Flight Change option

[WeeGraeme]

I'm flying BNE-ABZ next year. It's QF to LHR and then BA on a QF codeshare to ABZ. On the way back, I'm flying a BA flight with a BA flight number before connecting to QF back to BNE.

They've changed our flight from ABZ to depart at 6:20. I realise there would be cost, but would the QF booking system allow me to move my ABZ-LHR flight to the night before? I also realise that I'd have to collect my luggage and check it in again the next morning in LHR. I had a look at my booking and I don't appear to be able to make changes online. I just wanted to find out if it's possible before I call them.

 

[jpp42]

What was the original departure time? You could try arguing that the new departure time isn't suitable because public transport isn't running (although, I'm not sure that's actually true after a quick check of the airport and bus company web site... that's annoying). But in general you can just politely explain that you booked this itinerary on the basis of a suitable flight timing and this is an unacceptable change. If you get a sympathetic agent, you may not be charged a change fee, and I would expect there would be minimal if any fare differences. As long as the time spent at LHR is less than 24 hours it isn't a stopover and won't affect the fare basis. (When checking in at ABZ, you'd want to double-check to be certain they are tagging your luggage for LHR pickup.)

You generally can't make changes like this online, so when calling Qantas, be sure you aren't charged another fee for agent-assisted change - remind them that you tried to change it online but were unable.

Note - the above all applies assuming it's a paid fare, if it's a classic reward some other considerations about changing codeshares would need to be discussed.

 

[WeeGraeme]

What was the original departure time? You could try arguing that the new departure time isn't suitable because public transport isn't running (although, I'm not sure that's actually true after a quick check of the airport and bus company web site... that's annoying). But in general you can just politely explain that you booked this itinerary on the basis of a suitable flight timing and this is an unacceptable change. If you get a sympathetic agent, you may not be charged a change fee, and I would expect there would be minimal if any fare differences. As long as the time spent at LHR is less than 24 hours it isn't a stopover and won't affect the fare basis. (When checking in at ABZ, you'd want to double-check to be certain they are tagging your luggage for LHR pickup.)

You generally can't make changes like this online, so when calling Qantas, be sure you aren't charged another fee for agent-assisted change - remind them that you tried to change it online but were unable.

Note - the above all applies assuming it's a paid fare, if it's a classic reward some other considerations about changing codeshares would need to be discussed.

Thanks for the reply.

It's only been brought forward by 35 minutes. But I'm travelling with someone who has mobility issues, so I'll be moving all the luggage, returning the rental car etc, before checking in. We're flying on QF10 which departs LHR at 11:55, so the next flight out of ABZ is too late. I wouldn't mind whether they only checked our luggage to LHR or through. We can have a change of clothes in our hand luggage. And it is a paid fare. The forward journey is in booking class D. The booking class on the ABZ-LHR flight is D. QF10 and the QF flight to Brisbane are booking class I. I'd be looking at a late afternoon or evening flight.

I'm probably being overly cautious. I flew ABZ-BNE this year, too. People suggested around arriving 90 mins before the flight, which I did. But another flight was a staff member short, so they had to offload 50 passengers. Plus there were fans going to Germany for the football. Luckily I'd made my presence known to a staff member, because at check-in closing time, I'd only moved around 1 metre in the queue. We did make the flight, but it made for a very anxious time.

I'm happy to call and ask. I just wasn't sure if it was technically possible. I know people misconnect and get booked onto later flights, but that's to a later flight and in that situation, the airline owns the problem. In my situation, it's because of what is essentially my personal preference.

 

[jpp42]

Thanks for the reply.

It's only been brought forward by 35 minutes. But I'm travelling with someone who has mobility issues, so I'll be moving all the luggage, returning the rental car etc, before checking in. We're flying on QF10 which departs LHR at 11:55, so the next flight out of ABZ is too late. I wouldn't mind whether they only checked our luggage to LHR or through. We can have a change of clothes in our hand luggage. And it is a paid fare. The forward journey is in booking class D. The booking class on the ABZ-LHR flight is D. QF10 and the QF flight to Brisbane are booking class I. I'd be looking at a late afternoon or evening flight.

I'm probably being overly cautious. I flew ABZ-BNE this year, too. People suggested around arriving 90 mins before the flight, which I did. But another flight was a staff member short, so they had to offload 50 passengers. Plus there were fans going to Germany for the football. Luckily I'd made my presence known to a staff member, because at check-in closing time, I'd only moved around 1 metre in the queue. We did make the flight, but it made for a very anxious time.

I'm happy to call and ask. I just wasn't sure if it was technically possible. I know people misconnect and get booked onto later flights, but that's to a later flight and in that situation, the airline owns the problem. In my situation, it's because of what is essentially my personal preference.

Sorry, but realistically none of those concerns are any different whether you leave at 6:20am or 6:55am, and you did book the original flight at 6:55 am (I assume?) so I don't think your argument is that strong (I'm assuming this flight gets into LHR about 1.5 hours later so plenty of time to make the connection to QF10 regardless). However, you should still be able to change to the night before by paying a change fee and fare difference, noting the comment above about not accepting the additional telephone service fee, given this kind of change cannot be made online.

Do be sure to register your companion's mobility issues in the appropriate place in the booking. Even if they don't usually use a wheelchair, for example, having assistance in an airport environment with long queues and long wait times (something they don't have to deal with in daily life), can be extremely taxing. This should help reduce your anxiety regarding queues as well, as the staff member providing assistance will help manage the situation if your flight is boarding soon.