Why can’t you see what I see Qantas?

[Pushka]

I am trying to reduce a 6.5 hour wait in Sydney to connect to Adelaide after overnight flight from DPS. Traveling in J. I can make a new booking in J on earlier flights, and expert flyer shows availability on earlier flights but just now I’ve been told that all flights are full even in Y. Rubbish. It’s just a Saturday and not a special weekend.

Oh. And the reason for the huge gap? Qantas kept changing the flight to Adelaide.

As a last resort I’ve tweeted. And will probably FB. Not happy Jan.

 

[love_the_life]

I am trying to reduce a 6.5 hour wait in Sydney to connect to Adelaide after overnight flight from DPS. Traveling in J. I can make a new booking in J on earlier flights, and expert flyer shows availability on earlier flights but just now I’ve been told that all flights are full even in Y. Rubbish. It’s just a Saturday and not a special weekend.

Oh. And the reason for the huge gap? Qantas kept changing the flight to Adelaide.

As a last resort I’ve tweeted. And will probably FB. Not happy Jan.

Paid or award? Might have something to do with it if award though you did say you had checked availability.
We have a similar lay over in HKG in Feb that occurred because CX changed a flight and we were rebooked onto one that got into HKG after our one to BKK (on the same PNR) had left. Managed to move it but to a much earlier flight which gives a long wait but as connecting the next day to a TG flight from BKK I really couldn't do much about it. Oh well, we'll survive.

 

[Pushka]

Paid or award? Might have something to do with it if award though you did say you had checked availability.
We have a similar lay over in HKG in Feb that occurred because CX changed a flight and we were rebooked onto one that got into HKG after our one to BKK (on the same PNR) had left. Managed to move it but to a much earlier flight which gives a long wait but as connecting the next day to a TG flight from BKK I really couldn't do much about it. Oh well, we'll survive.

Yes. Good point. This time we handed over the money!

 

[JohnK]

Married segments although I didn't think Qantas had this policy.

 

[Pushka]

Married segments although I didn't think Qantas had this policy.

That makes sense except they moved us forward one flight when Qantas changed times the first time. Then operator said the earlier flight was full. It isn’t. If it’s somehow the married sector issue then they should say that and not fumble with a reason that’s easily challenged and showing their myth up.

 

[JohnK]

Then operator said the earlier flight was full. It isn’t. If it’s somehow the married sector issue then they should say that and not fumble with a reason that’s easily challenged and showing their myth up.

The consultant may not know it's a married sector issue. Hang up and call again. I've never had issues changing to flights I wanted with the right consultant handling the request.

 

[Pushka]

The consultant may not know it's a married sector issue. Hang up and call again. I've never had issues changing to flights I wanted with the right consultant handling the request.

This is the third time I’ve tried. Twice with a consultant and just now with chat.

 

[RichardMEL]

If all else fails you just ask the connection desk at SYD to put you on the next one if possible. I get it at that point J may not have seats but that's your last resort if they can't sort this out. Does seem rather odd

 

[love_the_life]

Yes. Good point. This time we handed over the money!

Ah, in that case....not happy Jan is the right reaction.

 

[Pleb Status]

Married segments although I didn't think Qantas had this policy.

I have been advised that QF are now starting to marry segments, however these can be broken up again on QF metal if you are high enough up on the food chain...

 

[Pushka]

I have been advised that QF are now starting to marry segments, however these can be broken up again on QF metal if you are high enough up on the food chain...

2 WP in booking. CDNKWWA!

 

[RichardMEL]

Here's the thing that is frustrating to read...

all this stuff about married segments and all the rest should be irrelevant to the customer. Now sure, folks here are discussing this as a possible technical reason and I totally understand that, but on the surface customer who has booked tickets DPS-SYD-ADL on QF, forced through no fault of their own my "flight schedule creep" to a big connection time at SYD, sees earlier available flights should very much be able to call up and ask to have this moved to a far more reasonable connection.

This just shouldn't be an issue. And customers don't need tools like EF to make this argument if they can do a dummy booking for DPS-=SYD-ADL in J with a better connection they should be able to ask for this - even more so because the huge connection seems to hae been caused by QF moving their schedules and not the customer.

Pushka what was the original connection like when booked? I would be starting with that as a leve Can you create a dummy revene booking for a better connection?

 

[Pushka]

Here's the thing that is frustrating to read...

all this stuff about married segments and all the rest should be irrelevant to the customer. Now sure, folks here are discussing this as a possible technical reason and I totally understand that, but on the surface customer who has booked tickets DPS-SYD-ADL on QF, forced through no fault of their own my "flight schedule creep" to a big connection time at SYD, sees earlier available flights should very much be able to call up and ask to have this moved to a far more reasonable connection.

This just shouldn't be an issue. And customers don't need tools like EF to make this argument if they can do a dummy booking for DPS-=SYD-ADL in J with a better connection they should be able to ask for this - even more so because the huge connection seems to hae been caused by QF moving their schedules and not the customer.

Pushka what was the original connection like when booked? I would be starting with that as a leve Can you create a dummy revene booking for a better connection?

I think I have the original email. I know there was a gap that I don’t mind being Sydney and bus etc but flight brought forward from DPS increased it. Might try a new full dummy booking too.

 

[Pushka]

Oh I now like Twitter. Seems they don’t need glasses. Now on earlier flight. Four hours more palatable than 6. Yeah!

 

[oz_mark]

The issue will be one of married segments, with the logc being that it is the Origin and Destination of the journey that matter. Not what connections you make in the middle. Problems arise when PNR availability is different to general availability as seems the case here.

The problem is once married, they are difficult to divorce. As I understand it, if one of the flights had changed (maybe a time change doesn't trigger it), they divorce until a suitable alternative is accepted.


But something to keep in mind:

"Do not accept the schedule change if you need to make changes to a connecting flight."


Married Flights

The following flights in all cabins and classes may be married:

• Qantas flights with ‘QF’ flight number operated by Qantas
• All Qantas (QF) and Emirates (EK) flights, including codeshares
• Qantas codeshare flights with ‘QF’ flight number operated by:

o LATAM
o Asiana
o China Eastern
o China Airlines
o China Southern
o Aircalin
o Air Niugini
o Solomon Airlines

Other codeshare services and interline connections to a Qantas flight will not be married.

Eligible flights will be married when connections fall within the following times:

• Domestic connections up to 6 hours
• International to International connections within 24 hours
• Domestic to International connections within 24 hours or vice versa
• Connections in Dubai within 72 hours

 

[Pushka]

And another check shows we’ve got into the 8.30am flight! 1hr 50 to transfer. Mmmm - be careful what you wish for . All on same PNR so protected.

 

[love_the_life]

And another check shows we’ve got into the 8.30am flight! 1hr 50 to transfer. Mmmm - be careful what you wish for . All on same PNR so protected.

I was just about to post to ask if the flights had been remedied - they have...big time but the sound of it

 

[Pushka]

I was just about to post to ask if the flights had been remedied - they have...big time but the sound of it

It’s annoying to me that a tweet solved it but calling the premium call centre (twice) didn’t. Lucky I learnt to play the tweet game.

 

[Guvner]

I'm trying to book an award CX (F) SIN-HKG-JFK and want to maximize time in HKG lounge for good reason, however the Qantas engine is giving me only two options.

736J/840F - 2 hour layover
or later
690J/846F - 2 hour layover

why can't I do 736J/846F - 4.5 hour layover, as clearly they both have award availability and fall within MCT?

I haven't called but should I be able to book this without the call center penalty (CCP!)

As an aside, EK F SIN-DXB-JFK is available for 2k more points + $500 (!)
Which would you take?

 

[Pushka]

I'm trying to book an award CX (F) SIN-HKG-JFK and want to maximize time in HKG lounge for good reason, however the Qantas engine is giving me only two options.

736J/840F - 2 hour layover
or later
690J/846F - 2 hour layover

why can't I do 736J/846F - 4.5 hour layover, as clearly they both have award availability and fall within MCT?

I haven't called but should I be able to book this without the call center penalty (CCP!)

As an aside, EK F SIN-DXB-JFK is available for 2k more points + $500 (!)
Which would you take?

If you can’t book online then a call should not be charged. Tough call. CXF or EKF.