Thinking of making a QF DFW to SYD reward booking? Currently a large number of available flights in F and J available.

[Dr Ralph]

People, myself included, often complain about the lack of award flights from AUS to the USA and vice versa, especially to or from DFW. But today I was shocked to see for me what is the largest availability of flights on this route that I can recall. I haven't checked more extensively, but there are at least 2 seats in F and J for almost every day on QF 8 available from around July 25, 2020 for a period of at least a month. I cannot confirm if the same availability is available for SYD to DFW.

Extremely unusual to see QF flights available on this route at all. Well that is unless you have status – which I do not. So especially surprising to see so much availability available at around 8 months out.

I already had a JAL flight booked via Japan on this route. But the temptation of flying direct was too much to resist. I've booked the direct flight in J with QF and now will cancel the original JAL flight and cop the penalty. In the end the points required for the QF flight were actually lower than I'd paid for the JAL flights. After many flights to/from the USA on Cathay, JAL and China Eastern, this will actually be my first award booking on a Qantas flight.

 

[blackcat20]

Similar availability last year for this July, we had our pick of dates for a pair of F seats to and from the US.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Similar availability last year for this July, we had our pick of dates for a pair of F seats to and from the US.

Lucky you

I can't say that I'd seen this level of availability previously. Especially not on QF 8.

Great evidence in the future for those naysayers that always claim that they can't get flights.

 

[cjd600]

Been the case for a couple of months now......seems around the 287 day release for Bronze from what I have seen.
Up to 4F and 4J transpac.
I also switched LAX-NRT-SYD booked at 360 to LAX-SYD for 4J at 287ish release.
For Late August 2020

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I've seen over the last 4 years, took advantage both ways in 2016

 

[cjd600]

I've seen over the last 4 years, took advantage both ways in 2016

Yeah, we got 4 J return Sep/Oct 2014 as NB

 

[cjd600]

Quite happy for the naysayers to keep bleating about no award availability though

 

[kevrosmith]

I received this email back on 14-Nov. Isn't it part of their last round of changes, where they increased points required for reward seats, but also promised to release more rewards seats in Premium classes.

 

[Dr Ralph]

I received this email back on 14-Nov. Isn't it part of their last round of changes, where they increased points required for reward seats, but also promised to release more rewards seats in Premium classes.


View attachment 197886

Could be. If so, this is actual evidence of it occurring, especially on a route that has traditionally been very challenging to find availability. I've seen other threads where members indicate little to no evidence of this occurring.

I'd also note that even with the points increase from Qantas I paid less to take QF 8 than I'd paid to take flights with other carriers (JAL) on the same route, albeit an indirect one.

 

[get me outta here]

Just booked JFK-DFW-SYD in F. Is 1A quiet or too near the loos? (It's a backup booking in case the Corona scare is still on).

Sadly, I have 11 hours transit in DFW, don't know what I'll do for that time, is there a decent F lounge, AA?

And, I didn't know that QF does not answer the phone on Sundays now! Is this all the time, how long has that been in or just a glitch. (I don't often do QF).

 

[p--and--t]

According to their website 24/7, I have called them at all different hours on weekends and always got through (after the inevitable wait time)

Australia
Call us from anywhere in Australia for flight, arrival and departure enquiries.
Contact details for Australia

Qantas area	Contact	Opening hours
Flights	Call 13 13 13 select menu option 1	24 hours, 7 days a week
Flight bookings with points	Call 13 13 13 select menu option 1	24 hours, 7 days a week

 

[offshore171]

but there are at least 2 seats in F and J for almost every day on QF 8 available from around July 25, 2020 for

The benefit of being able to travel outside school holidays! They finish on 20 Jul.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Just booked JFK-DFW-SYD in F. Is 1A quiet or too near the loos? (It's a backup booking in case the Corona scare is still on).

Sadly, I have 11 hours transit in DFW, don't know what I'll do for that time, is there a decent F lounge, AA?

And, I didn't know that QF does not answer the phone on Sundays now! Is this all the time, how long has that been in or just a glitch. (I don't often do QF).

Quite a bit of discussion of best F seats here:

Best F Seats - QF A380

My partner and I are flying in the F cabin on QF127 A380 for the first time. We have chosen 3/4A and wanted any recommendations from regular F flyers here :) The cabin is currently empty so will be able to change if needed.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I recently booked 4A and 5A.

The benefit of being able to travel outside school holidays! They finish on 20 Jul.

No. Available post this date. I booked F flights for Aug and Sept earlier this week.

 

[offshore171]

No. Available post this date. I booked F flights fir Aug and Sept earlier this week.

Thats the point I was making. AU school hold finish around the 20/7 and the good seat availability seems to be after that.

This is a huge benefit of being able to travel outside AU school holiday periods.

 

[get me outta here]

Thanks, I was calling an 'old' number 131131. Will try the number below.

According to their website 24/7, I have called them at all different hours on weekends and always got through (after the inevitable wait time)

Australia
Call us from anywhere in Australia for flight, arrival and departure enquiries.
Contact details for Australia

Qantas area	Contact	Opening hours
Flights	Call 13 13 13 select menu option 1	24 hours, 7 days a week
Flight bookings with points	Call 13 13 13 select menu option 1	24 hours, 7 days a week

Post automatically merged: Feb 9, 2020

Thanks, I have got 4A as 3A was taken.

Quite a bit if discussion of best F seats here:

Best F Seats - QF A380

My partner and I are flying in the F cabin on QF127 A380 for the first time. We have chosen 3/4A and wanted any recommendations from regular F flyers here :) The cabin is currently empty so will be able to change if needed.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

I recently booked 4A and 5A.



No. Available post this date. I booked F flights fir Aug and Sept earlier this week.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Thats the point I was making. AU school hold finish around the 20/7 and the good seat availability seems to be after that.

This is a huge benefit of being able to travel outside AU school holiday periods.

No. Availability has been/is still very good during scheduled school holidays. I have been watching this very closely.

 

[kermatu]

Just booked JFK-DFW-SYD in F. Is 1A quiet or too near the loos? (It's a backup booking in case the Corona scare is still on).

Sadly, I have 11 hours transit in DFW, don't know what I'll do for that time, is there a decent F lounge, AA?

And, I didn't know that QF does not answer the phone on Sundays now! Is this all the time, how long has that been in or just a glitch. (I don't often do QF).

Definitely take an A seat. 2A and 3A the best in my experience.
No F standard lounge in DFW (as far as I'm aware). 11 hours is long enough for a city visit and/or a hotel stay in my view.

 

[sudoer]

American Airlines' new Dallas/Fort Worth Flagship first class lounge

American Airlines’ new Flagship Lounge at Dallas/Fort Worth Airport is now open, bringing a significant upgrade not only for AA passengers travelling domestically and abroad, but also for eligible Qantas travellers taking the 17-hour journey aboard QF8 from Dallas to Sydney, who can also stop...

www.executivetraveller.com

Perhaps not quite 'F standard', but the new Flagship lounge is a significant improvement on previous offerings. Agree 11 hours warrants getting out of the airport though.

 

[get me outta here]

Great info in this thread, thanks. Having not done QF F for some years, this is a great refresher for seat choice : The best seats in first class on the Qantas Airbus A380

 

[justinbrett]

Definitely take an A seat. 2A and 3A the best in my experience.
No F standard lounge in DFW (as far as I'm aware). 11 hours is long enough for a city visit and/or a hotel stay in my view.

DFW AA Flagship Lounge with Flagship dining is F standard. Officially it’s only for AA metal, I’m not sure if QF pays to get you access. I think BA does at some airports.

Standard DFW Flagship lounge is still good though. Better than a QF J lounge.