CX Change fare bucket

[nlagalle]

Hi All,

I've got a trip coming up MEL-HKG-DEL and I have discovered that the TA has booked it in S class which from what i gather gets me no QF FF points or more importantly SC's.

Is it possible to pay extra to change up to a fare bucket that offers as such? And can i do it direct with the airline, or must I deal with the TA?

Thanks in Advance!

Cheers,

Nick

 

[Evan]

Best to speak to the TA first, sometimes the airline says it can't do anything till after the first flight. But some airlines can also take control and offer the fare change immediately. Just depends on the TA and airline from what i understand.

 

[Travel Guru]

You definitely can, you can reissue the fare (assuming its changeable) up to a higher fare and you'll be charged the fare difference plus the change/reissue.
It would generally need to be done by the TA given that they have control over your PNR.

Unfortunately from experience, the majority of TA's don't have a much knowledge of the workings of the QF FFP, so they miss points like this, if your SC's and FFP's are important, it's worth making a point especially when booking on CX, or find a TA who has taken the time to become an expert of sorts in the programs workings.

TG

 

[nlagalle]

Best to speak to the TA first, sometimes the airline says it can't do anything till after the first flight. But some airlines can also take control and offer the fare change immediately. Just depends on the TA and airline from what i understand.

Just spoke to the TA, It'll cost me all up $680 to change it over.. Is it worth it???? I think I'd get 100 SC plus the miles..

 

[Travel Guru]

Just spoke to the TA, It'll cost me all up $680 to change it over.. Is it worth it???? I think I'd get 100 SC plus the miles..

Not at $680 its not.


Can you tell me what date you're flying and what the gross fare was you paid?


TG

 

[MelUser]

A relative of mine asked his Travel agent to book him onto a Qantas fare which was points upgradeable.

She said she didn't know how to do this.

He doesn't use this travel agent any more.

I always ask my travel agent to make the booking (without any payment taking place).

I then carefully review times, dates, fare classes etc etc before I give her the go ahead to ticket.

Once something is ticketed it is a pain to change and sometimes first outbound sector can't be changed although Qantas isn't that bad with this rule compared to some airlines which have a blanket ban.

 

[nlagalle]

Not at $680 its not.


Can you tell me what date you're flying and what the gross fare was you paid?


TG

work paid for the fare, which was around $1700. The upgrade is arouind $200, but there is the cancellation fees, plus bookng fee which makes up the $480... annoying and I am flying tonight

 

[Travel Guru]

Looking at the fare sheets for CX through to DEL, i'm surprised they're allowing you to upgrade it at all, all of my S class fare sheets read non-upgradeable after purchase
$480 does seem a bit steep, the cancellation on my S class fares is $330 (obviously the extra $150 is service charge), but generally when you upgrade a fare you dont pay the cancellation fee, you pay the reissue fee which isnt anywhere near that.

Perhaps give CX a call and see what they can say, tell them your agent is unavailable and you're flying tonight.

TG

 

[nlagalle]

Looking at the fare sheets for CX through to DEL, i'm surprised they're allowing you to upgrade it at all, all of my S class fare sheets read non-upgradeable after purchase
$480 does seem a bit steep, the cancellation on my S class fares is $330 (obviously the extra $150 is service charge), but generally when you upgrade a fare you dont pay the cancellation fee, you pay the reissue fee which isnt anywhere near that.

Perhaps give CX a call and see what they can say, tell them your agent is unavailable and you're flying tonight.

TG

Bascially they have to cancel the ticket and re-issue a new one. hence the $330 + $150, then the $200 odd to change class.

I rang CX this morning and they said they couldn't do anything. would I have more luck at the ticket counter at the airport?

Nick

 

[Travel Guru]

Oh ok, I wondered how they were getting around that non upgradeable rule.

I wouldn't imagine youd have much luck at checkin, but then it never hurts to ask, not asking guarantees you a no.

TG

 

[nlagalle]

Oh ok, I wondered how they were getting around that non upgradeable rule.

I wouldn't imagine youd have much luck at checkin, but then it never hurts to ask, not asking guarantees you a no.

TG

yeah.. so the $700 makes it a bit unappealing (considering originally it was meant to be a full Y ticket too!!) I guess though i won't make plat this year, there is no real point in paying it, as I will easily make Gold (only 120 to go with a few months left)

I'll ask at the airport tonight and see what they say.. I might get lucky.