Steps to follow when QF issued rewards ticket is being downgraded from J to Y

[exLXCXFF]

Hi all

Based on the terrible stories in this forum, I would like to be prepared “how to play the game” in case my QF1 hop on a QF issued rewards ticket from SYD - LHR (and then onwards on BA) in J gets involuntary downgraded a) before the journey starts b) at check-in c) at the gate, and d) in SIN.

Do people have any advise, experience how to react to still get from SYD to LHR in J - I am not bound on the exact day. QF Gold atm only.

I am happy to write up the summarised strategies once we have responses.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi all

Based on the terrible stories in this forum, I would like to be prepared “how to play the game” in case my QF1 hop on a QF issued rewards ticket from SYD - LHR (and then onwards on BA) in J gets involuntary downgraded a) before the journey starts b) at check-in c) at the gate, and d) in SIN.

Do people have any advise, experience how to react to still get from SYD to LHR in J - I am not bound on the exact day. QF Gold atm only.

I am happy to write up the summarised strategies once we have responses.

In either a), b) or c) you have the option to either accept the downgrade or take another qantas service at a later time that has business class available.

Unfortunately with the consumer laws we have in australia that’s about the limit of your options. There is no ‘volunteer’ culture in australia when it comes to downgrades or bumping, so no benefit in accommodating any request by Qantas to downgrade.

It would be highly unlikely to downgrade you half way through your journey in singapore. They would usually downgrade an originating passenger.

 

[exLXCXFF]

In either a), b) or c) you have the option to either accept the downgrade or take another qantas service at a later time that has business class available.

Unfortunately with the consumer laws we have in australia that’s about the limit of your options. There is no ‘volunteer’ culture in australia when it comes to downgrades or bumping, so no benefit in accommodating any request by Qantas to downgrade.

It would be highly unlikely to downgrade you half way through your journey in singapore. They would usually downgrade an originating passenger.

Thanks - I am relieved that option d) might fall away in the equation.

With respect to Option b) (at check-in) and Option c) (at the gate), would these be considered as IRROPS from a check-in/gate agent perspective? If so, does the check-in/gate agent have the wiggle room to put me on another QF metal flight to London (via other cities) within 1 - 3 days of departure in J even if there is no U reward seat available and they need to convert a still available revenue seat if I insist on it?

I assume that Option a) will be the biggest issue and the only option that I have is to call Qantas and HUACA until I have a desired outcome?

Lastly, I just looked at my flight in the QF App, it says I cannot check-in online 24 hours before departure (which is not good because I want a ticket rather earlier than later) because I am flying with BA post LHR. Is there any work-around that I can still check-in for QF1 online?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks - I am relieved that option d) might fall away in the equation.

With respect to Option b) (at check-in) and Option c) (at the gate), would these be considered as IRROPS from a check-in/gate agent perspective? If so, does the check-in/gate agent have the wiggle room to put me on another QF metal flight to London (via other cities) within 1 - 3 days of departure in J even if there is no U reward seat available and they need to convert a still available revenue seat if I insist on it?

I assume that Option a) will be the biggest issue and the only option that I have is to call Qantas and HUACA until I have a desired outcome?

Lastly, I just looked at my flight in the QF App, it says I cannot check-in online 24 hours before departure (which is not good because I want a ticket rather earlier than later) because I am flying with BA post LHR. Is there any work-around that I can still check-in for QF1 online?

In all three scenarios a to c you have the same options… and qantas will take the same action. You can either accept the downgrade and travel on the flight as planned, or they will carry you on another qantas service at a time that is convenient for you. You don’t need to worry about award seating being available in any of the scenarios… even ones that occur prior to you getting to the airport. In all cases qantas will rebook you, regardless of whether an award seat is available.

You should be able to check in 24 hours prior to the departure of your qantas flight. If you can’t check in for the onward BA flight at the same time it should be possible for the checkin agent to do it at the airport for you. They will see your final destination is the BA flight, and tag your bags all the way through. They should also be able to issue you boarding passes for BA.

If for some reason qantas isn’t allowing online check in, which is sometimes the case if they need to see documents at the airport, just leave it until then. They will still be able to check you in for your onward BA flight at the airport. If you are concerned about overbooking, get to the airport 3 hours prior.

 

[tdimdad]

If for some reason qantas isn’t allowing online check in, which is sometimes the case if they need to see documents at the airport, just leave it until then. They will still be able to check you in for your onward BA flight at the airport. If you are concerned about overbooking, get to the airport 3 hours prior.

Or, the app may allow you to check in but doesn't issue boarding passes ("Thank you for checking in, please collect your boarding passes from the check-in counter"). Those you'll get only after the check-in agent confirms your paperwork.

 

[exLXCXFF]

I currently only see “Check-in at the airport” as per screenshot. I am exactly concerned about overbooking and being a late on to check-in at the airport only with U class and then being sent down the hierarchy.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I currently only see “Check-in at the airport” as per screenshot. I am exactly concerned about overbooking and being a late on to check-in at the airport only with U class and then being sent down the hierarchy.

The best you can do is get to the airport as early as possible.

In any event it might not make that much of a difference… QF will have likely decided well in advance who is on their list to downgrade. We had a thread here on AFF about a QF gold on a *paid* business class ticket who was downgraded at LAX. So if you are going to be downgraded, likely it will have happened well in advance of either online checkin or at the airport.

Whether or not they tell you in advance is another matter. Easier for them to do it at the airport when you are probably likely to just fly another cabin rather than go all the way home and come back another day?

 

[Flyboi420]

If they downgrade you, do you get a full refund or partial refund of the points? Or nothing?
coughting bricks atm in a similiar situation on QR via QFF rewards in J from MEL-ADL-DOH-CDG lol.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

If they downgrade you, do you get a full refund or partial refund of the points? Or nothing?
coughting bricks atm in a similiar situation on QR via QFF rewards in J from MEL-ADL-DOH-CDG lol.

You’ll get a refund of points between those paid, and the cabin you end up sitting in… so the difference between business and premium economy or economy.

The refund thing is ‘easy’ with points because they are at a fixed level. The issue with paid fares is far more complex. Qantas charges you the full last-minute walk-up fare for the cabin you end up sitting in, which may be close to, or more than the fare you’ve paid in the higher cabin! That means little or no refund.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Easier for them to do it at the airport when you are probably likely to just fly another cabin rather than go all the way home and come back another day?

Well, that’s why I asked above about “availability”. I live close-by the airport and I am not really bound to fly on that day. So if they bump me on that day but there are still revenue tickets available the next day which they could use to re-accommodate me, then I am fine (better than flying Y). What I am less sure is whether gate agents get banned from doing that given that some last minute corporate might throw a lot of money at it. And then they repeat the game with you again the next day.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well, that’s why I asked above about “availability”. I live close-by the airport and I am not really bound to fly on that day. So if they bump me on that day but there are still revenue tickets available the next day which they could use to re-accommodate me, then I am fine (better than flying Y). What I am less sure is whether gate agents get banned from doing that given that some last minute corporate might throw a lot of money at it. And then they repeat the game with you again the next day.

It's highly unlikely you would be pumped two days in a row.

Even at the gate you would have the option of going on another service. But that's also highly unlikely as they would run the risk of having to offload your bags which would essentially cause a delay.

 

[ChrisMars]

I currently only see “Check-in at the airport” as per screenshot. I am exactly concerned about overbooking and being a late on to check-in at the airport only with U class and then being sent down the hierarchy.

I vaguely remember the error message given on the app for checkin is misleading. Have a look at the website too in case. Did you enter your APIS? I think this bit can only be done on the website, and maybe it unlocks online checkin. Worth a quick try.

 

[exLXCXFF]

I vaguely remember the error message given on the app for checkin is misleading. Have a look at the website too in case. Did you enter your APIS? I think this bit can only be done on the website, and maybe it unlocks online checkin. Worth a quick try.

I just logged into MMB via Desktop and to my suprise, there was the dreaded yellow exclamation mark for this flight. It asked me to accept (still in J on U inventory) a time change which was not there (all times, aircrafts and stop-over points were still the same). I don't know why this came up as it never came up in the App. I got the eTicket re-issued within less than 5 minutes and it all looks fine.
Then I entered my APIS and it looks all good. Still, in the app, it says "Check in at the Airport as your itineary uses another airline". Maybe an API thing and it may change after some refresh in QF's system.

 

[exLXCXFF]

Or, the app may allow you to check in but doesn't issue boarding passes ("Thank you for checking in, please collect your boarding passes from the check-in counter"). Those you'll get only after the check-in agent confirms your paperwork.

That's exactly what happened. The App did not let me check-in but the desktop version did. However, it then redirected me to the airport desks. So far all good, still holding my J boarding pass for QF 1 today, but I have not stepped foot into the A380 yet! Fingers crossed.

Update: Boarding worked out seamlessly and I am on QF1 in J on an U award without drama!!! A thank you to Qantas this time!

 

[Mooch]

Glad to hear it all worked out!

Out of interest, how often do downgrades occur? I’ve booked a Business Classic Rewards trip to the US at Christmas for a week and the only reason I’m going is because I could get J seats. I’m a bit nervous now about a potential downgrade! We’re going on QF55/QF16.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Glad to hear it all worked out!

Out of interest, how often do downgrades occur? I’ve booked a Business Classic Rewards trip to the US at Christmas for a week and the only reason I’m going is because I could get J seats. I’m a bit nervous now about a potential downgrade! We’re going on QF55/QF16.

It is not that common. In fact it’s reasonably rare for qantas. But of course when it does, the impact can be hard.

Be aware of the possibility - and your options - rather than being alarmed