Long haul downgrade

[Reeldeel]

Hi
After some advice if anyone has any pls.
We are currently in the US. Returning home in a couple of weeks via LAX to BNE in PE. QF sent me a message downgrading us to Y due to an aircraft change. Because one of us has mobility issues we always book PE on long haul and upgrade to J.
When I checked the app, unable to make any changes, seats assigned to the middle of middle row, unable to change. No mention of refunds.
Rang US call centre, (Fiji) no joy, no J available, could not change to LAX SYD. No changes available. They wouldn’t come to any arrangement with QF connections we have in OZ if we changed next day.
I’m LTG and wife SG. Doesn’t seem to help at all really. I’m out of ideas.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi
After some advice if anyone has any pls.
We are currently in the US. Returning home in a couple of weeks via LAX to BNE in PE. QF sent me a message downgrading us to Y due to an aircraft change. Because one of us has mobility issues we always book PE on long haul and upgrade to J.
When I checked the app, unable to make any changes, seats assigned to the middle of middle row, unable to change. No mention of refunds.
Rang US call centre, (Fiji) no joy, no J available, could not change to LAX SYD. No changes available. They wouldn’t come to any arrangement with QF connections we have in OZ if we changed next day.
I’m LTG and wife SG. Doesn’t seem to help at all really. I’m out of ideas.

I would call back.

What are the specifics of your downgraded flight? 787 to A330?

I’d be surprised if Qantas didn’t have a commercial policy in place for this… here’s one for the aircraft change back in May 2026: https://agencyconnect.qantas.com/en...y-qantas-brisbane-los-angeles-schedule-change

That’s there for your information so you can see the sorts of options. Basically you should be able to change from a LAX-BNE to a LAX-SYD in PE.

when calling back you should stress this is an involuntary change affected by Qantas with an aircraft downgrade. Ask them to check if there is a commercial policy in place.

Failing that, reach out on facebook… I haven’t personally used it but others on here report good success. It might take a day or two however.

Failing that, you should be entitled to a 75% refund of the fare because of the downgrade, or a full refund and make your own arrangements.

Frustrating, but I think you just have to persevere.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Hi
After some advice if anyone has any pls.
We are currently in the US. Returning home in a couple of weeks via LAX to BNE in PE. QF sent me a message downgrading us to Y due to an aircraft change. Because one of us has mobility issues we always book PE on long haul and upgrade to J.
When I checked the app, unable to make any changes, seats assigned to the middle of middle row, unable to change. No mention of refunds.
Rang US call centre, (Fiji) no joy, no J available, could not change to LAX SYD. No changes available. They wouldn’t come to any arrangement with QF connections we have in OZ if we changed next day.
I’m LTG and wife SG. Doesn’t seem to help at all really. I’m out of ideas.

QF has switched aircraft to an A330 which doesn’t have PE.
You should be able to switch to a route that has PE and not accept a downgrade.
I would suggest calling again.

 

[Reeldeel]

Thanks guys. I will persevere. Will try and call Aus somehow. Thanks also for the link.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks guys. I will persevere. Will try and call Aus somehow. Thanks also for the link.

I would keep calling the toll free number for the USA… it’ll all end up in the same place. Getting through to someone in Australia is going to be difficult unless you are platinum or higher (and even platinums are often getting routed to o/s call centres)

Just stress this is an involuntary downgrade and you want to remain in PE.

If they don’t know, just say you think there is a policy that allows you to route via Sydney or Melbourne.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Before you phone again do some research on what LAX-AU flights are for cash sale with PE seats. Easier for QF to have a tag on SYD/MEL-BNE Y flight than a USA domestic flight. Suggest to QF phone agent what you want that is a flight that has PE for cash sale.
As you have weeks email to another option. But may get no response. [email protected]

Are "QF connections we have in OZ" on the same PNR/ticket? Or separate? BNE to where?

Remind the QF phone agent & in the email you are due a 75% refund for the QF downgrade.

 

[QfHrGr]

Thanks guys. I will persevere. Will try and call Aus somehow. Thanks also for the link.

Yes keep trying until you are connected to an agent who is more amicable. Last week it took 3 tries before I was connected to an agent who helped.
If you have wifi calling where you are, you can ring the Aust tollfree or even landline number as well from your Aust mobile.

 

[Melburnian1]

If LAX-SYD (with PE) is booked out, politely insist on being transferred to a TransPacific competitor airline.

 

[Reeldeel]

Thank you everyone. Finally got thru to a Manila call centre who were awesome. Many calls though. They were able to get us on a next day PE flight with all the options. Begs many questions. All for another day….

 

[Seat0B]

You must feel very relieved @Reeldeel. Glad you got a good outcome.

 

[Mwenenzi]

Thank you everyone. Finally got thru to a Manila call centre who were awesome. Many calls though. They were able to get us on a next day PE flight with all the options. Begs many questions. All for another day….

Good out come. Luck of the draw who answers the phone and is competent.
Have you receive the new e-ticket? Without that you have nothing.

 

[drron]

Thank you everyone. Finally got thru to a Manila call centre who were awesome. Many calls though. They were able to get us on a next day PE flight with all the options. Begs many questions. All for another day….

A lot of people dislike Manila call centres but my experiences are just like yours. Some really good agents. The best I ever had was with an AA call centre with the woman on her first day. I was trying to reroute an OW award due to the bankruptcy of Malev. My replacement on the 2 sectors were. KLM and Lufthansa She discovered how that worked.