J sale fare - your 1st leg is in economy?

[NZflygirl]

I was looking at fares one way during peak season from Perth to Auckland and the business sale fares state the 1st leg is in economy. I'm used to seeing that for award flights (there are none via AA or QF for my dates currently as they're post New Years) but to pay cash for a business fare even if on sale and it says your first leg is in economy? Now that I'm not used to.

Is this normal?

Business saver and flex are business class the whole way. So seats are available.

Is this a new marketing thing for them to combine economy and business class on the one PNR?

What would be the cost in points to upgrade to business class from a business sale fare for the domestic leg?? Tricky....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Is economy on the first leg applicable for every day? Or just select flights where the sale fare bucket might already be full?

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I'm assuming this happened because the sale J fare has been exhausted on that particular domestic leg?

 

[NZflygirl]

Every flight that day the little message comes up - 1st leg is in economy.
They're still selling J saver and Flexi fares - when you click on them there is no "your 1st leg is in economy" It was included even if the flight went via Brisbane.

I decided to book Air NZ instead but normally fly Qantas home and I've never seen this before. Don't know if it's something new or if it's always been there and I've just never hit it.

Zero awards available with AA miles or QF award points.

 

[NZflygirl]

I'm a bit suspicious that the award J flights have been taken off the table (I'm not sure they're booked out on EVERY flight as availability previously has been so open), and they now have this weird J sale fare with one leg in economy, while saving space for people that will pay the full J saver or Flexi fare. And they may open up award space or upgrades closer to the time of departure if unsold as a way of maximising revenue.

It's what some other airlines do, I think I read something about Etihad doing this.

I don't know if it's related to the 737 crew/pilot issues or scheduling? (Can't actually figure out how, but it's on that route)

I was too confused by it and couldn't be bothered thinking about it so booked NZ home.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Haven't had this done to me yet, but have seen it on the QF flight booking pages.
Not so bad if there is no J service, ie, you are flying JQ, but it does leave a sour taste in the mouth when there is a J service, and QF have plonked you into whY class.
Edit: premY on (Air)NZ is nice. Have done it several times, and will certainly pick that class again.
Don't like herring bone, no matter if it faces the window or faces the aisle.