CR flight MEL-SYD. What's my chance of an earlier flight?

[goldenhorn]

I'm on a QF CR (JAL) business ticket NRT-MEL-SYD in early June.

The flight NRT-MEL lands at 5:35am but then the MEL-SYD leg doesn't leave until 8am.

I hope to catch a regional VA flight SYD-BNK at 10:50 a.m. because it's my best option without having to wait many hours at SYD for the next one. However, I realize that the time frame is probably unrealistic, considering I need to get baggage from QF and then get to VA to check in for the regional flight.

Has anyone had success with getting on an earlier flight, MEL-SYD, when it's a CR booking? I wouldn't care if they put us in Economy if I could get to SYD earlier. But knowing how you can never change a CR booking, I'm thinking my chances may be slim to none.

Any advice is appreciated.

 

[TheInsider]

Quite simply if they have an operational need to, as in bad weather, ATC holding/restrictions, oversales, then it should be easy enough.

Otherwise it would be based on the ticket flexibility.

 

[goldenhorn]

Quite simply if they have an operational need to, as in bad weather, ATC holding/restrictions, oversales, then it should be easy enough.

Otherwise it would be based on the ticket flexibility.

Thanks. That's what I'm wondering. CR tickets seem to have almost no flexibility, unless there's another CR seat available.

My question is asking if anyone has had experience of being able to get on an earlier flight when it's a CR booking when there are no CR seats available.

And does being in the lounge help? If you go to the desk there after arriving from NRT?

 

[RichardMEL]

Yes you probably can go earlier. Will you have bags - that can be an issue.

Lack of CR on day of travel is not really going to be an issue ino. Airport control changes many things and restrictions. I have moved to an earlier flight on a CR (however noting that P1 get more waivers than most)

You can ask at the lounge, or the gate. Also if there is a general fly forward situation happening, the QF app may provide for easy moving.

That 0800 to SYD to catch the VA flight is certainly ambitious. Doable if all ontime (again bags might be an issue if any). Good luck!

 

[goldenhorn]

Yes you probably can go earlier. Will you have bags - that can be an issue.

Lack of CR on day of travel is not really going to be an issue ino. Airport control changes many things and restrictions. I have moved to an earlier flight on a CR (however noting that P1 get more waivers than most)

You can ask at the lounge, or the gate. Also if there is a general fly forward situation happening, the QF app may provide for easy moving.

That 0800 to SYD to catch the VA flight is certainly ambitious. Doable if all ontime (again bags might be an issue if any). Good luck!

Thank you for the insight.

Yes, bags could be the issue. I assume I must collect at MEL International, go through security/immigration, and then drop bags or recheck for the domestic.

So if I have to recheck, perhaps my best chance is to ask at the QF desk when I re-check if I can get on an earlier flight?

 

[RichardMEL]

Thank you for the insight.

Yes, bags could be the issue. I assume I must collect at MEL International, go through security/immigration, and then drop bags or recheck for the domestic.

So if I have to recheck, perhaps my best chance is to ask at the QF desk when I re-check if I can get on an earlier flight?

Definitely the best option.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thank you for the insight.

Yes, bags could be the issue. I assume I must collect at MEL International, go through security/immigration, and then drop bags or recheck for the domestic.

So if I have to recheck, perhaps my best chance is to ask at the QF desk when I re-check if I can get on an earlier flight?

Yes. Must process immigration, custom - bio security, pick up bags and exit in the lane as directed.
Only a few minutes walk to QF domestic and up 1 level.
With a 05:35 scheduled arrival could be landside at 06:00 at very best, or more likely 06:30. Or later.: Depends on the day and how many arriving international flights. Bottle neck is the last custom - bio security check.- can be long queues.
If during the week MEL-SYD flights at 06:30-09:00 are very busy. But many flights.
Ask one of the QF staff at bag drop area if you can change.
Why not QF SYD-BNK? Less walking at SYD. And QF will interline bags when QF to QF on separate tickets.

 

[goldenhorn]

Yes. Must process immigration, custom - bio security, pick up bags and exit in the lane as directed.
Only a few minutes walk to QF domestic and up 1 level.
With a 05:35 scheduled arrival could be landside at 06:00 at very best, or more likely 06:30. Or later.: Depends on the day
If during the week MEL-SYD flights at 06:30-09:00 are very busy. But many flights.
Ask one of the QF staff at bag drop area if you can change.
Why not QF SYD-BNK? Less walking at SYD. And QF will interline bags when QF to QF on separate tickets.

That's very helpful info!

Arrive on a Saturday morning, so there shouldn't be too much travel traffic then.

Unfortunately, there are not many flight options for SYD-BNK.

There is only VA at 10:50am and the next one is Jetstar at 3pm.

Your idea of staying on QF is actually good one in theory, and there is a QF SYD-BNK at 9:40am, but it's $225 per person (JQ and VA are under $100 pp). Price gouging!

 

[Franky]

Yes you probably can go earlier. Will you have bags - that can be an issue.

Lack of CR on day of travel is not really going to be an issue ino. Airport control changes many things and restrictions. I have moved to an earlier flight on a CR (however noting that P1 get more waivers than most)

You can ask at the lounge, or the gate. Also if there is a general fly forward situation happening, the QF app may provide for easy moving.

That 0800 to SYD to catch the VA flight is certainly ambitious. Doable if all ontime (again bags might be an issue if any). Good luck!

In January we were flying SYD-PER on a cash ticket with a points upgrade to J approved. The weather was dodgy and QF were flying forward as many flights as they could, and we flew out two flights earlier, and luckily enough, still had J seats. Hope the same applies to you...

 

[bullerdude]

Bags will not be an issue as you must collect bags and clear customs when you arrive internationally into Aus.

Fare class being a classic reward will be mostly irrelevant at this point as travel has already commenced. Qantas tends to be more flexible with allowing anyone to fly ahead but I’ve found this flexibility increases in the evening and when weather is expected.

The automatic checkin machines have the ability to offer fly ahead, although might not show an economy option on a business ticket.

If not, then head to customer service and ask if any earlier flights are available. Just saw your tired and would love to get back to Syd earlier if possible.