Award ticket downgrade procedure

[jspeedinc]

I've got an upcoming flight on QF21 in a couple of weeks (4 Dec), as part as a US Airways award ticket. The seat map is showing a 4-seat config (sold as 3). I'm imagining if there's an equipment change, this will mean less J seats and some people may be downgraded. Now, given my lack of Qantas status, being on an award ticket and a solo traveller, I am wondering what the procedure is with regard to compensation, would I need to contact US Airways or does Qantas deal with it? Also, if the option is available to defer travel - I have a connecting flight out of Narita, will I need to get into contact with US to reschedule this as well?

 

[anat0l]

I take it you mean a 4 class config. 4 seats on a huge plane... wow think of the leg room

I didn't even think if there was still 4 class 747s flying around - my guess is they are all 3 class now, but in any case, if it were a downgrade from 4 to 3 classes, there would likely be either the same or more Business seats.

To answer your question, however, if you are downgraded, you would mainly have to deal with US Airways, since they issued the ticket. You can attempt a reroute if there is availability and ask for a waiver of the change fee on the grounds of involuntary downgrade. You can also ask for the same flight on a different day - again, subject to availability - but I would suspect that the modified ticket would still need to conform to the rules regarding stopovers and open jaws.

Qantas won't be able to do anything directly to help you, unless you are downgraded on the day of travel. If you can't get reorganised with US DM, then you might be able to ask QF for some help to locate an alternative flight(s), of which they may then be able to modify their part of the booking. You would then have to call US DM to have the itinerary revalidated and reticketed (QF will effect something on the ticket which US will see as a "flight change", a similar signal to that if your class is downgraded in the first place).

Whatever you do, if you find your ticket is changed in any way, you should call US DM.

 

[serfty]

There are still two 4 class configured 744 flying around.

You won't be downgraded - the 14 seats in zone A will be available for business class passengers - generally for those with higher status.

I would be looking to snaffle one ...

 

[serfty]

Business Seat map:

 

[jspeedinc]

Based on what I've seen from the seat maps, it's got 66 F+J seats, vs 58/56 on the other configurations, so it does indeed have most J seats. Thanks for the information, I'll keep it in mind in case anything goes awry.

 

[JohnK]

You won't be downgraded - the 14 seats in zone A will be available for business class passengers - generally for those with higher status.

I would be looking to snaffle one ...

When? I have a HKG-SYD flight on A380 end of January and I cannot choose the blocked out First class seats.

My status not high enough? It is an award ticket.

 

[mannej]

When? I have a HKG-SYD flight on A380 end of January and I cannot choose the blocked out First class seats.

My status not high enough? It is an award ticket.

I think the reference is specific to flights operated by the 747's, not the 380.

 

[JohnK]

I think the reference is specific to flights operated by the 747's, not the 380.

Should there be a difference?

Both have a First cabin that is not sold on that route.

 

[mannej]

Should there be a difference?

Both have a First cabin that is not sold on that route.

Well there is obviously a difference in how they handle the 4 class 747's on 3 class routes compared to the 380's doing the same.

 

[Quickstatus]

I've got an upcoming flight on QF21 in a couple of weeks (4 Dec), as part as a US Airways award ticket. The seat map is showing a 4-seat config (sold as 3). I'm imagining if there's an equipment change, this will mean less J seats and some people may be downgraded. Now, given my lack of Qantas status, being on an award ticket and a solo traveller, I am wondering what the procedure is with regard to compensation, would I need to contact US Airways or does Qantas deal with it? Also, if the option is available to defer travel - I have a connecting flight out of Narita, will I need to get into contact with US to reschedule this as well?

You wont be downgraded

a few years ago we had 4 U tickets (U= business award) SYD-LAX via AKL on QF

Then QF cancelled their lax flights via AKL

My booking dates remained the same.

There was a note in my booking when i checked it online.

QF had changed my booking to SYD-LAX direct on QF107 and return on 108. Same day travel .

(ORIGINALLY I was unable to get QF107/108 award seats when i booked to ones via AKL.)