QF Downgrade: A332 reconfig J to old A330 J

[Virgin Bart]

Hi all

I need some advice, possible irrational Christmas anger is kicking in.

I booked onto a reconfigured A330 MELPER flight a couple of weeks ago in J. A few days ago I find out it's been subbed for a non-reconfigured aircraft. Fair enough, it's not guaranteed..

As a Gold I called the premium line and got offered a refund. Useless since I need to travel that day. I was willing to move to any later MELPER flight or even go via SYD.. I know QF don't care, but the sole reason of flying QF was to try the new J..

Anyway, so I email QFF and get a case number.. I called today to see how it's going and get told it's been closed, without telling me. "sorry, nothing we can do"... Umm.. Bit of good will wouldn't go astray here...

Anyway, I spoke to the very abrupt lady and was told she is not willing to move me since "no aircraft is guaranteed". She then told me that one of the later flights that day would be refurb, and that I'm more then welcome to purchase a ticket on that flight........ But won't be moved to it.

I understand nothing is guaranteed, but this is incredibly annoying given there is still time to sort this out.. Especially interesting when over at VA they are handing out compensation in the order of $750/60,000VFF points for similar changes.

What can I do? RedRoo only set up the case number for me (and is on leave anyway)... the same case number which was then closed without telling me because "you haven't flown yet".

 

[jackthomas]

Call again and try with another agent? I know that if I can tell someone will be a little difficult (or stick to the rules by the book a little too hard) I say thank you and hang up and call again... At least before they get a chance to put a note on my account.

 

[cory]

I would recommend not flying to the other side of the country and back just to try the new J product when you knew it wasn't guaranteed. Had they changed the plane to a 737 you might stand to gain some decent compensation, similar as to what VA offer but you are still on an A330 where they charge the same price regardless whether it's refurbished or not.

 

[Princess Fiona]

I would recommend not flying to the other side of the country and back just to try the new J product when you knew it wasn't guaranteed. Had they changed the plane to a 737 you might stand to gain some decent compensation, similar as to what VA offer but you are still on an A330 where they charge the same price regardless whether it's refurbished or not.

I agree with this.
I do however think you might get a more sympathetic ear with another agent.
I would not book any airfare for the sole purpose of trying out a new hard product. There's just too many variables.

 

[Virgin Bart]

I agree with this.
I do however think you might get a more sympathetic ear with another agent.
I would not book any airfare for the sole purpose of trying out a new hard product. There's just too many variables.

Sorry, I should have made that more clear.. That isn't the sole purpose of the trip, but it's the sole reason I'm flying with QF. Will correct original post.

 

[Stevo.1702]

I flew PER-MEL red eye roughly two weeks ago. Originally new config but the morning of the flight I noticed the config change to the old.

Business flex but I had to fly. Until they are all reconfigured I felt no need/reason/justification to complain despite my slight disappointment.

Was glad to be on QF though, the frustration of the seat was well compensated by excellent cabin crew and service.

 

[Virgin Bart]

So I get the feeling I'm being told I'm overreacting/out of line here..

Fair enough I guess, I just find it astounding that QF can advertise a product and avoid providing that product by providing a little asterisk advising that they may not provide it!

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

I don't understand. If you've booked a J seat surely the ticket is flexible and you can move yourself to the later flight?

 

[Virgin Bart]

I don't understand. If you've booked a J seat surely the ticket is flexible and you can move yourself to the later flight?

No J award availability on later flights and no willingness to open one up.

 

[Austman]

No J award availability on later flights and no willingness to open one up.

I don't know if it helps... But on any QFd domestic J award flight I've been on, it's always been possible to change flights to another flight on the same day at check-in (at the airport) or in the QP. It seems the restrictions get lifted at that point.

 

[Stevo.1702]

No J award availability on later flights and no willingness to open one up.

It's surprising you weren't accommodated in some way regarding later flights.

Perhaps the later refurbished flight was almost full already, upgrade requests had been processed and potentially a few others on the same flight as yout snatched up all that was left.

If you do get further response from QF I'd be keen to hear the result.

Note: ignore this. I thought the flight had already been undertaken when writing.

 

[Virgin Bart]

It's surprising you weren't accommodated in stone way with regarding later flights.

Perhaps the later refurbished flight was almost full already, upgrade requests had been processed and potentially a few others on the same flight as yout snatched up all that was left.

If you do get further response from QF I'd be keen to hear the result.

Well... Got my further response...

Dear Virgin Bart

Thank you for your correspondence regarding the change of aircraft on your upcoming flight from Melbourne to Perth.

We regret that the recent change to our aircraft schedule on 1 January has disrupted your plans to experience our new Business Class cabin. Operating a worldwide timetable means that despite our best planning, we are occasionally forced to change our aircraft for a variety of reasons, mostly operational, a situation encountered by all airlines.

Your booking has been notated that you have been offered a full refund if you choose not to fly on our alternate aircraft with no loss of points.

Kind regards

QANTAS Airways

 

[Virgin Bart]

Pretty damn disappointed...

 

[Ansett]

Pretty damn disappointed...

What where you expecting they have offered a full refund so if unhappy then keep the points and revert back to Virgin where I understand all the A330 aircraft have been refurbished and therefore no chance of a sub other than to a 737

 

[Virgin Bart]

What where you expecting they have offered a full refund so if unhappy then keep the points and revert back to Virgin where I understand all the A330 aircraft have been refurbished and therefore no chance of a sub other than to a 737

I was expecting more than what I got. I was expecting them to maybe even make available a seat on one of the later flights.. I was expecting some reciprocation for loyalty.. Silly me!

 

[Pleb Status]

I was expecting more than what I got. I was expecting them to maybe even make available a seat on one of the later flights.. I was expecting some reciprocation for loyalty.. Silly me!

Take the refund and move on. They did not even have to offer a full refund as the flight is still operating.....

 

[Virgin Bart]

Take the refund and move on. They did not even have to offer a full refund as the flight is still operating.....

Noted. Except that there's no more Y or J redemptions for that day so I'm stuck. Anyway, it's done to death, time to move on.

 

[Bugalugz]

Flew BNE-PER yesterday and after being spoilt with suites consitently it was very hard to go to the seats with the 'workspace' in the middle. I'm so glad yesterday was a reward if I had of paid I would have been ropeable the whole seat is just a joke, yes its being changed, yes the new product is better but they are selling a far far worse product for the same price. I think even the 737 J seat is more comfortable it has plenty more featres in the seat and more room.

This was changed about a week out when i got my seat alert but yeah think they should be offering the product at a lower price if a new config can't be guarnteed.

Though every time I have the suites the iPads in Y seem to have issues and Qstream system never works! so theres issues behind the curtains too.

Qucker the product is consistent the happier we will all be!

 

[mannej]

Whilst VA had the two variant of J on the 332 fleet, correct me if I am wrong but they did not offer any compo for those on the older version so any reference to the 332 down to the 737 compo with VA is not relevant to this IMHO.

With 7 out of 10 333's completed and 9 out of the 18 332's completed, I am not sure that a change of equipment is unexpected as annoying as it is?

 

[PaulST]

Whilst VA had the two variant of J on the 332 fleet, correct me if I am wrong but they did not offer any compo for those on the older version so any reference to the 332 down to the 737 compo with VA is not relevant to this IMHO.

VA's entire A332 fleet have the new J suit don't they?

I'd certainly be disappointed (I'm flying SYD-PER on Jan 2 and it's currently showing a refurbished bird) but I guess there's not much that can be done about it. Hopefully you get a Skybed Mk1 at least!