QF domestic metal, BA codeshare, possible to hop on an earlier flight?

[Alan in CBR]

I've just posted this question on flyertalk. I know there is a big overlap in the communities, but I'll post here as well to catch those who don't go to FT.

Our corporate travel agent has booked me CBR-SYD-LHR on BA, with CBR-SYD obviously on QF metal with a BA codeshare. The connection in SYD is just under 2 hours, which I'm not happy with. I would like longer so that I can have a meal and relax in the Flounge prior to the long flight in whY.

Problem is, there is only one BA codeshare on the day, so I'm stuck with it.

If I turn up at CBR early, what are my chances of getting on an earlier flight? I'm interested in:
1. Whether it is allowed (I suspect it isn't)
2. Whether it is possible with a kind-hearted check-in agent
3. If anyone has any experience of doing (or even trying) this.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Keith009]

I once had SYD-MEL on a BA codeshare and as all the stars aligned there was a good amount of time between my flight into SYD and the flight on to MEL. The check in agent offered me an earlier flight without my prompting, though I noticed that the new bp didn't say "sold as BAxx_x" and sure enough the flight got credited to my AAdv acct as a QF flight. I don't know if what she did was totally legit, but then again QF/BA JSA fares are valid on all flights operated by both carriers.

 

[GoldenWinger]

you should call your agent and ask to be booked on an earlier flight if this is possible...all BA fares from Australian with domestic connections allow the QF designated flight to be booked...there are no BA fares which stipulate the domestic Australian leg has to be booked as a BA marketed flight...

Hope this helps...

 

[Alan in CBR]

you should call your agent and ask to be booked on an earlier flight if this is possible...all BA fares from Australian with domestic connections allow the QF designated flight to be booked...there are no BA fares which stipulate the domestic Australian leg has to be booked as a BA marketed flight...

Well that's interesting. The agent I spoke to was adamant that if I changed to a QF flight it would split the booking, cost much more, etc., etc. I'll try the "call again" strategy. It's a pain though - the corporate agents are in an Indian call centre. (I work for a huge multinational who outsources our travel to a well-known huge international agency.)

I'll make a point of mentioning the JSA, but I'm not hopeful.

The check in agent offered me an earlier flight without my prompting

Good to hear a success story. If I get no joy from the travel agent I will go early and hope. Worst case is they say no, and the QP bar opens at 12.

 

[Alan in CBR]

Success.

Took a long time on the phone, but I was finally able to change it.

They wouldn't let me book on a QantasLink flight, but I could book on the earlier "pure" QF flight. Will now be able to have a nice meal and a shower before the flight to LHR.

Thanks to GoldenWinger and QF009 for your help.

 

[GoldenWinger]

Hi Alan...glad you managed to change it...but strange about QFLink restriction...once again I've never heard of that...

I know what you mean about Indian call centre - it can be very stressful sometimes...

Have a great trip and enjoy the F lounge - hopefully it won't be too crowded...last time I was there was on 28JUN and absolutely no room - the QF1 and QF31 were late about 5 hours and QF73 to SFO late 9 hours - so it was pointless even staying there- actually stayed outside. I was on the BA10 to LHR.

Cheers...