Trouble redeeming a Qantas Flight

[Bolsh]

My fiancee and I are looking to go to Thailand in mid Jan 2009. I rang Qantas to redeem flights (preferably Business) using FF points 11 1/2 months in advnce (to the day) and was told that there were no seats available. I am a Platinum member and asked how there could be no availability for a flight that is almost 12 months away. The guy asked me to call back 9th Feb (11 1/2 months from our planned return flight) and ask for him, he would then put me on to an "analyst" who would see if the could reconfigure seats. Ha sanyone had any similar eperience trying to redeem flights so far in advance and getting knocked back. Any advice will be greatly welcomed.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

My fiancee and I are looking to go to Thailand in mid Jan 2009. I rang Qantas to redeem flights (preferably Business) using FF points 11 1/2 months in advnce (to the day) and was told that there were no seats available. I am a Platinum member and asked how there could be no availability for a flight that is almost 12 months away. The guy asked me to call back 9th Feb (11 1/2 months from our planned return flight) and ask for him, he would then put me on to an "analyst" who would see if the could reconfigure seats. Ha sanyone had any similar eperience trying to redeem flights so far in advance and getting knocked back. Any advice will be greatly welcomed.

Regularly, especially on BKK-MEL. The likely problem with Bkk is that it is one of the two business London routes. Yield management on this route tends to be driven by the full MEL-LHR trip.

From here, you've got three options:
1. Wait, and hope yield management throws up seats down the track
2. Book in S class economy and waitlist for an upgrade
3. Pay some points to the award booking centre and 'request' a seat. I've had some luck in the past, probably about one in three across various routes. If they can't confirm it within a couple of days, it probably won't happen.

That said, I'm still surprised it doesn't throw up JQ. Yield management is voodoo.

 

[littl_flier]

I can see what the CSA is trying to say about ringing a little later in the month. From MEL, you would need to transit through SYD otherwise you will end up using your Business Class points for a flight in Jetstar StarClass. :shock:

QF seem to be fairly restrictive on award flights on this route however BA also fly it with a 747 with Club World. I believe BA flights are released a couple of weeks later than QF ones are so they'll be able to see these hopefully when you call back. There seems to be more BA availability on these routes than QF.

 

[simongr]

Have you consider F on BA? I tend to find that BA F have availablity when QF do not have J or whY.

 

[moa999]

Also as a Plat, would ask them to send a request to yield management

 

[drron]

Before the last enhancements i tried for a business award SYD-BKK as part of a OW award.Best I got was BA WT+.
I am sorry but here is where the AA system has it all over QFF as you could go by an intermediate city for no extra points.
On QFF you could do MEL-SIN business return-there seems to be good availability.Then JQ on to BKK but it will cost you an extra 24000 points.
A OW award via HKG is a possibility but it would cost an extra 52000 points in business.Both CX and RJ fly this route so you could satisfy the 2 other carrier provision.

 

[Bolsh]

Regularly, especially on BKK-MEL. The likely problem with Bkk is that it is one of the two business London routes. Yield management on this route tends to be driven by the full MEL-LHR trip.

From here, you've got three options:
1. Wait, and hope yield management throws up seats down the track
2. Book in S class economy and waitlist for an upgrade
3. Pay some points to the award booking centre and 'request' a seat. I've had some luck in the past, probably about one in three across various routes. If they can't confirm it within a couple of days, it probably won't happen.

That said, I'm still surprised it doesn't throw up JQ. Yield management is voodoo.[/quote

Thanks for your advice. It's much appreciated.

 

[Bolsh]

I can see what the CSA is trying to say about ringing a little later in the month. From MEL, you would need to transit through SYD otherwise you will end up using your Business Class points for a flight in Jetstar StarClass. :shock:

QF seem to be fairly restrictive on award flights on this route however BA also fly it with a 747 with Club World. I believe BA flights are released a couple of weeks later than QF ones are so they'll be able to see these hopefully when you call back. There seems to be more BA availability on these routes than QF.

Thanks for your advice. It's much appreciated.

 

[ksthommo]

Qantas website is showing 2 Business Class seats Melbourne/Bangkok
on 20 and 21 January only. Interesting, no economy class seats are showing.

 

[Mr_Gimlet]

well, they weren't there two hours ago

 

[littl_flier]

Qantas website is showing 2 Business Class seats Melbourne/Bangkok
on 20 and 21 January only. Interesting, no economy class seats are showing.

And on the 7th, 8th, 13th and 15th but only for one pax.

 

[ksthommo]

Sydney/Bangkok are showing at least 2 Business Class Seats
on 6,13,14,20 & 21 January

 

[Evan]

I have no idea how they do it but i have seen availability change 2 or 3 times in a day... very strange. It is difficult traveling with somebody else rather than alone as you want to be sure you both get the seats you want(need)

E