HNL Hurricane Lane - bloody Qantas

[Popeye]

Hi All ,

In HNL and I called QF yesty to change flights to get home early. Agent I got (Rod) was extremely rude straight up and was oblivious to the possibility of a cat 4 Hurricane approachi g the islands. When i filled him in he told me that there was a $800 change fee on my two biz saver fares and that as the change being made was voluntarily by me that be advised i would have to pay and told me to claim it on my travel insurance. Well Rod , Hawaiian, Aa and Delta have all waived change fees for those wanti g to get out. My hotel also offered to refund the prepaid nights if i didnt use them and by the way Rod the island alert system has a tivated a Hurricane warning.

 

[Popeye]

PS , I am LTG and Mrs Popeye is SG

 

[serfty]

Keep you eye out here: Travel updates | Qantas AU

Also, there'd be info on the home page if any waiver is invoked.

 

[docjames]

Looking at FR24, still flights departing/arriving although I agree with you seems crazy they won’t let you depart early foc (subject to availability).

 

[Popeye]

Everything is normal at the moment . Just wind and rain. Friday is the day that the hurricane is predicted to hit . Everything's shutting down Thursday night. ABC shops, McDonalds, hotels going to limited service. Torrential rain and gail force winds predicted for Friday. All those that flocked to Fridays QF4 may get a rude shock. The opportunity to leave early is gone, Wednesday was the day , but thanks to Rod .... never happened...

 

[JohnPhelan]

A bit unfair to blame Rod. He can't change QF policy on the run. QF has not waived the normal conditions and is planning to operate QF4 on Friday as normal. HNL airport is expecting to remain open. Latest advice seems to be that the hurricane will be closest to Oahu on Saturday morning.

And being LTG won't make the slightest bit of difference in this situation.

 

[Archipelago]

A bit unfair to blame Rod. He can't change QF policy on the run. QF has not waived the normal conditions and is planning to operate QF4 on Friday as normal. HNL airport is expecting to remain open. Latest advice seems to be that the hurricane will be closest to Oahu on Saturday morning.

And being LTG won't make the slightest bit of difference in this situation.

Agreed, unfortunately for the OP, jumping the gun on what may or may not happen with QF's scheduled flight from HNL was pre-empted

 

[Popeye]

A bit unfair to blame Rod. He can't change QF policy on the run. QF has not waived the normal conditions and is planning to operate QF4 on Friday as normal. HNL airport is expecting to remain open. Latest advice seems to be that the hurricane will be closest to Oahu on Saturday morning.

And being LTG won't make the slightest bit of difference in this situation.

You are right Rod cant change policy on the run , but he wasnt prepared to take it upstairs either and get back to me. Rods only objective seemed to be to get rid of me as soon as possible. BTW I never mentioned to him that I was LTG , from the conversation I had with this "Customer Service" Agent , I didn't think that he cared about anything.

Also the latest advice I have is that the storm will be closest to Oahu on Friday afternoon. As mentioned the hurricane warning was issued Wednesday night 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

 

[davidj]

Also the latest advice I have is that the storm will be closest to Oahu on Friday afternoon. As mentioned the hurricane warning was issued Wednesday night 36 hours in advance of the anticipated onset of tropical storm force winds.

You should then be able to claim on your travel insurance right?

 

[Popeye]

Not really sure what i would be claiming.

I will be stuck in my hotel room for 1-2 days then I am out of here as originally scheduled

 

[drron]

I'm with you Popeye.I would much rather be out of there early rather than be holed up in a hotel room.

 

[Popeye]

.... just need to get more beer before the ABC shop closes at 2pm

 

[Kerrodt]

You are right Rod cant change policy on the run , but he wasnt prepared to take it upstairs either and get back to me. Rods only objective seemed to be to get rid of me as soon as possible......

If they do this for you, then in fairness they need to do it for everyone - wouldn’t you agree? Or are you subject to special consideration for some reason that we aren’t aware of?

So how do they go about fitting 3 aircraft loads of passengers onto one departing aircraft because everyone has called up and had their flights rebooked to an earlier flight along with you because someone “upstairs” made a decision for you on behalf of the entire airline?

There’s more to the issue than someone just “going upstairs” and asking the question about waiving a rebooking fee.

My advice to you would be to ensure that all of your contact details with Qantas are up to date and you are fully contactable by them while in Hawaii and to trust that Qantas has considerable expertise in extreme weather and emergency situations. Also abide by all instruction given by your hotel.

The OP reminds me of another poster in another thread that proved to be quite entertaining.

 

[Popeye]

If they do this for you, then in fairness they need to do it for everyone - wouldn’t you agree? Or are you subject to special consideration for some reason that we aren’t aware of?

So how do they go about fitting 3 aircraft loads of passengers onto one departing aircraft because everyone has called up and had their flights rebooked to an earlier flight along with you because someone “upstairs” made a decision for you on behalf of the entire airline?

There’s more to the issue than someone just “going upstairs” and asking the question about waiving a rebooking fee.

My advice to you would be to ensure that all of your contact details with Qantas are up to date and you are fully contactable by them while in Hawaii and to trust that Qantas has considerable expertise in extreme weather and emergency situations. Also abide by all instruction given by your hotel.

The OP reminds me of another poster in another thread that proved to be quite entertaining.

Thanks for the advice , but this isnt my first rodeo. Having worked for the said airline in Airport Operations for 7 years I am well aware of what happens in these situations. Its just that I didnt want my disabled wife to go through this , but the agent concerned shut me down and wasnt willing to do anything to help .. it is what it is

 

[RooFlyer]

If they do this for you, then in fairness they need to do it for everyone - wouldn’t you agree? Or are you subject to special consideration for some reason that we aren’t aware of?

So how do they go about fitting 3 aircraft loads of passengers onto one departing aircraft because everyone has called up and had their flights rebooked to an earlier flight along with you because someone “upstairs” made a decision for you on behalf of the entire airline?<snip>.

Couple of things here. First, anyone can make the request. Many couldn't care, many might. Those who ask first might reasonably be accommodated first. But if the vast majority DID want to get out, then would Qantas just ignore them all, or would they try to get additional services put on?

Other airlines are offering flight change fee waivers - why can't Qantas? (hint - that big profit figure announced recently).

I don't think the implication that the OP thought they were 'special' was necessary to make your point, BTW.

 

[Popeye]

Keep you eye out here: Travel updates | Qantas AU

Also, there'd be info on the home page if any waiver is invoked.

Thanks for this. Cheers Popeye

 

[Popeye]

Couple of things here. First, anyone can make the request. Many couldn't care, many might. Those who ask first might reasonably be accommodated first. But if the vast majority DID want to get out, then would Qantas just ignore them all, or would they try to get additional services put on?

Other airlines are offering flight change fee waivers - why can't Qantas? (hint - that big profit figure announced recently).

I don't think the implication that the OP thought they were 'special' was necessary to make your point, BTW.

Spot on RooFlyer . . Hawaiian, Delta , AA and I believe one of the Japanese carriers all waived change fees 2 days ago. The hotel I am staying at offered to refund the nights not stayed on my non refundable prepaid booking as also Avis did for the car I hired on Friday.
So what does that say about QF's customer care. There was another recent post recently on this platform about QFF jumping ship or leaving . Things like this are just straws for the camels back. With QF it seems that the loyalty only goes one way .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If they do this for you, then in fairness they need to do it for everyone - wouldn’t you agree? Or are you subject to special consideration for some reason that we aren’t aware of?

So how do they go about fitting 3 aircraft loads of passengers onto one departing aircraft because everyone has called up and had their flights rebooked to an earlier flight along with you because someone “upstairs” made a decision for you on behalf of the entire airline?

There’s more to the issue than someone just “going upstairs” and asking the question about waiving a rebooking fee.

My advice to you would be to ensure that all of your contact details with Qantas are up to date and you are fully contactable by them while in Hawaii and to trust that Qantas has considerable expertise in extreme weather and emergency situations. Also abide by all instruction given by your hotel.

The OP reminds me of another poster in another thread that proved to be quite entertaining.

I disagree with this. If this was actually the case then no one, ever, would be able to change flights if there was a cancellation or delay.

Most cases of IRROPS it's first-in, best-dressed. If you do your research and get to the rebooking counter first you get the pick of alternative flights.

Anyone can request a change, why should those with a bit of initiative be denied just because it might trigger others to do the same? And conversely, why should someone who can't be bothered calling in to change flights be rewarded by being given the same flights as those who might have called hours earlier?

 

[Kerrodt]

I disagree with this. If this was actually the case then no one, ever, would be able to change flights if there was a cancellation or delay.

Most cases of IRROPS it's first-in, best-dressed. If you do your research and get to the rebooking counter first you get the pick of alternative flights.

Anyone can request a change, why should those with a bit of initiative be denied just because it might trigger others to do the same? And conversely, why should someone who can't be bothered calling in to change flights be rewarded by being given the same flights as those who might have called hours earlier?

You’re adding new information in here that simply does not exist right now. There are no cancellations or delays with QF flights in or out of Honolulu, and there weren’t any when the OP first called.

Sure, if there are flight cancellations or delays, then that changes the dynamics of the situation and for sure change requests will need to be managed and processed.

 

[Straubs]

Makes sense to help get people out in this situation. Sounds like a bit of kindness - at the very least - would have been helpful. Sometimes its not even so much that in the end the person can't help, but more so that you're not that confident they tried too hard to do so in the first place.