of Economy Flex on EK directly, vs the QF codeshare +$35 x 4 x however many flight segments you have, just to see which is better value. Of course, if you are after [more?] points, or the QF status credits, then you don't have much choice in the matter.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[ZMan]

So the QF128 HKG to SYD flight on 12/11 just got cancelled. Now I have to transit through Melbourne.

My ticket was a classic reward and my partner was a full fare paying ticket and he kept his seat.

I guess classic reward has no security in the flight allocation whatsoever.

 

[MelbFlyer]

So the QF128 HKG to SYD flight on 12/11 just got cancelled. You have got to be kidding me.

Now I have to transit through Melbourne.

Are they really cutting costs that much because that flight isn’t full?

I think so. I had a flight cancellation over the weekend - my QF38 SIN to MEL flight got cancelled 11hrs prior to departure and the next day's service was upgraded from an A330-200 to an A380 (the last un-refurbished one too).

Strongly suspect that it was due to low passenger loads - thus they cancelled my flight and then distributed everyone else onto either the same day / following day's QF36 service (the flight that I eventually got onto - luckily I still was in business), or the next day's QF38 service.

They probably think that providing $200pp reimbursement (for the people who ask for it too!) for additional expenses (ie. an additional night of accommodation, food etc), is cheaper than running both flights not 100% full.

Just checking now too, seems both QF36 and QF38 have had multiple cancellations in the space of a few days.

My ticket was a classic reward and my partner was a full fare paying ticket and he kept his seat.

I guess classic reward has no security in the flight allocation whatsoever.

My seat was also a business reward seat, but I'm sorta glad that I wasn't "kept" on the next day's QF38 service as it was the older A380 business seat (2-2-2).

I got a 787-9 instead on QF36 (was supposed to be on an A330-200 on QF38). Anything is better than the aging / older config A380 though!

 

[ZMan]

I think so. I had a flight cancellation over the weekend - my QF38 SIN to MEL flight got cancelled 11hrs prior to departure and the next day's service was upgraded from an A330-200 to an A380 (the last un-refurbished one too).

Strongly suspect that it was due to low passenger loads - thus they cancelled my flight and then distributed everyone else onto either QF36 (the flight that I eventually got onto - luckily I still was in business), or the next day's QF38 service.

They probably think that providing $200pp reimbursement (for the people who ask for it too!) for additional expenses (ie. an additional night of accommodation, food etc), is cheaper than running both flights not 100% full.

Just checking now too, seems both QF36 and QF38 have had multiple cancellations in the space of a few days.

I updated my post above just before you responded. My partner is full fare paying and that flight didn't get cancelled for him.

I think classic reward tickets are the lowest on their hierarchy and will be the first to get dumped.

 

[elanshin]

So the QF128 HKG to SYD flight on 12/11 just got cancelled. Now I have to transit through Melbourne.

My ticket was a classic reward and my partner was a full fare paying ticket and he kept his seat.

I guess classic reward has no security in the flight allocation whatsoever.

I'd try to contact them to see if they can't keep both of you on the same flight. (Original).

Have an alternative in mind which is moving both of you to the route via Melbourne if that's acceptable.

Keep it clear and concise that you are travelling together, but due to the nature of the tickets it's not linked.

 

[ZMan]

I'd try to contact them to see if they can't keep both of you on the same flight. (Original).

Have an alternative in mind which is moving both of you to the route via Melbourne if that's acceptable.

Keep it clear and concise that you are travelling together, but due to the nature of the tickets it's not linked.

I called them just now and was on the phone for 50 mins. I proposed both keeping original flights (and pay extra) or move both to route via Melbourne. Operator said no availability on either options.

We can both move to a day later (one will need to pay $700 additional) but that completely messes up our travel plans.

This really puts me off travelling with Qantas in the future.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I called them just now and was on the phone for 50 mins. I proposed both keeping original flights (and pay extra) or move both to route via Melbourne. Operator said no availability on either options.

We can both move to a day later (one will need to pay $700 additional) but that completely messes up our travel plans.

This really puts me off travelling with Qantas in the future.

Sorry to hear of this issue - it should be easier to change, especially considering your flight is still over a week away.

For my flight cancellation over this past weekend, I was able to change (although with a bit of pushing and requesting to speak to the consultant's supervisor) to the next day even though my flight was supposed to be that day.

Surely Qantas could make an exception and convert any available revenue seats to award seats to accommodate?

I'd say HUACA (hang up and call again) until you get someone who will sort it. If they do not give you the answer you want, end the call and HUACA.

I'd also recommend to call 13 12 11 if not already - I'm a Bronze and have got through to a Premium consultant more than once (ie. As a Bronze, I shouldn't be able to though).

 

[RareAir]

Hi All,

I have a common question (though my inferior searching skills haven't unearthed an answer yet). It's a risk/reward question I suspect. Apologies also I need to spend some more time in the acronyms/code thread.

I am a Bronze cellar dweller, Qantas Club with not a huge cache of points (130,000).

Plan is to book 2 passengers HBA-SIN return on specific dates in late Oct 2024 (currently waiting for the dates to open). There is good availability at present of QF economy classic reward seats for this route for the dates currently available so I suspect this will continue when the dates open up.

One option is to book said return flights with QF economy reward seats when they become available (~100,000 points).

Ideally (but perhaps unrealistic) I would like to one of the legs either out or back to be in business. Obviously a lack of points at this point in time prohibits securing such seats as well as access/availability even if I had requisite points (I assume higher status are snapping them up). Also interested in thoughts on whether MEL-SIN is a hotly contested route for reward seats or not really an issue given amount of regular traffic?

There will perhaps be other options such as JQ or EK but I would prefer QF (EK leaving at 2:25am in the morning doesn't do it for me).

By now you are getting the picture that my specific dates, lack of status, lack of current points and lack of provider flexibility means I don't really deserve to entertain the notion of business!

But I'll lay out the question anyway!

Should I book and secure the economy reward seats for the dates I want as soon as they become available. Then attempt at some future point in time with necessary points to request an upgrade? Or are the chances so slim it will never happen (Bronze seeking upgrade from economy reward seats)? I know this is a far less efficient use of points as it's best to secure business reward directly.

Or should I take a risk, and try and secure business seats much closer to the departure date when points balance allows? But noting this might not deliver the dates I need?

The former option feels safer but also doesn't feel like it would deliver a business leg? Interested in the expert thoughts - thanks!

 

[ZMan]

Surely Qantas could make an exception and convert any available revenue seats to award seats to accommodate?

Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience.

The only conclusion I can make is they sold my rewards seat to someone else who’s willing to pay. Or a platinum FF wanted to get on that flight.

I highly doubt they’d convert a revenue seat to a rewards one, especially for a bronze FF (a nobody).

 

[Flyfrequently]

I updated my post above just before you responded. My partner is full fare paying and that flight didn't get cancelled for him.

I think classic reward tickets are the lowest on their hierarchy and will be the first to get dumped.

Staff travel is lower than CR @ZMan !

 

[elanshin]

Also interested in thoughts on whether MEL-SIN is a hotly contested route for reward seats or not really an issue given amount of regular traffic?

Booking heaps far out - not really that busy. Closer to the date - yes definitely as SIN connects onto QF1/2.

Should I book and secure the economy reward seats for the dates I want as soon as they become available. Then attempt at some future point in time with necessary points to request an upgrade? Or are the chances so slim it will never happen (Bronze seeking upgrade from economy reward seats)? I know this is a far less efficient use of points as it's best to secure business reward directly.

I'd say the chance of upgrades are relatively low for MEL <> SIN. Never nothing, but if you want better odds aim for the QF flight that is less likely to be a connecting flight for QF2 back (QF38). QF36 departs a couple of hours after QF2 arrives.

Or should I take a risk, and try and secure business seats much closer to the departure date when points balance allows? But noting this might not deliver the dates I need?

Chances are low for this. October wouldn't be the busiest but you are on a busy route.

The former option feels safer but also doesn't feel like it would deliver a business leg? Interested in the expert thoughts - thanks!

Have you considered other ways to get the ~50-60k points you need for a Economy / Business mix for 2 people faster now (wine for example or other signup deals).

Also consider SYD as transit point as well.

 

[RareAir]

Booking heaps far out - not really that busy. Closer to the date - yes definitely as SIN connects onto QF1/2.



I'd say the chance of upgrades are relatively low for MEL <> SIN. Never nothing, but if you want better odds aim for the QF flight that is less likely to be a connecting flight for QF2 back (QF38). QF36 departs a couple of hours after QF2 arrives.



Chances are low for this. October wouldn't be the busiest but you are on a busy route.

Have you considered other ways to get the ~50-60k points you need for a Economy / Business mix for 2 people faster now (wine for example or other signup deals).

Also consider SYD as transit point as well.

Thank you, that's really helpful!

 

[RichardMEL]

Thanks for your reply and sharing your experience.

The only conclusion I can make is they sold my rewards seat to someone else who’s willing to pay. Or a platinum FF wanted to get on that flight.

I highly doubt they’d convert a revenue seat to a rewards one, especially for a bronze FF (a nobody).

As I understand it from your earlier post, the aircraft was an A380 and then got changed to an A330. That is a HUGE drop in capacity in Business Class seating.

I'm thinking, depending on the configuration, the seat you had selected (by your partner I assume?) may not exist in the A330 config (you mentioned your partner kept his seat allocation). Now yeah, if they needed to "find" 30 odd seats (depending on booked load) then yes, a low/non status CR booking (and to QF, a pax going solo) would be a prime candidate to move via MEL for better or worse.

In this scenario it's almost a certainty that there were no extra seats sold and even if a Platinum (or P1 or CL) might "want" to get on that flight that's irrelevant. The aircraft swap would have resulted in zero capacity for anyone (hence moving pax like you), but even so high status pax can request things, but if there are no seats there are no seats. They won't turf off a ticketed passenger because someone else wants to get on (specially this far in advance, if in an irrops situation and a VVIP is accorded some sort of special treatment for whatever reason that's potentially possible, but still unlikely imo. Anyway not an issue here).

So, I'm going to suggest you were bumped off because of the reduction of capacity resulting from the aircraft swap - and not for any other reason involving other passengers or to get more revenue from selling "your" seat.

Having said that, no it's not cool that they changed the aircraft for the flight since it's affected pax (almost definitely not just you alone). There are obviously reasons why this was done, but it shouldn't be relevant to passengers who had seats and were forced to move (like you).

my two cents.

 

[ZMan]

As I understand it from your earlier post, the aircraft was an A380 and then got changed to an A330. That is a HUGE drop in capacity in Business Class seating.

I'm thinking, depending on the configuration, the seat you had selected (by your partner I assume?) may not exist in the A330 config (you mentioned your partner kept his seat allocation). Now yeah, if they needed to "find" 30 odd seats (depending on booked load) then yes, a low/non status CR booking (and to QF, a pax going solo) would be a prime candidate to move via MEL for better or worse.

In this scenario it's almost a certainty that there were no extra seats sold and even if a Platinum (or P1 or CL) might "want" to get on that flight that's irrelevant. The aircraft swap would have resulted in zero capacity for anyone (hence moving pax like you), but even so high status pax can request things, but if there are no seats there are no seats. They won't turf off a ticketed passenger because someone else wants to get on (specially this far in advance, if in an irrops situation and a VVIP is accorded some sort of special treatment for whatever reason that's potentially possible, but still unlikely imo. Anyway not an issue here).

So, I'm going to suggest you were bumped off because of the reduction of capacity resulting from the aircraft swap - and not for any other reason involving other passengers or to get more revenue from selling "your" seat.

Having said that, no it's not cool that they changed the aircraft for the flight since it's affected pax (almost definitely not just you alone). There are obviously reasons why this was done, but it shouldn't be relevant to passengers who had seats and were forced to move (like you).

my two cents.

Thanks for your detailed and logical explanation.

There were always no seat selection possible since they downsized the aircraft to A330 (Window / Aisle). I got the cancellation notification and then logged into my partner's account and suddenly today, he could select a seat.

My partner is pretty upset as he is anxious about flying alone. The lesson here for non-frequent travellers like myself are to never make two separate bookings. I wouldn't have done that but it was the only way we could use classic reward for one person and full fare paying for the other.

 

[dairyfloss]

Thanks for your detailed and logical explanation.

There were always no seat selection possible since they downsized the aircraft to A330 (Window / Aisle). I got the cancellation notification and then logged into my partner's account and suddenly today, he could select a seat.

My partner is pretty upset as he is anxious about flying alone. The lesson here for non-frequent travellers like myself are to never make two separate bookings. I wouldn't have done that but it was the only way we could use classic reward for one person and full fare paying for the other.

Too late for this now, but it is also possible to have a carrier link separate bookings so that the carrier knows that you are one party or group. It’s known to them as ‘TCP’ (The Complete Party), and provides for a variety of functions.

This may have helped in your circumstances, but depending on how severe the reduced capacity and demand, then maybe not…

Cheers,
Matt.