MEL-ZQN Flight cancellation - Rerouted via SYD, 60 minute transit

[glasszon]

My MEL-ZQN flight for next Saturday is cancelled and Qantas want to route me via SYD with a 1 hour transit time, but I don't want to transit in SYD given the bubble is currently suspended for SYD and I am not sure 1 hour is enough in today's covid environment, what other option do I have?

 

[ChrisMars]

My MEL-ZQN flight for next Saturday is cancelled and Qantas want to route me via SYD with a 1 hour transit time, but I don't want to transit in SYD given the bubble is currently suspended for SYD and I am not sure 1 hour is enough in today's covid environment, what other option do I have?

Probably the best is to call Qantas, ideally with an alternative itinary that works for you, with seats available. I.e see if you can find an alternative stopover, or an another service earlier, later, or on another day.
Good luck

 

[sudoer]

I think transiting in Sydney is the only same day departure & arrival option for MEL-ZQN on 15 May. You could ask Qantas to:

- Rebook you on QF151 MEL-AKL 15 May and QF8448 AKL-ZQN (NZ codeshare) on 16 May. You will need to overnight in AKL, worth asking if QF would cover this otherwise possibly your travel insurance?
- Rebook you on QF171 MEL-WLG 15 May and QF8611 WLG-ZQN (NZ codeshare) on 16 May. You will need to overnight in WLG but IIRC the hotels are better value here than AKL, so WLG transit probably better if the hotel stay is on your own dime.
- Rebook you on NZ264 14 May - pretty unlikely to happen unless you get a very friendly agent. If this is your preferred option you could get a refund and rebook with NZ.
- Rebook you on the same direct flight with a date change to 13 May or 18 May

 

[glasszon]

I think transiting in Sydney is the only same day departure & arrival option for MEL-ZQN on 15 May. You could ask Qantas to:

- Rebook you on QF151 MEL-AKL 15 May and QF8448 AKL-ZQN (NZ codeshare) on 16 May. You will need to overnight in AKL, worth asking if QF would cover this otherwise possibly your travel insurance?
- Rebook you on QF171 MEL-WLG 15 May and QF8611 WLG-ZQN (NZ codeshare) on 16 May. You will need to overnight in WLG but IIRC the hotels are better value here than AKL, so WLG transit probably better if the hotel stay is on your own dime.
- Rebook you on NZ264 14 May - pretty unlikely to happen unless you get a very friendly agent. If this is your preferred option you could get a refund and rebook with NZ.
- Rebook you on the same direct flight with a date change to 13 May or 18 May

Thank you for such a detailed post, I got the flight change email when I am at the airport for another flight. When I arrived at OOL they said they don't have a ticketing counter there, so I will ping them on Facebook and hope I get a friendly agent.

Tricky thing is I am flying OOL-MEL on 14th, so I can't move the Mel-zqn flight earlier.

 

[sudoer]

Tricky thing is I am flying OOL-MEL on 14th, so I can't move the Mel-zqn flight earlier.

Even if on another booking, is that also a Qantas flight? Could open two other options to explore:

14 May QF167 OOL-AKL
15 May QF185 BNE-ZQN

 

[glasszon]

Even if on another booking, is that also a Qantas flight? Could open two other options to explore:

14 May QF167 OOL-AKL
15 May QF185 BNE-ZQN

Unfortunately it is with Virgin

 

[AIRwin]

Unfortunately it is with Virgin

You should be able to cancel for a credit?

 

[glasszon]

You should be able to cancel for a credit?

Yes, but I doubt QF will let me change the flight to originate from MEL to OOL given I didn't bought the OOL-MEL leg through them.

 

[sudoer]

Yes, but I doubt QF will let me change the flight to originate from MEL to OOL given I didn't bought the OOL-MEL leg through them.

If they've cancelled MEL-ZQN, and OOL-ZQN is still operating, you can tell the rep you'll be in OOL the day prior and would like to be moved to that flight if possible. The fare value would be quite similar, and given what's happening in SYD at the moment I reckon they might do it for you.

 

[glasszon]

Qantas still haven't replied me on Facebook and I have no luck calling them either, given the NSW ban is being lifted, is one hour enough to for Dom-Int transit in Sydney in today's covid environment?

 

[madrooster]

Qantas still haven't replied me on Facebook and I have no luck calling them either, given the NSW ban is being lifted, is one hour enough to for Dom-Int transit in Sydney in today's covid environment?

No it is not. The transfer bus isn't operating at the moment either.