The Aussie dunny roll debacale on AFF - the rush to rebook flights

[Matt_01]

So what is it human nature over the past few weeks there was a run on dunny paper in the stores. Watching some of the threads on this site the “dunny Roll” run has seemed to extend to fights. Sure QF has changed up a few flights this week and mothballed a few a380s for a few months but flights will go on. Why is it that when airlines say they are working through the impacts of the Coronavirus many seem the need to start calling the call centres and then complain about the wait time for QF to answer, cannot get the the flight they are after, have longer than planed transit times etc. All airlines are in the same situation and accomodating everyones plans on a global scale will not be possible. Why not just take “chill pill” and book for a later time.

 

[RooFlyer]

I agree with your general sentiment, but I think the rush to call the airlines reflects a lack of confidence in them to be able to deliver what they say ( not just at the moment ) and so the need to ‘get in quick’.

I’ve always used a Travel Agent, so my changing plans just takes an email

 

[Matt_01]

I agree with your general sentiment, but I think the rush to call the airlines reflects a lack of confidence in them to be able to deliver what they say ( not just at the moment ) and so the need to ‘get in quick’.

I’ve always used a Travel Agent, so my changing plans just takes an email

Since joining the QFF program in 1992 I have had a lack of confidence in anything they said they would deliver. Nearly 30 years later I must have missed the ‘get in quick’ memo.

 

[amaroo]

I’d be more inclined to ring my travel insurance than airline.

That’s where the monumental risk hides....

 

[Hillbilly64]

Maybe this site itself creates a sense of urgency with all the discussions about changes/cancellations/covid19?.

I'm in the wait and see boat I have flights booked with QF and SIA and JAL in the next few months... And will deal with it if it happens.

given the current global circumstances know I may have it accept less than optimum alternatives.

And I agree with Amaroo..I'm more concern d with getting answers from my credit card insurance over eligibility ifcover for covid19.

 

[get me outta here]

If you have no status with QF wait times have been in the hours for a few years. From a couple of posts on here last night, those that did wait to be contacted to ring QF were waiting on the phone for hours. So that wasn’t such a good strategy either. It’s hard to find a way around QF’s wait times unless you have a high status.

QF sells points and makes lots of money from them so those suggesting that what do you expect when you fly on points as if somehow we should be punished might remember that.

 

[Vic]

Had flights cancelled because of the Corona... I've waited a couple of weeks before even finding the cancellation email in the Junk box. Then waited a bit more, then decided to over the last week to try the automated refund option. That didn't work because - Jetstar.
So finally did live chat to get a refund last night. I certainly haven't rushed to deal with this, but if I am still going to travel then I need to rebook with another airline and it'd be nice to get my money back.

 

[serfty]

So finally did live chat to get a refund last night. I certainly haven't rushed to deal with this, but if I am still going to travel then I need to rebook with another airline and it'd be nice to get my money back.

I did a live chat to get a refund on a Jetstar booking yesterday - the flight was rescheduled from 12:50pm being one of three flights between BKK and SIN through the day to a single one departing after 8pm which I would not be able to use.

Twists and turns and squirms all the way to try to get me to accept rebooking or a voucher or anything else rather than a full refund at my option (as per the 3K conditions of carriage). Finally they relented and I was promised a refund; with the comment "It will be sent to the bank for processing within 7 days from the date of the request" - whatever that means in practice.

 

[Vic]

I did a live chat to get a refund on a Jetstar booking yesterday - the flight was rescheduled from 12:50pm being one of three flights between BKK and SIN through the day to a single one departing after 8pm which I would not be able to use.

Twists and turns and squirms all the way to try to get me to accept rebooking or a voucher or anything else rather than a full refund at my option (as per the 3K conditions of carriage). Finally they relented and I was promised a refund; with the comment "It will be sent to the bank for processing within 7 days from the date of the request" - whatever that means in practice.

Mine was a bit easier as the destination was Seoul and they had no alternatives to offer. Also got the 7 days for processing nonsense.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So what is it human nature over the past few weeks there was a run on dunny paper in the stores. Watching some of the threads on this site the “dunny Roll” run has seemed to extend to fights. Sure QF has changed up a few flights this week and mothballed a few a380s for a few months but flights will go on. Why is it that when airlines say they are working through the impacts of the Coronavirus many seem the need to start calling the call centres and then complain about the wait time for QF to answer, cannot get the the flight they are after, have longer than planed transit times etc. All airlines are in the same situation and accomodating everyones plans on a global scale will not be possible. Why not just take “chill pill” and book for a later time.

Because for me, Qantas and Qantas FF prioritises status over class of service. So as a non-status member, if I do nothing, I miss out on the best alternatives, and the best seats on rebooked flights, and the dates I want.

 

[amaroo]

Because for me, Qantas and Qantas FF prioritises status over class of service. So as a non-status member, if I do nothing, I miss out on the best alternatives, and the best seats on rebooked flights, and the dates I want.

Correct status trumps others when it comes to most things. Only one way to fix that ... 2 actually.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Correct status trumps others when it comes to most things. Only one way to fix that ... 2 actually.

yeah - one of them is 'getting in early' when an airline announces flight changes! Or flying an airline other than QF

 

[amaroo]

yeah - one of them is 'getting in early' when an airline announces flight changes! Or flying an airline other than QF

1/2 right. A) fly more with $$$ and build status, B) take your business elsewhere and be free and happy - simples.

 

[amaroo]

If you have no status with QF wait times have been in the hours for a few years. From a couple of posts on here last night, those that did wait to be contacted to ring QF were waiting on the phone for hours. So that wasn’t such a good strategy either. It’s hard to find a way around QF’s wait times unless you have a high status.

QF sells points and makes lots of money from them so those suggesting that what do you expect when you fly on points as if somehow we should be punished might remember that.

It's a queue, not punishment. No different to getting fast track at an airport or Disneyland.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

1/2 right. A) fly more with $$$ and build status, B) take your business elsewhere and be free and happy - simples.

Sure... but that wasn't the question posed by the OP. They wanted to know 'why the panic' to call and resolve issues so quickly rather than relaxing and allowing the airline to take control. Well, the answer for the majority of those 'in the know' without status is that we have to protect our interests. Those 'not in the know' lose out.

SQ changes my flight and I can meander over and happily select a nice bulkhead seat no worries. QF changes my flight and if I'm not quick I'm left with just one or two seats in the second cabin of the 787.

 

[amaroo]

Sure... but that wasn't the question posed by the OP. They wanted to know 'why the panic' to call and resolve issues so quickly rather than relaxing and allowing the airline to take control. Well, the answer for the majority of those 'in the know' without status is that we have to protect our interests. Those 'not in the know' lose out.

SQ changes my flight and I can meander over and happily select a nice bulkhead seat no worries. QF changes my flight and if I'm not quick I'm left with just one or two seats in the second cabin of the 787.

The OP has good advice. If the queue is huge and you can't through, better to chill.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

For a P1.

 

[amaroo]

For a P1.

P1 don't need that advice. Again, as it should be.

 

[Matt_01]

Sure... but that wasn't the question posed by the OP. They wanted to know 'why the panic' to call and resolve issues so quickly rather than relaxing and allowing the airline to take control. Well, the answer for the majority of those 'in the know' without status is that we have to protect our interests. Those 'not in the know' lose out.

SQ changes my flight and I can meander over and happily select a nice bulkhead seat no worries. QF changes my flight and if I'm not quick I'm left with just one or two seats in the second cabin of the 787.

So the second part of your response I am assuming you have status with SQ or am I wrong. If you have status with SQ no wonder you are not fussed, it is just role reversal, sure I am P1 with QF but only *G with SQ.

I also have SQ flights that have been impacted by this virus but I have not bothered to call and spend time waiting on hold as I am assuming that SQ will be looking after the Solitaire and PPS members first (same as QF looking after P1s) and I am further down the SQ totem pole. If our SQ flights are cancelled and a suitable alternative cannot be found I will just cancel the trip and rebook at another time. I agree with @amaroo status is key and in that only comes through real spend. Just chill out the world will go on.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

So the second part of your response I am assuming you have status with SQ or am I wrong. If you have status with SQ no wonder you are not fussed, it is just role reversal, sure I am P1 with QF but only *G with SQ.

I also have SQ flights that have been impacted by this virus but I have not bothered to call and spend time waiting on hold as I am assuming that SQ will be looking after the Solitaire and PPS members first (same as QF looking after P1s) and I am further down the SQ totem pole. If our SQ flights are cancelled and a suitable alternative cannot be found I will just cancel the trip and rebook at another time. I agree with @amaroo status is key and in that only comes through real spend. Just chill out the world will go on.

I have no status with SQ. And without status, my fare alone is good enough to select any seat in the cabin.

For most passengers, acting quickly is the key to minimising disruption and keeping an itinerary on track.