Qantas Domestic Biz- Fly Ahead?

[MEL vis SYD]

We’re booked to fly QF Biz (“I” fare class) to Noumea (MEL-NOU via SYD). When booked via Expedia not direct (Ho hum..) only the 9pm flight MEL-SYD flight was showing availability, with 7am SYD-NOU dep the following day.
I’m concerned that any delays/ cancellation of the departing MEL-SYD flight will miss the SYD connection. We are flying with another party from SYD which would ruin all Noumea connections. Have booked accom in SYD for the night also.
Expedia nor QF will allow us to change the ticket to an earlier departing flight.
If we arrive at MEL earlier in the day (say mid-afternoon) what are the chances of being allowed to fly earlier - obviously subject to availability??
The QF contact centre would not give any indication what may (or may not happen) at the airport. We’re both QF Bronze but Qatar Gold.

 

[jakeseven7]

I won't comment on booking via Expedia don't worry

It depends if the airport staff have flow forward in place for the day.

I've been very lucky recently, most business days even flying restricted economy on major trunk routes, I politely ask 'if today they are able to move me forward, knowing full well it could be a short 'No I'm sorry Mr Jake'. But quite often they say Yes we are able to today, let me see what is available for you.

If you are taking the chance, as you say, arrive early and be polite with no expectation.

The only handbrake for you is flying J there are less seats (so less room to move you around) and QF J is VERY busy these days with all the corporates well and truly back into flying and F2F meetings.

Good luck!

 

[Mwenenzi]

Several times when I have had MEL-SYD-NZ flights have arrived early and changed to an earlier flight at check in without issue. Done with paid and award tickets. Some times I have asked and other times agent has asked "would like an earlier SYD flight".
Check in agents more pragmatic than phone agents, who can only do what the computer/fare t&c's allow them to do.
Late afternoon MEL-SYD mid week will be busy with people doing company paid day trips. Mid afternoon 14:00-15:00 would expect more chance of success.

 

[kpro]

I've never had success when confirmed in J, on getting an earlier flight at the airport when flow forward rules are in place. In Y, super straightforward.
I haven't arrived early and tried to ask on a regular day though.

 

[Ade]

Never tried when flying J, tried it many times flying Y and most times (90%) was successfully flown forward. Depends on the agent at the airport and the process for that day

 

[CorporateFlyerMEL]

I have struggled with flow forward in J - on Mel/Syd, Mel/Bne - put it down to more smaller planes being used

 

[jpp42]

It's worth noting that because Qantas confirms award seat bookings and upgrades in advance, it's quite rare for J cabins have any open seats these days. For comparison, in the American system most upgrades aren't confirmed until just before boarding, which leaves open seats for things like misconnects (of paid or reward seats), or rebooking of paid-J fares. Flexibility for misconnects may be more important to US carriers given the higher percentage of multi-segment flights there.

 

[Lynda2475]

Any time I've been flying J (SYD-MEL) and I received a message saying fly forward is available, when click through there is nothing earlier available for J. When its Y works no problem.

 

[RichardMEL]

You probably could fly ahead in Y of course, but you paid for a J (even if "sale") fare.

 

[encryptededdy]

In my experience they're always happy to fly ahead you to extend your domestic to international connection time. I've had about 75% luck when it's a purely domestic flight though.

I assume international is more flexible given you get to your destination at the same time, so you're not getting a flex fare for free.