Qantas Business Class customers bumped to economy in Tokyo

[DC3]

For those doubting the veracity of this sort of story, and relatively new to AFF, the following thread might be worth reviewing:

WOW. EmilyP. I was trying to remember who it was, in relation to something or other. EmilyP.

 

[Pushka]

For those doubting the veracity of this sort of story, and relatively new to AFF, the following thread might be worth reviewing:

Downgraded from Business Class.

Hi all, I'm asking for a friend here... Paid BNE-LAX-JFK-LAX-BNE in paid J (I) class. My friends (both Gold FF) have checked in (with 9 bags) but received Y boarding passes. Not W, but Y. They have now missed QF12 and QF94 (as well as DL, VA and NZ flights) and are receiving no co-operation...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

Awful treatment. Remember that one well.

 

[Nellycoo]

Perfect case of some people playing the Man and not the Ball. No wonder the OP didn't come back. If I got downgraded, I'd want a whinge too.

 

[DC3]

Perfect case of some people playing the Man and not the Ball. No wonder the OP didn't come back. If I got downgraded, I'd want a whinge too.

Not sure about the ball and the man?

However, the OP is welcome back time anytime? Yes?

 

[Nellycoo]

Not sure about the ball and the man?

However, the OP is welcome back time anytime? Yes?

Basically, other posters/commenters here not focusing on the issue but attacking the OP. It's sad.

 

[Pushka]

I dont think theres been much attacking of the OP, i think most here agree they can whinge as much as they like because we would be doing the same.

 

[Oakdene]

Qantas is now behaving like Jetstar. We were just bumped down to economy for overnite flight from Tokyo to Melbourne. Ticket paid and booked 7 months earlier, discounted but still not cheap!
As only Bronze status we got bumped.
Will definitely never fly Qantas business again!

Commiserations. Given any options? Given any reason?

What do you expect when the ex Jetstar CEO is running Qantas?

 

[DC3]

Once the dust has settled, the OP may update us on the outcome. Hopefully, complained to the airline.

 

[opusman]

Basically, other posters/commenters here not focusing on the issue but attacking the OP. It's sad.

No one's attacked anyone. Get a grip.

 

[Janet Riddell]

What do you expect when the ex Jetstar CEO is running Qantas?

Check in staff at airport ( Not Qantas staff)
Told us the flight had been overbooked and as we did not have high enough frequent flyer status we had to fly in economy.
We said this was not good enough and eventually a Qantas employee came and said we had no choice, there were 3 seats not working in Business class . I told her not to lie and I would check ( which I did - all seats in business class were used- surprise surprise).
We were offered US$500 compensation plus difference between ticket price .
The flight crew tried very hard to make us feel better but of course can’t make up for lack of space etc. My travel companion was unable to sleep or stretch out as is too tall, and my back was very sore by the end of the flight.
We are now having difficulty getting thru to Qantas Customer Service on the phone, holding for 2 x 1 hour so far with not success.
so the frustration continues and the diss appointment in Qantas .

 

[Janet Riddell]

No one's attacked anyone. Get a grip.

Sorry for late reply- been busy trying to get compensation from Qantas!
See above for more detail

Once the dust has settled, the OP may update us on the outcome. Hopefully, complained to the airline.

Yep, trying to get compensation !!
More detail

 

[RooFlyer]

Ok, so everyone who played the ‘one post wonder’ card can now say sorry. Just like the last few times.

you know who you are

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Check in staff at airport ( Not Qantas staff)
Told us the flight had been overbooked and as we did not have high enough frequent flyer status we had to fly in economy.
We said this was not good enough and eventually a Qantas employee came and said we had no choice, there were 3 seats not working in Business class . I told her not to lie and I would check ( which I did - all seats in business class were used- surprise surprise).
We were offered US$500 compensation plus difference between ticket price .
The flight crew tried very hard to make us feel better but of course can’t make up for lack of space etc. My travel companion was unable to sleep or stretch out as is too tall, and my back was very sore by the end of the flight.
We are now having difficulty getting thru to Qantas Customer Service on the phone, holding for 2 x 1 hour so far with not success.
so the frustration continues and the diss appointment in Qantas .

The USD500 is a start - but the real interest will be the 'difference in ticket price'... Qantas may have a completely different idea on how to calculate this compared to anyone in the real world. As i mentioned above, you may only be offered the difference between the fare you paid (divided by two) against the full walk up economy fare on the day. Which could mean a tiny refund. Don't accept if you're not happy, and seek advice if you need it (consumer affairs in your state may offer free advice).

The argument Qantas might put forward is that while the seats were not working, they could allocate those seats to staff. However your argument should be that even if the seats didn't recline, you'd have been better off in those seats than economy. And you should have been offered the choice.

I suppose it's *possible* the seat belts weren't working, and staff would have had to go back to the jump seat if the seat belt sign came on. But that would be a huge coincidence for three seatbelts to not be working.

Call wait times are huge for Qantas. A couple of hours on hold is not uncommon. You might try texting and asking for someone to call you back.

 

[jase05]

Thanks for responding on here and sorry to hear about your experience. Sounds horrible and I definitely wouldn’t have flown until an adequate option was provided.

 

[DC3]

Ok, so everyone who played the ‘one post wonder’ card can now say sorry. Just like the last few times.

you know who you are

RooFlyer enters the building.

 

[Janet Riddell]

WOW. EmilyP. I was trying to remember who it was, in relation to something or other. EmilyP.

WOW. EmilyP. I was trying to remember who it was, in relation to something or other. EmilyP.

Apparently airlines do this occasionally and if you do not have a high loyalty status with them you are first in the firing line for down grade.
Pls see below responses for more details.
Thanks for supporting.

 

[drron]

Possibly worth trying contacting Qantas on Facebook.They don't like negative vibes and sometimes speed things up.

 

[DC3]

This just gets worse. It seems that you were bullied into taking that flight, as being the only option.

Just be careful about accepting any compensation offer that you are not happy with. There are AFFers who will be able to add their experiences and provide advice.

Edit: Please take all the time that you need. The compensation issue shouldn’t be rushed

 

[justinbrett]

The compensation for non-Europe international J flights is supposed to be 50% of the ticket price.

J/Y price difference refunds only apply to domestic.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The compensation for non-Europe international J flights is supposed to be 50% of the ticket price.

J/Y price difference refunds only apply to domestic.

Interesting. You are referring to this earlier article by AFF? Qantas Downgrade Compensation is Woefully Inadequate

unfortunately the QF response is different to what is listed in their contract of carriage - which only provides for a 'fare difference'.

Even with a 50% refund, it might stil not be an adequate reflection of the actual fare difference between a heavily discounted economy ticket and the fare paid by the passenger.

For example - pax pays $3500 return business class SYD-TYO. Economy advance purchase is $750. Downgrade on the return = 50% of coupon = $850. Economy fare should only have been $375, so the passenger is out of pocket $525.