Hi all,
just a minor experience to share, as some from of "data point" or whatever.
This morning I arrived in ADL, with then onwards flight on separate ticket ADL-SYD on QF in J.
This second ticket was purchased with points (was not an upgrade, was purchased 100% with points). It was for a flight departing ADL very late arvo, but seeing I got to ADL early, I asked at checkin if I could "fly forward". I knew that there were a couple of earlier flights ADL-SYD.
To be very specific, I did not approach the checkin lady with P1 card in hand - I actually got it out as I approached, but realized it was last years (out of date - I suspect I am like a few P1's whose card never quite catches up with them). So when I spoke to the lady at the "preferential" checkin she may not have had a status immediately available. Anyway, the conversation went pretty much:
(me) Good morning, was wondering if I can get on an earlier flight. I don't know if a points ticket is eligible for flying forward?
(lady) No, your ticket is an upgrade. I cant put you on an earlier flight.
(me) It is not an upgrade, it is a business ticket I bought with points.
(lady) No, it is an upgrade. It is showing as "U" which is an upgrade.
(me) If I cannot just get changed to fly earlier, can I pay to do that? (Me being sick of travel and just wanting to get today's travel over with
)
(lady) You could try talking to the reservations counter (is that the name?)
I went over and there were two gentlemen there.
(me) Good morning, I have a query. I know that as a P1 I can fly forward if I am on a flex fare, but what is the go with a points ticket?
(gent 1) Plat 1? I can sort that for you!
(gent 1) (a few minutes later) Aargh! We just had a flight cancellation of the earlier flight. I am so sorry but there are now no J seats for ADL-SYD.
(gent 2 - talking to gent 1) How about trying via MEL? Yes - we can get that.
(gent 1), Mr .........., we can get you in earlier via MEL, but the second flight only has economy.
(me) - Fantastic, let's do that.
In the end the two guys managed to get me into SYD several hours before my original ticket would have, despite a cancelled flight, and at no cost. They were typical of Qantas at their best.
Lessons? Maybe I should have made a hoohah about being P1 when I first approached checkin. But I suspect that would not have made a diference - the skill/knowledge level difference between staff positions is sometimes painfully obvious.
BTW, as an aside, I then "suffered" being in J for the first ADL-MEL leg, then Y for the MEL-SYD leg. It was the same plane and crew. The J staff were great the first leg, then saw me "up the back" for the second part, but treated me very nicely. Thank you guys