No status flyer with points-purchased J flight using fly ahead PER-BNE

[bigbadbyrnes]

Hi folks,

Got a friend who asked me this one;

No status, but have a business class flight paid for with points from PER to BNE on a Sunday departing at 10:30ish.
Theres a midday flight and a 9:30am flight.

They want to know if they rock up at check in at 8:30 would they get put on the 9am? (Note - having looked at it, it would mean getting on the widebody aircraft instead of the wee jet).

Anyone with exact experience of this? Many thanks

 

[Daver6]

I'd say the odds of it would be extremely low.

 

[theoracle30]

In SYD, we were happily offered to take the 1pm flight to Perth, even though we were booked on the 7pm flight. Booked on a Business Reward.

We were at the airport to drop off luggage early at 10am (all-day check-in) when this happened.

We declined the move as we wished the spend the rest of the day in Sydney.

Not sure if it would be the same in Perth unfortunately.

 

[Flying Fox]

Suggestion - ring up now and asked to be moved to the earlier flight and see what happens (there might be availability).

 

[MrHanky]

NB flyer here.

I have a 100% success rate with QF in Y on award or "red E-deal" fares with being able to move to an earlier flight when I present at the airport early.

On occasion, this has backfired and I've sat at the gate for my delayed "earlier" flight to watch my original one depart before me... Ugh!

I've requested this probably around 10 times in total over the past few years.

Obviously your friend is in J, and YMMV, but I've never had any objections from QF check-in staff when booked into reward or low cash booking classes. it's noteworthy that I've attempted the same thing with short haul BA and CX with no success: so I think overall your friend's chances are better than you might expect.

Good luck.

 

[Falcs]

Strictly speaking it would depend on whether there were available tickets in the same booking class (i.e. award seats) on the flight they want to get moved to. That aside YMMV but VA tends to go with "computer says no" for these things.

 

[Marty_]

I find I receive "above and beyond" treatment when booked in J, regardless of whether it's full-fee or reward. Doesn't seem to make a difference.

The problem in this scenario might be the lack of status, however. I wouldn't bet on it, but perhaps worth a try.