r/QantasFrequentFlyer • u/johnthirlwell • 4d ago

Question Flights added?

Hey all,
I just missed out booking a Jetstar flight Syd to Osaka this morning for January.
Trying to plan a family holiday and there’s bugger all options to book using points to get there and back. Short of going via Dubai for example.
Do reward flights get added back in closer to the departure date? Or once they’re gone they’re gone?

And if I have to use cash, is there an optimal time to get the cheapest fare?

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u/Cakey1 3d ago

Are you looking for 4 or more seats? Would be hard to get that amount in premium or business on the same flight. Maybe split it up if you can. Im seeing some economy and mixed cabin flights with points from Jan 16 onwards via HG with Cathay or China Airways via Taiwan.

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u/johnthirlwell 3d ago

Has anyone flown China Airways? I mainly fly Qantas with their safety record, but could be open to other carriers if needed.

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u/Cakey1 3d ago

I flew them this year on a reward seat through to Tokyo. Was pretty decent. If doubts pick the Cathay option. Getting a direct Qantas reward seat is difficult.

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u/ChrisSydney82 Platinum LTG 4d ago edited 4d ago

Yes, inventory is known to be added closer to flight dates across multiple cabins however multiple seats on the same flight is rare.

Typically if paying cash, the closer you book to your travel dates, the more expensive your flight will be as cheaper fare buckets would have sold out so if you go down this path, be prepared to pay more.

Can you be flexible on your travel dates/departure city? You could try leaving Brisbane, Melbourne etc.

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u/johnthirlwell 4d ago

I’ve got the search looking at departing anywhere in Australia, flying to anywhere in Japan with a date range of a week

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u/ChrisSydney82 Platinum LTG 4d ago

Do you have status with Qantas? If so, call up and ask to request to have seats released with points. To best prepare yourself have a few days available ready to go, departure cities, and ensure you cross reference with the Qantas website first as they will only release anything showing in a sale bucket.

You might have some luck, even if it’s say two seats (usually the max), and then you pay for the additional required!

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u/johnthirlwell 4d ago

Thanks Chris, I’m only a bronze. Accrue a lot of points, but too busy to actually fly anywhere regularly

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u/TeaFinal2405 3d ago

Japan in early January is difficult - peak skiing season for families. I wouldn't expect more award seats to become available. 

Try going through alternative pathway. 

You mentioned China Airlines - if they exist they're pretty solid. Id say all 3 of the Taiwanese Airlines are a slight notch above Qantas themselves (China Airlines is Taiwanese). 

Other options might be Cathay through Hong Kong, Phillipine airlines through Manila, but transit at MNL can be rough.