QF changed flight time and aircraft (330 to 737) [Options?]

[sinophile888]

A few months ago, I booked on QF772 on an A330, returning on QF475, also an A330. I bought a discounted economy ticket for myself and my daughter and upgraded myself to J using points. My daughter had a bulkhead seat booked in Y, which is what she likes.

A month or so before Christmas, I received emails saying that both our flights had been put back by 20 minutes. That didn’t worry me as we are travelling for pleasure. What the email didn’t say was that the flights were both now on B737s. I still have J in seat 3C for both flights. My daughter now has exit row seats for both flights. Not mentioning that the scheduled A330 had been substituted with a B737 seems to be not giving the full change details.

Is this a regular practice? Would I have any luck if I rang Qantas and someone (mistakenly) answered, to ask to change to a flight on an A330?

Maybe I should just be grateful that I still have a J seat and my daughter is no worse off.

 

[juddles]

I don't like your chances. I do really get that the downgrading of experience is severe, but no airline will truly acknowledge that. I know a 737 is pitiful compared to the A330, but you and your daughter still have the "best seats in town", on that small aircraft.

 

[moa999]

Not particularly common, but any booking a few months out is always subject to change

 

[docjames]

It costs little to have a look online at alternative flights on that day, find one(s) on the 330, call QF and ask to be moved foc with the rationale you intentionally booked as the 330 was showing and you'd like to stick with that. In the past they've been fairly willing to make changes within reason.

 

[Daver6]

Exact same thing happened to me for flights in April/May PER-SYD and return. A330s down to 737s with confirmed J upgrades. Same deal with just a flight time notification and that's it.

I rang QF. They would have allowed me to change to different A330 flights and keep the upgrade. In the end, the timing just didn't work out so sticking with the 737 and hoping for another aircraft change (but unlikely).

So if you're flexible on the timing, call to ask.

 

[sinophile888]

The part of this story which annoys me the most is that I purposely chose the A330 flights and paid around $150 x 4 extra (from memory) to ensure the comfortable flight. I sometimes fly QF9/10 on the 787 but have not had so much luck with upgrades to J. But if not J, then PE, which still is quite comfortable.

I have a quiet day today, so will try for a Qantas miracle. ie a call which is answered.

 

[Pleb Status]

I know a 737 is pitiful compared to the A330, but you and your daughter still have the "best seats in town", on that small aircraft.

I will disagree with that statement.

The OP will be lucky to get a meal choice sitting in row 3 of J.

 

[Wanderlust_tim]

The part of this story which annoys me the most is that I purposely chose the A330 flights and paid around $150 x 4 extra (from memory) to ensure the comfortable flight. I sometimes fly QF9/10 on the 787 but have not had so much luck with upgrades to J. But if not J, then PE, which still is quite comfortable.

I have a quiet day today, so will try for a Qantas miracle. ie a call which is answered.

I have often wondered whether it would be worth screenshotting the price difference between the aircraft upon booking and if a downgauge to a 737 occurs whether you would have any luck in arguing for a partial refund on the fare at the time of booking. Probably not, but maybe worth a go in the future?

 

[sinophile888]

I finally got through to Qantas and was lucky to be answered by a very obliging and knowledgeable gentleman in Hobart on the Premium desk.

He agreed that it was a downgrade to be switched from A330 to a B737 and happily changed our return flight to QF 769 which leaves Melbourne a little later than the flight onto which we were rebooked. We didn’t change the first leg of the journey as the later flight gets into Melbourne too late and the earlier one was too early.

I think our request had a better chance of success as I was travelling in J.

Both my daughter and I are very pleased with the outcome.

Thank you for all the replies.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

A330 travelling in J is a significantly different product to 737.

You could argue it's bait and switch, especially given that you paid a premium to book the A330 flight vs 737.

I'd be demanding, at the very least, the difference in fares you paid vs the 737 alternative lowest fare class price at the time you made the booking. If you have elite status and forward bookings in the system, you have the leverage to demand even more.

 

[sinophile888]

I am only a lowly Bronze Frequent Flyer, although after my next flight is will be a slightly exalted Silver. But either way, my status is unlikely to have any influence. I can't be sure what premium I paid for a A330 at the time of booking, from memory is was about $150 per person per flight. At least, I have now got what I paid for on the return flight. And my daughter was allocated an exit row seat on the return flight without having to pay the usual cost of $60 (I think).

 

[Aaron32]

Instead of a new thread I thought I would try here.

We booked reward business class seats for our honeymoon in December. Flying Melbourne - Auckland 11.35pm-5.15am on a330 then 4.15pm-10pm auckland to papeete on air tahiti nui after an 11hr stopover(planning to hire car and go to hobbiton tour).

Today I received an email from qantas stating our flight to auckland has been changed to 6.55pm, thus landing at 12.35am.. middle of the night.

Downgraded to 737 too. Before I contact qantas I wanted to check if there should be any compensation or hotel room offered? as we are now arriving 4.40hrs earlier and will likely need a hotel for the night.

Thanks

 

[love_the_life]

Can't help with the aircraft changes but be aware that driving is very slow in NZ - I was there last week or so and there is a heap of road works occurring on the road south from Auckland. Allowing time to arrive, get through customs and immigration, pick up a car, actually drive to Matamata, the tour, then return to the airport, clear immigration and security, I think you might be cutting it a bit fine. We went to Hobbiton out of Rotorua and there were wall to wall people. They only take a few bus loads up at a time and we saw a very long queue waiting to get onto the bus. We were on an actual tour so did not have to queue. We were on the set area for maybe an hour and a half or so.

 

[love_the_life]

Instead of a new thread I thought I would try here.

We booked reward business class seats for our honeymoon in December. Flying Melbourne - Auckland 11.35pm-5.15am on a330 then 4.15pm-10pm auckland to papeete on air tahiti nui after an 11hr stopover(planning to hire car and go to hobbiton tour).

Today I received an email from qantas stating our flight to auckland has been changed to 6.55pm, thus landing at 12.35am.. middle of the night.

Downgraded to 737 too. Before I contact qantas I wanted to check if there should be any compensation or hotel room offered? as we are now arriving 4.40hrs earlier and will likely need a hotel for the night.

Thanks

Suggest you post as a new thread if you want an answer.

 

[Aaron32]

All good I think. Thanks for the suggestion. Qantas advised they do not give compensation etc as the change was not within 72 hours of departure.

They were able to put us on an earlier flight at 12pm on an a330(at this stage!) Which makes spending the night a little better. There was no business availability showing for that flight either.

 

[love_the_life]

All good I think. Thanks for the suggestion. Qantas advised they do not give compensation etc as the change was not within 72 hours of departure.

They were able to put us on an earlier flight at 12pm on an a330(at this stage!) Which makes spending the night a little better. There was no business availability showing for that flight either.

Thanks for the reply.