QANTAS takes A380s out of circulation [and reduces flights]

[lynnk]

I got through in 2 minutes (to QF Premium) I almost dropped phone in surprise after hearing all the wait times on here. Bronze and Silver must get punted to the very end.

Husband is P1. I always put his number in when calling. It helps.

 

[lynnk]

I've just had an email from Qantas telling me that I need to call them to discuss the changes needed.

Great way to waste my time!

what date are you travelling?

 

[Dr Ralph]

what date are you travelling?

Multiple dates from July to December.

 

[lynnk]

Multiple dates from July to December.

that's early. We are flying May and July and haven't heard from them yet. Was in F on qf1/2.

 

[Dr Ralph]

that's early. We are flying May and July and haven't heard from them yet. Was in F on qf1/2.

The email I got was referenced to a flight in August. I have flights before that that are also impacted. But it may be because the flight referenced is in F.

Looking online I can see that they have changed my August 2 flight that was in F to J and changed the aircraft from an A380 to a 787. It's asking me to click on a link to confirm that I accept the change. Even if I did this I'll still need to contact Qantas to organise a points refund on the difference between F and J. I just tried to call Qantas and a greater than 2 hour wait time was indicated, so I will try again later.

I can also see that an F booking I have on QF8 for September 30 has not been changed from F to J. So no action required (at this time).

Other QF 7 and QF 8 flights for July that have been also impacted do not require any change from me. But the aircraft type has changed. I appear to remain in J for each of these.

 

[renatts]

I bit the bullet and called this morning, got a call back 3 hours later.
She wasn’t even aware of the cancellation of QF1, so must’ve been the start of her shift.

I’ve been offered EK BNE - DXB - AMS instead of BNE - SIN - LHR - AMS, which I see as a win - although I was looking forward to the lounge in Singapore. Only weird thing, she said she had to get the J seats released from Emirates, and she’d call me back with confirmation of which departure I’d be on (02:50am or 21:00)
That was 7 hours ago, so they must be busy as hell, or I’m gonna get some bad news.

glad I called, but I’ll be happier once it’s showing in my bookings.

 

[Matt_01]

I'm not sure I understand your issue. The points component of an award booking will always be the lowest possible price - either the through fare if using airlines all on the one table, or the sector-by-sector fare is using airlines across different tables OR where mixed class is involved.

In many cases, where mixed classes are involved, it will usually be cheaper for the through fare to be applied.

If we take _flyer's example of ORD-SYD in J = 9232 miles = 126500 points (at today's table). The new itinerary is ORD-DFW-SYD = 9379 miles = 126500 points. If breaking it up would be ORD-DFW in economy for 801 miles = 12000 points + DFW-SYD at 8578 miles = 126500 = 138500 miles, so cheaper to do the through fare. Under the old points table I'd suspect the differences would be similar, so the through fare, even with one lg in coach, is cheaper than sector fares.

but that's not always the case. SYD-DFW in F = 189800 points. If QF re-routes you via LAX, so you're SYD-LAX in F connecting to LAX-DFW in economy, the sector fares would be 162800+18000 = 180800, so you'd be entitled to a refund of 9000 points.

I think we are talking about the same thing but from 2 different angles. I have only ever made booking based on the terms 14.4.3 (a) that @Happy Trails posted below. So from my view I am always booking at the highest rate, so I stand corrected. I was also not aware that the technical term for many flights is ‘through bookings’, to me it is just getting from point A to B. The thought of deliberately booking a mixed class travel has never crossed my mind.

I was more interested to know if you do book a flight or are downgraded as per the 14.4.3 (a) are the fees and taxes lowered for the Y sector or are you still charged at the J rate for the entire trip.

Also I do get the example you posted above in the last paragraph but is not something I would have thought of. So I have learnt something new.

Regarding mixed class bookings:

14.4.3 Where mixed-class travel is booked on a Trip, the Qantas Points required for that Trip will be calculated using the lowest quoted Qantas Points level of either:

(a) the Qantas Points level for the highest class of travel flown on that Trip; or
(b) the sum of Qantas Points, breaking the Trip into multiple Trips wherever the class of travel changes between sectors within a Trip.

 

[Ekka]

Husband is P1. I always put his number in when calling. It helps.

No doubt; while we poor genuine lower types wait on the phone.

 

[Aus ATC]

I’ve been offered EK BNE - DXB - AMS instead of BNE - SIN - LHR - AMS, which I see as a win - although I was looking forward to the lounge in Singapore. Only weird thing, she said she had to get the J seats released from Emirates, and she’d call me back with confirmation of which departure I’d be on (02:50am or 21:00)
That was 7 hours ago, so they must be busy as hell, or I’m gonna get some bad news.

I hope it's the 2100 (A380) and not the 0250 (B777)! Also, if 0250, be sure it is on the day you want.

 

[renatts]

I hope it's the 2100 (A380) and not the 0250 (B777)! Also, if 0250, be sure it is on the day you want.

Yeah, I told her I wanted EK435 (2100 A380) because of the time EK431 + connection gets to Amsterdam. We'll need to purchase another night, or leave a day later and miss out on most of a day in my favourite city.

Still no call, so I've decided to call back with confirmation. I see they've turned off the call back feature again - wasn't offered last night, was offered at 5:30 this morning, wasn't offered at 4pm today. Can't blame them, phones must be ringing off the hook.

I would honestly rather BNE - SIN QF51 which i currently have, and then KLM from SIN - AMS
I might run that by them if anyone ever picks up. I've flown on a couple EK A380's in J, and definitely think its a great product, but we have 2 EK A380's on the way home. Would be nice to try something different.... We were excited about QF in J, and were also hoping for an updated QF A380. To think, our only worries 2 days ago were getting the old QF A380 haha

I've trolled expertflyer for every single route i could think of, and as of this morning there were tonnes of J seats available... hopefully that's a good thing.

 

[mba2830]

So if I read right the only A380 route is SYD-LAX? And also assume withdrawal of 747’s delayed for the time being. Maybe they will last into 2021.

Syd to Sin A389

 

[redbatz]

Ive just checked my booking again. Im flying to Haneda in May and bought premium economy and also requested a points upgrade to business.
Had already chosen my pe seat, just in case, now I see they have moved me back to a coughty seat in economy , not even an exit or front row! Whats the go as I paid extra for pe?
I dont even like my chances now of getting business if there are less seats available?
Really was looking forward to at least pe and hopefully business. I dont want a refund as I want the seat - but would they give any sort of refund anyway?

 

[Matt_01]

Ive just checked my booking again. Im flying to Haneda in May and bought premium economy and also requested a points upgrade to business.
Had already chosen my pe seat, just in case, now I see they have moved me back to a coughty seat in economy , not even an exit or front row! Whats the go as I paid extra for pe?
I dont even like my chances now of getting business if there are less seats available?
Really was looking forward to at least pe and hopefully business. I dont want a refund as I want the seat - but would they give any sort of refund anyway?

Assuming that your flight is on QF25, which has Y+ as it is a 747. Have you been moved to an a330, these do not have Y+. Either ask for a refund for the price difference or cancel asking for a full refund (involuntarily change) and rebook.

 

[moa999]

Really was looking forward to at least pe and hopefully business

Sydney-Haneda flights downgraded to 330s which don't have PE due to demand impacts from covid-19, which as you say also have less J seats.

You should get a small fare difference back (although historically QFs methodology for this has been poor). Unsure if you will still get priority for upgrades versus those who booked actual Y fare buckets.

 

[Mr H]

Really was looking forward to at least pe and hopefully business. I dont want a refund as I want the seat - but would they give any sort of refund anyway?

You would be entitled to a refund in the difference between fares - but Qantas will calculate this using the most expensive flexible economy fare they have - while giving you none of the privileges you might normally expect from such a high fare. You may well do better to cancel and rebook.

 

[redbatz]

Thanks for your replies. Not looking forward to trying to ring Qantas to find out more. Also I booked it on a sale fare so thats not going to help I guess

 

[Mr H]

Also I booked it on a sale fare so thats not going to help I guess

No - it means the difference between what you paid and the full fare Y will be small. Before you call, research the alternatives so you know exactly what you want. It will save time and increase your chances of getting an acceptable resolution.

 

[Matt_01]

Thanks for your replies. Not looking forward to trying to ring Qantas to find out more. Also I booked it on a sale fare so thats not going to help I guess

As @Mr H states above “research the alternatives so you know exactly what you want. It will save time and increase your chances of getting an acceptable resolution.“ Involuntarily flight change rules will be your friend.

 

[AIRwin]

Also I booked it on a sale fare so thats not going to help I guess

HND is currently on sale for $649 in Economy and $2,999 in Business...

 

[serfty]

Sydney-Haneda flights downgraded to 330s which don't have PE due to demand impacts from covid-19, which as you say also have less J seats.

Hmmm... this morning I booked a HND-SYD flight (award) on QF in Business (U) for June - it was still a 744.