Confused with Qantas Fare Policy

[smarty11]

Hi All, Just confused and border p&ssed off with Qantas Fare Policy. (apologies for long post as well)

Next week (27 Oct ) Iam going SYD-JFK (via LAX), then Chicago-SYD 3 Nov. Our coprorate travel agent quoted A$5.5K for Pre Eco + taxes.. QF107 27 Oct and QF3134 + QF74 (S. Fo) 3 Nov. As my return trip and schedule while in US is pretty hectic, I asked the TA to check Business Class fares for return sector.. She came back and said that it is cheaper to fly J all the way then combine PE+J.. and quoted A$9300 .. which is under 'I' class...
By the time I got around to confirm to the TA to go with J (about 30 minutes).. she came back and said that 'I' fare is no longer avaliable and Full J fare is now A$16K return!!!..
Checking Class availability I found that 'I' still have some availlability...
Somewhat cutting the already long story short.. rang up Qantas and asked what's going on.. they said that SYD to LAX and S Fo to SYD there is 'I' class avalibility however they have not released 'I' class for the LAX to JFK setor because of which by whole ticket can be issued under 'I' class..
I said.. I don't care about the LAX-JFK sector.. Happy to seat in Y.. response " AIrline does not allow mixing of fare types or classes"..
I even tried PE on SYD-LAX-JFK and J on return leg "Sorry we don't allow that either".. The only way Qantas will allow mixing if ticketed separately.. obviously that pushes the price up even more..

Qantas is allowing me to put 'I' class on Waitlist but problem is that PE needs to be ticketed today or I loose that availability as well.

Even my TA called Premium Desk and try reasoning on this..

I see multiple problems with this:
1. On multiple leg the most expensive fare will dictate the total fare.. Big problem with long-haul flights/multi-destination sectors.
2. I am sure many people would like to travel in one class (say Y pr PE etc.) and return in J or F... why is that so difficult to achieve??
3. Here I am willing to pay Qantas for a J fare.. but because of their fare policy on one sector.. I now have to fly (and pay for) PE

So my question is:

1. Is this normal or me and my TA are missing something?
2. I am a SG, is there any service that I can request for "I' class fare release ?
3. Does Qantas Allow Paid On Departure Upgrade? if yes how is teh procedure?

Thanks and have a nice weekend..

 

[smarty11]

" JFK setor because of which by whole ticket can be issued under 'I' class..
"

should read...".... whole ticket canNOT be issued under 'I' class..

apologies about other typos as well.. (friday 5:30PM what do you expect)!!

 

[serfty]

How did it go?

I would have flown to LAX in I class and then had the TA book a separate "Instant Upgrade" fare on AA.

You could have travelled first class on AA between LA and New York.

 

[smarty11]

No luck mate..

The travel agent tried that option as well.. but again it seemed too high..

as the P.E. fare was expiring so had no option but to go with that.. I can still see availability in J.. so might try my luck with ODU.. as I am presserving my points for a family holiday next year.. Paid ODU is what I will be seeking..

In your exp.. does Qantas still offer Paid ODU? I used to avail them often about 4-5 years ago but haven't lately so don't know whetherthatis still offered..

If they do.. how much roughly is it?
thanks

 

[serfty]

ODU is only available for flights within Australia.

You could try registering a point upgrade biut this should be done > 48 hours before the flight.

FWIW, a YUP fare could be had for USD1900 LAX-NYC round trip. (ONT-MYC for USD1720)

 

[smarty11]

Thanks Serfty..

I guess then I will be in PE then ..

Thinking of applying for Points Upgrade on return leg as SFO to SYD is 15 1/2 hour long flight and I have to work on the day I return!!!

I have about 286K points right now and need 310K for the family booking I am loking for next year...
PE to J is 45K points (SFO to SYD)... that is why I am in double minds!!

Will let you know how I go!

cheers