The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[Roga]

Hi guys,

Booked a multi city trip using classic reward points and now got an email that one of my legs has been cancelled and they have put me onto the same flight 24 hours later. Fortunately it’s the last leg on the way home and not one of the middle legs but if I was to cancel/voucher (which is one of the options they have offered), would they refund the entire itinerary and not just the affected leg or just the last leg? It’s not clear on reading the terms and conditions.

For reference, the last leg that has changed is from Osaka to Sydney via Taipei on China Airlines.

Thanks in advance

 

[MooTime]

Thanks for your detailed and logical explanation.

Nice work thanking @RichardMEL .

He's one of the finest contributors on AFF, very insightful and fair.

I can understand your unfortunate scenario, I like Matt's tip of linking the flights, I've done that in the past cos read it here on AFF, but never been in your situation.

Best of luck.

 

[MelbFlyer]

Apologies also I need to spend some more time in the acronyms/code thread.

Yep, there's a lot of jargon in this forum, I tend to keep things simple and say "business" rather than "J".

I am a Bronze cellar dweller, Qantas Club with not a huge cache of points (130,000).

Don't worry, we all have to start somewhere. I'm still a lowly Bronze member too and my agenda is to redeem business reward seats, not chase status.

I guess as a non-frequent flyer - lounge access, priority check-in and boarding etc isn't that much of an advantage / priority to me.

If I do redeem said business reward seats, all these will be included without status anyway.

One option is to book said return flights with QF economy reward seats when they become available (~100,000 points).

Yes, you can definitely do this if you can see the economy reward seats showing online. However do read on below.

Ideally (but perhaps unrealistic) I would like to one of the legs either out or back to be in business.

You can also do this as well, just keep searching for any new reward seats on a daily basis if you have to / want to (I did!) and then from there, it's literally a lottery on whether you can get a phone consultant (the only way to amend reward bookings is to call) that can :

First - see the flight and the reward seats you see online in the first place,

then conditional on this;

Secondly - add to your existing itinerary.

That's another story / issue though.

Have a look at the Oneworld Award thread - I've documented my long experience in trying to add / change my reward booking, lots of times without success and few with success.

A lot of the time you'll get the consultant saying that there's no reward seats showing, even despite them showing online at the time of you calling.

If you get this response, push them again and if they again tell you there's nothing, end the call and call again.

"oneworld" award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Note that this is not exclusively a "Round The World" Award. While it can be so used, it can also be used for "Round Trips", "Circle" Trips or even "one-way trips" without actually going "Round The World". Also note the following from the T&C review that comes up on Qantas.com if you have...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Try calling 13 12 11 instead of 13 13 13 - as a Bronze member you may be lucky enough at times to get a Premium consultant (normally this line / these consultants are reserved only for Gold and above).

Also interested in thoughts on whether MEL-SIN is a hotly contested route for reward seats or not really an issue given amount of regular traffic?

I booked my OWA / Multi leg trip in Feb of this year and my final leg was on JQ from SIN to MEL in economy (ie. lowest of the lowest). It was the only reward seat showing from SIN to MEL at the time of my booking.

Over the months through perseverance and a bit of luck, I was able to eventually change it to a QF business seat in July after I saw a new flight (QF38) showing. It must have been a new service that Qantas put into their schedules as I had never seen it before.

Overall I probably called Qantas over 100 times to get a few changes done (I changed my flights around 3-4 times in an attempt to get all legs in business).

By now you are getting the picture that my specific dates, lack of status, lack of current points and lack of provider flexibility means I don't really deserve to entertain the notion of business!

Don't say this, again as a lowly Bronze, I was able to eventually get a 5 leg business reward Oneworld Award (OWA) for 318,000pts. You just have to be patient and at times pushy to get what you want.

Of course, having a higher status will enable changes to be done easier, but you just have to keep trying.

Should I book and secure the economy reward seats for the dates I want as soon as they become available. Then attempt at some future point in time with necessary points to request an upgrade? Or are the chances so slim it will never happen (Bronze seeking upgrade from economy reward seats)? I know this is a far less efficient use of points as it's best to secure business reward directly.

Or should I take a risk, and try and secure business seats much closer to the departure date when points balance allows? But noting this might not deliver the dates I need?

You won't get an "upgrade" on reward seats - the only way would be to call Qantas if you can see any new business reward seats on the flight that you're already booked on, or if you see an alternative one that comes up.

TL;DR -
- Keep searching the website for any new reward seats - they do pop up from time to time
- Be flexible with your routes / dates if at all possible
- Call 13 12 11 instead of 13 13 13 - I've got through to a Premium consultant a few times who were able to see and make changes without issues as per the previous consultants that I got
- If you're not getting a helpful response, hang up and call again (HUACA)
- There may be very last minute reward seats available, even if looking 1-3 days in the future

Good luck!

 

[dairyfloss]

You won't get an "upgrade" on reward seats - the only way would be to call Qantas if you can see any new business reward seats on the flight that you're already booked on, or if you see an alternative one that comes up.

Just a correction on this - you can actually upgrade classic reward seats using points, putting in a request the same as you would for a paid fare. Of course the usual lottery applies as to whether you would be successful vs status and paid pax. The only exception is in the case of Business > First, which is not possible from a classic reward booking.

This noted, it is a very expensive way to get into the premium cabins, often costing 10s of '000s more in QFF points (vs booking the premium reward outright, up front). Much cheaper to book them in the cabin you desire from the outset, but of course much harder to get your hands on these seats, as well.

Cheer,
Matt.

 

[encryptededdy]

Hi guys,

Booked a multi city trip using classic reward points and now got an email that one of my legs has been cancelled and they have put me onto the same flight 24 hours later. Fortunately it’s the last leg on the way home and not one of the middle legs but if I was to cancel/voucher (which is one of the options they have offered), would they refund the entire itinerary and not just the affected leg or just the last leg? It’s not clear on reading the terms and conditions.

For reference, the last leg that has changed is from Osaka to Sydney via Taipei on China Airlines.

Thanks in advance

I assume the cancel option is not available to you online. Anyway, to my knowledge expect to only be refunded that leg, and also expect to have the refund take a while because it has to be manually processed.

 

[tdimdad]

Oh, poor thing, QF is running low on funds. Got a new WP welcome pack today and they can afford to send only one bag tag these days. I wonder if they would accept crowdfunding???

 

[RooFlyer]

Oh, poor thing, QF is running low on funds. Got a new WP welcome pack today and they can afford to send only one bag tag these days. I wonder if they would accept crowdfunding???

View attachment 352508

Just encouraging you to use carry-on, I guess and avoid those baggage handlers ...

 

[kangarooflyer88]

You most certainly can upgrade classic awards to a higher cabin. Back in September I booked a classic award on QF from AKL to SYD using my BA Avios points then proceeded to use my QFF account to upgrade the classic award to business for 2 passengers no less on the A330. Good use of Avios and QF points in my books.

As for the poster who had a schedule change. Your options would be to accept the change or you could ask Qantas to book the inbound segment out of Tokyo Haneda a co-terminal of Osaka airport which Qantas does provide nonstop service out of. In theory they should be able to book you for that date since it doesn’t matter if classic award availability is there during IRROPs

 

[MooTime]

Just a correction on this - you can actually upgrade classic reward seats using points, putting in a request the same as you would for a paid fare. Of course the usual lottery applies as to whether you would be successful vs status and paid pax. The only exception is in the case of Business > First, which is not possible from a classic reward booking.

This noted, it is a very expensive way to get into the premium cabins, often costing 10s of '000s more in QFF points (vs booking the premium reward outright, up front). Much cheaper to book them in the cabin you desire from the outset, but of course much harder to get your hands on these seats, as well.

Cheer,
Matt.

I went this ordinary return on points Avenue.
Booked Y reward to NZ as J reward wasn't available.
Some months later J reward became available, (in one of QFs dump of reward seats PR campaign) I was on the waitlist, but wasn't notified by QF, no surprise. Called in and got the upgrade with points.
Did the math as you posted Matt, I def paid more in points for the 2 reward seats than J on its own, alas J wasn't available when I initially booked.

I knew it could work this way so played the game.

 

[RichardMEL]

Hi guys,

Booked a multi city trip using classic reward points and now got an email that one of my legs has been cancelled and they have put me onto the same flight 24 hours later. Fortunately it’s the last leg on the way home and not one of the middle legs but if I was to cancel/voucher (which is one of the options they have offered), would they refund the entire itinerary and not just the affected leg or just the last leg? It’s not clear on reading the terms and conditions.

For reference, the last leg that has changed is from Osaka to Sydney via Taipei on China Airlines.

Thanks in advance

No, it will refund the entire trip not just the affected sector. If you want options for that last sector you'll have to call....

 

[chk123]

Afternoon all,

Can I check my understanding, passengers flying in Qantas J class can guest 1 person into the international business and domestic business lounge if they are on the same flight (eg if flying in economy) per the highlighted bits in yellow below?

Has this changed over the last few years? I remember seeing a parents trying to get their kids into a Syd J lounge a few years back but to no avail



source: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas...gibility.html#qantas-domestic-business-lounge

 

[encryptededdy]

Can I check my understanding, passengers flying in Qantas J class can guest 1 person into the international business and domestic business lounge if they are on the same flight (eg if flying in economy) per the highlighted bits in yellow below?

Even better, the guest doesn't need to be on the same flight, just a QF/JQ/oneworld flight if it's a Qantas-operated lounge. If it's a partner lounge, no guests.

Has this changed over the last few years? I remember seeing a parents trying to get their kids into a Syd J lounge a few years back but to no avail

To my knowledge, no. I last used this perk in early 2022 in the Singapore Business Lounge with no issues (I've earned Status since then so haven't had to use this). There's quite a few other ways of entering the lounge where those parents wouldn't be able to bring in their children, so it was just likely one of those cases.

 

[chk123]

Even better, the guest doesn't need to be on the same flight, just a QF/JQ/oneworld flight if it's a Qantas-operated lounge. If it's a partner lounge, no guests.


To my knowledge, no. I last used this perk in early 2022 in the Singapore Business Lounge with no issues (I've earned Status since then so haven't had to use this). There's quite a few other ways of entering the lounge where those parents wouldn't be able to bring in their children, so it was just likely one of those cases.

ok thank you for confirming

 

[tdimdad]

Can I check my understanding, passengers flying in Qantas J class can guest 1 person into the international business and domestic business lounge if they are on the same flight (eg if flying in economy) per the highlighted bits in yellow below?

You would read the footnote *1* in this case, wouldn't you. That one offers you a better scenario than footnote 2.

 

[bussyboy]

I've skimmed 10 pages of topics, and can't spot an appropriate thread for this issue; I spent hours looking across dates for a rewards itinerary for Europe, (I have a KF redemption from SIN-BRU as well) settling on:

​

But after entering the passenger details, I receive this error:

​

Before doing the obvious and calling QF, does anyone know where I find an answer/solution to this? I don't particularly want to phone QF as Silver to try and book this.

 

[chk123]

You would read the footnote *1* in this case, wouldn't you. That one offers you a better scenario than footnote 2.

Ops good pick up thank you!

 

[annielee]

Trying to get confirmation (apology if this is repeated) Ive called Qantas and checked their website but they couldnt provide definite answer until check in.

Redeem classic economy award flight then requested for business upgrade via points and just got confirmation its successful, wanted to know whether lounge and baggage allowance be upgraded also, the agent told me the ticket still showing 30kg (including the qantas app).

Anyone know whether it will be 40kg (checked) and 10kg (carry-on) as per the website for paying Business class ticket.

Thanks..

 

[eminere]

Trying to get confirmation (apology if this is repeated) Ive called Qantas and checked their website but they couldnt provide definite answer until check in.

Redeem classic economy award flight then requested for business upgrade via points and just got confirmation its successful, wanted to know whether lounge and baggage allowance be upgraded also, the agent told me the ticket still showing 30kg (including the qantas app).

Anyone know whether it will be 40kg (checked) and 10kg (carry-on) as per the website for paying Business class ticket.

Thanks..

You will be entitled to all of the benefits and allowances of a business ticket.

 

[annielee]

You will be entitled to all of the benefits and allowances of a business ticket.

Thanks for your prompt reply.. back to more packing
Another question, we've connecting flight, which is not upgraded, im assuming it will be the original baggage allowance ?

 

[RareAir]

Yep, there's a lot of jargon in this forum, I tend to keep things simple and say "business" rather than "J".



Don't worry, we all have to start somewhere. I'm still a lowly Bronze member too and my agenda is to redeem business reward seats, not chase status.

I guess as a non-frequent flyer - lounge access, priority check-in and boarding etc isn't that much of an advantage / priority to me.

If I do redeem said business reward seats, all these will be included without status anyway.



Yes, you can definitely do this if you can see the economy reward seats showing online. However do read on below.



You can also do this as well, just keep searching for any new reward seats on a daily basis if you have to / want to (I did!) and then from there, it's literally a lottery on whether you can get a phone consultant (the only way to amend reward bookings is to call) that can :

First - see the flight and the reward seats you see online in the first place,

then conditional on this;

Secondly - add to your existing itinerary.

That's another story / issue though.

Have a look at the Oneworld Award thread - I've documented my long experience in trying to add / change my reward booking, lots of times without success and few with success.

A lot of the time you'll get the consultant saying that there's no reward seats showing, even despite them showing online at the time of you calling.

If you get this response, push them again and if they again tell you there's nothing, end the call and call again.

"oneworld" award (132.4K/249.6K/318K/455K) Planning - The Definitive Thread

Note that this is not exclusively a "Round The World" Award. While it can be so used, it can also be used for "Round Trips", "Circle" Trips or even "one-way trips" without actually going "Round The World". Also note the following from the T&C review that comes up on Qantas.com if you have...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Try calling 13 12 11 instead of 13 13 13 - as a Bronze member you may be lucky enough at times to get a Premium consultant (normally this line / these consultants are reserved only for Gold and above).



I booked my OWA / Multi leg trip in Feb of this year and my final leg was on JQ from SIN to MEL in economy (ie. lowest of the lowest). It was the only reward seat showing from SIN to MEL at the time of my booking.

Over the months through perseverance and a bit of luck, I was able to eventually change it to a QF business seat in July after I saw a new flight (QF38) showing. It must have been a new service that Qantas put into their schedules as I had never seen it before.

Overall I probably called Qantas over 100 times to get a few changes done (I changed my flights around 3-4 times in an attempt to get all legs in business).



Don't say this, again as a lowly Bronze, I was able to eventually get a 5 leg business reward Oneworld Award (OWA) for 318,000pts. You just have to be patient and at times pushy to get what you want.

Of course, having a higher status will enable changes to be done easier, but you just have to keep trying.



You won't get an "upgrade" on reward seats - the only way would be to call Qantas if you can see any new business reward seats on the flight that you're already booked on, or if you see an alternative one that comes up.

TL;DR -
- Keep searching the website for any new reward seats - they do pop up from time to time
- Be flexible with your routes / dates if at all possible
- Call 13 12 11 instead of 13 13 13 - I've got through to a Premium consultant a few times who were able to see and make changes without issues as per the previous consultants that I got
- If you're not getting a helpful response, hang up and call again (HUACA)
- There may be very last minute reward seats available, even if looking 1-3 days in the future

Good luck!

Thank you for the time you've taken to respond, this is all great advice.