Helped needed - need to speak to a QF call centre in Oz to solve a routing problem!

[RSD]

I'm getting the right royal runaround with trying to book my flights today - I can see that there is plenty of availability on QF8927 DXB-CAI on the 7th of April if I book MEL-DXB then QF8927 DXB-CAI - but if I go via SIN it won't let me book it in the multi-city search engine and when I call the call centre I get put through to the one in Philippines and all they can tell me is that QF8927 has no seats and that the only option they can offer is RJ via AMM - which I don't want to do.

Is there a another number that a QF Gold can ring besides the 13 13 13 or 13 11 31 numbers? The Philippines one can't give me any answers or information unfortunately.

 

[adenda]

Maybe try X (Twitter)

 

[offshore171]

I'm getting the right royal runaround with trying to book my flights today - I can see that there is plenty of availability on QF8927 DXB-CAI on the 7th of April if I book MEL-DXB then QF8927 DXB-CAI - but if I go via SIN it won't let me book it in the multi-city search engine

It might not be a permitted routing? Similar to a married segments issue possibly.

 

[levelnine]

Is there a another number that a QF Gold can ring besides the 13 13 13 or 13 11 31 numbers?

No.

If it isn't urgent, I'd wait until next week. The call centres will be run off their feet the next week with all the people ringing in to make use of the double status credits promo.

 

[RSD]

It might not be a permitted routing? Similar to a married segments issue possibly.

It's bizarre. I'm trying to figure out some other routing options now, RJ don't fly into Singapore unfortunately, I don't really want to go via India or Joburg, and the RJ flights from DXB to CAI via AMM don't have great connections.

 

[offshore171]

If I understand your first post, MEL-DXB then QF8927 DXB-CAI is available?

That sounds like a 1 stopper that doesn't require India or Jo'burg.

 

[RSD]

If I understand your first post, MEL-DXB then QF8927 DXB-CAI is available?

That sounds like a 1 stopper that doesn't require India or Jo'burg.

That is available, but I want to go via SIN then DXB-CAI to get a lot more SC's - as the sector to SIN would be on QF metal so would get me DSC's - but if I try to book it to SIN then QF8927 doesn't show in the options for DXB-CAI - doesn't even show EK927 as an option - only option it offers is RJ via AMM

 

[offshore171]

That is available, but I want to go via SIN then DXB-CAI to get a lot more SC's - as the sector to SIN would be on QF metal so would get me DSC's

Ah ok. If it's primarily a big status run, may as well go MEL to LHR on QF, then BA to Cairo?

 

[RSD]

Ah ok. If it's primarily a big status run, may as well go MEL to LHR on QF, then BA to Cairo?

Unfortunately not primarily a status run - have to go to CAI for some meetings, but want to collect a total of 600 SC's so as I retain gold at the same time.

 

[RSD]

And just to add to the mess - when I do opt for the via Amman on RJ option and select all the flights it then comes back and says that it can't find a fair for my booking! Aaargh!

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

It might not be a permitted routing? Similar to a married segments issue possibly.

It’s a permitted routing on I fares (IAXME)

MAP CONSTRUCTED LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT
1. MEL-SYD/BNE-TYO/SIN/SHA/MNL/KUL/JKT/HKG/BKK-SIN/SGN/SEL/
OSA/KUL/HKT/HKG/CAN/BKK/BJS-EK-DXB-QF/EK-CAI
2. MEL-QF/JQ-SYD/BNE-QF/EK-BKK-HKT-QF/EK-DXB-QF/EK-CAI
3. MEL-QF/EK-SIN-KUL-QF/EK-DXB-QF/EK-CAI
4. MEL-DXB-MS-CAI

Option 3 would be what the OP wants to do, I suspect this may be a married segment issue rather than a routing issue since the fare rules clearly allow the routing

 

[RSD]

It’s a permitted routing on I fares (IAXME)

MAP CONSTRUCTED LEFT TO RIGHT AND RIGHT TO LEFT
1. MEL-SYD/BNE-TYO/SIN/SHA/MNL/KUL/JKT/HKG/BKK-SIN/SGN/SEL/
OSA/KUL/HKT/HKG/CAN/BKK/BJS-EK-DXB-QF/EK-CAI
2. MEL-QF/JQ-SYD/BNE-QF/EK-BKK-HKT-QF/EK-DXB-QF/EK-CAI
3. MEL-QF/EK-SIN-KUL-QF/EK-DXB-QF/EK-CAI
4. MEL-DXB-MS-CAI

Option 3 would be what the OP wants to do, I suspect this may be a married segment issue rather than a routing issue since the fare rules clearly allow the routing

Many thanks for checking into that for me! What does married segment mean?

 

[RSD]

Many thanks for checking into that for me! What does married segment mean?

OK googled married segment and found out what it was - and then low and behold if I enter MEL-SYD-SIN-CAI - it lets me book everything I want now including the QF8927 leg from DXB to CAI - many thanks!!

The only problem now is that the system is throwing another hissy about the return leg - not about the CAI-DXB or anything like that - but instead it is saying that there are no connecting flights from SYD-MEL on Sunday the 21st of April - even though I land on QF2 in SYD at 05:10 - this damn system is so annoying!

 

[adenda]

Had a similar experience trying to book reward flights MEL-SYD-NLK (Norfolk Island)-SYD-MEL.
System unbelievably couldn't find availability on the final SYD-MEL leg even though a separate search for that leg found numerous flights. Cost me a few more points but I just booked the trip without the last leg and then booked SYD-MEL separately. Problem solved in minutes and didn't involve making a call. Worth it to me.

 

[RSD]

Had a similar experience trying to book reward flights MEL-SYD-NLK (Norfolk Island)-SYD-MEL.
System unbelievably couldn't find availability on the final SYD-MEL leg even though a separate search for that leg found numerous flights. Cost me a few more points but I just booked the trip without the last leg and then booked SYD-MEL separately. Problem solved in minutes and didn't involve making a call. Worth it to me.

QF have just replied to my message to them on X/coughter, if they can't sort it out then your solution will be my next step!

Life was so much easier when Qantas flew to Dubai!!

 

[RSD]

I'm not sure yet but I'm guessing that not allowing a connecting flight to Melbourne is to try to preserve seats on QF2 - will investigate further!

 

[dajop]

All else fails, take the status run to the extreme, and check if SYD-CBR-MEL encounters the same married sector problem, and if it doesn’t, book that and then if you don’t want to do that, ask for reroute on nonstop when fronting up at the international transfer desk?

 

[RSD]

All else fails, take the status run to the extreme, and check if SYD-CBR-MEL encounters the same married sector problem, and if it doesn’t, book that and then if you don’t want to do that, ask for reroute on nonstop when fronting up at the international transfer desk?

I like your thinking! That might work!

 

[RSD]

Well QF were loads of help they somehow read my ultimate destination as DBO instead of DPO so suggested that I skip Melbourne altogether

 

[RSD]

OK well I'm getting closer - its allowing me now to select all the flights I want (by putting SYD-DPO into the multi-city search engine instead of SYD-MEL-DPO) - but now it has taken away the option of booking Flex Y - aaaargh!