OneWorld Classic Reward Impacted by Finnair Strikes

[sprites]

Hi all, looking for a bit of guidance for the following unfolding situation:

• I’m currently in Europe travelling on a OneWorld Classic Reward (318k QFF points booking in J) - outbound legs went fine
• I’m next due to fly with Finnair in Business class:
  • BCN-HEL on 19th June (AM) and
  • HEL-PVG on 20th June (albeit 0050)
  • Albeit, Finnair has advised the BCN-HEL leg will be operated by DAT LT instead of Finnair
• I have a two day layover in Shanghai, prior to flying back PVG-HKG-PER in CX J
• All the above is on my current ticket and common PNR
• Finnair have advised they will be impacted by strike action on the 19th June and recommended i change my flight date. It’s unclear whether this includes the HEL-PVG flight on the 20th. The heavy implication is that HEL will be shutdown on the day. Finnair have said they will cancel flights 2days (17th June) in advance when they know more about staffing levels.
• I am keen to keep my layover in PVG so unwilling to accept a later flight with Finnair
• I am trying to build a bit of a plan of attack for what seems like an inevitable flight disruption. Couple of questions:
  • I understand Finnair is obligated to get me to my destination as they cancelled 48hrs prior to flight - does that mean they must offer to purchase alt OW revenue flights (e.g. CX via HKG?) or can they only rebook if award availability? Are there any EU protections I can rely on?
  • If Finnair cancel both flights and refund me the tax component only (as OW Classic Reward is fixed points), I can then book my own flight to Shanghai (CX J seems reasonably priced over that period) and claim on travel insurance. I can then pick up the remaining CX flights PVG-HKG-PER. In this situation it’s critical I get all the Finnair legs cancelled so the ticket remains afoot for the CX legs to Aus (I don’t want to miss a rogue Finnair leg and lose the rest of the itinerary)
  • In the above situation, <48hrs, am I better off contacting AY or QF to get this all resolved? - this is my worst case
  • Anything else I should consider now to safeguard myself against a costly last minute return ticket?

Many thanks

sprites

 

[DC3]

As you say, AY will arrange for you to be moved on, one way or another, even using another airline if necessary. Phone them to see how the re-booking is going. Just be prepared to miss out on the PVG stopover if it comes to that.

Airlines are usually pretty good at handling disruptions so I don’t see any costly return tickets being necessary.

I wouldn’t be calling QF by the way. AY will sort it out and they are the one who you should be talking to. And, award availability won’t come into it. AY will arrange for you to be moved on, regardless of award availability.