Qantas flight cancellation 3rd July 22 - Cathay Pacific - Sydney - Hong Kong - Dublin

[cathalm8]

Hi, this is my first post and hope its in the right place, if not please let me know.

I booked a 2 pax business classic reward flights with Qantas in July 2021 to fly on 3rd July 2022, flying from Sydney to Rome via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific.

On 11th May 2022 the Hong Kong to Rome leg only was cancelled and I was not offered any classic reward flight or any other flight replacement.

I called Qantas 2 hours after receiving the notification and was told there are no other classic reward business class flights or even economy classic reward flights available going out of Australia to anywhere in Europe from 1st July to 10th July. I suggested I would accept anything going to Europe and i even made my dates flexible by 2 weeks. Still i did not receive any alternative classic reward flight options. I was told I would receive a call back the next day to try and resolve the situation. I never received that call back.

I called Qantas again on 12th May to try and discuss my options again. I waited on hold for 40 minutes. I then spoke to someone who was unfit to assist, it was a South African call centre I believe, and wasted 20 mins searching the system for classic reward flights that did not exist. I was told that my original booking including the leg from Sydney to Hong Kong (which had not been cancelled and is still going as of today) had already been processed as a flight credit without my consent. I asked to speak to a manager. While on hold for a manager the call was ended at 60mins.

I called Qantas back again on 13th May and explained what happened the previous 2 days and no apology for the horrendous customer service was offered. I was told that there are no classic rewards flights and that I have no option but to accept a refund. I was also told that they would charge me 99 dollars to book a new flight over the phone at that time. I was also told that I could not be refunded into my bank account even know I no longer have access to the original payment method. I was told a manager would call me back but never received the call.

I booked the flight well in advance, as soon as they were released, trip is to see family I had not seen in 10 years. We have deposits paid on accommodation on place in Europe. Now I have no flights and there are no classic reward flights going anywhere from Australia from mid June to Mid July. They cost of one way economy flights to Ireland which is my final destination are roughly 2000-2500 for reasonable one stop flights of under 26 hours. I think the demand for flights is crazy at this this and the travel industry has not got back to pre-covid levels yet.

I think phoning Qantas is useless at this point. I think I just have to suck it up and pay for the very expensive economy flights through gritted teeth.

Has anyone else complained about this on the forum?

If anyone else has any advice it would be appreciated.

Does anyone know why Cathay pacific have been cancelling flights through Hong Kong?

Regards,

Cathal

 

[Scr77]

Sorry for the terrible experience you’re having, many of us have had similar recently. The below thread is probably worth a read. Some have reported that Qantas can open a seat on a QF metal if pushed hard enough.

Rewards seats changed from QR to QF without approval and from J to Y

Um, that's about the business making the recording, not you. The laws about recording apply to the party who is taking action to make the recording. What the other party is doing is not related. 1653464062 They have a right to know that the other party is initiating a recording too. Implied...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[jeza]

You are not alone see the thread @Scr77 linked to as an example where changes have occured to the detriment of passengers.

Without knowing your situation would buying a revenue fare to Asia & picking up flights to Europe from there be a possible alternative? For example there is a bit of availability in economy BKK-DOH-FCO on the 3rd of July. I could also find J BKK-DXB-BRU around the same dates with a quick look.

 

[cathalm8]

You are not alone see the thread @Scr77 linked to as an example where changes have occured to the detriment of passengers.

Without knowing your situation would buying a revenue fare to Asia & picking up flights to Europe from there be a possible alternative? For example there is a bit of availability in economy BKK-DOH-FCO on the 3rd of July. I could also find J BKK-DXB-BRU around the same dates with a quick look.

Thanks for your reply. I have spent hours trying to find even economy reward flights that suit but have had no luck. I have been mainly trying routes through the middle east but demand is so crazy to there. I will check the routes you have posted and get back to you.

 

[Franky]

Thanks for your reply. I have spent hours trying to find even economy reward flights that suit but have had no luck. I have been mainly trying routes through the middle east but demand is so crazy to there. I will check the routes you have posted and get back to you.

Hope it goes well…

 

[cathalm8]

You are not alone see the thread @Scr77 linked to as an example where changes have occured to the detriment of passengers.

Without knowing your situation would buying a revenue fare to Asia & picking up flights to Europe from there be a possible alternative? For example there is a bit of availability in economy BKK-DOH-FCO on the 3rd of July. I could also find J BKK-DXB-BRU around the same dates with a quick look.

I have found economy rewards going SYD-JAPAN on 1st July, then Business reward from japan - Helsinki - Dublin on 7th July. Is there any concerns flying into and staying in Japan at the moment in terms of covid or cancellations?

 

[jeza]

I have found economy rewards going SYD-JAPAN on 1st July, then Business reward from japan - Helsinki - Dublin on 7th July. Is there any concerns flying into and staying in Japan at the moment in terms of covid or cancellations?

From what I understand japan is only just beginning to open their borders to tourists with caps & restrictions.


Bloomberg Article

See article above

 

[sudoer]

I have found economy rewards going SYD-JAPAN on 1st July, then Business reward from japan - Helsinki - Dublin on 7th July. Is there any concerns flying into and staying in Japan at the moment in terms of covid or cancellations?

That's 5 weeks away and Japan hasn't indicated when it will open to unescorted tourists (they are just starting trials with tour groups)

I wouldn't book it personally.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Hi, this is my first post and hope its in the right place, if not please let me know.

I booked a 2 pax business classic reward flights with Qantas in July 2021 to fly on 3rd July 2022, flying from Sydney to Rome via Hong Kong with Cathay Pacific.

On 11th May 2022 the Hong Kong to Rome leg only was cancelled and I was not offered any classic reward flight or any other flight replacement.

I called Qantas 2 hours after receiving the notification and was told there are no other classic reward business class flights or even economy classic reward flights available going out of Australia to anywhere in Europe from 1st July to 10th July. I suggested I would accept anything going to Europe and i even made my dates flexible by 2 weeks. Still i did not receive any alternative classic reward flight options. I was told I would receive a call back the next day to try and resolve the situation. I never received that call back.

I called Qantas again on 12th May to try and discuss my options again. I waited on hold for 40 minutes. I then spoke to someone who was unfit to assist, it was a South African call centre I believe, and wasted 20 mins searching the system for classic reward flights that did not exist. I was told that my original booking including the leg from Sydney to Hong Kong (which had not been cancelled and is still going as of today) had already been processed as a flight credit without my consent. I asked to speak to a manager. While on hold for a manager the call was ended at 60mins.

I called Qantas back again on 13th May and explained what happened the previous 2 days and no apology for the horrendous customer service was offered. I was told that there are no classic rewards flights and that I have no option but to accept a refund. I was also told that they would charge me 99 dollars to book a new flight over the phone at that time. I was also told that I could not be refunded into my bank account even know I no longer have access to the original payment method. I was told a manager would call me back but never received the call.

I booked the flight well in advance, as soon as they were released, trip is to see family I had not seen in 10 years. We have deposits paid on accommodation on place in Europe. Now I have no flights and there are no classic reward flights going anywhere from Australia from mid June to Mid July. They cost of one way economy flights to Ireland which is my final destination are roughly 2000-2500 for reasonable one stop flights of under 26 hours. I think the demand for flights is crazy at this this and the travel industry has not got back to pre-covid levels yet.

I think phoning Qantas is useless at this point. I think I just have to suck it up and pay for the very expensive economy flights through gritted teeth.

Has anyone else complained about this on the forum?

If anyone else has any advice it would be appreciated.

Does anyone know why Cathay pacific have been cancelling flights through Hong Kong?

Regards,

Cathal

The reason why cathay has cancelled so many flights is because of the draconian covid rules implemented under instruction from the mainland government… effectively preventing transit passengers, or making flights unviable because of crew or inbound passenger quarantine requirements. Cathay may never recover from this.

You are right, fares in June, july and august are crazy high compared to pre covid. Even departing asia is expensive, which is compounded by higher demand given the russia no fly zone and japan not really being open.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Oh, and no use using this forum, to air grievances/moan/complain, as we lost our QF liaison a long time ago, she was doing us many favours, and I think too that QF probably felt she was non core on here..
She left and that spot has not been filled, we are up to our necks in angst, not only similar to your problem, OP...
QF is only interested in making money, when it comes to spending it, its a hands off attitude.
When the money is going to them, ie, in the revenue seat booking process, they (the system/ai as we are lead to believe), is all of assistance, but when problems arise, they (QF) are non contactable, or lack lustre.
I got my flight changed, from Alliance (QFlink) E190 to QF main line, change in flight number, no change in date or time of travel, they email I got said I would get a new etix, I got the Alliance/QFlink one, but they never sent me a new mainline etix for change of flight number.
Best of luck.
Just to sum up, no use moaning on here, we can't do much.
Maybe writing to QF's CSO might help, via snail mail, but do it on laptop and save a copy, or send by email and snail mail too.
In the end, we on here are like you, just members of a like minded group.
July is also school holidays, so any award seats will be harder to find, even revenue tix would be too, as airlines are just coming back to building up their flights to and from Aust.

 

[dajop]

Thanks for your reply. I have spent hours trying to find even economy reward flights that suit but have had no luck. I have been mainly trying routes through the middle east but demand is so crazy to there. I will check the routes you have posted and get back to you.

If you can find a way of getting to Jakarta there are some business awards on QR in late June to Rome. Also some paid fares to Milan on Oman for $1300/passenger in business class. But getting to Jakarta might be difficult. It seems to be the place at the moment for getting reasonable fares.

 

[ronlon]

While certainly trying not to defend Qantas or criticise others, I also booked CX and JAL award seats 11 months in advance for travel to Europe during the Australian winter. We were still heavily in the pandemic when I booked. We all including the airlines hoped we would be through the pandemic by then and that the flights would occur. Keeping abreast of what is happening in Hong Kong, Japan and other countries that one is flying through to help determine whether things might unravel is important. Qantas also didn’t know that say Hong Kong would not even allow transit at one stage which lasted for months. Ukraine war also made a mess with Finnair flights

So, when other airlines start dropping flights I think it is a bit harsh to hang it on Qantas that they can’t find or offer other award seats so late in the game and a refund is the best they can do.

 

[cathalm8]

The reason why cathay has cancelled so many flights is because of the draconian covid rules implemented under instruction from the mainland government… effectively preventing transit passengers, or making flights unviable because of crew or inbound passenger quarantine requirements. Cathay may never recover from this.

You are right, fares in June, july and august are crazy high compared to pre covid. Even departing asia is expensive, which is compounded by higher demand given the russia no fly zone and japan not really being open.

So I have been checking religiously and there is no availability on any Qantas on velocity reward flights going out of Australia to anywhere from mid june to mid-late july. I believe that the last 2 weeks in June and first 12 days of July are especially limited, one major reason I think is because of the mecca pilgrimage in Saudi Arabi. Its a perfect storm for me unfortunately as I have to travel early July.

The Japan option I mentioned above is a non starter because they are not fully opened. The flights to and from Asia are not great options either with either multiple stops or quite expensive.

I rang qantas again last night (number from cancellation email) The guy told me there are no managers to speak to. He said that one world no longer allows them to force book any flights so there are no options for me at all.

Very disappointing considering I had booked the original U class flights last July. It is what it is at this stage. It looks like I will have to pay 2 x 2500 for one way economy.

 

[ronlon]

Hi cathalm8 while not as good value as award seats you could use points plus pay on say a Qantas Emirates code share flight. It helps reduce the cash outlay and you earn points flying. I ended up doing that in economy after all my business class awards seats fell through on partner airlines.

 

[levelnine]

Very disappointing considering I had booked the original U class flights last July. It is what it is at this stage. It looks like I will have to pay 2 x 2500 for one way economy.

I'm sorry you've had such an unfortunate experience.

Unfortunately, you need to be extremely savvy to use classic flight rewards at the moment. Cathay Pacific has been basically running no flights (96% capacity cut) for months and months now, so it was highly likely that your flight was going to be cancelled.

 

[cathalm8]

I'm sorry you've had such an unfortunate experience.

Unfortunately, you need to be extremely savvy to use classic flight rewards at the moment. Cathay Pacific has been basically running no flights (96% capacity cut) for months and months now, so it was highly likely that your flight was going to be cancelled.

Yeah I wasn't on the ball with this at all. I guess I should have been more in tune with it considering the current travel industry situation.

 

[ronlon]

8 July SYD to ROME is available for $1655 with EK as a QF codeshare

 

[luxury-lizard]

If you are going with paid fares - there are some good J fares to various European cities ex-BKK and other Asian cities - you could then do a paid Y to that port or even consider a LCC like Scoot.

 

[ronlon]

8 July SYD to ROME is available for $1655 with EK as a QF codeshare

I mean available on QF website as a paid fare as an Emirates flight with a QF flight number.

 

[cathalm8]

I mean available on QF website as a paid fare as an Emirates flight with a QF flight number.

Thanks for that. Its cheaper that what I have so far. I still need to get to Dublin as that's my final destination.

To add an extra layer of complication and stress into this, I have just had a baby girl less than two weeks ago and am in process of applying for a passport for her, so I cant/wont actually book any paid fares until we have the passport.