Changing a QF/EK return from Europe

[HSB44]

Hi
I'm currently visiting family in Europe and need to change my family's QF economy return flights on EK metal, due to medical appointments. 3 pax, QF silver.

Currently due to return to MEL on 14 Sep from LIS, but was hoping to change to 22 Sep or a few days after.

I can't see any availability when trying to change flight on QF website - earliest available is 8 Oct.

The problem appears to be the leg from DXB to MEL When I search on EK site they list prices for one way flights on the days I want, but when I click on the price it says - not available. It seems to be similar challenge with no availability when testing flights ex DXB into SYD, PER, BNE, etc.

Does anyone have any insights, experience, tips on how to find available flights to change to? It's been a while since I've last flown EK, but it seems crazy to me that there is no seat availability (Nb $, not classic rewards) on all flights from DXB for 2 to 3 weeks.

Am I doing something wrong? If I brave the QFF phone line, will they be able to free up a seat? Is EK likely to release any seats soon?

I can try to cancel the flight for a flight credit, and book on another route, but all the one way return flights for Qatar, star alliance, etc are now ridiculously expensive.

I assume if I try to call QFF to change to a Qatar flight from Madrid the fare difference will be similarly expensive ( is there any comparative discount for changing a code share booking vs purchasing a new one way codeshare?)

I don't really want to waste points on an economy one way flight, either.

Any advice greatly appreciated!

 

[CaptJCool]

I SUSPECT your dilemma is “trying to find 3 seats” in the end of summer September period ex-Europe where capacity sits at around 60% of pre-COVID Flights and is full because so many Aussies went to Europe after borders re-opened.
On Google flights there’s no EK flights listed as available ... and no change out of 8-9,000 for 3 one way flights...


so in stepping through the presented facts..

the timings you mention suggest the medical appointment is overseas not in Australia so without knowing the state of play, in theory, one could fly to Australia and schedule an alternative medical appointment here ? But that’s probably not the reality. Lots of dependencies that mean it’s more practicable done in Europe. but given it appears to be a case of “waiting on a medical booking slot“ there between 14-22 Sept, suggests it’s not an emergency emergency.

so https://www.qantas.com/au/en/manage-booking/separate-passengers.html#divide
in theory, you could split your booking, and adhere to the original return date for 2PAX, thus trying to find 1 seat not 3.

secondly QF flight numbers on EK metal codeshare potentially create switching challenges, however, not insurmountable but subject to change fees and fare differences.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/manage-booking/change-flights.html?int_cam=things-to-know#about

partially travelled bookings can only be changed once online so if that’s already been the case, well yes....

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/support/contact-us.html

there’s numbers for most western Europe countries including Portugal Which Are highlighted where the change button is greyed out meaning you can’t do this online.

it’s been a long while since I extended European vacations so these days, I endeavour to travel on the original booking dates. Which leads to the option of cancelling the QF flight and booking a one way tic on whichever airline you can find 3 seats. Not ideal in September and probably as you discovered at significant financial cost. My mate in Perth who worked in the industry tells me late bookings are coming at double/triple/quadruple charge which is sadly a vagary of the airline industry....

PS There’s one PAX one way fare via G flights on vietnam airlines LIS via BA to London on 23 Sept for $1760 but there’s not 3

stalemate or checkmate.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I can try to cancel the flight for a flight credit, and book on another route, but all the one way return flights for Qatar, star alliance, etc are now ridiculously expensive.

Cancelling may result in a low $ flight credit. Or very low $

If for medical, can travel insurance be invoked?

 

[HSB44]

I SUSPECT your dilemma is “trying to find 3 seats” in the end of summer September period ex-Europe where capacity sits at around 60% of pre-COVID Flights and is full because so many Aussies went to Europe after borders re-opened.
On Google flights there’s no EK flights listed as available ... and no change out of 8-9,000 for 3 one way flights...
View attachment 291487

so in stepping through the presented facts..

the timings you mention suggest the medical appointment is overseas not in Australia so without knowing the state of play, in theory, one could fly to Australia and schedule an alternative medical appointment here ? But that’s probably not the reality. Lots of dependencies that mean it’s more practicable done in Europe. but given it appears to be a case of “waiting on a medical booking slot“ there between 14-22 Sept, suggests it’s not an emergency emergency.

so https://www.qantas.com/au/en/manage-booking/separate-passengers.html#divide
in theory, you could split your booking, and adhere to the original return date for 2PAX, thus trying to find 1 seat not 3.

secondly QF flight numbers on EK metal codeshare potentially create switching challenges, however, not insurmountable but subject to change fees and fare differences.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/manage-booking/change-flights.html?int_cam=things-to-know#about

partially travelled bookings can only be changed once online so if that’s already been the case, well yes....

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/support/contact-us.html

there’s numbers for most western Europe countries including Portugal Which Are highlighted where the change button is greyed out meaning you can’t do this online.

it’s been a long while since I extended European vacations so these days, I endeavour to travel on the original booking dates. Which leads to the option of cancelling the QF flight and booking a one way tic on whichever airline you can find 3 seats. Not ideal in September and probably as you discovered at significant financial cost. My mate in Perth who worked in the industry tells me late bookings are coming at double/triple/quadruple charge which is sadly a vagary of the airline industry....

PS There’s one PAX one way fare via G flights on vietnam airlines LIS via BA to London on 23 Sept for $1760 but there’s not 3

stalemate or checkmate.

Thanks for your advice! Very helpful.
Qantas phone line in Spain just says to check website

I called Emirates customer line in Portugal, and got through straight away (I think to Manila?) quoting the EK booking reference. The rep was very efficient and confirmed that there are no seats at all for the dates I need, all cabins, and suggested that any seats that become available should post straight away to the EK website, and Qantas website.

I'll keep checking but probably I'll probably have to book alternative one way flight, Thai airways seems to be cheapest, but no virgin lounge access :-/

 

[HSB44]

Cancelling may result in a low $ flight credit. Or very low $

If for medical, can travel insurance be invoked?

Thanks, the medical appointments are elective, so not sure if insurance will pay for that delay, but might be worth trying.

The Qantas website doesn't provide an estimate of the credit value at the time of cancellation, but looking at flights for next year the split between outbound and inbound flights seems to be roughly 50/50

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks, the medical appointments are elective, so not sure if insurance will pay for that delay, but might be worth trying.

The Qantas website doesn't provide an estimate of the credit value at the time of cancellation, but looking at flights for next year the split between outbound and inbound flights seems to be roughly 50/50

If the medical appointments are elective, and aren’t a reason to prevent you flying, it’s unlikely insurance will cover it.

The refund will almost certain all *not* be calculated as a 50/50 split. What generally happens is that your fare is calculated as the full one way fare, and any balance less fees and charges is refunded. This could quite easily mean no refund at all.

You would need to look at a one way fare in isolation for the flight you have already flown… not the two one ways listed as part of a return journey.

For example looking at one way MEL-LIS next july (just picking a date) the one way fare on QF/EK is $1700, the return is $2900. If you paid $2900 but cancelled the return your refund would normally be calculated as $2900-$1700 less cancellation fees ($300? or more depending on your ticket) so you might get a refund of $900.

 

[HSB44]

If the medical appointments are elective, and aren’t a reason to prevent you flying, it’s unlikely insurance will cover it.

The refund will almost certain all *not* be calculated as a 50/50 split. What generally happens is that your fare is calculated as the full one way fare, and any balance less fees and charges is refunded. This could quite easily mean no refund at all.

You would need to look at a one way fare in isolation for the flight you have already flown… not the two one ways listed as part of a return journey.

For example looking at one way MEL-LIS next july (just picking a date) the one way fare on QF/EK is $1700, the return is $2900. If you paid $2900 but cancelled the return your refund would normally be calculated as $2900-$1700 less cancellation fees ($300? or more depending on your ticket) so you might get a refund of $900.

Thanks
Good information to have!