Article: Qantas’ Frustrating Application of Married Segment Logic

[justinbrett]

Was your booking just one QF flight, multiple QF flights, or QF + partners? Was your rebooking via mobile app or web app?

Trying to understand what conditions trigger the rebooking options being displayed. Didnt get this option for a qf1 follow by a ba (all reward) and I had hope as I saw your story already somewhere in the forum.

It was a wholly QF itinerary - however the rebooking options included AA options.

It was the website.

I guess it's more on the hook to fix issues for QF changes (that's within their control) than partner changers (which is outside of their control).

 

[Mrsfefe]

But it makes it incredibly difficult to plan complex itineraries like oneworld awards, which you'd usually piece together flight by flight and assume that if a seat in U is available, it's available without strings attached.

@AFF Editor was QF invited to comment on this as to whether it's policy or just a system issue? Is there anywhere in the FF T&Cs that prevent them being booked as a combined ticket? Can one force their booking if you have access to HBA?

Yes I (WP) have been able to get HBA to force through married segments several times now, at great cost saving. Did involve a few “ummmmmm’s” from the call centre angels, but they did do it.

 

[Radio8tiv]

I’m having a different married segment issue, not sure if this is the place for it, or make a new thread?
I had to book HEL-AMS-TPE-MEL in late Jan as this was about the only back for a reward flight at the time, it would not let me either on the website or via call centre to book AMS-TPE-MEL since I only wanted to leave from AMS I figured I would just cancel the HEL-AMS flight, I have tried the call centre a few times but they can’t remove the first leg (one person even asking me if HEL was also in the Netherlands), not sure what my options are now

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

I’m having a different married segment issue, not sure if this is the place for it, or make a new thread?
I had to book HEL-AMS-TPE-MEL in late Jan as this was about the only back for a reward flight at the time, it would not let me either on the website or via call centre to book AMS-TPE-MEL since I only wanted to leave from AMS I figured I would just cancel the HEL-AMS flight, I have tried the call centre a few times but they can’t remove the first leg (one person even asking me if HEL was also in the Netherlands), not sure what my options are now

It is very likely that it is a married segment issue. If you try to drop HEL-AMS, then it is very possible that there won’t be any AMS-TPE-MEL availability. If you no show HEL-AMS, you forfeit the entire ticket.

Basically you should be prepared to travel from HEL…hate to break it to you. It really is the only option

 

[Quickstatus]

HEL-AMS-TPE-MEL

What airlines?

 

[justinbrett]

Does QF control married segments on partner airlines (award so not using QF codes)?

I wouldn’t have thought so.

 

[Radio8tiv]

What airlines?

Finnair, KLM, China airlines

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

Does QF control married segments on partner airlines (award so not using QF codes)?

I wouldn’t have thought so.

while QF won't control married segments, the other carrier may have their own married segments

Finnair/KLM/China Airlines is an interesting combination. potentially not married segments then? it's hard to test without plenty of availability around.

 

[Quickstatus]

Finnair, KLM, China airlines

Who is doing the ticketing?

 

[Radio8tiv]

Who is doing the ticketing?

It was a reward booking using QF points I did, for flights in Jan 24, it was the only option available for 2xJ bookings (even found a third for my daughter a few days later albeit only pe on the TPE-MEL for her). Im looking forward to flying on some different carriers with these Qantas partnerships and the taxes were quite reasonable. I’m only asking the brains-trust here if in theory it’s possible to remove the first HEL-AMS flight, i don’t mind having to spend many hours on the phone and multiple HUACAs just to get a positive outcome, it’s all part of the fun using reward points (when sipping that champagne and laying flat I’ll forget all about the hassle)

 

[justinbrett]

while QF won't control married segments, the other carrier may have their own married segments

Finnair/KLM/China Airlines is an interesting combination. potentially not married segments then? it's hard to test without plenty of availability around.

I’m sure they do, but in context of the thread title, I’m not sure it’s anything to do with Qantas.

 

[Quickstatus]

I’m only asking the brains-trust here if in theory it’s possible to remove the first HEL-AMS flight,

I understand.
Using QF points does not necessarily mean that QF is ticketing the itinerary.

Do the flights have a QF number or a flight number belonging to AY/KL/CI? If the latter those flights would be ticketed by the respective airline and I suspect it will be nigh on impossible with HUACA to QF to lop off one segment.

 

[justinbrett]

Do the flights have a QF number or a flight number belonging to AY/KL/CI? If the latter those flights would be ticketed by the respective airline and I suspect it will be nigh on impossible with HUACA to QF to lop off one segment.

No that's not true at all.

As a general rule (ie, in almost all cases), QF rewards issue as 81 tickets with the operating carrier codes.

There are a very few limited exceptions to this, AY/KL/CI are not examples of them. TN is an example of an airline that will book as QF when using points.

And unless you're doing something funky with a TA wizzard like madrooster, they'll all be on 081 QF tickets.

Hence all the threads about QF not ticketing partner changes in time.

 

[Radio8tiv]

yes ticketed under QF with 081 ticket
flights are actually kl1168, kl802, then the CI one
so looks like it might be a klm segment issue
wonder if I can call them (I speak Dutch) and maybe get it removed from their end

 

[levelnine]

wonder if I can call them (I speak Dutch) and maybe get it removed from their end

KLM are going to be unable to help as it's a Qantas ticket.

Are you Qantas Platinum? Have you been able to speak to someone from Hobart? While I find even Hobart has some confusion about what is and is not a married segment at times, they will be the best at advising what is and is not possible.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Does QF control married segments on partner airlines (award so not using QF codes)?

I wouldn’t have thought so.

Qf might not control married segments on other airlines, but they might apply revenue control over any awards or award space being offered through QFFF.

QF may not want a passenger to be able to book Europe-AU when they would rather a passenger pay for a QF service.

Just like QR and AA can restrict seat availability to QF, and v.v., it’s probably not a far stretch to think QF could simply ‘not ticket’ combinations of seats that aren’t within its yield model.

Not saying this is what’s happening, but I don’t see any reason why it couldn’t.

 

[justinbrett]

Qf might not control married segments on other airlines, but they might apply revenue control over any awards or award space being offered through QFFF.

QF may not want a passenger to be able to book Europe-AU when they would rather a passenger pay for a QF service.

That doesn't sound likely to me. I mean, they offer EK flights that are outside of the alliance (eg South Africa) that directly compete with QF services.

It sounds much more likely to be married segments from the operating carrier - just like AA/BA members would find if they were looking for QF awards.

 

[madrooster]

yes ticketed under QF with 081 ticket
flights are actually kl1168, kl802, then the CI one

KL indeed marry the segments. You won't be able to lop off the HEL-AMS.

 

[Jousams]

So i was able to pick up a MEL-SYD-SCL reward on QF where the SYD-SCL could not be booked as a standalone. I assume due to the weird married segment logic. If i call the call centre, would they be able to drop the MEL-SYD leg?

 

[There'sOnlyOneJimmy]

So i was able to pick up a MEL-SYD-SCL reward on QF where the SYD-SCL could not be booked as a standalone. I assume due to the weird married segment logic. If i call the call centre, would they be able to drop the MEL-SYD leg?

Possible outcomes (there may be others):
1. CSA says no;
2. CSA says yes, but then finds that the system won’t allow it;
3. CSA says yes, promises to get it ticketed, ticketing fails, and SYD-SCL flight also drops off;
4. CSA says yes, and then actually gets it done, including new tickets.

You spin the wheel & you take your chances…