Qantas promised and Qantas delivered. The Australian carrier has just released a glut of award space, including multiple seats in premium cabins on key longhaul routes.
Qantas Premium Cabin Award Space Released
Facing backlash over its record profits, Qantas promised to release tens of thousands of award seats on Friday, February 24, 2023 at 11:00 AM Sydney time. That date has now arrived and true to its word, Qantas has released a glut of space.
Use the British Airways award search tool to locate space. Then, call American Airlines or Alaska Airlines to book it (the space does not show up online in premium cabins).
I’m seeing two first class seats and up to four business class seats on many flights: this is very rare on Qantas.
I’ve managed to book myself on a round-trip journey from Los Angles in late summer (winter down under) that will give me an opportunity to review multiple products. I’m quite looking forward to the trip.
CONCLUSION
Qantas is notoriously stingy with award space, but has released a generous allotment of award seats across all four cabins of service for travel next July and beyond.
This space is going FAST (really fast), so if you want seats, drop everything and deal with this now.
Tons of Business class seats award seats HNL-SYD last October- March through Alaska airlines , it was a bargain , had a great time
As a last minute guy who can barely plan two weeks from now this is the kind of release that makes me sad. I don’t understand how people can book 8-9 months in advance?? Which is why I love love love last minute award releases and playing the game that way. Meanwhile, releases like this just make it impossible. Yes, I am jealous as Qantas F is so rare. Yes, I am hoping this does not become a trend.
Im the same @stuart. I looked for some march availability and couldn’t see any. Ditto school holiday time in oz. But I have a wedding in la to attend in aug so this worked well. Qantas is so stingy I don’t think this did anything other than add availability rather than take it away!!
I’m a bit new to this but book through alaskan airlines??
Can someone pls help and explain that process for me
Called Alaska, they didn’t see it…so not sure your advice is correct.
Keep trying. Had the same issue with AA, but on subsequent calls agent saw it. Alaska has historically had issues when only one seat is available.
Alaska rep could not find anything although flights show up on BA and CX.
I did notice Seattle to Melbourne using Alaska miles at 55K in biz, in Sep.
I used Qantas miles langishing from an ill fated trip last Novemeber What was American Charging? My First Class Seat was 162,800 Qantas miles
My confirm email arrive exactly an hour after 11AM Sydney time Kept at it, figured out a couple hacks on refreshing – got a system progress was a few screens forward then forced back a screen or back to start eventially I got as far as entering my AmEx CC & the 500 error but persevered
NOW Qantas ✈️First Class LAX to SYD Instead of Polaris (200 Mileage+) Hope the food’s better
Congrats! This will be a big upgrade over Polaris!
I waited over an hour to speak to an AA representative and was never connected. I had to go to an appointment and, of course, by the time I got back the space was gone. Do better AA — make the space available to book on the website.
It seems AA can often doesn’t see this Qantas space immediately (eg when Qantas opened a lot of space last month). I use AA chat and get connected within a few mins. I booked syd sfo and lax syd for august about 4 hours after the release. Incidentally the Qantas site crashed and I think aa holders scooped up most of the flights lol
Dinner in Sydney Matthew?
I’ll be there in September!
Great! Lock it in haha
Was able to book new route on QF4 JFK-SYD (21 June 2023) with short layover in AKL for 55k Alaska miles in biz.
Good find! That’s that the new JFK-AKL nonstop.
That’s impressive. Didn’t think to check that route. Nice one