Moving up departure on award flight

[Tiki]

I wasn't quite sure where to post this. It is an AAdvantage award on QR & QF routing WDH-DOH-ADL-BNE in J. We have an overnight layover in DOH which is cool as we get some time to see the city. Onward, we originally had a 90 minute connection in ADL to the QF flight to BNE. QR had a schedule change that brought the connecting time down to 70 minutes and AA refused to re-ticket the shorter connection so we now have an unwanted overnight in ADL leaving the next day at 3pm as there was no J on the earlier flight. I am pretty confident that we could make the original flight we were booked on given that ADL is a small airport, we are in J so first off the plane, will probably be carry-on only unless we buy stuff in DOH and we have Aussie e-gate passports. Is there any chance QF would just let us go on the earlier flight if we make it on time?

 

[BacchusMarsh]

I wasn't quite sure where to post this. It is an AAdvantage award on QR & QF routing WDH-DOH-ADL-BNE in J. We have an overnight layover in DOH which is cool as we get some time to see the city. Onward, we originally had a 90 minute connection in ADL to the QF flight to BNE. QR had a schedule change that brought the connecting time down to 70 minutes and AA refused to re-ticket the shorter connection so we now have an unwanted overnight in ADL leaving the next day at 3pm as there was no J on the earlier flight. I am pretty confident that we could make the original flight we were booked on given that ADL is a small airport, we are in J so first off the plane, will probably be carry-on only unless we buy stuff in DOH and we have Aussie e-gate passports. Is there any chance QF would just let us go on the earlier flight if we make it on time?

I've had good luck doing that sort of thing with same-day flights. Not sure if the date difference would be an obstacle or not.

Carry-on only, you could be at the domestic check-in within ten minutes of the door opening.

 

[Tiki]

Thanks! It's such a dilemma as we would otherwise have to book a hotel and the best rates always seem to be non-refundable. I just don't want to add another $100 to the Africa budget when it could be better used elsewhere. We probably won't have the boarding pass for the ADL-BNE unless I can do it online somehow.

 

[MarcB]

I wasn't quite sure where to post this. It is an AAdvantage award on QR & QF routing WDH-DOH-ADL-BNE in J. We have an overnight layover in DOH which is cool as we get some time to see the city. Onward, we originally had a 90 minute connection in ADL to the QF flight to BNE. QR had a schedule change that brought the connecting time down to 70 minutes and AA refused to re-ticket the shorter connection so we now have an unwanted overnight in ADL leaving the next day at 3pm as there was no J on the earlier flight. I am pretty confident that we could make the original flight we were booked on given that ADL is a small airport, we are in J so first off the plane, will probably be carry-on only unless we buy stuff in DOH and we have Aussie e-gate passports. Is there any chance QF would just let us go on the earlier flight if we make it on time?

That's a pain, alright. Have you considered whether they can re-route you via another city? Perhaps check award availability DOH-BKK on QR and then on QF out of BKK via SYD? Or QR DOH to SIN then QF to BNE? Or maybe even DOH-AKL(QR)-BNE(QF)?

 

[Tiki]

That's a pain, alright. Have you considered whether they can re-route you via another city? Perhaps check award availability DOH-BKK on QR and then on QF out of BKK via SYD? Or QR DOH to SIN then QF to BNE? Or maybe even DOH-AKL(QR)-BNE(QF)?

Flying business class is a rare treat for us these days and I want to try out the A350 which only serves ADL. Asia connections are not an option as it brings a 3rd region to an AA award plus we've already been to those airports several times.

 

[love_the_life]

Flying business class is a rare treat for us these days and I want to try out the A350 which only serves ADL. Asia connections are not an option as it brings a 3rd region to an AA award plus we've already been to those airports several times.

Personally I would just stump up the money. In the scheme of things the amount will become negligible - then you don't have to stress about making the flight, getting a bp etc.
Others may disagree but I would prefer the easy option.

 

[Falcs]

Not as complex as your scenario but I did have a Award flight booked with BA Avios on a QF domestic flight, when I turned up to the airport the Kiosk proactively offered me to fly on an earlier flight. I haven't seen that happen on a non flexible cash fare (in recent times).

 

[Tiki]

Accor 40% off sale (Special offer hotel offer, travel goals, 1 million Rewards points up for grabs) + 2000 LeClub points I had on hand + $27 = Problem solved! I doubt 2 J class seats would have been available anyways at the last minute, they would have upgraded elites by then.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Not as complex as your scenario but I did have a Award flight booked with BA Avios on a QF domestic flight, when I turned up to the airport the Kiosk proactively offered me to fly on an earlier flight. I haven't seen that happen on a non flexible cash fare (in recent times).

Award flights booked in "X" class are treated as a flexible fare so if there are seats on earlier flights available in that same fare bucket then you can change for no fee. Not sure if this has recently changed though.