When is a Flexi fare not Flexi

[Beano]

I recently requested a flight change from TSV to BNE which was declined because my flexi fare was not flexi enough. I had an 'H' fare but there were only 'Y' seats (2) available and would cost $600. Did the same for a BNE to SYD flight. I had an 'S' fare and was accepted. Flight was nearly full and I was in row 23, but beggars can't be choosers!
Do you have a choice of flexi fare type when you book? There doesn't seem to be any choice in the booking process. Is it perhaps that the earlier you book the cheaper the flexi fare and hence you get a lower class of flexi with possibly fewer flight change options? Does anyone have any info on this?

 

[opusman]

Flexi fares just mean they can be changed without change fees, it doesn't mean the change is free

Y is full-fare economy, which is usually very expensive and often more expensive than discount business class. It's unlikely you would have wanted to pay that from the beginning without knowing for sure you were going to need to change your flight.

 

[serfty]

I recently requested a flight change from TSV to BNE which was declined because my flexi fare was not flexi enough. I had an 'H' fare but there were only 'Y' seats (2) available and would cost $600. Did the same for a BNE to SYD flight. I had an 'S' fare and was accepted. Flight was nearly full and I was in row 23, but beggars can't be choosers!
Do you have a choice of flexi fare type when you book? There doesn't seem to be any choice in the booking process. Is it perhaps that the earlier you book the cheaper the flexi fare and hence you get a lower class of flexi with possibly fewer flight change options? Does anyone have any info on this?

Qantas online will sell the cheapest fare bucket for the category you select. With Domestic "Flexi" This can be from K, H, B or Y.

To book a fare in a higher bucket than being offerred, a good travel agent can generally assist.

You can search using edge and ITA (matrix.itasoftware.com) with a specific fare parameter. Booking without a TA is more problematic.

 

[Beano]

Qantas online will sell the cheapest fare bucket for the category you select. With Domestic "Flexi" This can be from K, H, B or Y.

To book a fare in a higher bucket than being offerred, a good travel agent can generally assist.

You can search using edge and ITA (matrix.itasoftware.com) with a specific fare parameter. Booking without a TA is more problematic.

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Thanks. You can add S to that. I was also told that when booked with an international sector things got difficult. The TSV experience was the first refusal I've had with a flexi. Sometimes even without a flexi I've been allowed to change but that would be unusual.

 

[serfty]

Thanks. You can add S to that. I was also told that when booked with an international sector things got difficult. The TSV experience was the first refusal I've had with a flexi. Sometimes even without a flexi I've been allowed to change but that would be unusual.

https://www.qantas.com/content/dam/qac/domestic-clue-cards/domestic-retail-fare-clue-card-v2.pdf

S is considered discount economy but can be changed for the fee. Often at the airport an agent will use their discretion to waive the fee/fare difference for the 'higher' value discount economy fare buckets.

 

[Beano]

https://www.qantas.com/content/dam/qac/domestic-clue-cards/domestic-retail-fare-clue-card-v2.pdf

S is considered discount economy but can be changed for the fee. Often at the airport an agent will use their discretion to waive the fee/fare difference for the 'higher' value discount economy fare buckets.

That's what must have happened in BNE. It seems some staff use their discretion more than others!

 

[TheInsider]

That's what must have happened in BNE. It seems some staff use their discretion more than others!

It's not really about discretion, more than about the fare rules.
The check-in system will allow free moves if the fare is flexible and the same or lower fare class is available. Otherwise if you want a free move on a non flex fare, then we move into the 'Flow Forward' territory, where that is only allowed during periods of an operational cough show.

 

[Beano]

It's not really about discretion, more than about the fare rules.
The check-in system will allow free moves if the fare is flexible and the same or lower fare class is available. Otherwise if you want a free move on a non flex fare, then we move into the 'Flow Forward' territory, where that is only allowed during periods of an operational cough show.

Sorry it was a K from BNE to SYD. He must have said "not an S". Apologies for the confusion and you answer clarifies what happened in TSV.