Can I do anything with unused return leg LAX > MEL in J

[petermac123]

Last year, a 3d party company paid for me to travel to a conference in the US, Qantas Business ('I' Class Fare). At the time, Qantas was having a business class sale and it was basically the same price to purchase return ticket as it was to buy one way, so they bought me a return ticket.

I used the outbound leg, mid-October '12, but because I was onward travelling to Philippines I never used the return leg, and I rebooked it as far forward as possible, 4th Oct '13 in the hope I might have some use for it. Fast coming up to that date and I'll not be in the US any time soon.

Is there anything I could do with this flight? Or I'll just have to let it lapse?

 

[DMMatlin]

I'm reading status run....;-)

 

[Storyteller]

Last year, a 3d party company paid for me to travel to a conference in the US, Qantas Business ('I' Class Fare). At the time, Qantas was having a business class sale and it was basically the same price to purchase return ticket as it was to buy one way, so they bought me a return ticket.

I used the outbound leg, mid-October '12, but because I was onward travelling to Philippines I never used the return leg, and I rebooked it as far forward as possible, 4th Oct '13 in the hope I might have some use for it. Fast coming up to that date and I'll not be in the US any time soon.

Is there anything I could do with this flight? Or I'll just have to let it lapse?

Go to AA.com. See what is the cheapest award price for Australia-US. Buy some miles. Book a one way Australia-US flight.
Then, maybe have a bit of a holiday in the US. Or do some sort of status run if that's what you need...
Then fly home on the original return itinerary. Earn points & Sc by doing this.

Finally, report back here

 

[serfty]

You can extend the date of a booked segment by up to a year after the original date of ticketing.

Being an I fare however, it may be rather expensive to change - maybe get yourself back to the US as suggested.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Many here will advise you to try anything so you don't waste the leg - me included.

You don't need a two week holiday, you could have a weekend in Vegas, a shopping trip in San Fran outlet malls, any kind of interest you have apply it to a few days in the US and go for it!

 

[Storyteller]

If you're a bit crazy, don't have a lot of time, but do like flying & fancy a bit of a lazy weekend, head over to LA in Y using 37.5k AA miles & $113.90. On Thursday 3/10, I can see PER BNE, departing 4:25pm, then on 4/10 BNE SYD on QF 8, SYD LAX on QF11.

Spend the day sightseeing / having a meal somewhere special, then jump back on the plane that night for a comfortable sleep & trip home. Get home Sunday.

Though Mrmaxwell's suggestion does sound better for the extra couple of days. It looks like there is availability for several days before 3/10 as well.

Oh, and get QF to link the 2 bookings so that if your inbound to the US goes pear shaped they will know about it.

 

[petermac123]

Thanks for all the replies guys, unfortunately time/schedule doesn't permit a flying visit to the US (no pun intended).. WIll just have to let it lapse... shame

Cheers

Pete

 

[serfty]

Thanks for all the replies guys, unfortunately time/schedule doesn't permit a flying visit to the US (no pun intended).. WIll just have to let it lapse... shame

Cheers

Pete

Maybe not?

You can extend the date of a booked segment by up to a year after a year after the original date of ticketing.
...

... i.e. up to two years.

https://agent.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/7515

An I fare however, may have a significant change fee, but it's likely the value of the remaining booking would be maybe ten times that.