Fly Ahead at MEL on a domestic J fare — “full in J”, then “I class on a return isn’t eligible”, then a duty manager apology

[kamchatsky]

Can always fly VA where Fly Ahead is available for as low as Gold members on eligible fares.

 

[token01]

Thanks for the feedback guys.
I am a wp currently. I have had no issue over last 8-9 years from other ports like bne if there was a seat they'd move you.

I'm based out of Melb half the week now and feel it's a lot more regimented here. Perhaps more premium pax etc.

Totally understand this has happened at the discretion of staff for fly forwarding. Been lucky clearly.

What annoyed me was that on that particular day if I knew there was spare seats but requiring a fare difference I would have gladly paid. But being told fully sold out then finding out there wasn't didn't cut the mustard.

I should be p1 in 3 months let's see if that makes things easier.

On a small note. When there was Qantas domestic business sale. I just booked the tickets. It would make things easier if Qantas showed business sale and business flex on the website to avoid confusion....

 

[henrus]

Yes I get it they don't want people booking cheaper later flights but at the same time if someones only moving one flight or a couple of hours then I see no problem especially if a status holder and in business class!

The only time travelling as WP on just a regular economy fare I've been knocked back was in Melbourne, told no my fare didn't count. On that day work had wrapped up 2 hours early so myself and a colleague sat in the MEL J lounge eating and drinking for the next 2 hours. The following MEL trip was booked on VA instead.

 

[lovestotravel]

Story from a workmate recently

Flying SYD-MEL in Y - Gold status but not an experienced flyer.

7am flight cancelled while enroute to airport, auto-booked onto a 3pm flight.

They found an agent at bag drop who said couldn't help and go to the gate...

Went to the gate and they said couldn't help.

Went back to a service desk and was rebooked onto an 8am flight..

 

[fletty]

I recently flew MEL to BNE in business (I) and noticed in the app that it said something along the lines of 'fly earlier' and 'status benefit' in the same sentence. I'm WP.

I don't recall the exact wording though.

 

[AIRwin]

Went to the gate and they said couldn't help.

Went back to a service desk and was rebooked onto an 8am flight..

Perhaps a seat freed up in the meantime when another booked passenger missed check-in at the last minute?

 

[CaptJCool]

Perhaps a seat freed up in the meantime when another booked passenger missed check-in at the last minute?

It’s the late flights that if delayed earlier in the day may be at risk of not flying due to weather or ATC so ensuring people get home by EVENING matters to the airline

 

[sudoer]

Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't think there are lead-in level domestic business flex fares?

C and J are both Business Flex but different price points.

The benefit could apply to a P1 booked in C but only J is available on the earlier flight they wish to move to.

 

[moa999]

Perhaps a seat freed up in the meantime when another booked passenger missed check-in at the last minute?

Or the airport equivalent of HUACA.

At Syd and Mel I've often found the service desk nearer the gates more flexible than the lounge.

 

[token01]

yesterday evening Mel - bne.
Got to lounge and told see service desk inside as I was 3 hours early.
No care what status / ticket I had. Proactively monitored it and offered a downgrade to economy for earlier flight as business was full.
Ended up doing some work but flight was an hour later for departure.

Out of Melbourne / Syd / bne. I have found Melbourne the hardest to been given an earlier flight.

In Melbourne I have noted multiple times they have referred to calling seat control who have knocked it back and a few times comments such as they will only do it if they anticipating network disruptions.

I might be over reaching here but wouldn't it make more sense to fill the seats last minute and free up later seats for potential sale later in the day ?

 

[AuSammy]

yesterday evening Mel - bne.
Got to lounge and told see service desk inside as I was 3 hours early.
No care what status / ticket I had. Proactively monitored it and offered a downgrade to economy for earlier flight as business was full.
Ended up doing some work but flight was an hour later for departure.

Out of Melbourne / Syd / bne. I have found Melbourne the hardest to been given an earlier flight.

In Melbourne I have noted multiple times they have referred to calling seat control who have knocked it back and a few times comments such as they will only do it if they anticipating network disruptions.

I might be over reaching here but wouldn't it make more sense to fill the seats last minute and free up later seats for potential sale later in the day ?

I doubt there is more than one “seat control” group in the company. So the answer would logically be the same regardless of port in the exact same circumstances.

Perhaps the issue is more regarding load factors on flights out of MEL on the days and times you are testing the waters.

Nevertheless the airline does not have a specific fly ahead policy (other than P1) so the decision will be driven by what suits the airline at that specific point in time and the authority / discretion level of the person from whom the “favour” is being requested.