Charged $$ to change a classic reward ticket

[Fifi2207]

I booked my son Ade-Syd economy red e deal and a return classic reward business - all on same booking reference.
He needs to come home early so I rang Qantas to change classic reward ticket and I was charged $361 - a $99 change fee and $262 ticket price difference.
The agent “explained” it was because terms and conditions are dictated by first flight ie economy red e deal not the fact it was a classic reward seat I was changing. Has anyone encountered this or can explain this to me? I assumed I would just be up for 5000 points to make change.

 

[SYD]

Did you try changing online first? You should have been able to select the return CR sector and just try and change that.

Otherwise, a good reason to book seperate tickets for each leg when flying domestic. I’m guilty of booking mixed $ / points return trips out of habit.

 

[exceladdict]

Actually this is a really good warning to book separately in case of mixed fares.

 

[Fifi2207]

Did you try changing online first? You should have been able to select the return CR sector and just try and change that.

Otherwise, a good reason to book seperate tickets for each leg when flying domestic. I’m guilty of booking mixed $ / points return trips out of habit.

I did try but only via Mel there. As a WP I’m guilty of just lifting the phone. Yes- a learning curve. Must confess, I couldn’t even recall booking them on same booking reference or know why I did.

 

[p--and--t]

Actually this is a really good warning to book separately in case of mixed fares.

Yep, I never book a paid fare on the same ticket as a reward redemption.

Wherever possible select flights as (1) redemption all the way, (2) paid all the way, or (3) two tickets with an adequate break at the transit point (usually 24hrs+) to cover me off for the lack of protection for cancelled flights/delays etc.

 

[kookaburra75]

Yep, I never book a paid fare on the same ticket as a reward redemption.

Wherever possible select flights as (1) redemption all the way, (2) paid all the way, or (3) two tickets with an adequate break at the transit point (usually 24hrs+) to cover me off for the lack of protection for cancelled flights/delays etc.

I too have been bitten by this, on a CBR-SYD return. I now know to split them up.

 

[Fifi2207]

I too have been bitten by this, on a CBR-SYD return. I now know to split them up.

So it is correct…. I know too- now.

 

[dajop]

In these situations what happens if first sector (red e deal) already taken? Still charged $99 fee but what about fare difference?

 

[Fifi2207]

In these situations what happens if first sector (red e deal) already taken? Still charged $99 fee but what about fare difference?

Yes, red e deal was used he just came home a week early so I was changing CR leg

 

[RichardMEL]

Most restrictive fare conditions in the booking take precedence - ie the red-e unfortunately. Common in the airline industry unfortunately. ouch.

 

[Quickstatus]

So it is correct…. I know too- now.

I don't understand why there is a fare difference, given that the Classic rewards "fare" is does not change.
I would query the fare difference.

 

[RichardMEL]

I don't understand why there is a fare difference, given that the Classic rewards "fare" is always the same.
I would query the fare difference.

I'm going to go with the entire ticket has been repriced with the change at the current levels compared to when purchased. Probably pushed up a fare class too due to the change - so even though no change was made to the outbound, because the return leg was changed it forced a reprice.

that's my guess.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm going to go with the entire ticket has been repriced

I understand that any change to a sector requires the whole ticket to be reissued. I can understand that there may be fare combinations in certain markets, but I don't ever recall ever a return fare availability is dependant on the fare of the outbound for Australian domestic fares.

Would splitting the ticket into 2 separates, then changing the second one, kill off the sword of Damocles fare difference?

 

[encryptededdy]

The agent “explained” it was because terms and conditions are dictated by first flight ie economy red e deal not the fact it was a classic reward seat I was changing. Has anyone encountered this or can explain this to me? I assumed I would just be up for 5000 points to make change.

Yeah, more specifically the fare rules would say that if there's multiple fare rules in play, the most restrictive applies.

 

[SYD]

Yeah, more specifically the fare rules would say that if there's multiple fare rules in play, the most restrictive applies.

It would be curious then what would happen with a CR outbound and Red-E back?

 

[CaptJCool]

It would be curious then what would happen with a CR outbound and Red-E back?

Most restrictive conditions apply

What’s worse here
Is they can sell you the less relaxed fare and then still “highway robbery” you on it later down the track

In these modern times, it’s an ACCC matter. It’s anachronistic and 19th century and certainly anti-competitive

One should not have to book separate tics when it’s the 21st century. IT Gripes indeed

 

[encryptededdy]

It would be curious then what would happen with a CR outbound and Red-E back?

The same. I've actually been in this situation before, but the Hobart call center agreed to waive the fee once as I explained that I misunderstood what happens when you mix fare types.

 

[RichardMEL]

In these modern times, it’s an ACCC matter. It’s anachronistic and 19th century and certainly anti-competitive

how? Purchasing of the ticket one accepts the fare conditions - which are displayed/available to view.. Yes, one needs to be aware that the most restrictive applies in this case I agree.

How is this anti-competitive? Curious.

Hands up who remembers the old days when dom fares were return, with various AP levels, cheaper ones required a sat night stay etc )to stop business folks using them) and it was much more restrictive. Much of that went away a fair way ago which allows for separate one way tix. YES I do get that the rerurn should be treated that way, and this most restrictive fare rules thing is legacy behaviour.. it's also very common throughout the airline industry and not just a QF thing.

One should not have to book separate tics when it’s the 21st century. IT Gripes indeed

I do not see this as an IT issue (for once!). This is application of the most restrictive fare rules in a combined booking. The red-e's are discounted Y with yes, onerous fare conditions.

If the itin had been booked as too separate oneways then this issue goes away (unless changing the red-e of course)

 

[AIRwin]

Yes, red e deal was used he just came home a week early so I was changing CR leg

Did he earn points and status credits for both flights?

 

[JohnK]

Stopped booking domestic returns when I started commuting SYD-BNE in 2008. There were a few times I wanted to make changes but didn't as the fees were ridiculous. Much easier to book one-ways.