J Classic vs JASA - flexibility?

[pangwen]

Hi all,

I'm usually a Virgin flyer (the 2-for-1 deals plus lower redemption rates have got me), but I'm planning to use some of my QFF points for an upcoming flight SYD-BNE. I've gone through the old Classic vs JASA threads, but most of them focussed on the cost of the awards, as well as the benefit (in terms of status credits).

What I would like to ask is whether there is any difference in the flexibility of the award? The reason is, I am arriving on an international flight, and will be transferring to the domestic terminal for my flight to BNE (unfortunately QF19 has no more J classic availability, and the JASA price is therefore more expensive).

For those of you with more QF experience than me (probably most of you ), do you know whether there's a difference between J Classic and JASA for the following?

1) Can I use the Qantas transfer bus at SYD from the International terminal to the Domestic terminal if I'm not arriving on QF (or another OW carrier)? The website seems to indicate that I can, because they only care about whether I'm connecting to a QF Dom flight.

2) If I get to SYD early, do I get the option of going to an earlier flight for no extra charge (like Virgin's Fly Ahead)?

3) If (god forbid) I get to SYD late, am I able to be rebooked on a later flight? I'm pretty sure fully paid business tickets (and therefore, I assume JASAs would be similar) offer the flexibility to "miss your flight" and catch a later one (within 24 hours).

Thanks all!

 

[markis10]

You can use the bus and should not be an issue with changing flights either way so long as availability is good.

 

[pangwen]

Great! Thanks for the help

 

[pangwen]

Sorry for re-opening this, but I was just wondering whether 2hr45min is usually sufficient for an Int->Dom connection (different PNRs) in Sydney? I'm flying F on the overnight TG flight (est arrival 0720), and thinking of connecting onto QF516 (est departure 1005). From this board, I've read that people usually reserve at least 3 hours, but QF520 appears to be operated by a B734, and I'm not too keen on that product .

EDIT: That's odd, during daylight savings time, the flight leaves BKK an hour earlier, but arrives 20 minutes later (at 0740). One would have thought departing BKK earlier means that the flight would arrive at the same time in SYD (accounting for DST).

 

[madrooster]

Sorry for re-opening this, but I was just wondering whether 2hr45min is usually sufficient for an Int->Dom connection (different PNRs) in Sydney? I'm flying F on the overnight TG flight (est arrival 0720), and thinking of connecting onto QF516 (est departure 1005). From this board, I've read that people usually reserve at least 3 hours, but QF520 appears to be operated by a B734, and I'm not too keen on that product .

EDIT: That's odd, during daylight savings time, the flight leaves BKK an hour earlier, but arrives 20 minutes later (at 0740). One would have thought departing BKK earlier means that the flight would arrive at the same time in SYD (accounting for DST).

2 hours 45 mins is enough. The MCT in SYD for Int->Dom TG->QF is 90 mins. Alternatively you could go on QF524 if you really hate the 734 product. What's your flight date? There's generally plenty of U class availability when you're many months out.

As for the TG inbound... it's likely due to the switch to the northern summer slot allocations. As you'll be flying F you should receive an express path inbound pass which may or may not be quicker than SmartGate (depends on the queues on the day).

 

[pangwen]

2 hours 45 mins is enough. The MCT in SYD for Int->Dom TG->QF is 90 mins. Alternatively you could go on QF524 if you really hate the 734 product. What's your flight date? There's generally plenty of U class availability when you're many months out.

As for the TG inbound... it's likely due to the switch to the northern summer slot allocations. As you'll be flying F you should receive an express path inbound pass which may or may not be quicker than SmartGate (depends on the queues on the day).

Thanks madrooster. I'm flying in May, and the QF engine reports classic availability on QF516, 520 and 524 (but not QF19 as stated above). I was just a little antsy about missing QF516, but I guess there's only so much one can worry about.