U Classic Reward - Downgraded with 24 hours notice

[Dmac59]

I want to share my disappointment with QF after receiving a downgrade SMS and Email 24 hours before our flight.
On 24 August 2024 I booked two Business Classic Reward seats QF702 MEL-CNS for travel on 14 July 2025 (tomorrow) and selected Seats 3D/F. Our selected seats were still showing in the Q App this morning.

At 7:15 am this morning I receive a Cabin Change Notification email - We’re sorry to let you know due to operational requirements we've exceeded capacity in the Business class cabin on your flight QF702 to Cairns departing on 14 July 2025.

I know it is industry practice to overbook cabins, but it is a disgrace (there are probably other words) that the airline leave it to the last minute to advise you are being bumped back to Y. Too late to change to another airline and secure J seats.
Shattered - 3D/F to 24A/B

As a gesture they have advised that I can still access the J Dom Lounge at MEL.

As for the return journey CNS-MEL next Saturday - I guess I know what to expect because that flight is also in J and the aircraft has been substituted from A332 to B737. Seat selection is not available for this flight so I guess I'll be boarding via the rear stairs.

 

[aikman]

How hard is it to say - we will give you X,000 points as compensation? It costs them nothing.

I guess this is Qantas were talking about though.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There are seats on a connecting flight, but not getting in to Cairns until 1945.

You could swap on to that, if it suits. And I’d also keep an eye out for the return flight… and snap up any connectioning flights asap

 

[offshore171]

Wow that’s rotten. Book a year in advance and still get bumped. You mentioned the return was an aircraft substitution. Was this the case for the outbound also?

 

[Dmac59]

Wow that’s rotten. Book a year in advance and still get bumped. You mentioned the return was an aircraft substitution. Was this the case for the outbound also?

No, the MEL-CNS was always a B737.

 

[sanne]

We had the same thing happen for flight BNE to PER except we were informed whilst waiting in the Business lounge at BNE for the flight!

Full flight, no exits seats available so they very graciously gave us the back 3 seats in E!

It’s a whole different world back there by the toilets and galley. A never ending queue for 5+ hours to use the toilet with people encroaching into the third seat on the aisle. In the end we put the tray down with a bag on top.

One of the reasons we like to sit at the front is more space and less people coughing over and around us. Thankfully we arrived in Perth for our cruise without picking up a bug.

Having spent the last 30+ years flying all over the world many times a year and using our QF points for award flights PE and later years U, this was the first time we had been bumped from our seats. Guess we can’t complain too much.

 

[Pushka]

I want to share my disappointment with QF after receiving a downgrade SMS and Email 24 hours before our flight.
On 24 August 2024 I booked two Business Classic Reward seats QF702 MEL-CNS for travel on 14 July 2025 (tomorrow) and selected Seats 3D/F. Our selected seats were still showing in the Q App this morning.

At 7:15 am this morning I receive a Cabin Change Notification email - We’re sorry to let you know due to operational requirements we've exceeded capacity in the Business class cabin on your flight QF702 to Cairns departing on 14 July 2025.

I know it is industry practice to overbook cabins, but it is a disgrace (there are probably other words) that the airline leave it to the last minute to advise you are being bumped back to Y. Too late to change to another airline and secure J seats.
Shattered - 3D/F to 24A/B

As a gesture they have advised that I can still access the J Dom Lounge at MEL.

As for the return journey CNS-MEL next Saturday - I guess I know what to expect because that flight is also in J and the aircraft has been substituted from A332 to B737. Seat selection is not available for this flight so I guess I'll be boarding via the rear stairs.

We were about to fly - seated and buckled up - when we were asked to leave the plane, handed boarding passes to Y seats. They required our seats to re direct operational crew back to Melbourne. Took a few emails to some resolution.

 

[Dmac59]

I just called QF to try and get seats 8A/B (Preferred Seating) assigned, but the consultant wouldn't waive the $13 Preferred Seating fee (per seat), even though I got bumped from J. Not like I'm asking for much.
Unfortunately I can't do it online because Online check-in isn't available for this flight.
Maybe I'll HUACA and give it another go.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I just called QF to try and get seats 8A/B (Preferred Seating) assigned, but the consultant wouldn't waive the $13 Preferred Seating fee (per seat), even though I got bumped from J. Not like I'm asking for much.
Unfortunately I can't do it online because Online check-in isn't available for this flight.
Maybe I'll HUACA and give it another go.

Business class on another flight not an option for you? It’s available, but getting in later.

 

[Dmac59]

Business class on another flight not an option for you? It’s available, but getting in later.

No unfortunately.

 

[NZflygirl]

We were about to fly - seated and buckled up - when we were asked to leave the plane, handed boarding passes to Y seats. They required our seats to re direct operational crew back to Melbourne. Took a few emails to some resolution.

I can understand this one. Crew are necessary to operational requirements and not having them means hundreds of passengers affected vs 2 from one flight.
Still annoying to be on the receiving side though.

 

[Pushka]

I can understand this one. Crew are necessary to operational requirements and not having them means hundreds of passengers affected vs 2 from one flight.
Still annoying to be on the receiving side though.

Sure. But the two crew involved were in the lounge before we were, and Qantas would have known they were on our flight and someone should have called us to the desk as Qantas knew we were in the lounge, and told us then and there. Not wait until we were seated and then taken off the now very full flight in front of everyone.

 

[Dmac59]

Update - HUACA 3 times, finally reached HBA and the very helpful Mara.
Sorted my seat selection, somehow Row 6 ABC opened up so great outcome there.

Also confirmed my Return Business class (I) seats, as I can't see on the App. (Hoping nothing changes during the week )

 

[DC3]

… we were seated and then taken off the now very full flight in front of everyone.

The Walk of Shame

 

[Mattg]

@Dmac59 what compensation is Qantas offering you for the downgrade?

 

[Doctore1003]

Update - HUACA 3 times, finally reached HBA and the very helpful Mara.

Is this a new way for non-Plats to reach Hobart? Just HUACA a few times and the system will put you through to HBA?

 

[Dmac59]

@Dmac59 what compensation is Qantas offering you for the downgrade?

No offer has been made other than credit me the fare difference in Points

 

[oz_mark]

We were about to fly - seated and buckled up - when we were asked to leave the plane, handed boarding passes to Y seats. They required our seats to re direct operational crew back to Melbourne. Took a few emails to some resolution.

Could have been worse. They could have gone the United Airlines David Dao method!

 

[kpc]

No offer has been made other than credit me the fare difference in Points

I would not expect more from Qf!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

@Dmac59 what compensation is Qantas offering you for the downgrade?

Business class lounge access, and presumably the other benefits such as priority check-in and baggage allowances.