WHAT to DO? down grade from Business to Economy on QF Domestic?

[iamsuperandrew]

URGENT HELP!

My in laws are currently within the QF Business class lounge and have been advised that they have been downgraded from Business Class to Economy as the flight has been oversold and they have been moved to a later flight and upon checking there 2 seats available in J on this flight?

Is there anything you can do?

*booking made with Qantas Classic Rewards

 

[AIRwin]

Deadheading crew? @Pushka

 

[markis10]

Seems to be a regular occurrence

Thread 'U Classic Reward - Downgraded with 24 hours notice'

Jul 13, 2025

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...

• Dmac59
• Replies: 73
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 

 

[Princess Fiona]

As you have posted elsewhere the aircraft has been subbed to an A220

 

[lovestotravel]

URGENT HELP!

My in laws are currently within the QF Business class lounge and have been advised that they have been downgraded from Business Class to Economy as the flight has been oversold and they have been moved to a later flight and upon checking there 2 seats available in J on this flight?

Is there anything you can do?

*booking made with Qantas Classic Rewards

No

 

[Daver6]

Options as I see it are accept the downgrade or fly on the next flight with J seats. Potentially connecting flights. The question becomes, what's more important. Flying J or getting to your destination sooner.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

Will QF refund the difference between a J and Y redemption in these cases?

 

[Hunter4vr]

Will QF refund the difference between a J and Y redemption in these cases?

Yeah, and if you make an official complaint, you might get something extra from them, last time it happened to us we got 5k pts per passenger for the "inconvenience".

 

[SeatBackForward]

Will QF refund the difference between a J and Y redemption in these cases?

They should, I mean that'd be the honest thing to do. But airlines have been known to be sneaky and the compensation offered is the fare difference between the cheapest Business Fare and the most expensive Economy Fare.

 

[Pushka]

Will QF refund the difference between a J and Y redemption in these cases?

Yes they do for points upgrade. Might add a bit more depending on how the downgrade was handled. In our case the advice in the lounge would have been far more palatable than being taken off the plane as we were about to fly and being handed Y boarding passes. Walk of shame.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

They should, I mean that'd be the honest thing to do. But airlines have been known to be sneaky and the compensation offered is the fare difference between the cheapest Business Fare and the most expensive Economy Fare.

OP is on a points (redemption) ticket. There is no issue of high-priced v low-priced.

 

[SeatBackForward]

OP is on a points (redemption) ticket. There is no issue of high-priced v low-priced.

But there will still be a question around compensation, whether it's points or in cash. So in this case will they be refunded the difference between a business reward and an economy reward?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

But there will still be a question around compensation, whether it's points or in cash. So in this case will they be refunded the difference between a business reward and an economy reward?

Yes, just the points back.

 

[markis10]

Yes, just the points back.

Which is unfortunate compared to a rev booking where a 75% of the fare paid is refunded should a downgrade occur.

 

[iamsuperandrew]

Yeah, and if you make an official complaint, you might get something extra from them, last time it happened to us we got 5k pts per passenger for the "inconvenience".

I am yet to do that

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Which is unfortunate compared to a rev booking where a 75% of the fare paid is refunded should a downgrade occur.

True, but I was thinking about that… that still may not compensate for the downgrade? If you spent $1000 SYD-MEL but ended up in economy, the equivalent common fare might only have been $179… so still out of pocket?

Unkess there is a proportional refund of fare AND 75% compensation.