Downgrades and flight cancellations

[Cddc]

Hi all,

We are a family of 4 adults booked cash J fares MEL-CNS rtn in separate bookings flying A330 for a holiday. It appears our outbound leg qf702 departing 21 August has had an aircraft change to a 737 and our return leg qf703 on 28 August is cancelled as they have stopped selling the flight. We haven't been formally notified by QF yet.

As we have no status what are the chances of being shunted to economy, or worse, shunted to Jetstar? Is somebody able to check EF and advise if this is the case? Should we try and link our bookings so they know we are a travelling party?

I have had terrible experiences with QF in the past and have not flown them for years unless absolutely necessary. With no VA lounge in Cairns we thought we will give QF another chance but with the aircraft change and possible flight cancellation I just don't want the hassle of being downgraded or turfed to Jetstar, with little possibility of a refund/compensation, which as evidenced on AFF appears to be the norm for QF in these situations.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[RichardMEL]

1. if QF cancels a flight in your itin, since bookings made before 31st July you are entitled to full refund.

2. Unlikely you'd be downgraded. Yes, a 737 (the 28/8 703 is also a 73H incidently, there's also the 705 which has avail in Y) is not ideal product wise from the A330 but if you had revenue J it's unlikely you'd be pushed to Y.

I'd not JQ has 2x787-8's currently scheduled and in theory if you were moved to JQ you could get into the "J" cabin on those aircraft. However far more likely you'd get rebooked via BNE and/or SYD.

the real problem I can see is if you have a mix of bookings then it could be pax could be split if such a change happens.

However remember if QF do a cancel or schedule change like this that no longer suits, you should be entitled to full refunds - most definitely due to their flight cancel.

 

[Cddc]

2. Unlikely you'd be downgraded. Yes, a 737 (the 28/8 703 is also a 73H incidently, there's also the 705 which has avail in Y) is not ideal product wise from the A330 but if you had revenue J it's unlikely you'd be pushed to Y.

Thanks, I hope you're right!