Business class (I) fares

[Boris spatsky]

Hi guys
Long time lurker, first time poster.

I am QF WP and normally travel D or J internationally. The company just started using I fares and I was informed by QF yesterday when trying to change a flight, that if ANY sector on your booking is I, that you cannot change any legs. So I am stuck overseas without anything to do for 36 hours because of the use of I. Can anyone clarify the I rules?

I always thought that all business tickets were fully flexible?

I have another trip next month which I see is also I which means I will get stuck again (I expect the meetings to end one day early but cannot guarantee it)

 

[sr81]

Some sale fares are restrictive though not usually to this extent. Often the fees will be higher to change flights the cheaper the fare.

Did you try calling Australia or the local QF number in whatever country you are in? Try calling back into Australia for the WP desk here. They are usually more tuned into what you can actually do. I don't know the number but I have seen it in this forum before.

 

[markis10]

Where are you travelling from and where was the ticket purchased, fare rules are based on those two parameters and its impossible to make a sweeping statement about a fare bucket that covers all the different combinations.

You can view all the fare types here:

Book - Flights - Fare Types

Most fares are changeable for a fee which varies greatly depending on the two above parameters.

 

[MelUser]

I never travel Business (I) as they are extremely restrictive.

It makes no sense to me that Premium (T), (R) or (W) are all changeable and refundable - (T) and (R) have a $300 fee but at least you can get a refund.

Business (I) is COMPLETELY non refundable.

This is where Virgin/VAUSTRALIA have an advantage as I think their equivalent of Business (I) - ie discounted business is refundable.

Plans are always subject to change - eg work, family, illness etc - why Qantas continues to sell Business (I) is beyond me - I don't think most people know how nasty a fare it is when things don't go to plan for a passenger.

 

[serfty]

Be aware also, that even if your booking was changeable, I class would need to be available for the new flight.

Generally the closer in time it is to the flight the less chance of there being I class availability.

 

[Boris spatsky]

I booked in Aus, and travel is from NZ.

I spoke to two call centre ppl on the NZ QF number, and also spoke to two in Aus. The Aus person told me they could change it, then 30 mins later rang back and told me that they could not because the flight over was I. The flight back is J but they said that because one leg was I, it is not flexible. Seems weird to me, why book J back then? Very frustrating.

 

[markis10]

I booked in Aus, and travel is from NZ.

I spoke to two call centre ppl on the NZ QF number, and also spoke to two in Aus. The Aus person told me they could change it, then 30 mins later rang back and told me that they could not because the flight over was I. The flight back is J but they said that because one leg was I, it is not flexible. Seems weird to me, why book J back then? Very frustrating.

Have you ring the premium desk, with this open:

Bookings - Fare Types

I dont believe the more restrictive fare rules should dictate fare conditions for the whole ticket!

 

[oz_mark]

Have you ring the premium desk, with this open:

Bookings - Fare Types

I dont believe the more restrictive fare rules should dictate fare conditions for the whole ticket!

It's not unusual on Qantas international r/t tickets

 

[Boris spatsky]

On that note, will I give me less SC than J?

 

[oz_mark]

On that note, will I give me less SC than J?

C,D,I and J are all treated the same from an SC perspective. So it will be the same.

 

[markis10]

C,D,I and J are all treated the same from an SC perspective. So it will be the same.

Wonder how long that will last???

 

[extracta]

This is where Virgin/VAUSTRALIA have an advantage as I think their equivalent of Business (I) - ie discounted business is refundable.

V Australia charges $500 for a cancellation on the I Fare. They also charge approx $100 if you want to change your flight dates etc.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

I booked an I class r/t ex Europe through BA but on QF metal, and it is fully flexible, so perhaps the country of sale affects this also.

 

[markis10]

I booked an I class r/t ex Europe through BA but on QF metal, and it is fully flexible, so perhaps the country of sale affects this also.

Both country of sale and destination affect the fare rules.