Consequences for no-show and buying multiple same-day flights

[LondonAussie]

Am I able to buy a ticket on 2 flights (or more) on the same day, knowing that I'll only use one of them and be a no-show for the other?

I will be landing at SYD international at 18:25 and need to make a separate booking from SYD to MEL. I'm considering buying a ticket on the 20:30 and also on the 22:00 as a backup in case I miss the first flight. The red edeals are $108 each and a Flex is $608. So I'd be ok with buying them both for $216 total, but not paying $608 for a Flex.

Anyone know if this is safe to do? We are worried the system might think it's a mistake and try to cancel one as a duplicate booking, or a no-show on the first might trigger the later one to be cancelled as well?

Ideally I would book only the later flight and try to change it on the day to the earlier flight if time permitted, but not if the only way to do that will cost $500 more. I don't need the full flexibility, just ability to move to an earlier/later flight on the same day, but it seems QF don't offer that as an option? On BA short-haul you can pay about $20 more to have 'free same day change' flexibility - but apples and oranges I know!

 

[dylarr]

We are worried the system might think it's a mistake and try to cancel one as a duplicate booking

This is what happens. The system will detect multiple sectors booked for the same day and send you an e-mail asking you to call them to let them know what you want to do. If you do nothing about this e-mail you'll get another e-mail a few days later which gives you 48 hours to take action otherwise the original booking will be cancelled by the system.

 

[LondonAussie]

Ah well that's a definitive answer then - thanks.

Guess I'll just book the later flight to be safe, and if everything's on time I'll just have to 'enjoy' the domestic lounge for a bit longer than normal!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Am I able to buy a ticket on 2 flights (or more) on the same day, knowing that I'll only use one of them and be a no-show for the other?

I will be landing at SYD international at 18:25 and need to make a separate booking from SYD to MEL. I'm considering buying a ticket on the 20:30 and also on the 22:00 as a backup in case I miss the first flight. The red edeals are $108 each and a Flex is $608. So I'd be ok with buying them both for $216 total, but not paying $608 for a Flex.

A transfer time of 2:05hr on separate tickets would be a risk. While 06:25 pm (18:25) is not 06:25 am for SYD T1 international arrivals, is still a risk.
Checked bags? Passport?
At QF T1 domsetic checkin-bag drop, they may offer you the earlier flight. Nothing to lose by asking.
Other possible options are JQ & Rex, but that means you need to take bags to to T2. With VA can checkin at T1.

Look at last posts in “Seamless Light” - Experiences with QF’s new terminal transfer at SYD

 

[JohnK]

In my experience there's nothing wrong booking multiple flights a day for the same destination pair.

I've done it on QF, CX, MH without any issues.

If you had multiple bookings on same flights that's a different story.

 

[serfty]

In my experience there's nothing wrong booking multiple flights a day for the same destination pair.

I have been telephoned by Qantas querying why I had two bookings to MEL from SYD on the same day.

As it happed I had planned to (and did) fly on both.

 

[Bundy Bear]

I did it once on JQ
BNE-SYD-AVV on 1 ticket and a SYD-MEL on a separate ticket in case the flight ex Brisbane was delayed, both awards.

If you were coming from international I would book the later one and hope to move to earlier one.

 

[RichardMEL]

I would book the 2200 then assuming you arrive at the transfer in time for the 2030 then just ask if they will put you on it - which they probably will happily do if there's space.

 

[LondonAussie]

Thanks all - will book the later flight and if there's no delays at customs/baggage I'll ask very nicely if I can be moved earlier space permitting, hopefully they will have discretion to allow it.