DFW-LHR redemption using QFF points

[Happy Dude]

Trying to book DFW-LHR for 4 pax in whY in June using QFF points and the QF site (one-way and multicity) shows nothing.

AA shows plenty of availability as does the JAL site (although that doesn't seem straightforward for a new member these days).

Does this mean that the seats can't/won't be released to me even if call up? I'm QF nothing.

I have around 320,000 Amex points that I could transfer to somewhere if push comes to shove.

Any tips? TIA

 

[justinbrett]

Trying to book DFW-LHR for 4 pax in whY in June using QFF points and the QF site (one-way and multicity) shows nothing.

AA shows plenty of availability as does the JAL site (although that doesn't seem straightforward for a new member these days).

Does this mean that the seats can't/won't be released to me even if call up? I'm QF nothing.

I have around 320,000 Amex points that I could transfer to somewhere if push comes to shove.

Any tips? TIA

QF can't release AA or BA seats.

June is peak season for trans Atlantic.

Try via one of the East Coast cities like JFK that have more capacity.

 

[SYD]

QF can't release AA or BA seats.

June is peak season for trans Atlantic.

Try via one of the East Coast cities like JFK that have more capacity.

There’s quite a bit leading up to June, then nothing in June at all. July onwards they’re back… Terribly frustrating if you’re stuck with June. Whereas, I can see 4x J seats across Feb / Mar…

 

[LadyC]

I could see 4xY seats from DEN-LHR on 25 June. Late June availability out of ORD too.. When are you looking at specifically? Can you split the group into 2? That might give you more options.

You could also use your amex points to get Y flights from IAH-MAN with SQ.

 

[justinbrett]

There’s quite a bit leading up to June, then nothing in June at all. July onwards they’re back… Terribly frustrating if you’re stuck with June. Whereas, I can see 4x J seats across Feb / Mar…

Heaps of availability for x4 Y on BA JFK-LHR all June.

Pretty much every day.

 

[SYD]

Heaps of availability for x4 Y on BA JFK-LHR all June.

Something obviously happening in Dallas that month…?

 

[Happy Dude]

QF can't release AA or BA seats.

June is peak season for trans Atlantic.

Try via one of the East Coast cities like JFK that have more capacity.

This is the confusing bit for me. Is there any point in doing searches on JAL, AA etc if you're trying to use QF points for a OW/partner award?

Heaps of availability for x4 Y on BA JFK-LHR all June.

Pretty much every day.

I gather I'd need BA points though?

I could see 4xY seats from DEN-LHR on 25 June. Late June availability out of ORD too.. When are you looking at specifically? Can you split the group into 2? That might give you more options.

You could also use your amex points to get Y flights from IAH-MAN with SQ.

Terrific ideas @LadyC - I'll look into the departure point options. We have flexibility there but friends in DFW so I'd thought I'd start there. I was thinking to move the Amex points to AA via Marriot (poor value though but does save a lot on taxes).

 

[SYD]

QF points can be used on AA, AY, BA, IB transatlantic. Did I forget any?

 

[LadyC]

QF points can be used on AA, AY, BA, IB transatlantic. Did I forget any?

WestJet too. I saw some flights via Calgary into LHR

 

[SYD]

WestJet too. I saw some flights via Calgary into LHR

Royal Air Maroc also but no idea on availability via QFF….

 

[Lynda2475]

QF does some strange things sometimes too.

I was contemplating booking $6k SYD-YVR return in August, as seems pretty cheap but its only beneficial if I could find award flights out and back to YVR to somewhere more useful like DFW, ORD or JFK. Because booking starts in Canada Qantas only offering me WestJet flights which I dont want as are Y and wont give me OW 2 checked bags, I know AA flies into YVR but no matter what date I picked never offered any AA flights and i tried searching all their hubs (ORD, LAX, DFW, JFK).

 

[SYD]

QF does some strange things sometimes too.

I was contemplating booking $6k SYD-YVR return in August, as seems pretty cheap but its only beneficial if I could find award flights out and back to YVR to somewhere more useful like DFW, ORD or JFK. Because booking starts in Canada Qantas only offering me WestJet flights which I dont want as are Y and wont give me OW 2 checked bags, I know AA flies into YVR but no matter what date I picked never offered any AA flights and i tried searching all their hubs (ORD, LAX, DFW, JFK).

OT, there was a handy hack with that sale, you could actually open jaw the return from elsewhere. We booked SYD-YVR//YUL-ORD-LAX-SYD in J for ~$6500.

As for OW flights out of YVR, there’s only AS to SEA and one(?) flight to LAX. AA has a DFW flight. We ended up buying AS F to get us to Yellowstone and then points for AA F to ORD. Getting from BOS (or thereabouts) to YUL is weirdly difficult. May have to just cough up and fly AC (no points flights using either UA or VA points…).

 

[RichardMEL]

Some other points to look for availability might be PHL and CLT or even MIA (though probably high leisure demand there).

As others have noted, potential options via BA flights and connections by AY, IB etc.

I believe BA flies Austin - LHR too? that could be a close by option for Dalas.

 

[Lynda2475]

OT, there was a handy hack with that sale, you could actually open jaw the return from elsewhere. We booked SYD-YVR//YUL-ORD-LAX-SYD in J for ~$6500.

Only if both the arrival and departure cities were in Canada. I tried to open jaw into US and out of Canada or vice versa and jumped up to over $7k

As for OW flights out of YVR, there’s only AS to SEA and one(?) flight to LAX. AA has a DFW flight. We ended up buying AS F to get us to Yellowstone and then points for AA F to ORD. Getting from BOS (or thereabouts) to YUL is weirdly difficult. May have to just cough up and fly AC (no points flights using either UA or VA points…).

Yeah was hoping to find J seats YVR-DFW (or LAX in a pinch) or SEA to JFK/DFW/ORD (short bus ride to SEA $35 and wifi whole way). Of easy connections into Toronto or Montreal on AA from JFK/DFW/ORD - no such luck so far. Will look again tonight.

 

[SYD]

Some other points to look for availability might be PHL and CLT or even MIA (though probably high leisure demand there).

As others have noted, potential options via BA flights and connections by AY, IB etc.

I believe BA flies Austin - LHR too? that could be a close by option for Dalas.

Houston - has seats. BA to LHR via QFF.

 

[RichardMEL]

I see 4xY on BA282 LAX-LHR on June 7 fyi

(this is using QF points)

37,800 points each.

yes, a backtrack from DFW, but it's an option. There are probably others.

 

[RichardMEL]

Austin appears a winner. I even see W seats (seemingly 4?!) on a bunch of days, but Y on most days in June.. both nonstop on BA, and AA to IAD and then BA.

IAH also as noted. Indeed 20 June has 4xJ(!) on both flights. Maybe phantoms but QFF is showing availability.

 

[serfty]

Trying to book DFW-LHR for 4 pax in whY in June using QFF points and the QF site (one-way and multicity) shows nothing.

AA shows plenty of availability as does the JAL site (although that doesn't seem straightforward for a new member these days).

Note that only mileSAAver awards in T class would be bookable with Qantas points as a Classic award.

These would show as being 30K AAdvantage miles.

 

[Kangol]

QF points can be used on AA, AY, BA, IB transatlantic. Did I forget any?

EK? Technically it's transatlantic.
Connecting in DXB would not be worth it for 4x in Y.
If just you in F? =

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Would you be offended if I suggest flying into Gatwick instead of Heathrow? I know it's not as fancy an airport as Heathrow but there tends to be quite a bit of hidden availability flying there. For instance, redeeming Singapore miles you can fly Lufthansa between Dallas and Gatwick for ~30,000 Krisflyer miles each way:

EK? Technically it's transatlantic.
Connecting in DXB would not be worth it for 4x in Y.
If just you in F? =

EK has a number of transatlantic routes that don't involve a connection in Dubai such as JFK to Milan and Mexico City to Barcelona which certainly could be good use of points for a transatlantic journey, particularly in F where BA (Emirates) is known for its service and lounges.