Issue with JAL Married Segment via QF Classic Rewards - re-schedule on one leg

[ozarun55]

Hi,

In August of last year, I used by QF points to book a married segment flight with JAL J class from Helsinki to Sydney via Tokyo on 22 August (connecting flight in HND leaving to Syd on 23 August).

2 days ago I got an email that JAL had re-scheduled the HEL-HND flight to 23 August. Which is fine, except that they haven't re-scheduled my HND-SYD flight so it leaves before the connecting flight arrives! I have no idea why they would do this when the segment are married, and I've already made accommodation bookings etc for my whole trip. I know there are lots of stories like this and I don't mean to sound like "woe is me" but it's causing me a fair bit of anxiety - any advice on what I can do would be greatly appreciated. It doesn't seem like calling Qantas' call centre would help as I don't have status

 

[Ktan89]

Looks like they don't expect the capacity to pick up by August and decided to reduce the weekly flight.
The original flight you were booked on must have been cancelled.
You need to find alternative option before calling QF and provide them a solution. Unfortunately with out status you are in the lottery to find a knowledgeable CSA. HUACA is your best bet for now.
Explain the situation straight up that the flight change doesn't meet connection requirements then give them options.
See if there are revenue fares available for HND to SYD on the next day and ask them to put in a request for JL to convert it to reward seats.
Also look at NRT to MEL and give them that option too.
Good luck

 

[ozarun55]

Hi, Thanks for the helpful reply.
Noob question, what is HUACA? I found an emirates flight from a different city in Europe that would work, but it would depend on QF refunding the points so I could rebook. seems like the best option.

 

[Franky]

Hi, Thanks for the helpful reply.
Noob question, what is HUACA? I found an emirates flight from a different city in Europe that would work, but it would depend on QF refunding the points so I could rebook. seems like the best option.

Hang Up And Call Again...

 

[ozarun55]

Oh right. The whole Philippines vs Saf vs Hobart thing? Eek. What a disaster.

 

[Ktan89]

Hang up and Call again.

What you found is gold! If it works, you should change the ticket to that flight ASAP. It is better than waiting to see if JL with open up seats and finding someone in QF overseas call center to help with knowledge.

They shouldn't charge you any change fee - push back if they do because its an involuntary change made by the airline first and it caused a missed connection.

 

[ozarun55]

Hang up and Call again.

What you found is gold! If it works, you should change the ticket to that flight ASAP. It is better than waiting to see if JL with open up seats and finding someone in QF overseas call center to help with knowledge.

They shouldn't charge you and change fee - push back if they do because its an involuntary change made by the airline first and it caused a missed connection.

Hi - thanks for your reply. I'm not sure if I should just cancel and rebook via the website or ask them to do it manually (Im communicating with them on FB at the moment). If I cancel on the website I figured it can take awhile for the points to show up again and I need them to rebook the alternative.

 

[Ktan89]

The taxes can take a while but you can ask them to refund the points ASAP. Tell them you need it to book another flight.

 

[ozarun55]

Appreciate the input. I’ll chase them up. Hopefully I don’t get charged the 5000 point penalty as you say. Unfortunately I may have to suck that up for the connecting flight I had booked with my points from London to Helsinki in order to catch the jal flight.

 

[ozarun55]

OK QF got back to me - they can chase with JAL for opening up a seat on the corresponding connecting flight the next day,but there is no guarantee and it will take 7-10 days for them to get back to me. Meanwhile the Emirates J class fare is available for me to book and they can refund the points immediately.
It seems a no-brainer to me, is Jal J class vs Emirates J class that different that I should try and hold out for a JAL J class seat? I would have thought emirates J class is still good and just better to organise the guaranteed seat with them now

 

[jase05]

OK QF got back to me - they can chase with JAL for opening up a seat on the corresponding connecting flight the next day,but there is no guarantee and it will take 7-10 days for them to get back to me. Meanwhile the Emirates J class fare is available for me to book and they can refund the points immediately.
It seems a no-brainer to me, is Jal J class vs Emirates J class that different that I should try and hold out for a JAL J class seat? I would have thought emirates J class is still good and just better to organise the guaranteed seat with them now

The Emirates fees will be a fair bit higher definitely something to consider

 

[ozarun55]

The Emirates fees will be a fair bit higher definitely something to consider

It seems the points are the same as far as I can see

 

[cjd600]

It seems the points are the same as far as I can see

The $$$ charges alongside the points will be higher for EK v JL

 

[ozarun55]

Yes apologies, you are correct. What a nightmare... my JAL booking is cancelled now. :/

 

[ozarun55]

Well after all that, managed to get Qantas to organise an alternative - Frankfurt - Tokyo (Narita) (same day as original flight that was leaving Helsinki), a couple of days stop in Tokyo and then Fly out Haneda to Sydney in J class. A few extra points and 100 extra euro but seemed the best alternative... as a couple of you astutely pointed out, the taxes for emirates were way higher and ($1100 eur v $450 eur)

 

[ozarun55]

Oh - and thanks for all the help. One of the better forums out here this one. Cheers.