Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-BNE)

[Robert Qld]

Hi guys,

I've used the AFF search engine and seen this has happened before, where QF trys to forward load on a Friday, but I am wondering of the chances of getting it tomorrow, has anybody had any recent success?

I booked an 8pm flight when it was looking like I had meetings tomorrow afternoon, but my afternoon freed up and I arguably can fly up a few hours earlier now, and preference now is to get up there as soon as possible.

I have been forward loaded on MEL-BNE flight before at the Kiosk when checking in, but that was a Flex-Saver ticket I brought, and this ticket is a Red E-Deal.

Should I ring QF to see if they can help or pray to the Qantas Dieties that one gets offered at the Kiosk tomorrow, or try to charm a desk agent?

While I was planning to check bags in, I can avoiding this by giving to a mate also heading up some of the bulkier items that would need to be checked and then just stuff a few things into one of my ports as carryon.

The one downside of changing flights would be losing the 4A I snagged at T80 (I love this site!) Still I suppose 23A on the way back via Sydney will make up for it (slightly - not that great a fan of the 767)

 

[Bundy Bear]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

No point ringing, as they would try and charge you for the change.

If you are Qantas Gold you could check in and ask if you could be moved forward.

If you were flying Virgin then they do try and accommodate passengers who want to fly forward.

 

[drewbles]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

As is always the case with QF, expect to fly the flight you are booked on, but it never hurts to politely ask, sometimes a few times. Ask when you get to the lounge, and possibly a little later (with a different staff member if you have the option). You don't mention which route you're on, but i'm guessing BNE-MEL? I would have thought forward loading wasn't quite so big out of BNE, more so MEL and SYD?

It's very very unlikely they'd route you via SYD unless there were irrops.

I still don't know why people back the 767's either. Gimme one of them over the 737's (especially with their new seating; last time I ever fly whY in a QF 737 after my last experience; my knees were so far into the seat in front of me, the person in front was having a complimentary forced back massage!).

*edit*
Just saw title. MEL-BNE is more likely but not via SYD

 

[stomplad]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

I would get in early and ask at the lounge. Worst case scenario, lounge time.

 

[richie9x]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Occasionally flying BNE-MEL and vv the next gen kiosk offers an earlier flight. Even on some rare occasions it will offer a routing via Sydney. This seems to be independent of the fare class. But I don't think you can depend on it. So if you have luggage your best will probably be checking in with a real person and asking them.

As I don't travel with luggage most of the time if I want an earlier flight and the kiosk didn't offer it I will check at the service desk in the business lounge. This seems to work quite well as the desk also process departure upgrades so they often know already which flights will have gaps in economy before they even look at their system.

On Friday the 5pm and 6pm flights are often the busiest. Also tomorrow night is the start of the Queensland and Victorian school holidays so things might be quite busy. Hard to know if that will be an advantage or disadvantage.

 

[UP4014]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

I'd suggest using the staffed check in, if you're there and they have you bag there is a good chance it might happen if the seats available. From my experience that is the only way for an earlier flight on a non change ticket.

Matt

 

[moa999]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

As WP, I have previously had an uber-cheap red e-deal booked using shell credit PER-SYD moved forward 3hrs. Had come off an early morning AirAsiaX flight and left lots of time for the connection.
Went to the checkin desk who couldn't do anything.
Directed me to I think the sales desk, where the lady was able to make the changes.

 

[Robert Qld]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

As is always the case with QF, expect to fly the flight you are booked on, but it never hurts to politely ask, sometimes a few times. Ask when you get to the lounge, and possibly a little later (with a different staff member if you have the option). You don't mention which route you're on, but i'm guessing BNE-MEL? I would have thought forward loading wasn't quite so big out of BNE, more so MEL and SYD?

It's very very unlikely they'd route you via SYD unless there were irrops.

I still don't know why people back the 767's either. Gimme one of them over the 737's (especially with their new seating; last time I ever fly whY in a QF 737 after my last experience; my knees were so far into the seat in front of me, the person in front was having a complimentary forced back massage!).

I'm MEL-BNE on the way up tomorrow evening. BNE-SYD-MEL is on way home.

If the kiosk doesn't give me luck, I'll try the old charm routine ;-)

 

[FrustratedQP]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Earlier this year SWMBO and I arrived more than 6 hours early for travel from MEL to SYD. The lounge dragon was very suggestive to the point of being rude that we should take an earlier flight. As we were being picked up at the other end it didn't suit us and I don't mind watching the airport from the J lounge. Given this experience I don't think you'll have much problem at all.

 

[harvyk]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Ask them once at the airport, the worst they can do is say no. (Do so on check in if you have checked bags, otherwise they can't do it even if they want to)
I've found they are often very good at moving people onto earlier flights if space is available even on red-e-deals, provided you are standing there ready to go.

 

[markis10]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Your chances of success are based on whether revenue control approve forward loading, this will depend on whether its in the interests of QF to get as many people to their destination earlier than originally scheduled and is often weather dependant. Brisbane is expecting a storm tomorrow late, so I would expect flow forward to be in place while Sydney may have winds that affect the network should it drop to one runway.

If revenue control think things are fine, then changes can only be made by very few staff who have discretion to override fare rules.

 

[JohnK]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

I've used the AFF search engine and seen this has happened before, where QF trys to forward load on a Friday, but I am wondering of the chances of getting it tomorrow, has anybody had any recent success?

Pretty good success recently but not today.

Usually turn up ~6:00pm for an ~8:00pm flight ask them if they are forward loading if there is any chance of being moved to earlier flight. I usually get some different responses and the past couple of times it has happened but not today. He did not look he had any interest and made a couple of taps and said no.

It is not the end of the world and now I am sitting here posting on AFF....

 

[fersea]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

I reckon if you go into the lounge they will move you forward if there is space. Think about it otherwise you just spend more time on their free booze!!

 

[serfty]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

I reckon if you go into the lounge they will move you forward if there is space. Think about it otherwise you just spend more time on their free booze!!

No, often the later flights have cheaper seats than those around 5-6pm - people would simply get in the habit of buying a seat on the last flight out and moving onto an earlier flight when they get to the airport.

Qantas will move forward when it suits them - not to suit passengers.

 

[bronzed and ready]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

No use calling Qantas as they will only try sell you another ticket, called to check loads and they said "plenty of seats available"
Arrived at BNE at 3:30pm, for an 7:55pm Flight.
Politely asked and system wouldn't let him, I have had previous success but apparently this "super saver" ticket wouldn't budge
Directed to sales desk and it was $500 bucks to fly earlier
Checked in with Bags, cleared security and then tried at the transfer desk. No deal
Asked at Lounge, No deal.
Finally, just decided to upgrade to J using points as i would be in lounge for 4 hours.
After upgrading, they were happy to change me as a J passenger. But then i told her i had bags, so unfortunately i was stuck!

In other words, don't bet on it!
If all else fails and you need to go early, don't check in bags and upgrade to J on points!

 

[markis10]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Looking at the fares this morning it looks busy across the board, with a bit of pressure on the last flight, you might be in luck.

 

[Robert Qld]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Update: got the 1805 flight.

Downside: went from 4A to 17B.

Oh well, such is life.

Anybody getting the 8pm flight there is now a spare 4A up to grabs! Lol

 

[cmon0005]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Update: got the 1805 flight.

How did you get it in the end?

 

[Robert Qld]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Kiosk offered. I had a backup plan of charming a desk person (I've very good at that lol) but didn't need to worry.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: Chances of getting an earlier flight/being forward loaded tomorrow evening (MEL-B

Kiosk offered. I had a backup plan of charming a desk person (I've very good at that lol) but didn't need to worry.

If you were offered an earlier flight at the kiosk on a restricted fare (non-changeable on the day eg Red-e-Deal) then QF would have had a 'flow forward' on your booked flight which is likely due to it being the start of school holidays.