Trans-Tasman sectors in J on ex-NZ Y+ fares?

[NZ_Flyer]

Earlier in the year I booked AKL-MEL-HKG-SYD-AKL in PE during the DSC promo. Trans Tasman travel was booked in Y (as expected). Yesterday I went to check current pricing of the same fare on the QF website and the exact same flights are now booking into J for the trans Tasman sectors.

I tried contacting QF to ask why do these fares now book into J trans tasman but mine into Y. They sent back a generalised response saying there is an option to book into J for those sectors at an additional cost etc etc. I went back to them and said that's not really the issue - it's why is that same fare basis now booking into J instead of Y. No response yet. Do you think I have a case for getting them to make the trans Tasman sectors J based on the fact that fares being sold on QF website are now doing this?

 

[Ansett]

Earlier in the year I booked AKL-MEL-HKG-SYD-AKL in PE during the DSC promo. Trans Tasman travel was booked in Y (as expected). Yesterday I went to check current pricing of the same fare on the QF website and the exact same flights are now booking into J for the trans Tasman sectors.

I tried contacting QF to ask why do these fares now book into J trans tasman but mine into Y. They sent back a generalised response saying there is an option to book into J for those sectors at an additional cost etc etc. I went back to them and said that's not really the issue - it's why is that same fare basis now booking into J instead of Y. No response yet. Do you think I have a case for getting them to make the trans Tasman sectors J based on the fact that fares being sold on QF website are now doing this?

Questions -

Were you happy with the fare you paid and the cabins that you booked originally? I would suspect the answer to be yes as you booked them.

Do you think that should that same fare becomes available, at a much cheaper amount than you paid originally, that Qantas should refund you the difference? I would suspect a reasonable answer would be no.

So why should Qantas now change your cabin to J when you accepted and booked Y?

 

[serfty]

What ticketed is what you booked - things change and sometimes it can be annoying to look back. Not much different from booking a non refundable rate at a hotal, only to find it's come down 20% a week later.

You may be able to change online - for the "change fee". If that's, say $200, then I'd treat it as a confirmed upgrade for that price. A bargain really!?!

 

[Altair]

IIRC "I" fare class needs to be available for the PE ticket to be booked into Business Class.
It used to be when there is a PE sale (currently now on) or the lowest PE Saver fare category did not allow the Business Class cabin on the TT sector (which often meant a $100-$150 per TT sector difference), this has now changed and "I" availability is the only requirement.

 

[NZ_Flyer]

IIRC "I" fare class needs to be available for the PE ticket to be booked into Business Class.
It used to be when there is a PE sale (currently now on) or the lowest PE Saver fare category did not allow the Business Class cabin on the TT sector (which often meant a $100-$150 per TT sector difference), this has now changed and "I" availability is the only requirement.

Thanks for that. I class is available for both the TT sectors.

I'm absolutely happy with what I booked, and if QF made a change to fare rules after my booking for future bookings from that date then that's just the way the cookie crumbles. But if when I made the booking there was a glitch in the the website (for example) and the fare allowed booking into J but this didn't occur, then I think it's fair to go back to QF and query this. If they say too bad then I won't push it.

 

[madrooster]

Generally speaking, for ex-NZ W fares, if the fare is for R (saver) or W (flexi) class, then you may book into I class on the trans-tasman which is in J, or if I class is not available then you book into B class which is in Y.

The W sale fares that book into T class usually only allow you to book into B class in Y. No I class in J permitted. Occasionally they allow it on the sale fares but it's not that common.

 

[Mattg]

While annoying, I suspect you would need to pay the change fee ($200?) to change the booking to what is currently available.

As an aside, you'll probably find that your trans-Tasman flights booked into a flexible economy class meaning it will only cost 10,000 points to upgrade to J if you choose to upgrade with points.

 

[NZ_Flyer]

I managed to sort it with QF. I sent them a private Facebook message but then called them. Res agent went to Fares desk and the answer was very vague but "no go". Got off the phone and the social media team had got back to me. Long story short they offered a very attractive price to upgrade the two TT sectors that worked out about NZD$2.99/SC.