Planning on travelling to LA business using Qantas Frequent Flyer points however I notice that there are a very limited number of business seats available even if you plan long te

Planning on travelling to LA business using Qantas Frequent Flyer points

however I notice that there are a very limited number of business seats available even if you plan long term however short term there appeared to be more seats available. What are my best options for getting the seat I want on the day I want. I am a platinum qantas member.

Well, if you are a platinum member, calling Qantas would probably be your best option. I have done this in the past and they have offered a larger choice to me over the phone. However, it may depend on when you are travelling and whether it is a peak period.

Keep in mind that an Award Assistance Fee is payable when booking award flights over the phone, unless you're a Platinum One member in which case it is waived.

But you wouldnt be charged this if there is no availability/you don't book, right?

If so, its money well spent for Platinums!

hello, I reckon the most effective way to do this is to just buy an economy ticket and then use points to upgrade.  I'm a platinum with QF and I've done this 3 times in the last year and got an upgrade each time (return) over six flights.  It's 45,000 pts each way.

@521303 I don't think that that is a very good way to updrade, partly because there is no gaurantee that you will achieve the upgrade. Even if there are seats left over, Qantas will award the seat to the person with the highest tier, and with Platinum Ones and such, this maybe harder to achieve. Congratulations on getting the upgrade 3 times, because I have never heard of this before! You must be the seasoned traveller! As mentioned above though, ringing Qantas before the flight is even open for sale (i.e. applying for an updrade for a flight in Nov 2013, when it is still Oct 2012) that way, Qantas may award you the flight. This has worked many times for me to Hong Kong. Kind Regards, and good luck :)

Calling the platinum frequent flyer line is definetly the way to go. You will have to pay the assited booking fee but you will find there are a lot more options than what is shown on-line.

I recently did this with an award booking to Honolulu, there was no qantas flights showing on line , however over the phone the FF centre found availability for four of us.

I was told that if there are seats still on sale in a particular fare class the FF centre can convert these to award seats for platinums.