Changing one leg of a classic reward booking

[mwebs0]

I have a Qantas classic rewards booking for myself from Frankfurt to Melbourne with the following legs:
1. Frankfurt to Hong Kong with Cathay in First
2. Hong Kong to Melbourne with Cathay in Economy (all that was available at the time of booking)


I've just found that a Business reward seat for the second leg is now available. I called Qantas to change the second leg from Y to J, but they advised that I would have to re-book the entire itinerary. However, this is not possible as there are no longer any classic reward seats available for the first leg - in F or otherwise.


The only option I've been offered is to cancel the itinerary, hope that the seat on the first leg returns to availability and then re-book. Seems a bit risky to me!


Does this sound right? Are there other options I haven't considered?


Sorry if this has been addressed before - if so, my search skills are clearly lacking!


Thanks

 

[JohnK]

We have had similar issues reported recently.

This should not be any different to add/removing sectors from say a Oneworld award. Have you tried calling back to speak to another operator?

 

[madrooster]

Cathay uses married segment control so you can't touch just one flight of a two flight journey.

 

[mwebs0]

Yes I spoke to another operator who eventually came to a similar conclusion - he thought it would only have been possible if I'd been changing one sector of a return ticket. Frustrating.

Thanks all

 

[Assassin]

Perhaps the answer is that you need to book as two one way awards? Too late in this case but would that be a better strategy?

 

[mwebs0]

Perhaps the answer is that you need to book as two one way awards? Too late in this case but would that be a better strategy?

That was actually the only way to book via the Qantas website (searching for Frankfurt to Melbourne just showed options through the Middle East) - to book the two flights as one ticket I had to call up. Mostly I was worried about missing the second leg if the first were delayed, but as a bonus I saved about $80 in taxes. In hindsight, booking separate tickets seems like a good strategy - I might have been able to combine them down the track?

 

[Mattg]

In hindsight, booking separate tickets seems like a good strategy - I might have been able to combine them down the track?

Possibly, if both tickets were on the same airline. Although, keep in mind that interlining is no longer a guaranteed oneworld benefit.

 

[JohnK]

That was actually the only way to book via the Qantas website (searching for Frankfurt to Melbourne just showed options through the Middle East) - to book the two flights as one ticket I had to call up. Mostly I was worried about missing the second leg if the first were delayed, but as a bonus I saved about $80 in taxes. In hindsight, booking separate tickets seems like a good strategy - I might have been able to combine them down the track?

You obviously didn't check if FRA-HKG and HKG-MEL were available separately on QF website?

 

[mwebs0]

You obviously didn't check if FRA-HKG and HKG-MEL were available separately on QF website?

I did, and they were, but chose to book them as one ticket to make sure the connection would happen smoothly

 

[madrooster]

That was actually the only way to book via the Qantas website (searching for Frankfurt to Melbourne just showed options through the Middle East) - to book the two flights as one ticket I had to call up. Mostly I was worried about missing the second leg if the first were delayed, but as a bonus I saved about $80 in taxes. In hindsight, booking separate tickets seems like a good strategy - I might have been able to combine them down the track?

No you can't combine two separate PNRs. But if they are the same carrier then you could probably get your bags through-checked still. It would also potentially cost you more in points as they'd be priced as two awards.