Buying a ticket on the day of travel?

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Warks

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I was wondering what would be the best option if you showed up to the airport too late for your flight (due to an accident in the Harbour Tunnel or something like that) and you had a non-refundable (no-show) type ticket. If you HAD to get to wherever that day what would you do? Say SYD-MEL for example to keep it simple. It hasn't happened to me but I wonder what you'd do in this situation. Just go to Ticketing and pay through the nose or are there some ways of not being gouged to death.

Like to hear some thoughts from experienced people.
 
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Warks, I suppose it can depend on whether you are travelling for business or leisure.

Most leisure travellers look for the cheapest deal and fail to take the time to understand the rules of the fare they have bought. When they run late (regardless of the reason), they blame the airline, rant and rave and say "I'll never fly with this airline again" - you've seen the type of people on various Airline reality shows.

Some (if not most) business travellers will, because of experience, pay more for the flexibility that a higher fare basis carries. I always look at flying to destinations the night before (generally on a V class fare), to reduce the risks of unserviceable aircraft or weather conditions that might happen at short notice and not allow me to reschedule without losing face with my clients.

On my return flights (usually mid to late afternoon and into early evening), I need flexibility thus I am always on a K class fare or sometimes H. This allows me the flexibility to change at short notice, as there are generally seats available on later flights at these fares (thus no change fee). A case in point (like your example), was my return flight SYD/BNE on Friday - I had initially bought a K class for Thursday PM return, then changed to a Friday PM return and had to go up to H class (an extra $100) to get on the [later] 3.05pm flight. I was at Parramatta and left my clients at 1pm to catch the train via Central to the Airport. We were stopped at Auburn due to an accident between a train and pedestrian. Rather than tempt fate, I rang QF Res from the train by mobile, explained my position and asked the CSA to look for later flights with H availability. The 4.05pm had only J seats available, luckily the 5.05pm had H availability. Imagine if I had been on a cheaper fare - there would not have been a snowflakes chance of getting out of SYD on a Friday afternoon (as the CSA was telling me what fares were available - it would not have been until 8.05pm that a K class would have secured me a seat).
 
Lindsay Wilson said:
Rather than tempt fate, I rang QF Res from the train by mobile, explained my position and asked the CSA to look for later flights with H availability. The 4.05pm had only J seats available, luckily the 5.05pm had H availability. Imagine if I had been on a cheaper fare - there would not have been a snowflakes chance of getting out of SYD on a Friday afternoon (as the CSA was telling me what fares were available - it would not have been until 8.05pm that a K class would have secured me a seat).

I would have gone for the 2005 flight, more time in the Qantas Pub. :D

Dave
 
If desperate to get somewhere and have to pay your own cash on the day of travel, shop around. QF will likely charge you a fully flexible fare. Check out DJ and JQ if you want to pay less at veru short notice. Hmm, never thought I would say that :roll: .
 
Thanks for the replies. The company has gone all tightwaddish and buys these no-show tickets so we are stuck with what we are given. Half-tempted to 'miss' a flight and have to buy a full fare at the airport - except they'd have my guts for garters for missing the flight (unless it was something that was on the news like the above example!)

So I guess I'd have to see what QF and Vermin say should the need arise. If we had stand-by here I guess that'd be an option in this situation.
 
thadocta said:
I would have gone for the 2005 flight, more time in the Qantas Pub. :D Dave

thadocta, just over 2 hours in the QP was enough for me to:

1. In the first hour, catch up with Dave Nobleand meet Alan in CBR for the first time - I think we are getting closer to tying down a time for meeting in CBR QP in a couple of weeks. I'm sure others around us were thinking we were crazy (in that we were sharing various flying-related matters). They both had earlier flights to catch than me.
2. During the final hour, drink another 4 HP's (slowly) and partake in more culinary delights from the buffet whilst finishing notes for all my meetings over the 2 days.

Getting the 8.05pm flight wuodl have tested my wife's patience :roll: (as she kindly picked me up from the airport) and my resolve for remaining sober after a busy 2 days :D ....
 
Warks said:
Thanks for the replies. The company has gone all tightwaddish and buys these no-show tickets so we are stuck with what we are given. Half-tempted to 'miss' a flight and have to buy a full fare at the airport - except they'd have my guts for garters for missing the flight (unless it was something that was on the news like the above example!)

So I guess I'd have to see what QF and Vermin say should the need arise. If we had stand-by here I guess that'd be an option in this situation.

Warks, you just need to make sure that management are as aware of the fare conditions for the tickets they are forcing you to buy.

Just needs one or two "no shows" on a Friday PM for them to realise that flexibility may be useful....
 
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