Alternatives Ways To Come Home on Classic Awards from Europe to Melbourne Next Week.

[dsotm]

I have two close friends in Copenhagen who are booked to return to Melbourne on an Emirates J/F Classic Award flight this Monday. They haven’t heard a squeak from Qantas or Emirates and it seems the drama in the Middle East won’t be resolved in the next five days.

What alternative QF/partner routes could I realistically look at to avoid the gulf states while still being able to use Classic Awards (not Plus)? I know short notice availability is usually non-existent, but the situation there is volatile and evolving, so there may be some options out there. They don’t care how long or far it takes to get home and are happy to transit to a departure from the UK or other European airport. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I would start looking at options via the US, some segments likely paid and the other part using points.

With 2 people I think the chances of using the points x 2 is going to be impossible.

 

[adenda]

Via Helsinki - lot of options (but maybe no availability) from HEL via India or SE Asia back to MEL

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have two close friends in Copenhagen who are booked to return to Melbourne on an Emirates J/F Classic Award flight this Monday. They haven’t heard a squeak from Qantas or Emirates and it seems the drama in the Middle East won’t be resolved in the next five days.

What alternative QF/partner routes could I realistically look at to avoid the gulf states while still being able to use Classic Awards (not Plus)? I know short notice availability is usually non-existent, but the situation there is volatile and evolving, so there may be some options out there. They don’t care how long or far it takes to get home and are happy to transit to a departure from the UK or other European airport. Any advice is appreciated.

Departing from Copenhagen they are covered by EU261.

While there is no cash compensation due to the circumstances (war), they are still entitled to duty or care AND rerouting at the earliest opportunity (from the date of flight).

Rerouting does not need to be on the original airline (EK). But it does have to be in the same class of service. (Although noting that F isnt offered by many airpines, so that could limit options. They may have to settle for J all the way.)

Points booking makes no difference to this.

I would leave this entirely in the hands of the airline as they are required to find an alternative route and cover duty of care while waiting for that flight.

If the passengers take this into their own hands they lose any rights under EU261, including any additional accommodation costs and any additional expenses like new airfares.

The obligation here is on EK as the operating airline, not Qantas. I’d be contacting EK and asking what the arrangements are.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Edited to add: the official EK policy for rebooking on other flights, if made through a travel agency (which Qantas is in this case), is to contact the travel agent directly.

So might be worth a call to Qantas to see what options they have. This might be useful to quell nerves in advance of the day of travel.

But certainly as of the departure date EU261 kicks in and it’s the job of EK, not QF to find and book an alternative flight home to Australia. And that trumps all award/points and other issues.

 

[offshore171]

If they can get themselves to Helsinki, look at Finnair over the pole into Japan. Then JAL from there.

 

[dajop]

It’s really a matter of trial and error. I’d be looking at any BA/AA gateways in the US as starting points - but assuming would need to be comfortable with economy awards from US back to Australia.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It’s really a matter of trial and error. I’d be looking at any BA/AA gateways in the US as starting points - but assuming would need to be comfortable with economy awards from US back to Australia.

If they can get themselves to Helsinki, look at Finnair over the pole into Japan. Then JAL from there.

Why?

As soon as EK cancels the flight the passengers are entitled to EU261 rerouting, under comparable conditions (same cabin). Plus duty of care (meals and accommodation).

I can’t see a need for economy awards. It is a good idea to have alternative routings and availability - in business/first class - when contacting EK for the rerouting. Airline staff and automatic rebooking systems may not have all the options in front of them. But they can easily search them if the OP has them at the ready.

 

[im.daniel]

2 options that come straight to mind - based on my previous experiences with last minute redemptions;

As I just checked;

1. Travel via USA (DFW/LAX/SFO). Always plenty of Y awards back to various ports in Australia. Some Y+ as well.
2. Travel down to JNB and over to SYD. Plenty of seats on BA to JNB and a few in Y on QF

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Google flights shows plenty of options in business class on Singapore Airlines, Finnair/JAL, LH/SQ, KL/various Chinese carriers, AI, etc.

The first bunch of options are via the ME, which will disappear if the current flight restrictions continue.

Might have to fly a day later or so than planned, given how quickly alternatives will fill, but there’s lots there.

 

[dajop]

Why?

As soon as EK cancels the flight the passengers are entitled to EU261 rerouting, under comparable conditions (same cabin). Plus duty of care (meals and accommodation).

I can’t see a need for economy awards. It is a good idea to have alternative routings and availability - in business/first class - when contacting EK for the rerouting. Airline staff and automatic rebooking systems may not have all the options in front of them. But they can easily search them if the OP has them at the ready.

I would normally agree but what are the data points on how efficiently and easily EK are getting people where they want to be in the cabin they want to be in given the numbers involved? We're not talking about a single plane going US or a few weather delays, we're talking about what 100+ (?) eastbound flights from Europe every day that are not running.

If OP's friends can access the necessary points it wouldn't hurt to have something as a backup should the reaccommodation not go that smoothly, apart from a trivial cancellation fee it's fully refundable. If they don't have the points spare (such as relying on refund, then it's a different decision).

BTW next week CPH-LHR-LAX on BA business class is open using QFF pts.

 

[moa999]

efficiently and easily EK are getting people where they want to be in the cabin they want to be in given the numbers involved

Agreed with three major airlines effectively grounded empty seats on any other airline are filling up very quickly.

The next genuine earliest opportunity could be a while.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would normally agree but what are the data points on how efficiently and easily EK are getting people where they want to be in the cabin they want to be in given the numbers involved? We're not talking about a single plane going US or a few weather delays, we're talking about what 100+ (?) eastbound flights from Europe every day that are not running.

If OP's friends can access the necessary points it wouldn't hurt to have something as a backup should the reaccommodation not go that smoothly, apart from a trivial cancellation fee it's fully refundable. If they don't have the points spare (such as relying on refund, then it's a different decision).

BTW next week CPH-LHR-LAX on BA business class is open using QFF pts.

Reports are suggesting EK is doing pretty good with accommodating pax on other airlines, even for flights not originating in the EU.

But at the end of the day it’s a legal consumer law requirement… and same as the rights we have under ACL… they’re not ‘negotiable’. And without the potential pitfalls of contract law (under the ticket) or the Montreal Convention where there are all sorts of get-outs or other uncertainties.

Airlines are required to provide the re-routing. If they don’t you have a case for getting your own tickets and billing the airline. Not something I’d attempt lightly, or without further research, but you need to engage the airline at first instance.

Agreed with three major airlines effectively grounded empty seats on any other airline are filling up very quickly.

The next genuine earliest opportunity could be a while.

There are seats available tomorrow for example, which will be the same position the OP will be in next Monday. Yes the fares are expensive, but that’s not an issue under 261.