Aircraft changes and upgrades

[njba]

Has anyone had any luck in cancelling a successful domestic upgrade on the grounds of an equipment change?

I've gone from an a330 (with what looks like new J seats) to a 737 (which is still nice, but not quite cricket).

I suspect the answer will be either no, or yes but here's a fee/point penalty.

 

[mannej]

Yes you can cancel the upgrade, but the penalty will depend on when you cancelled the upgrade.

 

[njba]

Oh! Some googling was useful: https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/yourAccount/yourBookings/upgrades/help#jump5

"

If you cancel your upgraded flight within 24 hours of departure you will not get a refund of the points.​

" Implying that if I cancel now (for a flight some months away), I should get all the points.

Thank you!

 

[mannej]

Oh! Some googling was useful: https://www.qantas.com/fflyer/dyn/yourAccount/yourBookings/upgrades/help#jump5

"

If you cancel your upgraded flight within 24 hours of departure you will not get a refund of the points.​

" Implying that if I cancel now (for a flight some months away), I should get all the points.

Thank you!

No, there is a penalty involved. From memory it's 5k points.

 

[njba]

Well, it wouldn't be QF if there wasn't a penalty or fee involved.

I suppose losing 10k points to cancel would be far worse than spending an hour on a red leather lazy-boy.

Onwards and upwards, I suppose. Plus I can live in hope that it will get changed back (flight isn't until Nov).

 

[aussiel]

If you're not particularly locked in to that exact time, it may be possible to get Qantas to waive change fees to another flight (doubtful seeing as you booked economy), or ask for any cancellation fees to be waived. If they do, you may be able to chance your luck in future if there's an equipment change.

Having said that, an hour is hardly long enough to enjoy the suites!

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I have rung up 3 times, my coverted 330 got changed 3 times to a 737.
I kept chasing QF telephone sales.
Even had to pay an $80 change fee and fare difference on a connection to meet the changed 330 departure times from MEL.
All domestic.
The subclass of J itself they didn't charge me the fare, but the connection, they did.
Mine wasn't an upgrade, but stand your ground.

 

[Pleb Status]

The biggest cost could be the fare class difference if there are no seats available in Y in your original fare class.

QF have the very annoying policy that if you cancel the upgrade, they effectively cancel your ticket completely and then rebook you in Y. If seats are available in your original fare class there will be no $ charge. If not, they will charge you the fare difference as well.

All of this is enforced even when they change the aircraft.

 

[njba]

Having said that, an hour is hardly long enough to enjoy the suites!

True: I was hoping to use it as a trial run to find the best seat combination for a much longer international flight a few weeks later!

@Pleb_Status: yikes! Given the problems I've had with this booking (and the hours spent on the phone with some very helpful people) it might be best to sit back and hope that some Grant Burge sparkling eases the 'disappointment'.

My partner is in fact happier that the equipment has changed to a 737. There's no accounting for taste!

@AussiePoochie: Yet again I admire your tenacity!

Thanks everyone for your advice!

 

[kermatu]

I definitely wouldn't change now if flights are not until November.

Even if on the day it is still a 737 you could always see if a flight near yours is an A330 and ask at the airport to switch. Not guaranteed and would be limited seat selection but for a 1 hour fight may be worth a shot. I've never been denied an on-day move (though that may be status-related and is on routes that often change markedly - SYD-CBR, for example - but SYD-MEL would be the same)

There's so much info on the pros and cons of the new J suites for solo travelers or couples, on this site and other reviews, that I reckon you'd be fine to base seat selection on advice here - though of course understand the benefit of direct experience.