Has anyone been compensated from a QF re-route + downgrade?

[Stevo]

Dear community,

I'm travelling with my wife on Business class from Melbourne to Frankfurt via Singapore tomorrow.

I just received a call from Qantas to inform me that my flight from Melbourne->Singapore will be changed to:
- Melbourne -> Sydney (Business)
- Sydney->Singapore ( Economy)

This is because they know that the scheduled Melbourne -> Singapore flight being delayed by 90 minutes. Some murmur about the BA strike.
And I cannot afford to miss my connecting flight from Singapore -> Frankfurt.

At that time, I did feel taken care of because I was informed about the situation before it happened. The QF staff was polite and directed me to submit a feedback if I feel unfairly treated.
Firstly, I've been downgraded and all I can do is post a "feedback" on their web-site.
Plus I don't like the transfer + transit in Sydney.

Sounds like Qantas is not obliged to do anything. Are they?
What should I do to get some sort of compensation?

Stevo

 

[mvjs]

Is Business not available Sydney–Singapore? If I was being downgraded to economy on such a sector I would be expecting considerable compensation.

 

[JohnK]

Welcome to AFF Stevo.

Did you ask for the economy class routing via Sydney or was this alternative offered to you by Qantas?

Some people will say you have already accepted their offer so it is too late to do anything but a downgrade is a downgrade. You have paid for business class and Qantas is only delivering economy class service.

You can give the QFF service centre a call but I would continue to provide feedback as this is the best way to get someone at Qantas to investigate what has happened. Describe exactly what has happened and that you feel that you should be compensated for the downgrade.

Good luck.

 

[Danger UXB]

Hi Stevo and welcome
was your flight a redemption?????
I only ask because I have one J flight( err 3 actually when you include Mrs danger ans mini Danger) coming up on wed from MEL via HKG(and SYD) QF then to LHR on BA.
I am just wondering if they are going to spring this on me at the last minute. I have a back up plan with SQ (redemption aswell) which I have to cancel on Monday pm if I don't need it.
The BA web site at this stage is suggesting no delays /cancelations on the flights from SIN to LHR or HKG to LHR so no bumpin g reasons that I can forsee so far????
Any further info
Cheers Danger UXB

 

[NM]

The outcome is likely to depend on the fare type being used. If an FF award, then there is likely nothing much you can do and no "compensation" required to be provided. If its a paid fare, then I would be requesting a cash refund of the difference between the full fare business class fare for SYD-SIN and the full economy fare for the same route. However, if you were offered another option in business class, such as sticking with the MEL-SIN and if you miss the connection then travelling the next day SIN-FRA in business class, then you may not be entitled to any compensation (even though the delay may not suit your travel itinerary).

 

[dajop]

The outcome is likely to depend on the fare type being used. If an FF award, then there is likely nothing much you can do and no "compensation" required to be provided.

If it was FF award and an involuntary downgrade (ie no choice in the matter) I'd be asking (don't ask you don't get!) for a refund of some points - perhaps 30K (difference between MEL-SIN J award and Y award) or at least 14K - the difference between a J all the way thrue to FRA (128K) and component mixed class fares (84+30K). Compensation may not be an obligation, but doesn't hurt to at least ask. Though Probably better to ask at the time, rather than later .

If it was a paid fare, I'd expect some compensation - and SC accrual based on the cabin paid for (points will be greater via SYD though than in J direct).

Reason for delay it seems QF10 not estimated to arrive in MEL until 17:40 Sun evening (left LHR late) and QF 9 est departure is 18:45, although one would think a 1:05 turn around for an A380 is a tad optimistic on QF's behalf....

 

[NM]

If it was FF award and an involuntary downgrade (ie no choice in the matter) I'd be asking (don't ask you don't get!) for a refund of some points - perhaps 30K (difference between MEL-SIN J award and Y award) or at least 14K - the difference between a J all the way thrue to FRA (128K) and component mixed class fares (84+30K). Compensation may not be an obligation, but doesn't hurt to at least ask. Though Probably better to ask at the time, rather than later .

Certainly could ask, but if the J seat was not available on the sector when booking the award, there would not have been a change in the overall points required for the award unless it was a single-sector one-way award.

 

[JetLagged]

Comepnsated for downgrade, yes.
In 2008 I was travelling on a round-the-world First Class ticket and on the homeward bound leg realised that something strange was happening when seating in First for the San Francisco to Sydney leg suddenly disappeared from the radar. This was a week prior to the flight. It was not until I was in JFK awaiting that flight to SF that Qantas bothered to ring me and advise that they were having to drop me down to Bbusiness as the plane had been reconfigured.

I did raise a fuss then, saying that they waited until almost the last minute to advise me, that their offer of re-routing from SF via LA was silly given the lateness of the advice, etc. Ended up being told that I would receive a downgrade notification upon departure at SF., etc etc etc.

Nothing at SF - so when home again I contacted Q direct - ended u having the NSW Service Manager ringing to apologise for the inconvenience; my full points for that flight were credited to me, and I received a complimentary upgradE from Business to First for any similar leg in the following 12 months. And yes, I got to use it (that is another story).

Upshot of it all - if you have paid for your ticket - then expect a refund in terms of both points and a futurte upgrade, if no other option than to fly Economy was either made available to you or suited your plans (and contra to the arrangements/times accounted for in your original booking).

Go for it - and be persistent! It does pay off to be both firm, polite and persistent!

 

[dajop]

Certainly could ask, but if the J seat was not available on the sector when booking the award, there would not have been a change in the overall points required for the award unless it was a single-sector one-way award.

I'd be arguing that I could have and would have booked as two single sectors at the time (unless part of RTW). I guess it seems unfair that you can have a confirmed business class ticket (irrespective of how paid for) and no compensation is offered for a an operational downgrade. Of course it changes things if alternatives were offered including options in orginal class of travel.

 

[hasan27]

For what its worth last month i was downgraded to economy and put onto another airline on the last leg of a MEL-SYD-LAX-JFK flight due to bad weather at JFK airport (snow).

Called Q yesterday to see what I was entitled to and they said a quick solution would be a $500 gift voucher + paying for any out of pocket expenses such as hotels etc.

Very reasonable I thought. Never experienced anything short of excellent service from Q in the past and will continue to fly with them for exactly that reason.

Dear community,

I'm travelling with my wife on Business class from Melbourne to Frankfurt via Singapore tomorrow.

I just received a call from Qantas to inform me that my flight from Melbourne->Singapore will be changed to:
- Melbourne -> Sydney (Business)
- Sydney->Singapore ( Economy)

This is because they know that the scheduled Melbourne -> Singapore flight being delayed by 90 minutes. Some murmur about the BA strike.
And I cannot afford to miss my connecting flight from Singapore -> Frankfurt.

At that time, I did feel taken care of because I was informed about the situation before it happened. The QF staff was polite and directed me to submit a feedback if I feel unfairly treated.
Firstly, I've been downgraded and all I can do is post a "feedback" on their web-site.
Plus I don't like the transfer + transit in Sydney.

Sounds like Qantas is not obliged to do anything. Are they?
What should I do to get some sort of compensation?

Stevo