What are my options?

[drmikki]

OK, need collective wisdom here please guys!

I booked a JQ JetFlex fare MEL-PER for the 27th March, a 2200 departure. I booked this for a number of reasons
1) Flexible in case I got stuck in F1 traffic and missed the flight
2) Latest departure of the evening, so best chance of making flight after F1 race (excluding perhaps Tiger, which we shall not consider as an option!)
3) Earns SCs, since I am trying to get to Gold by the end of May (JASA to get to Melb as part of this plan)

I booked it initially on QF website which redirected me to the JQ website for payment etc.

Unfortunately JQ have now moved this flight to a 20.05 departure, which will be cutting it particularly fine given the F1 isnt likely to end before 7pm. There is now a 9pm QF departure so I rang JQ "customer service" (intentional quotation marks!) in ?MNL? who were less than helpful overall, but particularly unhelpful in my attempt to change the flight over, pleading that I can only change to another JQ flight, which is NOT the understanding I had based on the JetFlex rules listed on the QF site when booking. They have referred my case to the "Customer Support Team" who will apparently get back to me in 3-5 business days. However, in the meantime the QF flight becomes more likely to sellout and fares become more expensive. The comparable price QF flight is going to earn less SCs and there are only expensive JASAs available.

Has anyone had a similar situation, or do you have advice on my options?

I think at this stage its going to be a case of suck it up and cancel the JQ and take the pricey, less flexible and low-SC QF fare *sigh*

 

[Princess Fiona]

These flights have QF codeshares, if it appears as a booking for you on QFF I would call QF and see what they can do. I had a similar problem with a JQ schedule change and managed to transfer to a QF flight via a phone call to them. There was another QF flight on the same booking reference though
Good Luck!

 

[drmikki]

Thanks for the reply, Princess.

Sadly despite initially finding the flight on the QF website it doesn't list on my QF bookings and when I rang QF today in desperation (mainly wanting to speak with someone in Australia!) they told me they couldn't do anything as it was only the single JQ flight on the booking. If I had booked a 'real' flight heading eastward instead of a JASA I would be ok and they could help but as it stands, nothing

Thanks for the thoughts though!

 

[Mal]

I have a similar situation (need to escape MEL last thing after F1) and chose DJ back to BNE. Last flight is 9pm, and I have a full-flex fare on that flight. If all goes wrong, hopefully I can change it to be the first flight of the morning!!!

TBH, Jetstar chasing may well be a waste of time IMHO. Cut your losses and go for the Qantas fare and request JQ refund the original fare.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I also got this email in my inbox this afternoon drmikki.

However, I booked to come back on Monday night after the GP, thankfully. I did think of those who would be inconvenienced by this change after the race though.

I'm particularly loathe to suggest this, especially given what you said in the OP, but since you may have little option, you can get TT out of Tullamarine at 2245 for $168.95 plus baggage etc. If you can stomach TT given the saving over QF, and the later flight time (more importantly the latter), then it might be a better option for you, and just grab a refund from JQ for the JetFlex ticket.

Of course, then it's the problem of flying TT.

 

[drmikki]

I think I may save TT as my very last resort.... the last 2 years is enough! Might be my backup if I have an inflexible QF flight and miss it!

RedRoo if you read this, a more useful and appreciated adjunct to sponsoring the F1 would be providing late flights to other capital cities so fans can attend and make it back to work the next day! An airport bus from the race would be nice too

 

[drmikki]

Thanks guys,

Jetstar got back to me today, and again told me they couldn't put me on the QF flight but will instead refund. So, booked the non-flexible QF fare - if I miss that than maybe buy a Tiger ticket online at the airport!

 

[Sprucegoose]

These flights have QF codeshares, if it appears as a booking for you on QFF I would call QF and see what they can do. I had a similar problem with a JQ schedule change and managed to transfer to a QF flight via a phone call to them. There was another QF flight on the same booking reference though
Good Luck!

PF you may well have had that response due to Status, whereas OP is PS??

 

[Sprucegoose]

Thanks guys,

Jetstar got back to me today, and again told me they couldn't put me on the QF flight but will instead refund. So, booked the non-flexible QF fare - if I miss that than maybe buy a Tiger ticket online at the airport!

What about Monday morning departure? Less problematic, but accom will be pricey.

 

[drmikki]

We actually have accom booked for Sun night as sister is staying longer, so it wouldn't add any costs. Daylight savings work in our favour in this case, with the 6.10 flight arriving at 7.20am into Perth, however I haven't taken time off work and we start at 7.30 (operating theatre starts at 8)... I don't want to burn too many bridges by being late as I'm flying AirAsia back from the KL Grand Prix which arrives at 05.30 and I have less faith in their ontime reliability!

That flight was my main thought when booking the Flexible Jetstar fare, although given their lack of flexibility it's better I found out early that they won't put you onto QF! I'll keep for backup plan C... Sadly no chance whatsoever for WP status, although still aiming for SG by the end of May, so I don't have Princess Fiona's influence on QF staff Something to aspire to!