Change to QF flight on agency-booked PNR

[dairyfloss]

Hi there, AFFers!

I have a Qantas booking that I'm currently travelling on, that was made by my corporate travel agent - AmEx GBT. I'm wanting to change the return and final flight to increase my chances of a points upgrade coming through, and am trying to figure out whether I have to do this via the agent (which I'd rather not, due to cost of handling), or as the itinerary has commenced, whether Qantas can help me directly, presuming there is no change in price (it's H flex, so should be ok there).

Anyone know what the rules are around this?

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[Hvr]

Not sure if you have to go through the agency to change it, but they will be notified it has been changed.

Will that be an issue for you or cause problems down the track?

 

[dairyfloss]

Not sure if you have to go through the agency to change it, but they will be notified it has been changed.

Will that be an issue for you or cause problems down the track?

Not fussed if they get notice, I just wanted to avoid paying them to make the change, plus I can call Qantas anytime it’s convenient, but the agent charges another fee for anything outside of business hours, on top of the change fee.

I’ll give Qantas a shout a little later and see what they can maybe do.

cheers,
Matt.

 

[RichardMEL]

QF will almost certainly refer you back to the original agent who booked the ticket for changes.

 

[lsmi4126]

You'll have to work with the Agent - this is the bane of my existence for last minute flight changes every week...

 

[dairyfloss]

Turns out I won’t even get the chance to try, this time, as the remaining seats I’d had an eye on for an alternate routing are now down to near nil, as well.... I’ll just stick with the original, and some prayers for a miracle!

Thanks all for the inputs!

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[jpp42]

I know the question is moot now, but I have been able to change agency booked flights in the past as long as there is no change fee due. I just did this two weeks ago (it was a codeshare on AA and my rationale was to improve connection times - my original routing was very close to the MCT). This is only possible through the call centre as if you try to change on the web site you just get a message to call your agent. I'm not sure if this depends on the call centre agent's discretion though - perhaps in my case as it was around T-48 they have more leeway compared to months in advance ?

 

[ChrisMars]

I recall reading somewhere that at some point, and that could be T-48 as jpp42 experienced (I thought it was more T24) the carrier becomes the one in charge of booking changes. Before that its only the agent.

 

[lsmi4126]

I recall reading somewhere that at some point, and that could be T-48 as jpp42 experienced (I thought it was more T24) the carrier becomes the one in charge of booking changes. Before that its only the agent.

My experience is that this is only the case once the booking goes under airport control. I've tried the SST and Premium Bookings before airport control kicks in and they've always shunted me to my Agent... Perhaps it's Agent specific?

 

[TheInsider]

My experience is that this is only the case once the booking goes under airport control. I've tried the SST and Premium Bookings before airport control kicks in and they've always shunted me to my Agent... Perhaps it's Agent specific?

All agent bookings should be done via the agent.
QF can change whatever they want at any time, but the agents usually lose their minds over it basically, that's why it is always referred back to the agent. The way airlines and agents see it, is that if you wanted to use an agent to make the booking, then you'll need to use that agent for everything else related with that booking,

When airlines take over control of bookings, it can take away the ability for the agents to earn their commissions or sales against their names/business.

Also depending on what agent you use/have it will change the prices of the airfare depending on what agreement the airline has with them. The QF call centre or airport don't have access to any 'special' fares and there are a lot of different variances.

 

[jpp42]

My "agent" is the one associated with my corporate booking portal and I have no love lost for them. If the airline has control of the booking and the agent doesn't get the commission any more, I'm not terribly fussed. I don't think they earn commissions these days anyway, as I always pay a significant booking fee charged by this agent ( and am always charged this again for any changes, which is what I'd prefer to avoid). If this overcharging agent "loses their minds" over not being able to collect a change fee, then so be it as far as I'm concerned - if their fees weren't so unpalatable maybe I would feel more for them.