The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[Drakecula]

We can keep each other updated! I suppose if I don't hear anything back, I'll try to post elsewhere in the forums!
When are you heading? I'm in late April

Not heading til November, so I can learn from you
Are you hoping to catch the tail end of cherry blossoms? Last time I went to Japan was late March, early April and caught the beginning of it. Amazing.

 

[FlyingFiona]

I too am keen on hearing the answer to this, because I've booked a classic rewards seat on JAL and I can't select a seat either. First timer to classic rewards seats too

I've always been able to book my seat on JAL on classic reward flights in J in advance. (I prefer their aisle seats because the window seats are too claustrophobic for me.)

Edit: I can't recall how I did it if not at the time. But try RJ.com - that's worked for me on partner airlines when I haven't been able to pick a seat through QF.

 

[JensInsanity]

Not heading til November, so I can learn from you
Are you hoping to catch the tail end of cherry blossoms? Last time I went to Japan was late March, early April and caught the beginning of it. Amazing.

Unfortunately, we will have just missed them!

I've always been able to book my seat on JAL on classic reward flights in J in advance. (I prefer their aisle seats because the window seats are too claustrophobic for me.)

Edit: I can't recall how I did it if not at the time. But try RJ.com - that's worked for me on partner airlines when I haven't been able to pick a seat through QF.

hmm bugger, wonder why that isn't an option for us

 

[TheDefenestrator]

Has anyone had experience choosing seats on Japan Airlines flights booked via classic rewards?

Is my only option to book them when we check in at the airport??

First time booking a classic rewards seat!
(I think this post belongs here..?)

I too am keen on hearing the answer to this, because I've booked a classic rewards seat on JAL and I can't select a seat either. First timer to classic rewards seats too

I can confirm you can select seats on JAL for tickets that were booked via QF Classic Rewards.
Simply go to JAL's website -> Manage Booking -> Manage Flight Booking (on JAL's Japan website, go Manage Booking -> International Flights -> Flight/Award tickets).

Under the NON JMB MEMBER section, enter in all details as requested.
If you have a middle name, enter it in the First (Given) name field (All caps works best I think? Also no special characters).
For example:
Given names: John Michael
Family name: Doe

You would enter:
Last (Family) name: DOE
First (Given) name: JOHNMICHAEL

You can also use the mobile app too.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Has anyone had experience choosing seats on Japan Airlines flights booked via classic rewards?

I have a Tokyo to Melbourne rewards flight with Japan Airlines later in the year and I was able to select my seats on the JAL website (it's not the best website but that's another story).

I will be / am in business class though, so whether or not that makes a difference compared to economy in terms of early seat selection.

The immediate window seats are all blocked out though - only the middle seats and second from window are available, but at least I can select my seats.

I've always been able to book my seat on JAL on classic reward flights in J in advance. (I prefer their aisle seats because the window seats are too claustrophobic for me.)

I agree - I wanted to book CI via TPE back to MEL but the wife wanted a direct flight even despite a poorer business class product (2-2-2 on a 787 with JL instead of 1-2-1 on an A350 / 777 with CI).

As both of us don't have status (only Bronze), if we can change seats to a window / aisle seat (on either side), then we will later on. For now though, we've got the middle seats.

 

[JensInsanity]

I can confirm you can select seats on JAL for seats that were booked via QF Classic Rewards.
Simply go to JAL's website -> Manage Booking -> Manage Flight Booking (on JAL's Japan website, go Manage Booking -> International Flights -> Flight/Award tickets).

Under the NON JMB MEMBER section, enter in all details as requested.
If you have a middle name, enter it the First (Given) name field (All caps works best I think? Also no special characters).
For example:
Given names: John Michael
Family name: Doe

You would enter:
Last (Family) name: DOE
First (Given) name: JOHNMICHAEL

You can also use the mobile app too.

Ah thanks so much!

In hindsight, that seems so obvious... For some reason, I assumed it must be done via Qantas because I booked classic rewards!

It's our honeymoon so would be so anti-climatic to get on the flight and sit apart lol.

Can confirm the name was a bit finicky, I had to use my middle name initial not the entire name.

 

[Drakecula]

I can confirm you can select seats on JAL for tickets that were booked via QF Classic Rewards.
Simply go to JAL's website -> Manage Booking -> Manage Flight Booking (on JAL's Japan website, go Manage Booking -> International Flights -> Flight/Award tickets).

I just followed those steps and seats have been selected. Thank you!
Agree with JensInsanity - seems so obvious when you point it out. Haha.

 

[RichardMEL]

Ah thanks so much!

In hindsight, that seems so obvious... For some reason, I assumed it must be done via Qantas because I booked classic rewards!

It's so our honeymoon so would be so anti-climatic to get on the flight and sit apart lol.

Can confirm the name was a bit finicky, I had to use my middle name initial not the entire name.

Yeah the JAL stuff is a bit PITA for sure but glad you got it.

Congratulations also on your upcoming nuptials!!

 

[encryptededdy]

Just confirming how the flexible fare refunds work for partially flown int'l tickets.

Base case: SYD-LHR return, Y flex prices today are $1,769 + $1,980 = $3,749 (for the dates most applicable if I did it as a return trip).
SYD-LHR one way $2,228.
LHR-SYD one way GBP 1,303 (AUD $2,516).

If I buy a return ticket but after arriving in LHR go and cancel the return segment, what refund will I get? Will it be the $1,980 I paid for it initially. Or, will it be $3,749 - $2,516 = $1,233 or a similar calculation but using the LHR-SYD fare on the cancellation day.
If the last option applies but all Y flex tickets have been already sold on the day of cancellation (i.e. no price is shown for it publicly), what's the fare base used and where can I find it to confirm the calculation?

I would expect it to be $3749 - $2,228, since functionally you're re-pricing your ticket as a SYD-LHR one way. The only question I'd have is would they use $2,228 (price of Flex Y at time of booking), or whatever full fare Y costs.

 

[elanshin]

Has anyone had experience choosing seats on Japan Airlines flights booked via classic rewards?

Is my only option to book them when we check in at the airport??

First time booking a classic rewards seat!
(I think this post belongs here..?)

I too am keen on hearing the answer to this, because I've booked a classic rewards seat on JAL and I can't select a seat either. First timer to classic rewards seats too

As others have already mentioned how to select seats - I'll just point out a neat feature of the JL MMB. Keep an eye on those Baby Face icons, thats where JAL expects there to be an infant booked.

Depending on your own flying preferences, that can be useful information as to where you choose to sit.

 

[JensInsanity]

As others have already mentioned how to select seats - I'll just point out a neat feature of the JL MMB. Keep an eye on those Baby Face icons, thats where JAL expects there to be an infant booked.

Depending on your own flying preferences, that can be useful information as to where you choose to sit.

Wow, that's really interesting! Thanks for giving us the information

 

[puchu]

Where should I sit in 787 Y on QF3 SYD-AKL? Does it matter much on a short hop, will the loads likely be lighter on the Trans-Tasman part of QF3?

 

[exceladdict]

Changing the name of travellers seems possible on CR tickets but is it possible to add travellers to an existing CR booking without changing the PNR?

Quick bump on this, very open to a DM if anyone doesn't want to post publicly

 

[zeruassiul]

Hello,

Flying QF67 soon on the A330-200 business. What would be ideal seats to book for 2 adults + 1 toddler aged 2? The staggered layout has me quite confused, and i'm wondering how best to be seated to have easy access to my toddler. Would the two middle seats work for 1 parent + toddler or is the divider limiting?

Thanks!

 

[MelbFlyer]

A330-200 business. What would be ideal seats to book for 2 adults + 1 toddler aged 2? The staggered layout has me quite confused, and i'm wondering how best to be seated to have easy access to my toddler

The staggered layout in QF business does make it a tad more difficult.

I'd suggest probably 2F/1K, or 4F/3K as the centre table consoles are to the left/right respectively and despite the aisle, you'll be closer to one another.

 

[dairyfloss]

Hello,

Flying QF67 soon on the A330-200 business. What would be ideal seats to book for 2 adults + 1 toddler aged 2? The staggered layout has me quite confused, and i'm wondering how best to be seated to have easy access to my toddler. Would the two middle seats work for 1 parent + toddler or is the divider limiting?

Thanks!

The staggered layout in QF business does make it a tad more difficult.

I'd suggest probably 2F/1K, or 4F/3K as the centre table consoles are to the left/right respectively and despite the aisle, you'll be closer to one another.

I don't envy you, @zeruassiul... As someone who has done this a heap of times, it can be quite hard to access your kids when in the QF J suites, unless you're out of your seat. The center pair (E/F) has an immovable divider, and it's awkward working around that. The floor area is not joined/open between the suites either, so you need to walk around the galleys into the other aisle to access the neighbouring suite.

The options @MelbFlyer gave are good ones for over aisle access (A/E & F/K). I usually take the window and so am the one on toilet runs, and 'picking up dropped stuff' duty throughout the flight. There's also 6A/6E which work the same in terms of access over the aisle, but has more noise from the galley. Check out the aeroLOPA seat map for the internationally configured QF 332, to get a more detailed look: QF Airbus A330-200 27J - aeroLOPA | Detailed aircraft seat plans

I think at 2YO, you'd be able to have your young one on one of your laps for take-off and landing, so hopefully at least that aspect can be managed more easily. Meal times can be a challenge and we often ended up just needing to get up and organise that from within our boy's suite space.

Choose the seats you like, go in prepared and expecting that parts of the flight might be a challenge, and you should be ok. It's definitely a great ride when all are relaxing or sleeping, and no matter the challenges, it's way better than flying behind that curtain! All the best for the trip, and welcome to AFF!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[elanshin]

Since when did QF fly 717s between SYD > MEL?
(This friday)

 

[RichardMEL]

Since when did QF fly 717s between SYD > MEL?
(This friday)

View attachment 372781
View attachment 372782

It has been known to happen on rare occasions.

I am going to guess with the 223 starting on Friday, there's some rejigging going on with 717s and why not use for some extra capacity?

 

[elanshin]

It has been known to happen on rare occasions.

I am going to guess with the 223 starting on Friday, there's some rejigging going on with 717s and why not use for some extra capacity?

Ah I did forget Friday was the start of the A220. I guess there might be some weird positioning issues. Just happen to be looking at some last minute flights for weekend trip to Melbourne.
Might end up on JQ63 and goto QF F at the current QF prices.

 

[RichardMEL]

Since when did QF fly 717s between SYD > MEL?
(This friday)

Just happened to be at MEL this arvo when I heard a boarding call for QF1750 to SYD. Knowing that's a 717 flight number I oerked up and thought of this. And found something interesting...



Which implies either a 737 issue or, possibly more likely, a capacity reduction (ie didn't need that 737 load, or perhaps put the shell elsewhere)

From what I can tell this flight was scheduled tiday.

4pm is a pretty peak time flight imo. Didn't notice other cxls at the time. Just struck me as interesting (yes, I need to get out more...)