What are my chances?

[almost there]

This is my first post, and I was hoping to get some advice from some of the more experienced folk here...

I am wanting to go to LA in late January 2006 (Economy class award seat). Currently Qantas website shows no availability at all (damn school holidays?!).

I will become Platinum in June - what are my chances of being able to sweet talk them into releasing another Economy seat for me to use once I've reached that status?

Also, with the FF changes happening next week, should I book the flight for some random date in the future (and only use 80,000 points versus 96,000 points), and then change the date if my plan works? Even if I am charged the 2500 fee for changing dates I'm still up by 13,500 points.

What do you think? :?:

 

[oz_mark]

This is my first post, and I was hoping to get some advice from some of the more experienced folk here...

I am wanting to go to LA in late January 2006 (Economy class award seat). Currently Qantas website shows no availability at all (damn school holidays?!).

I will become Platinum in June - what are my chances of being able to sweet talk them into releasing another Economy seat for me to use once I've reached that status?

Also, with the FF changes happening next week, should I book the flight for some random date in the future (and only use 80,000 points versus 96,000 points), and then change the date if my plan works? Even if I am charged the 2500 fee for changing dates I'm still up by 13,500 points.

What do you think? :?:

My thoughts are that given the time of year that you are looking to travel, it might be a bit of struggle to get these seats, platium or not. Given that, it would be a gamble to book some seats in the hope of changing the dates, unless you were prepared to go on the random date. If you don't wish to go on the random date, you need to weigh up the risk that you won't be able to change these dates.

They are my thoughts, others may differ

 

[MetroAir]

I've just burnt most of the QF points I had for 2 J rtn domestic BNE-MEL and picked dates way into 06.

I know its a lot easier to change dates for domestic due to greater capacity, but I still 'save' 19000 points by doing it pre 25 even paying the 2500 change fee.

To each what makes most sense at the time.

Cheers

 

[Kiwi Flyer]

Welcome to AFF almost there

There's extra award availability for plats in economy. That said Jan is peak season so I wouldnt count on getting anything.

If you can live with the dates you currently find then book it now. If not, then wait until plat and pray there may be seats.

Good luck - you're going to need it.

 

[NM]

Are you Gold now? If so, the same extra availability exists for Gold and Plat FF's.

If your routing is one that will cost more after May 25th, I suggest you call QF reservations and let them know where and when you want to travel. Mentioning your impending Plat status can't hurt. They may just find you something. Economy seats are easier to find that business or first. It can't hurt to ask.

Otherwise you will need to wait until after you reach Plat status and call again. But after May 25th, the award may cost you more points and a telephone assisted booking will cost an extra 2500 points.

As others have mentioned, finding award seats at peak travel times is difficult. And the economy cabin is often full during school holiday periods.

 

[almost there]

I thought that I'd read somewhere in these forums that Platinum members can ask Qantas to release seats to award seats?

 

[danielh]

Even if I am charged the 2500 fee for changing dates I'm still up by 13,500 points.

What do you think? :?:

Silver and above don't get charged the 2,500 point fee as long as only the DATES are changed and not the routing or peoples names.

I used my points to fly me and the missus to the US on 15th Dec 05 flying back on 14th Jan 06 (arrive Mon 16th) MLB-LAX-MLB direct flight.

Had to do it the hard/smart way and log in on Jan 1st this year and get access to the most recent release of tickets. Booked the Dec 15th flight (in retrospect I should have booked the 16th as I forgot we 'gain' a day on the way there and I could have save an annual leave day on this and two econ seats were available for both days.

I booked a return flight 3 for the 18th Dec 05.

In late Jan I called up Qantas and changed the return to the 14th Jan 06 and as I was a Silver I didn't get charged the 2,500 x 2 hit.

Right now I would find it VERY hard to find a flight but as you are almost Plat I think you might have a chance.

I'm just happy to be maintaining my Silver again next week. My current work travel plans look like I'll only hit 520 SC for this year. I guess I'll have to convince the client they need me for another 5 more weeks to get that gold.

Regards
Daniel

 

[NM]

I thought that I'd read somewhere in these forums that Platinum members can ask Qantas to release seats to award seats?

Anyone can ask, but its only going to be high status members that will have any chance of getting a positive response. There is no defined policy about releasing seats. It is completely up to the seating/revenue dept and if they think they are likely to sell any remaining seats for realy money. Sometimes they response in the affirmative, and sometimes not.