Changing flight - Going in circles with QF/AA call centre

[AisleSeat]

I realised this morning that I have a transit time of 1.55 at LAX. Flying MEL-LAX-AUS. No way is that humanely possible, even at the best of times.
Tried to change it online, but the "Change" button is greyed out, and says "booking is processing".

I call up Qantas and explain the situation and ask for a later flight. Get put on hold for ages, and then told that I have to call AA, because they are operating the flight from LAX-AUS.

I call up AA. Get told that they cannot change my flight because I'm on a QF ticket, even thought the flight is AA operated. Apparently this is a recurring thing.

Currently waiting for a call-back from Qantas. Ugh.

 

[madrooster]

If it's a QF ticket, it's QF that needs to rebook you. 1h55m at LAX is a legal connection albeit not really doable in practicality.

 

[straitman]

With the QF AA relationship QF pax have always been well looked after by AA and changed to later flights as necessary. I haven't done it for a while so not sure if that still works though.

Paging serfty, your thoughts please.

 

[AisleSeat]

I thought 2 hours was legal minimum?

On the phone now with QF. Am being told I have to sort it out with AA. Apparently they changed my flight, but the ticket has not been issued yet? Yet i can see it in my booking online?

On hold again......

 

[TomVexille]

It's certainly humanely possible. But I still wouldn't normally risk it, even if you are protected.

 

[AisleSeat]

It's certainly humanely possible. But I still wouldn't normally risk it, even if you are protected.

I'm anticipating there's going to be even longer wait times at LAX with all these new restrictions, so more questioning for passengers at immigration.

 

[AisleSeat]

Well, the result is that I have to call back next week. Apparently the LAX-AUS ticket hasn't been issued. I find that a bit odd?

 

[teebow]

I would try and make that connect, it is very doable, you should get an express connection pass when you arrive in LAX, customs should be very quick, if you are on an ESTA and have previously entered you can use the kiosk machines (don't need a blue arrival card) I just entered the other day and customs have never been quicker, it's like they don't care anymore, the guy didn't even say a word to me, just looked at passport, took the kiosk print out, handed back passport and waved me through, i was amazed!

Then you grab your bag and straight out the express connect lane for the bag recheck then take the TBIT to T4 connector, If i had this connection i would expect to make it with time to spare.
Hope that makes you feel better Please report back on how you go.

 

[serfty]

There are not that many direct flights to AUS.

I presume the booking is for the 8:30am service, the next one is after 12pm.

 

[AisleSeat]

I would try and make that connect, it is very doable, you should get an express connection pass when you arrive in LAX, customs should be very quick, if you are on an ESTA and have previously entered you can use the kiosk machines (don't need a blue arrival card) I just entered the other day and customs have never been quicker, it's like they don't care anymore, the guy didn't even say a word to me, just looked at passport, took the kiosk print out, handed back passport and waved me through, i was amazed!

Then you grab your bag and straight out the express connect lane for the bag recheck then take the TBIT to T4 connector, If i had this connection i would expect to make it with time to spare.
Hope that makes you feel better Please report back on how you go.

My concern arises because of this post I wrote: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ms/clerical-errors-red-flags-story-79427.html
I'm still apprehensive that things have been sorted out, as such I don't like this very short transit time.

There are not that many direct flights to AUS.

I presume the booking is for the 8:30am service, the next one is after 12pm.

Yep, it is. I'm not thrilled about 6 hours in LAX, but I've had worse, and I'd rather that than miss my connection.

 

[Franky]

It's certainly humanely possible. But I still wouldn't normally risk it, even if you are protected.

I would suggest it is humanly possible, but might not be very humane...

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[TomVexille]

I would suggest it is humanly possible, but might not be very humane...

• 

Skipping all the queues (including the massive security one upstairs) was rather humane

 

[teebow]

My concern arises because of this post I wrote [Removed]: I'm still apprehensive that things have been sorted out, as such I don't like this very short transit time.

I just read that, sounds awful and i really hope this trip works out for you!

 

[Pleb Status]

I cannot understand why the QF call centre is asking the OP to call AA to change a QF issued ticket.

I have achieved a sub two hour transit at LAX on a couple of occasions but QF must arrive on time into LAX to be successful. However, a few family members got caught with a just over two hour connection in December when QF arrived into LAX around an hour late and therefore they missed their AA connection to IAH.

They were finally reaccommodated on a UA flight about six hours later but only after a hour or so of hassle and misinformation by QF, being asked to pay the UA baggage fees and one bag being lost between LAX and IAH.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I realised this morning that I have a transit time of 1.55 at LAX. Flying MEL-LAX-AUS. No way is that humanely possible, even at the best of times.

What was the connection time at LAX originally at the time of booking?

Was your booking made directly via the QF website and mot via a TA?

I call up Qantas and explain the situation and ask for a later flight. Get put on hold for ages, and then told that I have to call AA, because they are operating the flight from LAX-AUS.

It doesn't matter that AA is operating the flight, what matters is that it was booked through QF on 081 QF ticket stock and I'm assuming on the same ticket as your transPac sector to LAX so QF are responsible for rebooking you an option (maybe even via DFW) that meets the legal MCT criteria.

I call up AA. Get told that they cannot change my flight because I'm on a QF ticket, even thought the flight is AA operated. Apparently this is a recurring thing.

It's not up to AA as they haven't issued the ticket.

Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at LAX
Incoming airline QF
Outgoing airline AA
Flight type International to Domestic


STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE   1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
OFFLINE  1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
** OR * ARE ALL
[B]QF-AA ID  1.45 ALL  - FLT  146 ALL - BOS [/B]
QF-AA ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT    1 - 6099 
QF-AA ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 6780 - 7161 
QF-AA ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 7454 - 7637 
**-AA ID SUP   ALL  - FLT 6100 - 9099 
**-AA ID  1.50 ALL - YYZ TRM ** - 4  
**-AA ID SUP   CANADA - CANADA  
**-AA ID  2.00

Looks like there is an exception ie MCT is 1.45 hours when arriving off a QF flight into LAX then connecting to AA146 to BOS (0820 dep) if I'm reading the E/F results correctly.

 

[AisleSeat]

What was the connection time at LAX originally at the time of booking?

It was 2 hours exactly. Arrive LAX at 6.35 am. Depart at 8.35am. (AA1698)

Now I'm on AA1721 and it's 5 minutes earlier.

Was your booking made directly via the QF website and mot via a TA?

QF website

It doesn't matter that AA is operating the flight, what matters is that it was booked through QF on 081 QF ticket stock and I'm assuming on the same ticket as your transPac sector to LAX so QF are responsible for rebooking you an option (maybe even via DFW) that meets the legal MCT criteria.



It's not up to AA as they haven't issued the ticket.

Results from ExpertFlyer.com

Minimum Connect Times:
Connecting at LAX
Incoming airline QF
Outgoing airline AA
Flight type International to Domestic


STANDARD.D/D...D/I...I/D...I/I.
ONLINE   1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
OFFLINE  1.10  1.30  2.00  2.00
** OR * ARE ALL
[B]QF-AA ID  1.45 ALL  - FLT  146 ALL - BOS [/B]
QF-AA ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT    1 - 6099 
QF-AA ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 6780 - 7161 
QF-AA ID  2.00 ALL  - FLT 7454 - 7637 
**-AA ID SUP   ALL  - FLT 6100 - 9099 
**-AA ID  1.50 ALL - YYZ TRM ** - 4  
**-AA ID SUP   CANADA - CANADA  
**-AA ID  2.00

Looks like there is an exception ie MCT is 1.45 hours when arriving off a QF flight into LAX then connecting to AA146 to BOS (0820 dep) if I'm reading the E/F results correctly.

So by that table, AA1721 needs a minimum of 2 hours. So my original connection was right on the MCT, but the change now means it's outside it.

OK, so are they obliged to put me on the later flight? IE. I don't have to pay for a booking change?

 

[Matt_01]

As back ground AA changed most of their schedule (times and flight numbers) 2-3 weeks back it is likely that you may have been caught up in the changes. If this is a result of the AA changes then this is an "involuntary change" which you either agree too or not agree too.

Ring QF let them know it is an involuntary change, provided your MEL-LAX-AUS flight was booked via QF and is on the same PNR QF is obligated to accommodate the changes you are after either, later departure from LAX-AUS.

I would consider re-routing via SYD to get on QF7 via DFW I find it is an easier transfer. You should not be charged anything for changes to flights in LA or if re-routing via SYD. I went through this a couple of weeks back as I was caught up in the AA changes.

 

[AisleSeat]

Re: Changing flight - Going in circles with QF/AA call centre - now fixed.

As back ground AA changed most of their schedule (times and flight numbers) 2-3 weeks back it is likely that you may have been caught up in the changes. If this is a result of the AA changes then this is an "involuntary change" which you either agree too or not agree too.

Ring QF let them know it is an involuntary change, provided your MEL-LAX-AUS flight was booked via QF and is on the same PNR QF is obligated to accommodate the changes you are after either, later departure from LAX-AUS.

I would consider re-routing via SYD to get on QF7 via DFW I find it is an easier transfer. You should not be charged anything for changes to flights in LA or if re-routing via SYD. I went through this a couple of weeks back as I was caught up in the AA changes.

Thanks for this advice
I rang up today and am now going MEL-SYD-DFW-AUS.
Call centre staff sorted it out in 20 mins. I guess it really does pay to HUACA.

 

[Himeno]

It doesn't matter that AA is operating the flight, what matters is that it was booked through QF on 081 QF ticket stock and I'm assuming on the same ticket as your transPac sector to LAX so QF are responsible for rebooking you an option (maybe even via DFW) that meets the legal MCT criteria.

It's not up to AA as they haven't issued the ticket.

They are still able to do so.
On oneworld products, they state that any oneworld airline can make changes to the ticket after departure, regardless of who issued it. In fact, they recommend that the pax contact the operating airline of the next flight to make any changes.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

They are still able to do so. On oneworld products, they state that any oneworld airline can make changes to the ticket after departure, regardless of who issued it.

In fact, they recommend that the pax contact the operating airline of the next flight to make any changes.

Yes, after departure - however pax has yet to depart so it's still QF's responsibility.