Earlier flight

[SeatBackForward]

It's just not sounding very systematic to me, and more like arbitrary decisions by the desk staff.

Sent from my HTC Desire using AustFreqFly

 

[markis10]

It's just not sounding very systematic to me, and more like arbitrary decisions by the desk staff.

Sent from my HTC Desire using AustFreqFly

They cannot do it without a good reason, and being nice is not one of the reasons I believe, Altea is quite powerful in this regard:

Altéa Departure Control – Customer Management has been designed to automate key airport processes – from check-in to departure, for your own passengers or for the passengers of the airlines you handle. It enables you to support 100% self-service check-in as well as offering preferred service to your most valuable customers.
Seamlessly integrated with Altéa Reservation and Altéa Inventory, our Airline DCS also enables you to remove the usual constraints of operating windows and apply revenue management techniques until the very last minute before departure.
The ultimate solution for implementing new generation airport processes and mastering the whole customer experience, Altéa Departure Control – Customer Management facilitates agent activities and optimises every revenue opportunity.
Main Altéa Departure Control – Customer Management features

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[TD="class: item"]Customer Value[/TD]
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• Used throughout all airport processes
• Adaptable to each airline using business rules
• Enabling to offer differentiated customer service

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[TD="class: item"]Check-in[/TD]
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• Simplified customer-centric identification
• Smart workflow
• Automated validation of tickets, regulatory checks and through check-in etc.
• Flow forward search for earlier flight possibility

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[TD="class: item"]Self-service support[/TD]
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• 100% self-service enabled
• Easy integration with Altéa multi-channel self-service application
• Advanced self-service logic

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[/TD]
[TD="class: item"]Customer management[/TD]
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• Full automation of activities
• Proactive onload and re-grade
• Automated, optimised seating
• Same seat map used for pre-seating and departure

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[TD="class: item"]Baggage management[/TD]
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• Automated enforcement of airline baggage policies
• Easy collection of baggage fees
• Integrated with automated baggage systems

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[TD="class: item"]Disruption management[/TD]
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• Powerful decision support tool
• Process starts as soon as flight information is updated
• Automated or guided transfer of passengers
• Priority given according to customer value

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[TD="class: item"]Boarding management[/TD]
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• Customer tracking
• Centralised control of flight departures
• Integrated dynamic agent alert system

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[TD="class: item"]Ground Handling Management[/TD]
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• Manage all handled airlines customers and proceed to customer records update with the same fully graphical application

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[SeatBackForward]

Hazaar!Yet another example of software dictating how things get done? Long live the IT Business Analysts!

 

[Simo]

My luck has been pretty well 50/50.

Out of SYD and MEL always been able to get a earlier flight.

If I am trying to get out early out of TSV or CNS depends on the flight loads.

 

[amaroo]

A few years ago I had the misfortune of traveling (often) with my boss at the time. He was one of those that would insists on booking (SYD-MEL-SYD) 6am flight out, 8pm flight back - regardless what we were doing for the day, always on the cheapest tickets money could buy.

Without a word of a lie when the big hand hit 3pm, he would start to get itchy feet, down tools & want to head to the airport. Every time he would approach the desk arrogantly & demand to get on an earlier flight.....every time he would get knocked back. Most times it was the same agents from the last time.

After about the 6th time, I learnt not to follow him to the desk & just wait for him to drag his knuckles back to my bar stool and start complaining about how stuffed QF is. I would then sneak over to the desk & tell them my story.....more times than not, they would happily move me to an earlier flight & with a wink & nod they would page me 5 mins later

Soon after he started to authorise the OK to purchase flexi tickets

 

[userlame]

Am I right in believing that being carry on only makes a difference?

 

[iqis60]

I find that if I come into the airport early and scan the card in the standard check-in counter I am offered earlier flight at least half of the time. This seems to be completely independent of the class of travel or the value of ticket.

This may be different if you do a pre-checkin online, but might I suggest doing a seat selection before the flight, but actually checking in at the auto counters as a first point of call to see if the system automatically offers you an earlier flight.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Am I right in believing that being carry on only makes a difference?

I believe if you've got checked in bags, the chances of being moved are very very slim (I had the misfortune of waiting 4hrs in BNE because I had my boss check-in bag full of documents...)

 

[SeatBackForward]

I find that if I come into the airport early and scan the card in the standard check-in counter I am offered earlier flight at least half of the time. This seems to be completely independent of the class of travel or the value of ticket.


This may be different if you do a pre-checkin online, but might I suggest doing a seat selection before the flight, but actually checking in at the auto counters as a first point of call to see if the system automatically offers you an earlier flight.

My experience is that that only happens if you have flexibile fares?

 

[dk4]

Unfortunately for you the aviation world does not agree with your version of the analysis...

What a ridiculous comment.

In our own part of the "world" Virgin Australia offers "Fly Ahead".

In the part of the "world" on the other side of the Pacific, many airlines in the USA offer free Standby to some customers, or Same Day Confirmed Change (for a small fee) to others, regardless of the flexibility rules/restrictions of the original fare purchased.

...

Some parts of the "aviation world", most certainly DO agree with the OP.

 

[Ewing]

My experience is that that only happens if you have flexibile fares?

I've had it on red e-deals.

I'd say it happens if Qantas want to flow-forward the later flights (ie: get passengers on earlier flights) for various reasons.

 

[moa999]

Definitely had the offer happen on red e-deals.

Also had QF check-in be generous on cheap tickets. eg. move PER-SYD from 10am to 7am (had left 4hrs as connecting from Air Asia).
But yes... think attitude is the key - the prepared to wait but would be really nice if I could fly earlier approach tends to work better.

 

[Must...Fly!]

I've only tried once, at SYD after flying in from PER (onward to MEL) on a classic Y award. Checked the computers, said it was not possible, which meant I just killed 2 hours sitting at the gate. Thought I was a decent chance even though I'm NB, because it was 2pm on a Friday afternoon. Guess not!

 

[userlame]

Alright, off I go. If you don't hear back for a few hours it's because I got my early flight. Fingers crossed!

 

[harvyk]

Am I right in believing that being carry on only makes a difference?

Depends, if your bags are already checked in, then you can not request to be moved even on a fully flex ticket J ticket, as bags must travel with the pax (excluding delayed baggage or when the pax is placed on a different flight at request of the airline where the pax could not have predicted or influenced). If you don't have bags checked in yet or are HLO, then your chances of being moved to an earlier flight increase greatly.

 

[travelislife]

I manage to do it pretty regularly. I have flights OLP-ADL-MEL. The OLP-ADL flight is scheduled to arrive at 1530 with the next flight MEL-ADL meeting MCT being at 1725. The thing is there is a flight at 1535 ADL-MEL, and often I am off the OLP-ADL flight by 1515, do my best to avoid the explosives tests and go straight to the service desk and they happily oblige. I know this is different as there is no way I could actually book the flight I want to change on to, so it is no advantage being flexi over red e deal. Last Thursday I was literally the last person on the plane, last seat in the back row on a full plane, but it gets me home 2 hours earlier which makes me much happier! They are also more likely to be able to sell my seat at the peak 1725 flight.

 

[userlame]

YES! They moved me forwards! Too easy.

Thanks Qantas, I promise not to abuse it! I'll even book a flexi fair in the future and not flex it so we're even.

 

[munitalP]

Every Friday night except one that I have flown QF SYD MEL (approx 35) in the last 12 months, I have had my flight changed to next available - most have been red deals, Sundays I have had less success, however, as leaving from home to head back to SYD, my arrival at the airport usually coincided with my original booking. My VA flights - 100% success as well. My Op-UP rate has also been very high with this commute...

QF have been very good to me with this - maybe this is because I gave the lounge sweethearts chocolates at Xmas? :smile:

 

[Hvr]

Never had a problem with the very occasional request for an earlier flight.

Although once I accepted the offer at check in and the new flight was delayed to later than the original flight.

Still, swings and roundabouts. As others have mentioned, always be very polite to the staff and they will do what they can. And of course always thank them regardless of the outcome. You never know when it will be an emergency and you really do need a favour.

 

[flyingfan]

I find that if I come into the airport early and scan the card in the standard check-in counter I am offered earlier flight at least half of the time. This seems to be completely independent of the class of travel or the value of ticket.

This may be different if you do a pre-checkin online, but might I suggest doing a seat selection before the flight, but actually checking in at the auto counters as a first point of call to see if the system automatically offers you an earlier flight.

I always check in online and have occasionally been offered an earlier flight by the kiosk, so I don't think OLCI hurts your chances.