Not using first portion of ticket...

[MH_fan]

I have a question about what to do with an upcoming ticket that is booked SYD-BNE-SYD. I no longer need the SYD-BNE sector, as I will now be flying into BNE from another city, but I'll still need the BNE-SYD portion of my original ticket. Should I ring up Qantas to tell them about the change and get credit for the first portion of the ticket (which would entail a change/cancellation fee) or would it be easier to be a no-show for the SYD-BNE sector? Also, would a no-show for the SYD-BNE sector result in the cancellation of my whole ticket meaning that I won't be able to use the BNE-SYD sector when I try to check in for it? My original booking includes a travel partner who will be using the SYD-BNE sector.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Blackadder]

If you are a no show on the first leg, AFAIK the return is cancelled.

 

[Mal]

Tricky.

Domestic tickets within Australia aren't normally returns ... they are two one way tickets joined together. Not checking into the first should (in theory) not lead to the cancellation of the second.

If you were to go down the path of change/re-issue, it does become a little messy because they'd have to split your travel partner's booking from yours,then rebook yours.

It's not something I've done, so won't suggest which way to go. It's a pity you can't check-in, and then get your travel partner to take both BPs onboard allowing them more comfort.

 

[NM]

Tricky.

Domestic tickets within Australia aren't normally returns ... they are two one way tickets joined together. Not checking into the first should (in theory) not lead to the cancellation of the second.

All of mine have been a single ticket. One booking reference and one e-ticket number for both sectors. But mine are nearly always booked through a TA so will be different if booking individual one-way flights on-line. Typically, if you pay one credit card booking fee then its one ticket that includes all the sectors booked.

And if you no-show any sector of a multi-sector ticket, then remaining sectors are all cancelled.

 

[Mal]

And if you no-show any sector of a multi-sector ticket, then remaining sectors are all cancelled.

That is usually the case. But domestic fares within oz are constructed from seperate one ways not returns. Someone should call qf and pose this qn for the official response. Wont be me tho.

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This post was made from my mobile.

 

[serfty]

That is usually the case. But domestic fares within oz are constructed from seperate one ways not returns. Someone should call qf and pose this qn for the official response. Wont be me tho. ...

The fare basis relating to separate one-ways is not relevant.

A Ticket/PNR is a sequence of flight segments booked under one or more fare basis'.

A change such as cancelling the first (or any other segment) will require re-issue with all the fees/charges/levies etc. applicable as well as any change to fares that may have occurred since booking.

 

[markis10]

A change such as cancelling the first (or any other segment) will require re-issue with all the fees/charges/levies etc. applicable as well as any change to fares that may have occurred since booking.

Not with QF it does, I had a segment last month I was not going to take, I called QF and they moved that segment to credit and left the rest of the itin to be flyable. Obviously the credit part had fees attached, which was a simple change fee when I choose to use the credit.

 

[serfty]

Not with QF it does, I had a segment last month I was not going to take, I called QF and they moved that segment to credit and left the rest of the itin to be flyable. Obviously the credit part had fees attached, which was a simple change fee when I choose to use the credit.

YYMV, it really depends upon the agent (and the fare rules).

While they CAN do this, for most discount fares, they do not have to and, if they do so, then an agent can apply any charges and re-fare as they are able to deem.

For some fares (such as fully refundable) is is often easier to do something like that than have a cancellation and rebooking.

 

[markis10]

YYMV, it really depends upon the agent (and the fare rules).

While they CAN do this, for most discount fares, they do not have to and, if they do so, then an agent can apply any charges and re-fare as they are able to deem.

For some fares (such as fully refundable) is is often easier to do something like that than have a cancellation and rebooking.

As there is no fare rules for a return flight in this scenario the there is no need for a recalc. Since QF moved their agents to QIC a few years back the first segment no show cancels all segments is only applicable to those booked under one fare, such as a DONE4, otherwise its a collection of one ways on a single PNR then they are segment exclusive so the old first leg no show is often not an issue.

 

[serfty]

I am not posting that this cannot be done, I am posting that fare rules do allow for charges to be made if doing so.

If you have a basic BNE-SYD-SYD return fare and simply don't front for the BNE-SYD then you can expect the BNE-SYD segment to be cancelled.

If you do call up and ask for the first segment to be cancelled but to keep the second (or separated into a new booking to be applied) then expect to pay some fees, especially on a discount economy fare.

An agent is completely within their rights to re-fare the subsequent SYD-BNE segment in these cases and assess any applicable fee.

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Here's the fare rules for a basic domestic red e-deal: (Bookings - Fare Types)

Travel Class	Economy
Booking Changes	For bookings made before 7 July 2011 view applicable fare rules Changes can be made online at qantas.com/yourbooking, otherwise call 13 13 13. Exception: For changes to combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings, and to multi-city bookings call 13 13 13. Changes before the day of scheduled departure: Your original fare may be used as credit towards a new fare of equal or higher value, provided the new fare conditions are met. For changes made over the phone, you must pay the service fee applicable as at the date of change. At the time of making the change you must pay: the change fee applicable as at the date of the change any fare difference between the fare for your new booking and the original fare. Once your booking is made the current change fee and service fee can be viewed anytime at qantas.com/your booking. Your new booking must be for travel anywhere on the Qantas network within 12 months of the date that the original ticket was issued. However, you cannot re-book and travel on the same day. Changes on the day of scheduled departure: Not permitted. Loss of fare.
Name Changes	Not permitted
Cancellations (including no show)	Before the day of scheduled departure: Re-booking - see 'Booking Changes' above. Ticket value can be used towards payment for a new booking for travel anywhere on the Qantas network within 12 months of the date that the original ticket was issued. However, you cannot re-book and travel on the same day. Any credit is the Australian dollar price. No refund. On the day of scheduled departure (including no show): Not permitted. Loss of fare.
Children / Infants	Infants (under 2 years) without a seat travel free of charge. Infants must be accompanied, with a maximum of one infant per adult travelling.
Qantas Frequent Flyer	Points and Status Credits may be earned on this fare. Classed as Discount Economy when Points or Status Credits are earned. Flight Upgrade Awards are eligible on this fare. Minimum 1,000 Frequent Flyer points, when points are earned on this fare.
Other Information	For bookings made through Qantas Telephone Sales, Airports and Qantas Travel outlets, a booking feeapplies.

 

[markis10]

I am not posting that this cannot be done, I am posting that fare rules do allow for charges to be made if doing so.

If you have a simply BNE-SYD-SYD return fare and simply don't front for the BNE-SYD then you can expect the BNE-SYD segment to be cancelled.

And I am posting on the basis of experience that this is not the case, fare rules apply to the complete fare but not the complete ticket, as you cannot buy a return fare to BNE anymore under the fare reorganisation from a few years ago, each segment is mutally exclusive. A SYD-BNE-SYD itin will have two fare rules applicable, one for each segment, unless it has been purchased as part of a larger itin as one fare.

The notion that no shows cancel all segments is old and ill conceived in this scenario regardless of whether its QF or agent booked.

 

[serfty]

And I am posting on the basis of experience that this is not the case, fare rules apply to the complete fare but not the complete ticket, as you cannot buy a return fare to BNE anymore under the fare reorganisation from a few years ago, each segment is mutally exclusive. A SYD-BNE-SYD itin will have two fare rules applicable, one for each segment, unless it has been purchased as part of a larger itin as one fare. ...

Each fare rule is indeed applicable for each segment in these cases. However you still need to look at the entire PNR.

...
The notion that no shows cancel all segments is old and ill conceived in this scenario regardless of whether its QF or agent booked.

It may be old, ill conceived and I'll add 'legacy' even. I am not defending that - I agree.

However you can still expect subsequent segments with non-flexible fare basis within the one PNR to be automatically cancelled on a no show if no further intervention into the booking occurs.

 

[markis10]

Each fare rule is indeed applicable for each segment in these cases. However you still need to look at the entire PNR.It may be old, ill conceived and 'legacy' even. However you can still expect subsequent segments with non-flexible fare basis within the one PNR to be automatically cancelled on a no show if no further intervention into the booking occurs.

We will have to agree to disagree , in the last few years I have had 6 first sector domestic legs cancelled with no effect on the subsequent legs.

The changes were made in 2006 when an automated process came into place for no shows, the flight coupon goes into suspended mode and is noted on the PNR , it does not change the other coupons which can be used/refunded/reissued:

https://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/info/domnoshowetktproc

Any remaining open coupons can be refunded using the automated refund process in accordance with the applicable fare conditions.

This is for domestic only of course.

As a general rule, if you notify them , they also wont cancel subsequent legs as per their conditions of carriage:

If you notify us in advance, in accordance with any timeframes set out in your fare rules, that you will not show up for the flight, we will not cancel any subsequent flight reservations on your Ticket.

 

[serfty]

We will have to agree to disagree , in the last few years I have had 6 first sector domestic legs cancelled with no effect on the subsequent legs.

The changes were made in 2006 when an automated process came into place for no shows, the flight coupon goes into suspended mode and is noted on the PNR , it does not change the other coupons which can be used/refunded/reissued:

https://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/info/domnoshowetktproc



This is for domestic only of course.

Agrree with the agreement

"However if an e-ticket coupon is used out of sequence, either "flown" or "suspended", exchange via the GDS of remaining open coupons is not possible."

The implication here is as discussed - any remaining segments may not be flown without intervention.

 

[markis10]

" However if an e-ticket coupon is used out of sequence, either "flown" or "suspended", exchange via the GDS of remaining open coupons is not possible."

The implication here is as discussed - any remaining segments may not be flown without manual intervention.

I dont understand, how would it be out of sequence in the case of a no show for the first sector, its classed as used when "suspended", so the taking the return flight is not an issue? Flying or suspending are the same things, the sector is spent.

 

[MH_fan]

Just a little update. I decided to ring Qantas and pose my question to them and this is what they told me. If I cancel the first sector, there will be a rebooking fee and cancellation fee totalling about $100 but i will get credit for that sector (so, basically, I have to spend $100 to save a ticket worth about $100). However, if I don't show up for the first sector, I forego what I've paid for that sector and all I have to do is let them know that I still intend to use the return sector. If I was a no-show for the first sector and didn't let them know that I was intending to to use the return sector, than my ticket would be automatically cancelled.