Earlier flight

[userlame]

I'm SG on Qantas, booked on a Red-e-Deal at 8pm tonight from Syd to Mel. I've had my afternoon meeting cancel, and now can fly any time from 5pm onwards.

I can't change this ticket cause it's a cheapie, and I can't buy another cheapie because there's none left, and I can't justify buying another ticket at the higher bracket just so I can get away a few hours earlier.

Under my Virgin Gold days, I could just ask them at check in and they'd put me on an earlier flight. Has anyone had a similar experience with Qantas?

I'm travelling with carry on only.

 

[SeatBackForward]

You can try, I've found it really boils down how friendly the person behind the desk wants to be. If you try at the Qantas Club the chances might be slightly higher. Although for me, lately if I've been on anything that isnt flexible, they've tended to deny me a transfer. "sorry sir, your ticket doesnt allow changes"...

 

[zig]

I have had luck in the Qantas Club getting on earlier flights with a cheapie ticket. It doesn't hurt to ask, but also be prepared to fly on your booked flight.

 

[markis10]

You can try, I've found it really boils down how friendly the person behind the desk wants to be...

It boils down to what operations see the picture as far as delays etc later in the day, if its looking bad and they want to flow forward, changes will be easily done, otherwise an overide is possible for status pax but is rare. It has nothing to do with anyone being friendly as such.

 

[UP4014]

You might be right, I've had about 50% sucess rate at getting earlier flights.

Sometimes the trick is getting there obviously in advance of an earlier flight but not far enough ahead they think they'll sell a bunch more tickets.

Matt

 

[flyingfan]

I've asked twice as platinum and been politely declined twice. Reports are that unless they're on-flowing, agents will get a kicking if they move flights without higher approval, and have little if any discretion.

 

[SeatBackForward]

It boils down to what operations see the picture as far as delays etc later in the day, if its looking bad and they want to flow forward, changes will be easily done, otherwise an overide is possible for status pax but is rare. It has nothing to do with anyone being friendly as such.

I think its ridiculous that they're such sticklers to the rules. If there is an empty seat on an earlier flight, and a passenger can take an earlier flight, why not put them on with the usual "catering is not assured" proviso? Noone knows what will happen in the future, there could be an incident that shuts the entire airport down, then QF hae the headache of dealing with all these additional passengers, for the sake of what? a non-flexible airfare?

Of course fair enough if the earlier flights are full, but in whos interest is it to hold people unnecessarily?

 

[flyingfan]

Then there's no incentive for people to buy higher fares. I buy the cheapest with the knowledge that most likely I won't be able to change it, and I accept that.

 

[markis10]

Yield management would come down on the practice like a load of bricks, if fares proved to be changeable easily, why would anyone buy a super saver or flexi?

 

[SeatBackForward]

The type of fare should determine the rank in the pecking order for available seats on other flights, combined of course with the other factors such as Status etc. I just don't see what benefit it provides the business to have passengers sitting around an airport, while planes fly with empty seats.

Essentially what "yield management" do is a risk vs opportunity analysis of their forecasts for flights/loadings/delays etc. Obviously the opportunities for the varied pricing and strict adherence to fare rules outweighs the risks associated. My point is that whilst the opportunities they may have a good control of, the risks that can impact them the most are most definitely out of their control. IMO its a flawed analysis.

 

[userlame]

Not only this, but as a gold I'm going to spend my time in their lounge drinking their wine and eating their food. Surely this isn't cost effective? Would also relieve some of the pressure in the QP during peak times.

I'll give it a shot and report back (hopefully not from the QP, using their wifi)

The type of fare should determine the rank in the pecking order for available seats on other flights, combined of course with the other factors such as Status etc. I just don't see what benefit it provides the business to have passengers sitting around an airport, while planes fly with empty seats.

 

[markis10]

IMO its a flawed analysis.

Maybe so however when the the result of their work is measured in RPKs they are doing well.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Maybe so however when the the result of their work is measured in RPKs they are doing well.

Well thats why I'm not earning the big bucks doing yield analysis for an airline

 

[straitman]

Essentially what "yield management" do is a risk vs opportunity analysis of their forecasts for flights/loadings/delays etc. Obviously the opportunities for the varied pricing and strict adherence to fare rules outweighs the risks associated. My point is that whilst the opportunities they may have a good control of, the risks that can impact them the most are most definitely out of their control. IMO its a flawed analysis.

Unfortunately for you the aviation world does not agree with your version of the analysis. They have a lot of highly paid people making that analysis as an ongoing work versus your opinion.

 

[mannej]

Not only this, but as a gold I'm going to spend my time in their lounge drinking their wine and eating their food. Surely this isn't cost effective? Would also relieve some of the pressure in the QP during peak times.

I'll give it a shot and report back (hopefully not from the QP, using their wifi)

Would you drink the fare difference though?

 

[userlame]

Would you drink the fare difference though?

Is that a challenge?

To be honest, probably not. But the cost of putting me on a plane to Melbourne has to be less than the cost of putting me on a plane to Melbourne after feeding me for 3 hours.

 

[markis10]

Would you drink the fare difference though?

Requests for earlier flights in the F lounge are pretty rare I believe

 

[samh004]

Not only this, but as a gold I'm going to spend my time in their lounge drinking their wine and eating their food. Surely this isn't cost effective? Would also relieve some of the pressure in the QP during peak times.

I'll give it a shot and report back (hopefully not from the QP, using their wifi)

I understand completely the idea that if everyone could Fly Ahead, so to speak, no one would buy flexi tickets, at least none of the status pax, but I also see the other side, as you say. Give me enough food to line my stomach and an open bar and I’ll cost them more in the QP than the flight

Alas, those days seem to be gone.

I’ve had two good experiences moving flights forward. Once as a QP NB/PS can’t recall when there seemed to be delays and they said catering not assured but I got food anyway. Moved from the very front row to the very last row. And once recently on a JASA when I decided I wanted to fly home 3 hours earlier, and they were more than happy to oblige.

 

[smit0847]

I've politely asked to be moved onto an earlier flight at the ADL Cityflyer service desk (on a Sunday afternoon) when I've been travelling on an red e-deal ticket with no status (hang luggage only). Was quickly and effortlessly moved to a flight that was already in the final stages of boarding.

One of the few times QF has actually impressed me.

 

[harvyk]

My experience appears to be very different to others here. I have only ever been knocked back twice on a cheapy, the first was because the earlier flight was already full (or so they said, although he did seem willing to help), the second was when I was flying with a friend, thus we made it our mission to drink the difference. I think we succeeded.

Every other time I've had no problems. In one case much to the annoyance of another AFF member who I had caught up with in the lounge who was higher status than me and yet was knocked back.

The thing is I'm very polite and very careful with the tone of my voice to make sure there isn't even a hint of "demand" in the slightest, don't know if that can make a difference.