Can I delete the first leg of my two leg Classic Rewards Booking?

[WheelchairTraveller]

Hi All, I have a classic rewards flight booked from LAS to MEL via LAX (in 6 weeks time). The first leg is with American Airlines (partner) and the second is with Qantas (A380!). Qantas pulled ahead the timing of the second leg and the only available Classic Rewards first leg flight was moved from around 8:30pm to 07:16 am meaning I now have a 13+hr wait at LAX. To fix this I would like to cancel the AA flight and purchase a Delta flight (with money) that leaves LAS at 4pm. This still gives me 5hrs at LAX to get through customs, etc. (The minimum allowed is 1.5hrs). Qantas told me that I cannot do this although, when I check, the LAX to MEL flight is still available as a Classic Rewards flight (for the same number of points as I used for the two leg flight). If I cancel my current flight, re-book the Classic Rewards flight (LAX to MEL only) and purchase the Delta flight (LAS to LAX), with money, what is the risk? Why would Qantas tell me I can't do this? I really, really, really don't want to get up at 5am to catch a 7am flight only to then wait at the airport for 13hrs for my next flight. Any advice or information on the Qantas Classic Rewards Rules would be appreciated. Thanks!

 

[encryptededdy]

Do you have enough points to book the LAX/MEL first before cancelling your current booking? If so, go ahead.

You can cancel your existing flight for 6000 points (but if you call up and say you're cancelling because Qantas changed the time of the flight, they should be able to waive that unless you've already accepted the changes).

If not, you may find that your points are not refunded instantly - you'll have to call up to get it refunded quickly.

The risk is the same as any other self-connection - Qantas won't help you if your Delta flight doesn't make it in time. Of course, with 5 hours buffer, you should be OK.

Beware that since you're no longer connecting to an international flight on the same booking, your Delta flight won't include checked luggage unless you explicitly pay for it (the AA flight would include baggage since you're connecting onto QF).

 

[WheelchairTraveller]

Do you have enough points to book the LAX/MEL first before cancelling your current booking? If so, go ahead.

You can cancel your existing flight for 6000 points (but if you call up and say you're cancelling because Qantas changed the time of the flight, they should be able to waive that unless you've already accepted the changes).

If not, you may find that your points are not refunded instantly - you'll have to call up to get it refunded quickly.

The risk is the same as any other self-connection - Qantas won't help you if your Delta flight doesn't make it in time. Of course, with 5 hours buffer, you should be OK.

Beware that since you're no longer connecting to an international flight on the same booking, your Delta flight won't include checked luggage unless you explicitly pay for it (the AA flight would include baggage since you're connecting onto QF).

Thanks.
I do have enough points, assuming I cancel my "upgrade to business" request and I have instant access to those points. (I don't see why not given that they are still listed and won't be taken until 24hrs before the flight IF my request is successful).

I saw that I would have to pay extra for baggage on Delta but if I book through Flight Centre that flight is only $76 plus $60 for baggage, still pretty cheap. Of course that is their cheapest flight so the rules/ conditions won't be great. Do the cheapest Delta flights, with the worst conditions, still guarantee a seat? or could I be bumped to the next flight? (Which would still get me there in time). I don't understand US flight rules but I have heard of this happening.

 

[encryptededdy]

I do have enough points, assuming I cancel my "upgrade to business" request and I have instant access to those points. (I don't see why not given that they are still listed and won't be taken until 24hrs before the flight IF my request is successful).

Your points shouldn't have been taken for your upgrade request. They're only taken if successful.

 

[JohnSydney2000]

Random thought, you have probably tried this - are there AA award seats same day with 2 segments eg via Phoenix that give you more of a sleep in.
Or, is there a flight/flights the previous day that give you a 23’59” or less LAX transit.
John.

 

[WheelchairTraveller]

Random thought, you have probably tried this - are there AA award seats same day with 2 segments eg via Phoenix that give you more of a sleep in.
Or, is there a flight/flights the previous day that give you a 23’59” or less LAX transit.
John.

Thanks for the reply. Yes I did think of this. The previous day is not an option as I have a tour booked plus there are no classic rewards flights available. There is one two leg flight available via Pheonix. I thought the extra travel time, getting on and off planes, general hassle and the risk of my luggage getting lost would not be worth the few extra hours at the Las Vegas hotel. Paying for a short/ cheap flight seems the better option than using points for this leg to me.

Another option was to use my Qantas card to get me into the lounge at LAX (2 visits per year) and catch up on sleep in there. It is a bit more complicated than that for me though as I am a full time wheelchair user. There are no bathrooms at the airport or in the lounge that are fully accessible and where I can have a shower. I can only get dressed on a bed so i need a bed, shower and toilet in the same room. This is really why I want to stay at the Las Vegas hotel for a few more hours (to do my, 2hr, normal morning bathroom routine). I don't want to get up at 4am to do this before I leave and it doesn't work very well at that time of the morning anyway plus it is too far away in time from my 15hr flight back home). Qantas have shafted me and wont let me on the 2pm AA flight which would be a perfect fix. (It doesn't have any reward seats just plenty of "normal " seats, currently at $377, that they wont pay for). I did put in a complaint to Qantas explaining all this and letting them know that they could easily fix it by putting me on the 2pm AA flight but that was 3 days ago and no response so far.

The other option I thought of is to book a day hotel close to LAX (they actually have them next to the runway) and use their facilities for the day (not only catch up on sleep but also do my normal bathroom routine including a hot shower). This would only be about $200 but comes with the hassle of getting in and out of ubers/ taxis and moving me and luggage around so I prefer the Delta and sleep in/ normal morning routine option (but not by much).

Apologies for "Too Much Information" ;-)