Changing reward flight - which option and best way to change?

[ScubaMel]

I posted a while ago - i have a reward flight booked CDG-HND NRT-MEL, with JAL first leg in F, 2nd in J, all booked on the one reward ticket. I didn’t realise when i booked that there was a change of airport - time between flights is 4hrs 20min which i was advised when i posted was doable.

I’ve been keeping an eye on other flight options and tonight i noticed some QF flights available in J.

There are two options
- still transfer to NRT but a later flight giving 6hrs between flights

- flight from Haneda to SYD and then onto MEL. Would require an overnight in HND and a 7am dept from HND.

Which option would you choose?

Also what is the best way to change the flights? I have enough points to book the flight straight out - am i better doing that and then cancelling the NRT -MEL JAL leg, or calling the call centre and getting them to change it over? Which option works out cheaper for points? The two options are classic rewards as was the original reward flights with JAL.

Thanks

 

[ScubaMel]

So i decided to go with the later flight from NRT and rang the call centre but they have said because there is no classic reward availability on thr CDG-HND leg I can’t change the 2nd leg? Seems a bit ridiculous to me?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Some say to do HUACA, but I would not do it.
(((Someone stuffed up, ...))) if they missed a step!
What is your QFF status, are you what we call a WP?
If so, you could get HBA call centre, but if you are lower grade status member, you could get the overseas call center... (did you get HBA when you rang the first time)?
If for some reason, a step is missed, the whole trip could be cancelled, which is worst case scenario.
I don't know the ideal tho.
But the stories on here, where QF and partners are involved, and there are changes, or requested changes, and a step is missed, the whole trip gets cancelled.
I do realise that you have to transfer between the 2 int airports.

 

[ScubaMel]

Lowly bronze here. Didn’t get HBA…maybe was South Africa. Have found another option, which I posted about in the OWA thread as I think it qualifies (current booking has a F leg so not doing OWA), so hoping for some feedback about that possibility instead.

 

[jpp42]

I didn’t realise when i booked that there was a change of airport - time between flights is 4hrs 20min which i was advised when i posted was doable.

Is it no longer doable, and for what reason? Personally I wouldn't play with fire and just cop the airport change. The fastest way is by bus and should take about 70-90 minutes. Or you could take an Uber for around JPY 25,000 (about AUD $360) - same transit time as the bus, not cheap but perhaps worth it to go on on your own schedule.

 

[ScubaMel]

Is it no longer doable, and for what reason? Personally I wouldn't play with fire and just cop the airport change. The fastest way is by bus and should take about 70-90 minutes. Or you could take an Uber for around JPY 25,000 (about AUD $360) - same transit time as the bus, not cheap but perhaps worth it to go on on your own schedule.

It’s still doable, but for my own piece of mind i would prefer a longer connection.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Yeap, being anything below QFF WP is hard, (((till VH brings the QF & QFF call centers back to be call centres in Aust, and train the new staff to be up to high standards))).
Not for me to assume, but if you miss the connection, and JL puts you onto the next flight, would that be ok, work wise.
Trouble with the QFF system at the moment, is that QF many years ago, outsourced the call centres to "contracted" call centers providers overseas, and unless higher grade QFF, you get the overseas agens.
Not that I have an ideal solution tho.
Just musing.

 

[kpro]

Seems a bit ridiculous to me?

Married segment issue. Your itinerary is available as a CDG - MEL with only specific connections and not individually.

Therefore when you try and change the second flight, the first is no longer available.