Is this an upgrade or double SC or FF call center question?

[wandering_fred]

The good news: I think I was answered by a lady in Hobart..... And she understood what I wanted to do....
The bad news: Not resolved on the phone and the promised email never arrived (now 6 days later)

Situation:
I and my wife have gift vouchers purchased on 18 Mar 2025 (Double something valid)
We need to travel PER-BKK in mid July to visit offspring coming from USA. Given that Mrs WF will require mobility assistance the QF 71 to Jetstar connection in SIN will not work at 75 minutes.

As mentioned in another thread upgrades on QF 71 "don't happen". Even with flex Y fares now in excess of AU$1000. And routing via MEL or SYD raises that total to over $2000 each.

Turns out that PER-DRW-SIN now connects most days at about 4 hours longer than the direct connection. And the domestic to international connection in DRW is "across the hall" so totally doable with wheelchair at just over an hour. QF 113 DRW-SIN seems to have a persistent vacancy of J seat sales (good for upgrade success). And the flex fare is being reported (though not by QF) in the $1200-1300 range. Apparently QF does not want to sell (or even show) the route. The Hobart lady did acknowledge that flex (K class) was available/sellable on the route. And we would be asking for upgrades on the DRW-SIN segment. Here is were it gets complicated.

I asked if the tickets could be booked using the gift vouchers. Route is ex Australia and all QF metals flights as required. And would save us the call center booking fees as well as the credit card surcharges. Apparently neither she nor the on duty supervisor knew if this could be accomplished. Perhaps it was the missing middle initials on the gift vouchers? She did agree to email a reply.

do I call again (hoping for Hobart) to continue the more "profitable" wandering?
Fred

 

[elanshin]

The good news: I think I was answered by a lady in Hobart..... And she understood what I wanted to do....
The bad news: Not resolved on the phone and the promised email never arrived (now 6 days later)

Situation:
I and my wife have gift vouchers purchased on 18 Mar 2025 (Double something valid)
We need to travel PER-BKK in mid July to visit offspring coming from USA. Given that Mrs WF will require mobility assistance the QF 71 to Jetstar connection in SIN will not work at 75 minutes.

As mentioned in another thread upgrades on QF 71 "don't happen". Even with flex Y fares now in excess of AU$1000. And routing via MEL or SYD raises that total to over $2000 each.

Turns out that PER-DRW-SIN now connects most days at about 4 hours longer than the direct connection. And the domestic to international connection in DRW is "across the hall" so totally doable with wheelchair at just over an hour. QF 113 DRW-SIN seems to have a persistent vacancy of J seat sales (good for upgrade success). And the flex fare is being reported (though not by QF) in the $1200-1300 range. Apparently QF does not want to sell (or even show) the route. The Hobart lady did acknowledge that flex (K class) was available/sellable on the route. And we would be asking for upgrades on the DRW-SIN segment. Here is were it gets complicated.

I asked if the tickets could be booked using the gift vouchers. Route is ex Australia and all QF metals flights as required. And would save us the call center booking fees as well as the credit card surcharges. Apparently neither she nor the on duty supervisor knew if this could be accomplished. Perhaps it was the missing middle initials on the gift vouchers? She did agree to email a reply.

do I call again (hoping for Hobart) to continue the more "profitable" wandering?
Fred

Can be done, but it's not the simplest. Some agents (including hba) need their team leaders (and even then the leaders may need help) to ticket it. Usually saves a lot of time if you lead off with you wanting to use a gift voucher and your routing.

It's something to do with not supposed to do multi-leg on gift vouchers. Also at times the prices that come up aren't exactly the same as the ones you see on the QF website.

You can get the booking fees waived as it's not bookable by yourself.