Class downgraded from PE to E

[nextFlyerOut]

Hey there.

I had a Premium Economy ticket for the coming Friday (paid) Sydney to Tokyo, but I just got an email saying that QANTAS have 'changed' my class from Premium Economy to Economy.

I imagine that over due course I'll receive a partial refund, but I chose QANTAS for the Premium Economy seats... Otherwise I would have booked with JAL.

This was my first PE booking, and I was quite looking forward to trying it out...

Do PE bookings get downgraded often? Perhaps the plane was swapped to help out with the A380 changes? If so, totally cool, I can understand helping out during an unforseen problem, but I was quite looking forward to the premium treatment...

Anyone else affected with downgrades from QANTAS?
Cheers,

 

[oz_mark]

Sydney-Narita has been downgraded from a 747 to an A330, which doesn't have PE.

Normally, downgrades are not that common, but with the recent changes of aircraft, it is much more common at the moment.

 

[markis10]

Welcome to AFF, there is a page setup by QF that covers the refund etc which needs to be organized by your travel organizer if you don't want to wait.https://www.qantas.com.au/agents/dyn/qf/policies/involuntaryDowngradePolicyJAN09

 

[serfty]

Qantas have set reimbursement rate for such downgrades.

See here for more information:

• Involuntary Downgrade Policy

See here for rates:

• Fare Refund Table - Valid to 30December 2010

 

[nextFlyerOut]

Thanks for that feedback! That refund table is good to know for future reference...

I think that will cover most of the gap between PE and E prices... but its handy to factor in this amount when booking PE flights in the future (ie don't book PE if the difference between PE and E is more than $550 or you'll be out of pocket).

Cheerio and thanks,
M

 

[Sprucegoose]

There is a thread established on the various disruptions to travel plans and it is current. You are not alone!

 

[JetLagged]

Perhaps the plane was swapped to help out with the A380 changes? If so, totally cool, I can understand helping out during an unforseen problem, but I was quite looking forward to the premium treatment...

So good to hear from someone who realises that the forced changes are not a direct and deliberate fault of QF. My prefernece is the A380, schedulaed to fly out on QF31 on 2nd December - looks likely that it will be a 747 instead. Will not be pleasedc, as I find the Mk1 Skybed to be very unforgiving.

So, here's hoping that RR and Airbus can pull out a miracle - and yes, like others online here: I might be displeased, but I am sure as hell not going to put my life on the line by flying with an airline like SQ that goes against all warnings from Australia, the EU, both airbus and RR - to NOT fly the plane until further notice.

 

[docjames]

Bummer as Y+ is pretty good - perfect for a trip like SYD-NRT.

Perosnally, I would consider looking at what kind of refund you'll get, working out what you've paid for Y in the end, then seeing what other airfares are available (in Y+ or Y) for your travel dates on other carriers, and see if QF will refund the lot (if there's a saving to be had) and then buy the Y fare on another carrier. It seems like the refund amount for the involuntary downgrade is essentially to full fare which doesnt seem particularly good value!

Why end up paying for basically a full fare Y seat if there are still discount ones available albeit with other carriers?

Do JAL still do SYD-NRT with Y+? If so, try also seeing if QF will shift you onto JAL for the flight(s). You never know you luck.

 

[nextFlyerOut]

Hey guys. Thanks for all of your great feedback! I just checked, JAL isn't showing any PE fares to Tokyo for Friday, (nor Economy for that matter) so probably its too late to do anything, alas. But good tips for next time!

Cheerio,

 

[blu]

JAL PE (for Feb 2011) was $2,060. They have the non tilt reclining shell seats.