Finally have EK F redemption in mind but still cannot book!

[drcam]

Dear all,

I finally have my EK redemption flight in mind decided, but I cannot book it.
Using the multi-city tool, I am able to ascertain that there is availability from
HND-DXB on 4 June and DXB-AMS on 5 June (early morning), with a layover of less than 24 hours.
However, when I attempt to book the flight, on the second screen it says "an error" occurs.
Is this because these are disallowed married segments, you can book each sector separately but not as a through ticket?
Would calling up the FF line help resolve the issue would would they be unable to make the booking?

Many thanks. Very frustrating but eventually I may have to come up with a compromise.

 

[MELso]

It's probably because the multi-city booking tool (like a lot of Qantas IT) is cough.

FWIW, a F redemption shows up for me using the regular booking engine as HND-AMS leaving really early on 4 June but I'm guessing you have something different in mind?

 

[drcam]

No, these long-layover redemptions do not actually appear on seats.aero. They are limited to a number of non-optimal cities for me. Should I call up QFF to see whether they can assist?

My belief is that they are deliberately restricting combinations as to reduce the value of redemptions so you cannot redeem for the theoretical maximum.

 

[drcam]

The regular engine redemption works. It just means that I only get a ~ 3 hour layover in Dubai and I cannot get out and see the city. In theory there are later flights out of Dubai - they appear on the multi-city engine but can't be booked. So what's the verdict?

If they really won't allow me to have the day to sightsee in Dubai as a longer layover, I guess the next best option is to redeem to Brussels - as this is a game changer route and it's convenient to get the train from Brussels to London in time for the AFF pub crawl.

 

[MELso]

The regular engine redemption works. It just means that I only get a ~ 3 hour layover in Dubai and I cannot get out and see the city. In theory there are later flights out of Dubai - they appear on the multi-city engine but can't be booked. So what's the verdict?

Ah, in that case you'll probably need to call.

(I had to call last year to get MEL-SIN-DXB-FCO ticketed on EK F because the multi-city booking engine fell over when trying to book. Like your booking, it straddled two different days. The booking fee was waived so that was something...)

 

[oz_boater]

What is the specific error you are getting?

I was getting a 4002 "central database error" and a call to QANTAS revealed that was a problem with getting Emirates to automatically allow a partner airline to take the last points F seat on the plane. (allegedly)

The agent managed to make it happen for me, and due my call being prompted by this error, there was no 'assistance' fee.

 

[offshore171]

If the phone people can't book it either, then it's time to compromise.

This is real "bird in the hand" stuff, and other travellers will snap up these seats if you don't.

Consider booking separately with a decent layover as contingency.

Whatever you do, don't prevaricate too long. Perfect is the enemy of good.

 

[drcam]

There are no alternatives with a decent layover. You would only get 3-4 hours in Dubai and during breakfast time in the lounge.

The contingency would be to book a through ticket to Brussels or Geneva, both of which are on the Game Changer cabin. I wasn't able to call up today, will have to do so tomorrow.

These are literally FIRST world issues, and the Great One Upstairs probably takes a dim view of me whinging and whining over layovers. I can always visit Dubai the year after.

 

[flyguy77]

You can't just brute force all flights together. If they can't book it then they can't book it.

 

[MELso]

You can't just brute force all flights together. If they can't book it then they can't book it.

It's more that the multi-city booking engine allows for a lot more flexibility when assembling a particular combination of flights - provided there's less than 24 hours between flights, no cabin or carrier changes and less than 15,000 miles, it'll show what can be booked on a classic reward fare (and you can usually add other sectors on other carriers and classes).

However, actually booking it online can be highly problematic as the website often errors out necessitating a call.

 

[dajop]

Had similar issue booking from Europe to SIN last night. Called up and got some nonsense about bookings not being allowed as no QF codeshare available. Politely accepted that denial and called back an hour later. This time had someone who knew what they were doing - they initially asked for the error code - and after about 35 minutes we at least had the seats confirmed. Payment was another story but that was on me/my bank, but got there in the end after another 30mins and a very patient agent.