chance of getting earlier flight?

[wrldtrvllr]

Am booked on QF489 SYD-MEL for 19/2 - what is the chance of getting an earlier flight that evening? E/F doesn't show many Y seats being available. Can I just ask at the check-in desks? Lounge? Should only be taking carry-on.

Thanks!

 

[drewbles]

Am booked on QF489 SYD-MEL for 19/2 - what is the chance of getting an earlier flight that evening? E/F doesn't show many Y seats being available. Can I just ask at the check-in desks? Lounge? Should only be taking carry-on.

Thanks!

It all depends on the fare class you booked your ticket in. If you have a non-flexible fare, you'll need to expect to fly on the flight you're booked on.

QF will only usually change you to an earlier flight if:

a) they want to for operational reasons (weather/cancelled flight etc)
b) you have a flexible fare that permits it (Y/B/H/K type fares)

You can ask at check-in and the lounge if you like, but it's hard to get them to change you if the above are not true

 

[MAX_1]

I had booked 2 Business and 2 Economy (using points) Melb to Brisbane last Tues for departure at 7.05 pm .
My party arrived at Mel at 5.00 pm and we began to check-in at the machines when we were offered early flights for all tickets for the 6.05pm departure.
We accepted , of course.
In the past , when flying alone and returning from MEL to Bris. I have requested at the Qantas Club for an earlier flight, despite availablity and being refused, "due to type of fare"

Maybe Qantas has had a change of heart?

 

[serfty]

... Maybe Qantas has had a change of heart?

Not at all; If Qantas have heavy sales on the later flights, they will try to move PAX for those flights who are at the airport "early" enough to available seats on other flights.

If they have no such need; forget it.

To the OP

Late loadings are indicating near if not oversold. (QF491 J1 Y1, rest 0) (QF489 [op's flight] J4 D2 I4 Y9 B0 H9 {tells me spare J seats but few if any Y seats spare}

I think your chances would be good. Try Quick check on arrival at the airport first ...

 

[Justinf]

Depends on what the loading is. I once was flying QF from Sydney to Melbourne on a Sunday night at 8pm and got to the airport at 6pm and asked the checkin chick if I could catch the 6.30pm flight. She said 'Yep, they have relaxed the checkin times for tonight and I can definitely do that'.
So...try and you never know.

 

[drewbles]

Depends on what the loading is. I once was flying QF from Sydney to Melbourne on a Sunday night at 8pm and got to the airport at 6pm and asked the checkin chick if I could catch the 6.30pm flight. She said 'Yep, they have relaxed the checkin times for tonight and I can definitely do that'.
So...try and you never know.

Possibly due to overbooking on later flights or cancelled flights or weather

I've occasionally asked 'I don't suppose it's possible to get an earlier flight is it?' and been told yes and no. It never hurts to ask of course!

 

[wrldtrvllr]

Thanks for the feedback. Guess I'll try my luck upon check-in. Think my fare is one of those restrictive specials but we'll see what happens. Have OLCI already for flight with pre-allocated exit-row.

 

[wrldtrvllr]

Can report was successful in getting a scheduled 1hr flight earlier. Made a request at the QC check-in counter. But plane had a delayed departure due to late arrival into SYD!

After arriving into MEL saw the original flight was scheduled to arrive 10mins early! So all in all saved just over 1/2hr...