Changing to earlier flights on non-flexible tickets

[straitman]

I actually disagree with that. I could have easily been put on an earlier SYD-MEL domestic flight when transiting through the new transfer facility. I gave the agent my bag and asked if it was possible to catch the earlier flight, and she told me (in a very friendly way) that they weren't allowed to do it. She was very nice but wouldn't even check her screen!

In the situation that serfty is referring to we are always offered, if appropriate, an earlier flight. Last Saturday was the last time we were offered.

 

[serfty]

... I gave the agent my bag and asked if it was possible to catch the earlier flight, and she told me (in a very friendly way) that they weren't allowed to do it. She was very nice but wouldn't even check her screen!

I NEVER ask, in fact I often have to stop them doing it proactively. (I don't always want a different flight from that booked, losing my carefully preselected seats, not having enough time for a shower in the T3 lounge, etc ...)

Last time was good; with the new systems and not having to recheck (no luggage), I simply strolled past through to the WTMDs ...

 

[drmikki]

Maybe I was lucky (or asked reallllllyyyy nicely) but I lucked out with JQ in this regard a year ago.

On the most dirt cheap fare imaginable ($284 one way KIX-OOL-MEL on JQ booked thru Zuji), got into OOL an hour early, staring down the barrel of a 5 hour layover as I'd booked the long one predicting inflexibility if there were delays etc. Figured what the heck, asked at the JQ counter if I could get the flight leaving in 90 mins instead. Not only did she not laugh in my face as I'd expected, I ended up on the earlier flight in an exit row against the window, no cost :mrgreen:

Great flight with a fabulously gay FA in the rear-facing jumpseat who spent take-off and landing asking me how real Grey's Anatomy is About as real as "Mile-High"!

 

[GladstoneTim]

Had a positive experience of this on Thursday, BNE-GLT. Arrived hours early at airport due to efficient meeting finishing early. Purposely mucked up kiosk checkin so got ticket to take to service desk. CSA agwnt said I was trying to check-in for earlier flight hence the problem. I acted ignorant and she still checked me in for flight of original booking. Then went to QLink service desk at gates 1-3 and asked if i needed a new premium cabin baggage tag, seeing as i only had the one from my inbound flight, showing my boarding pass. She looked at the monitor over my shoulder and said, "Would I like the earlier flight?" "Would that be possible?" I said. "That would be fantastic!" The only concern, catering could not be guaranteed. Mmmmm, what a choice, arriving home three hours early or missing out on chocolate brownie thingy. thumbs up to QLink once again, and I don't think it is entirley connected with Strategic taking on the route.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I actually disagree with that. I could have easily been put on an earlier SYD-MEL domestic flight when transiting through the new transfer facility. I gave the agent my bag and asked if it was possible to catch the earlier flight, and she told me (in a very friendly way) that they weren't allowed to do it. She was very nice but wouldn't even check her screen!

Have you status?

 

[coyote25]

I remember being on a super cheap Syd to Mel ticket with two friends (who had no status). Heavy rain was coming in later that night and one plane went out of service (not the one we were booked on).

Got a call 2.5 hours before flight asking if our party wanted to change. No problems since it was the flight I would have booked but as a group we decided on cheap travel.

Very big bonus being a WP as I was at the time. Heaps of people got stuck in Syd we got home early.

Obviously this suited QF but successful other times in lounge on non flexible tickets (with no expectations btw). Hadn't tried as a SG

 

[avonlea]

I had a recent SYD-MEL cheap Y business flight where I knew I was going to be early to the terminal, so I tried to change online.. no luck.
I went to the terminal anyway, and put my FF card in the system (Bronze) and I was allowed to check for earlier flights, and able to change the booking there and then.

I suppose that the "terminal" systems are linked to the logistics systems and end up trying to fill the flight rather than fussing about with semantics of the ticket bought.

 

[airbridge]

I do a lot of flying and I make an effort to ALWAYS smile and be courteous to staff whether it be check-in or otherwise. I don't do it to get something from them but because they have a tough job having to deal with so many unreasonable demanding people that I think they deserve it.

In saying that, I get many benefits including the occasional upgrade with QF. I have changed super cheaps flights before and sometimes have been offered the change. Can't recall what the weather was like on those occasions.

James

 

[bdfly]

Have you status?

I have QP Silver, but because she didn't even look at her monitor, and she may not have noticed my silver bag tags, it's possible that she didn't know about my [lack of] status.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

2nd half of last year there was a string of poor weather and runway work in Sydney resulting in a real mess of delayed flights on multiple occasions. I was changed by DJ to earlier flights every time without asking, and was base red at those times and on the cheapest of the cheap tickets!

Obviously suited them more (suited me more too).

Last week, with cheapy fare again moved to earlier DJ flight (my request this time), done just as flight started boarding (with luggage). Full points for DJ check in guy who accommodated my request there. Other times, I've requested with suggested bright and cheery disposition, but been knocked back. Luck of the draw I'd say.

In the end, it doesn't hurt to ask. Just always be polite, remember they do have ticketing rules and it's us who's asking them to bend them just a tad!

 

[JohnK]

Was able to change to an earlier flight again yesterday.

Got to BNE airport a little early and went to use business class check-in and asked nicely if there was any chance I could move to earlier flight even though I am not on a flexible ticket. She had a quick look and said I was lucky as they were able to move people forward. Got to SYD an hour earlier which was a nice bonus.

By the way QuickCheck did not offer an earlier flight and I am not sure if I would have been offered an earlier flight at check-in had I not asked.

 

[samh004]

I think it varies per person and how nice you are. Thanks to serfty’s advice in October I knew my flight was going to be late so asked in the QP to switch, on a red e-deal and as just a Silver at the time, and was given the earlier flight, right at the back.

 

[JohnK]

I think it varies per person and how nice you are.

Obviously it does not hurt to be pleasant.

Also I would have done another person some good as I gave up 4C on a 737 for 39D on a 767 international configuration.

 

[harvyk]

I've lost count how many times I've been able to change to earlier flights. Usually it's at SYD T1 transfer desk dropping bags in for SYD-CBR.

There has only been 3 times that I've been unable to change to an earlier flight, the first was a J from MEL-CBR (after coming off an international flight), but there the jlounge agent said it was because I had already checked bags in for the flight. The second time was a MEL-PER, but the earlier flight had been sold out.

The only time I expect that it was purely because it was a non-flexible fare was a SYD-CBR, where there was two of us travelling.

So we simply sat in the lounge making the absolute most of the free bar. (we decided that it would have been cheaper for them to simply have placed us onto the earlier flight)

 

[LiamR]

Sitting in OOL now... Upon checkin at DJ I was offered a seat to the earlier flight, as well as PE or an Exit Row...

I refused as I knew the cabin crew operating on the later flight, always love a good suprise!

I'm sure being DJ gold helped.

 

[OverrideServlet]

Is it difficult/possible to change to an earlier flight on a JASA ticket whilst still earning status credits?

Do you need to ask them to make sure they give you a seat in the same fare bucket or something?

 

[markis10]

Is it difficult/possible to change to an earlier flight on a JASA ticket whilst still earning status credits?

Do you need to ask them to make sure they give you a seat in the same fare bucket or something?

Should not be an issue and has been reported here that via phone is a sometimes no ( I have had two affirmatives) but at the QP its a yes to that scenario, with a simple "can I have an earlier flight" all that is required.

 

[kpc]

My brother changed his JASA flight at the QP recently....only problem the new flight posted with no SCs and points; a quick call to QF to fix the problem was needed.

 

[docjames]

Is it difficult/possible to change to an earlier flight on a JASA ticket whilst still earning status credits?

Do you need to ask them to make sure they give you a seat in the same fare bucket or something?

I did so in the lounge a few weeks ago - no problem whatsoever.

 

[OverrideServlet]

Thanks guys.

I asked in the lounge but unfortunately most of the flights out of here are on the smaller qantas aircraft with no business cabin.

I chose to wait around for the status credit earn factor.