Should I try my luck with Classic Award Seats or Upgrade Request?

justinp12 on 28/04/2014 - 02:16

Hi All,

Ok background, Currently looking at trying to get some of the ground work done for they honeymoon I am planning for the lady and myself. Rough dates to be December 2015 - January 2016 (yes, that is correct, December next year) and we are heading to the USA. Going from Perth to LA, return, via either Sydney or Melbourne (want to get on a A380-800)

So why do I need your help. Well I was looking at using my nice balance of Qantas Frequent Flyer points to pay for at least of the tickets. So what is running through my head.

  • Is it easier enough to book classic award seat/s 355 days out? So once Qantas lets you book, am I am able to jump in and book easy enough without having to fight others. Then the question is also, with regards to the return ticket, is it the same process, or am I better to try and book the return in the one transaction.

  • Then, if that isn't an option, I was going to buy us two premium economy return tickets and put an immediate request in for a Business Upgrade. I am hesitated at doing this as even though I would be putting the request in a year in advance, I am still only Bronze status and I am aware that every level above would get preference over me. I am also intending on booking some of the hotels via Qantas Hotel and I read that this could help as it shows the loyalty with the whole booking. But, I honestly don't think that they would care if I booked my hotel with them or not. End of the day, I don't want to pay for the seats and not be able to upgrade and return from the trip with my whole point balance still.

Also, just a little more left field. Has anyone had experience with booking honeymoons themselves (had a bad experience booking our last holiday through FlightCentre)and managed to score upgrades by mentioning it is your honeymoon. I was reading some travel sites and they advise to book honeymoons through agents as the agent can leave notes on all the booking forms.

Any other tips or pointers would be great as well. Thanks All.

Travel

Related Stores

Qantas
Qantas

Comments

  • OutOfComplaintForms on 28/04/2014 - 05:15

    Qantas awards aren't exactly scarce, so I wouldn't worry so much, especially if you're booking a year in advance. If sitting in J is of the greatest significance to your honeymoon, I'd suggest just paying for the tickets. Yes, Option 2 is achievable, but you may be disappointed if the entire J cabin is full, and you have to sit in Y+.

  • tensai on 28/04/2014 - 09:38

    I booked my honeymoon to Europe all by myself, I can tell you it is a lot of hardwork but its well worth it.
    I do all my research on tripadvisor and reading reviews everyday, I book all my hotels via different travel website or with the hotel directly depends on which offers the best deal.
    After your booking is confirmed, send an email to the hotel directly (regardless you book via third party agent or direct with the hotel) just to confirm with the hotel saying you are on a honeymoon trip so you wanna make sure booking is confirmed etc etc. Better to email them so they have records on file.
    As you get closer to the travel date, (a week or two in advance) send them another email to re-confirm and indicate you are about to head off to honeymoon and want to make sure everything is confirmed etc etc.
    What the hotel offers to honeymooners varies, but some we get a cake, some we get late checkout, some we get a quieter room on high floors etc.
    However, I do not recall we managed to score any room upgrades tho.

    With regards to claiming ticket, make sure you do the qantas classic & partner awards and dont go with points+pay, as I think points+pay works out costing a lot more than claiming the award.

  • mskeggs on 28/04/2014 - 11:30

    Qantas gave us a bottle of Krug when they found out it was our honeymoon, many years ago. No upgrade on our discount economy flights though.
    Fair play as they ended up stealing a day of our UK trip due to mechanical delays.
    And I booked it all myself, which was considerably harder to do in those days when the internet wasn't very common, especially in non-English speaking countries, as I speak no other language.
    No disasters, although some funny moments.

  • KangarooOz on 28/04/2014 - 11:32

    Sometimes you can book a return ticket from A to B, one way ticket from A to B but not one way ticket from B to A in Classic Award. For example, I am able to book a return ticket from Hong Kong to Taipei, one way ticket from Hong Kong to Taipei but not one way ticket from Taipei to Hong Kong. If you book two separate one-way tickets for Australia-US, please make a trial booking to see if it allows you to book an inbound one way flight back.

  • powerhead on 28/04/2014 - 23:03

    Congrats, and have a look at https://www.ozbargain.com.au/node/133547 might be of use

Login or Join to leave a comment
Login Join