Classic Reward Schedule Change - Offered Alternatives

[funnybrus]

So I've just received a schedule change notification, and was looking at the options offered to me by the system. The booking is BNE-MEL return in business, and the alternatives offered include going via NAN and DXB:


From what I can tell going through, there would be no additional charge given the schedule change. Has anyone seen any other ridiculous routings offered? Not going to, but could one theoretically change to a flight to NAN or DXB and not get on the flight home, or better yet, call and change the booking to have a stopover?

 

[defurax]

I would take the DXB option! I wonder if it would get ticketed without issue.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

IIRC we had something like this come up before. Which started the discussion on cabotage.

Likely both of those should get rejected as breaching cabotage… either at time of ticketing, or else at the time of checkin.

 

[funnybrus]

I would take the DXB option! I wonder if it would get ticketed without issue.

I would be tempted to treat it as a bottomless bar option if it wasn't in economy...

 

[Gold Member]

I’d be tempted to try my luck with the DXB routing noting that if it ticketed, you could claim ORC on the longer routing. But plan for the worst and set your expectations accordingly.

 

[henrus]

I’d be tempted to try my luck with the DXB routing noting that if it ticketed, you could claim ORC on the longer routing. But plan for the worst and set your expectations accordingly.

Often in these classic award changes it'll rebook in a paid fare category.

 

[exLXCXFF]

I would totally accept the change for the Dubai routing (and plan if it happens), and then see what happened at check-in.

 

[exceladdict]

Often in these classic award changes it'll rebook in a paid fare category.

Looks like an EK flight number though so no SC?

 

[Mickey Mouse]

Sadly, I believe you will find that you simply end up with...


















... a bundle of rights.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Going via DXB, its in Y all the way, even on a 380, no way.
Going via NAN, at least its J.
But to sum up, its a weird occurance, this one.

 

[funnybrus]

Often in these classic award changes it'll rebook in a paid fare category.

I cant see CR seats for the flights in question, so you might be right. Going via NAN for 160 SC sounds tempting, although it's a DSC booking so not that much more than the original routing with PC.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Ah, PC, pity it wasn't a QF's own aircraft CR.
===
If ticketed into a rev fare, you could in J, via NAN get access to the QP in BNE int terminal, and the Plaza Premium.
In NAN, would be just the FJ J lounge at NAN.
But you would have to do it, if you have nothing else to do in the intervenning time, as there is a chance that the flight from NAN to MEL might get cancelled.

 

[encryptededdy]

I would expect this to ticket in Revenue J (that is, if it ticketed at all). Therefore, the FJ option should earn quite a few Status Credits.

 

[MELso]

Worth also checking if the FJ flight from MEL-NAN is on their A350. Could be quite a comfy flight if so...

EDIT - looks like that flight is a combo of 737s and 332s which makes it less appealing.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

I believe only their SYD - NAN has the(ir) A350 in service, all other Aust cities either use the 737s max or their A330s.

 

[MelbFlyer]

I would take the DXB option! I wonder if it would get ticketed without issue.

I’d be tempted to try my luck with the DXB routing

Why? It states economy.

At least with the FJ flight it states business.

 

[MELso]

I believe only their SYD - NAN has the(ir) A350 in service, all other Aust cities either use the 737s max or their A330s.

Not true - now that FJ has four A350s, some MEL-NAN flights are on A350s too (I know as I'm booked on one in January). It's just that the OP's one doesn't seem to be.

 

[funnybrus]

Worth also checking if the FJ flight from MEL-NAN is on their A350. Could be quite a comfy flight if so...

EDIT - looks like that flight is a combo of 737s and 332s which makes it less appealing.

I believe only their SYD - NAN has the(ir) A350 in service, all other Aust cities either use the 737s max or their A330s.

It's offered to me in both directions. NAN-MEL is a 350 but MEL-NAN (the overnight in the screenshot) and both BNE legs are a 7M8.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

IIRC we had something like this come up before. Which started the discussion on cabotage.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, cabotage is a legal fiction. How can a government say whether an itinerary represents cabotage? It simply cannot be done. Who is to say flying MEL >DXB >BNE represents cabotage?What if you wanted to meet someone in Dubai enroute to Brisbane? Seems like a reasonable routing! Indeed, some airlines don't believe in this myth and will gladly let you book tickets that to others may seem like cabotage.

Likely both of those should get rejected as breaching cabotage… either at time of ticketing, or else at the time of checkin.

Ahh but then you as the traveller might have leverage! Qantas will want to get this ticket that clearly breaks "cabotage" (whatever that is) off its hands. No doubt they'd gladly put you on whatever flight they operate in J to get you out of their hair than to face a potential penalty by the cabotage fairy (if those still exist)

 

[exceladdict]

Figure this doesn't need its own thread - a few weeks ago I requested 2*X award seats for some relatives on a short flight connecting to an a330 mel-per in U seats through to Perth. Request approved.

But it was not meant to be. 24 hours out, they discovered that they had been moved to economy, likely due to cabin size with the aircraft downguaged.

Two hours later they received a notification that their inbound was delayed and "Qantas is monitoring the connection". The initial X flight was to be 40 minutes delayed, meaning a 5 minute connection in MEL. Unlikely to work.

Shortly after, notifications arrived and they discovered they had been rebooked onto JQ, departing Melbourne 11pm and arriving to Perth just after midnight.

So after looking forward to the bed in the sky and the J lounge in Mel they had been moved to Jetstar and a post midnight departure, with a 4-5 hour stopover to boot.

I managed to call QF and get them on a different routing in economy - nothing was showing online but other flights were available for sale. There was an option available for sale in business but at this point the agent (think Fiji, got through straight away, call done in 11 minutes) wasn't aware this was originally a U ticket, and given it would be 737 anyway, the relatives felt the difference between economy wasn't worth the points.

When hanging up I asked the agent to please investigate and chase a refund of the points difference between the original and final booking. I was about to board a different flight so had to disconnect, but they said they'd look into it. I will monitor this over the next few weeks and see if any refunds come through. If not, in addition to the refund, would compensation be a reasonable request?

Due to them holding PC, I'll recommend them claiming ORC due to the downgrade as well.