Help Needed re: Ticketing changes

[Russell Corr]

I'm new to this but hopefully someone out there can help.

I am going to Auckland in July to see the British Lions v All Blacks Test. I need to book a flight for myself and a travelling companion yet to be decided.

This is the problem I may not know whether my wife or a friend is coming until as late as May by when the flights will be very full or very expensive. With tickets and accom already paid for I need to get them out there.

Someone at Qantas suggested the only way will be to book a FF flight (availability ok at the moment) and therefore I can change the name of the person on the booking for a penalty.

However after more investigation this may not work as it is seen by QF as queue jumping and they may not be able to give the new Pax the FF award flight. Therefore I would be back to square one.

Any suggestions? Do I just gamble and book the award flight? If so should I change it early or just before the day if I need to? Any other ways?

Thanks for any help with this. :?

 

[NM]

If you have the points, and the seats are available, why not book an extra award ticket now so both possible names are covered, then cancel one later when you know will be travelling. You will likely incur a cancellation fee. This is only an option if you know the names of the potential flyers.

You may have to get them to book them as two independent awards and not one award for two seats. I seem to remember that there is some limitation about changing/cancelling if on the one PNR.

I do not believe you can change the name on a ticket, whether paid or award.

 

[danielh]

I have changed the name on a FF award trip from MEL-HKG return in the last 12 months.

It cost me 5000 points to change my ticket to another person as I was already working in HK at the time.

Regards
Daniel

 

[serfty]

However after more investigation this may not work as it is seen by QF as queue jumping and they may not be able to give the new Pax the FF award flight. Therefore I would be back to square one.

I believe the name can be changed for a 5,000 point fee. This has changed over the years but the following is from the current T&C:

13.7.2 Name changes are not permitted on any Award Flight tickets booked on a oneworld Alliance Airline (other than Qantas) or an Airline Partner, at any time. ...

13.7.4 Any changes after ticketing of an Award Flight, but prior to commencement of travel, which require ticket reissue will incur an Award Ticket Reissue Fee (see the Fee Schedule) for each ticket. Such changes include:
(a) change to name or class of travel;
(b) change to any Segment routing;
(c) request to cancel ticket and recredit Points. Please note that only Points that would not have expired will be recredited.

13.7.4(a) implies the name can be changed after ticketing for a fee. (5,000pts) 13.7.2 Indicates name changes can only occur on Qantas flights.

There used to be a clause in the old T&C, IIRC indicating that a name change could not occur as such. The award ticket would need to be cancelled and another creted in the new name. The was no guarantee that any cancelled award seat would still be available.

 

[Russell Corr]

Thanks guys useful advice paerticularly the idea of booking two award flights as I do have the names but I am just short on the points. Will get a family transfer happening I think ASAP.