QF change of schedule. Anything I can do?

[ExcuseMyFrench]

Hey there

I have a CDG-DXB-MEL booked with QF in February 2016 and received a message about a change in schedule.


My original flight had a 115 min connection in DXB and the change in schedule made it only 45 min which is not enough time.


The option that was then offered to me had over 5 hours in DXB which I wouldn't even consider because I have 2 young kids in tow.


So they then offered another one with 2 hours transit time. Perfect or so I thought. I received my new ticket and total journey duration has increased by 4 hours. They failed to mention the extra stop over in SIN....


When I called back to be put to another flight, direct as per my original booking they refused saying I wasn't eligible.


What can I do? Tickets are not refundable but maybe they'd be now that QF can't offer me what I paid for?
Every extra minute spent on a plane with young kids is just not worth it. :'(

 

[exceladdict]

Maybe send a PM to redroo, or call and ask to discuss with management. If they didn't disclose to you the extra stopover, I would expect them to reverse it.

 

[N860CR]

A refund should be available given the big change. Usually you only get the one chance (ie flight change or refund), however given you were mislead regarding the Singapore stopover, they should still allow a refund. Rebook on Singapore airlines.

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

I called back and had a more helpful person on the line. However there is apparently nothing they can do to help us. If we don't want an extra stop in SIN then it's the 5+ hours connection in DXB.
No refund possible either. :-|

Will PM Red Roo

 

[dajop]

I assume your flight from CDG arrives at 00:15 which misses the QF connection at 01:00 and instead puts you on later flight (which is actually via KL not SIN). Would either of the following work:
A) getting on later flight from Paris that arrives at DXB at around 7am and connecting to the 10am non stop to MEL, or
B) sticking to your current flight from CDG and paying for night in transit hotel (not sure how much this will cost) and leaving at 10am.

Before going down the refund path, check your options on other carriers. They may not be cheaper, nor more convenient so paying for a transit hotel may actually work out better for you.

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

I assume your flight from CDG arrives at 00:15 which misses the QF connection at 01:00 and instead puts you on later flight (which is actually via KL not SIN). Would either of the following work:
A) getting on later flight from Paris that arrives at DXB at around 7am and connecting to the 10am non stop to MEL, or
B) sticking to your current flight from CDG and paying for night in transit hotel (not sure how much this will cost) and leaving at 10am.

Before going down the refund path, check your options on other carriers. They may not be cheaper, nor more convenient so paying for a transit hotel may actually work out better for you.

Spot on dajob.
Both of your options would be great but unfortunately QF is telling me they don't have availability for us on the 10am non-stop flight to MEL. I can still see seats for sale on this flight on the Qantas website though so not sure what is going on.

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

@Red Roo saved the day, yet again!

I got a lovely phone call from QF this morning and all has been resolved. We have been booked to the 10am direct flight DXB-MEL.
Thanks again Red Roo!!

 

[spudseamus]

What a great outcome ! Well done Redroo and whoever else was involved !!! I love this site !

 

[N860CR]

Good result. Just a shame it wasn't well handled at the start

 

[JohnK]

I called back and had a more helpful person on the line. However there is apparently nothing they can do to help us. If we don't want an extra stop in SIN then it's the 5+ hours connection in DXB.
No refund possible either. :-|

Will PM Red Roo

Nice that Red Roo has helped out but note you should be able to cancel free of charge when the delays are significant.

I had a SYD-MEL-SIN and return booking and then Qantas retimed their SIN flights to leave ~10:00am. Called up and was offered very early flight SYD-MEL with very little time if any in F lounge. Not suitable. Offered SYD-MEL flight the night before. Not suitable. Asked to cancel booking and received full refund. I didn't want that routing after booking it originally and this was the perfect way out.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Nice that Red Roo has helped out but note you should be able to cancel free of charge when the delays are significant.

Arriving a few hours later for an intercontinental flight is not always significant. Not even EU261 recognises something like that, and that's about as strict a compensation regime as you can get. Times are not guaranteed in the contract of carriage.

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

Digging out this thread as I have now completed the flights.

On the segment that got changed by Qantas, I did not received any status credits. It seems that I received points as if I had booked the flight directly with Emirates.

Is that normal?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Digging out this thread as I have now completed the flights.

On the segment that got changed by Qantas, I did not received any status credits. It seems that I received points as if I had booked the flight directly with Emirates.

Is that normal?

If you were originally due to earn points, but did not do so because of a change initiated by Qantas, you can apply directly to the frequent flyer service centre for an 'original routing credit'. This will credit the points and status credits you would have earned had you flown as planned.

 

[ExcuseMyFrench]

Thanks @Mel_Traveller, I will try that now