Qantas cancelled QF37 12-Dec; rebooked on QF35

[global_nomad]

I have a (paid) SIN-MEL return for mid December until early January. I'm continuing on with a SIN-MAD (award) return on Qatar, booked separately through Qantas.

Just received an email that Qantas have cancelled QF37 on December 12th and booked me on QF35. It's mildly inconvenient, as I now have to take a day off work for a 12pm flight (versus the 5pm - I thought I'd at least work most of the day). But my SIN-DOH-MAD itinerary doesn't start until the 13th at 10am, so no biggie.

But I'm curious as to why Qantas would do this so far in advance? QF37 still seems to be scheduled for every other day that week, except the Wed 12th. Just seems like an odd thing to do - surely it's too early for them to decide the plane isn't full enough?

 

[dajop]

If you haven’t accepted the change you could try requesting to be put on QF8405 - ie EK 405.

 

[global_nomad]

If you haven’t accepted the change you could try requesting to be put on QF8405 - ie EK 405.

Nope haven't accepted yet - and that's a very useful tip thanks! Didn't see that come up when I searched for QF/CX alternatives, but hadn't considered EK.

 

[Austman]

QF do this from time to time. And sometimes quite far out (many weeks) as well. And with just one flight in the weekly schedule affected.

But I have had luck simply asking to be moved to the nearest EK flight (if there is one) and that has been granted.

To note: You get one bite at the (change) cherry. Once decided, you can't re-decide, penalty free.

 

[global_nomad]

Hm, just realized the EK flight won't get me SCs. So it's between that or a day of leave...

Also good to know it's a once-off decision, thanks!

 

[astrosly]

Hm, just realized the EK flight won't get me SCs. So it's between that or a day of leave...

Also good to know it's a once-off decision, thanks!

If they book you on the QF flight number then you get SCs. If booked on EK flight number then no.

 

[global_nomad]

If they book you on the QF flight number then you get SCs. If booked on EK flight number then no.

Ahh got it. So I'm asking to be booked on the QF8405, not EK405. The app is only giving me QF35, 2x QF ones (via SYD), and a CX (via HKG). But the EK appears to have seats for sale, so I'm trying my luck with the call center.

The upside of having been on hold for 25 minutes now is that it gave me time to read your reply!

 

[astrosly]

Ahh got it. So I'm asking to be booked on the QF8405, not EK405. The app is only giving me QF35, 2x QF ones (via SYD), and a CX (via HKG). But the EK appears to have seats for sale, so I'm trying my luck with the call center.

The upside of having been on hold for 25 minutes now is that it gave me time to read your reply!

Yes and you need to be clear that is the flight number you want. Hopefully they can offer this codeshare as an alternative for you.

Just checked Qantas' website and they have Saver seats on QF8405 on 12 Dec so it should be a valid option (assuming you are travelling in Y)

 

[Austman]

Ahh got it. So I'm asking to be booked on the QF8405, not EK405. The app is only giving me QF35...

Yes, I forgot to mention, you ask for the QF8xx_ code share on EK. When this has happened to me, I didn't see that alternative option on-line or in the app either.

But a call to Qantas got it booked.

 

[global_nomad]

Yes, I forgot to mention, you ask for the QF8xx_ code share on EK. When this has happened to me, I didn't see that alternative option on-line or in the app either.

But a call to Qantas got it booked.

Friendly call center lady, but the answer was no. Funny, the reason was "we can't book you on a non-QF flight" and yet the app is offering me a CX option. I pressed and explained that I'd have to take the day off at a financial cost, but still no.

They offered a refund, saying I could then book the EK one. But there's a $300 difference. So it's that, or a day of leave...

 

[Austman]

It might be a case of HUCA? Because it definitely has worked for me.

 

[global_nomad]

It might be a case of HUCA? Because it definitely has worked for me.

Maybe - will give that a try. I usually call at midnight/wee hours anyway...

 

[JohnK]

Friendly call center lady, but the answer was no. Funny, the reason was "we can't book you on a non-QF flight" and yet the app is offering me a CX option. I pressed and explained that I'd have to take the day off at a financial cost, but still no.

They offered a refund, saying I could then book the EK one. But there's a $300 difference. So it's that, or a day of leave...

Try calling again.

I had a 3K flight BKK-SIN followed by EK flight SIN-BNE where the EK flight was retimed to depart SIN before I arrived. The option was to move to the later QF SIN-BNE but I wanted to be in BNE that day as I'm taking daughter to see grand parents the next day. We're now on the late night 3K flight BKK-SIN the night before.

 

[Kerrodt]

HUACA for sure.
That line from the call centre sounds like rubbish to me.

 

[offshore171]

So it's that, or a day of leave...

Take the day of leave. It ain't going to kill you. In fact the opposite.

 

[stm1sydney]

The upside of having been on hold for 25 minutes now is that it gave me time to read your reply!

That's another QF "Enhancement" (TM)

 

[madrooster]

It depends on your fare rules. Generally you can reroute/rebook as long as the new choice of flights is within +/- 1 day of your original travel date, and the flights must meet the rules for your fare. There are often QF fares to SIN that do not permit the codeshare on EK and if that's the case then no you wouldn't be allowed to take the EK flight.

 

[dajop]

and the flights must meet the rules for your fare. There are often QF fares to SIN that do not permit the codeshare on EK and if that's the case then no you wouldn't be allowed to take the EK flight.

So the airline cancels a flight, and is actually selling seats on another flight 1.5hrs later (and at a range of fare levels - not just full Y) and won’t do that because of “fare rules”. ? Instead moving to a flight 5 hrs earlier. It was the airlines fault not the customers, a more customer focussed organisation would waive a fare rule to accommodate a disruption they caused.

 

[Austman]

the flights must meet the rules for your fare

This has not been my experience for the several times it's happened to me.

 

[madrooster]

This has not been my experience for the several times it's happened to me.

Those are the general written rules... then there's unwritten rules. I've had authority from QF to break written rules numerous times...