QANTAS takes A380s out of circulation [and reduces flights]

[Dr Ralph]

Did I misread that you said you were downgraded to J and if that was so you’ve got a lot of points back. Or did you also cancel something?

Nothing cancelled. Involuntary downgrades.

 

[renatts]

This seems strange to me renatts. I rang yesterday morning to change a points booking in J on QF35/QF1 (via SIN) in July 2020 and I was able to be swapped straight over on to QF9, notwithstanding that the old QF1 had not been cancelled/replaced on the QF system yet (and to my knowledge still hasn't). I would call again and quote Serfty's documentation.

Yeah, I’m sure if I got a different call centre it could have been sorted, but I’ve called 4 times and gotten the South African call centre every time. I’m kinda sick of being on hold, or waiting for a call back, just to have someone not understand what I’m talking about, and then tell me there’s nothing they can do.

I’d say yours was simpler for them because it was staying on Qantas metal. Mine would need to be changed to a partner airline, as our end destination is Amsterdam, not LHR, and we don’t really want to go via Perth and London just to get to Amsterdam. Especially when KLM run a direct flight Sin to AMS that has about 26 free business class seats on our date as per expert flyer.

Is definitely a fine example of the operator you get making a massive difference in result.

 

[DC3]

There are not many reports (yes, a few) from AFFers regarding QF issuing revised e-tickets for international flights up to September. I had the impression that things would be happening by now. I realise that they are ‘prioritising’ this.

Even though my affected return is still 4 months away, I’m keen to have some confirmation. I did try the Call Centre (Hobart answered) but advised to sit tight and wait for the notification.

I have an expectation that revenue availability will be used for existing award bookings because there are no award seats left for my options.

 

[snabbu]

Points refunded. 250,000+ already back in my account.

Speaking to the QF call centre (I believe it was the NZ office) I was told if I accepted the involuntary downgrade from F to J the points and taxes refund would be processed after both sectors were flown. I decided to accept the downgrade online for both QF7/8. Points have not been refunded, yet.
I'm not fussed if the points come back now or after the trip - did you have to pro activlely request the points to be refunded instantly, or did I just recieve incorrect information from and agent who wasn't overly helpful anyway?

 

[DC3]

Speaking to the QF call centre (I believe it was the NZ office) I was told if I accepted the involuntary downgrade from F to J the points and taxes refund would be processed after both sectors were flown ...

Not that I’ve had to cancel anything as yet, but there’s been so much inconsistency in what CSOs are saying. Hopefully the points/taxes are sorted automatically for your account within the next week or so.

 

[Dr Ralph]

Speaking to the QF call centre (I believe it was the NZ office) I was told if I accepted the involuntary downgrade from F to J the points and taxes refund would be processed after both sectors were flown. I decided to accept the downgrade online for both QF7/8. Points have not been refunded, yet.
I'm not fussed if the points come back now or after the trip - did you have to pro activlely request the points to be refunded instantly, or did I just recieve incorrect information from and agent who wasn't overly helpful anyway?

As part of the change process they told me exactly what would happen. First the original bookings would be cancelled and the points refunded in full. Then the new bookings would be made and the points for those bookings would be deducted. This is precisely way it has been set out in my FF account.

In my case I originally booked F because no J seats were available. I would have preferred to book J but was not unhappy about the chance to fly F even though the points were much higher. Now I've been downgraded I'm in a position where I'm in J seats that I never could have originally booked.

 

[mviy]

I wonder if the self isolation requirement when returning home if it lasts a while will lead to all 12 A380s being grounded, not just 10.

 

[pauly7]

I wonder if the self isolation requirement when returning home if it lasts a while will lead to all 12 A380s being grounded, not just 10.

I think that is an absolute given personally.
Plus a grounding of more widebodies.

 

[Economy_Gold]

I wonder if the self isolation requirement when returning home if it lasts a while will lead to all 12 A380s being grounded, not just 10.

This requirement practically closes the Australian borders to all tourist, business visitors and will also massivly reduce the number of Australians going overseas.
Therefore I expect QF to cancel most international services, including the last 2 A380s.

 

[get me outta here]

Perhaps QF will just do what's necessary, or say we are cancelling if we don't hear from you to say otherwise, and all the monies and points etc will be refunded. Instead of telling us to contact them and waiting on the phone for 3-4 hours.

 

[Economy_Gold]

Perhaps QF will just do what's necessary, or say we are cancelling if we don't hear from you to say otherwise, and all the monies and points etc will be refunded. Instead of telling us to contact them and waiting on the phone for 3-4 hours.

While I would really like to see such a solution that would remove the need to overload the callcentre, I think it will only happen if the Australian Government supports Qantas. Otherwise I have doubts that the cashflow situation of the company (like most international airlines) would allow a refund of the flight costs to everyone.

 

[AIRwin]

While I would really like to see such a solution that would remove the need to overload the callcentre, I think it will only happen if the Australian Government supports Qantas.

Only QF?

 

[DC3]

Trying to keep up with all of this. How does the self-isolation apply after arriving from an International flight into Sydney, say, but you need to get home, to the back-blocks of Tassie (via 2 x domestic flights)? The self-isolation begins after those flights and you are back at your residence? Maybe I’ve missed something?

 

[AIRwin]

The self-isolation begins after those flights and you are back at your residence?

Clock starts running from the date of leaving the origin:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-isolation-guidance_3.pdf

 

[serfty]

Trying to keep up with all of this. How does the self-isolation apply after arriving from an International flight into Sydney, say, but you need to get home, to the back-blocks of Tassie (via 2 x domestic flights)? The self-isolation begins after those flights and you are back at your residence? Maybe I’ve missed something?

You carefully travel to the Taswegian Back Blocks ...

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-drivers-and-passengers-using-public-transport.pdf

 

[DC3]

Clock starts running from the date of leaving the origin:

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2020/03/coronavirus-covid-19-isolation-guidance_3.pdf

Thank you. I see the attachment was dated 11/3/20, so things have changed a bit now?

 

[Mr H]

Trying to keep up with all of this. How does the self-isolation apply after arriving from an International flight into Sydney, say, but you need to get home, to the back-blocks of Tassie (via 2 x domestic flights)? The self-isolation begins after those flights and you are back at your residence? Maybe I’ve missed something?

I'd say it's fairly immaterial. Since air crew would have to self-isolate for 14 days if they fly into Australia, I predict there will be almost no international flights after midnight tonight.

 

[Economy_Gold]

Only QF?

In Australia also Virgin, but given the much smaller international flight schedule of Virgin that would not really matter. The important and expensive case is QF.

 

[get me outta here]

Yes, whatever can be done to take the pressure off call centres whoever they are. I didn't mean to have the whole answer to a very complex problem. But, airlines saying we've cancelled come call us and we'll put you on hold for hours is not working.

While I would really like to see such a solution that would remove the need to overload the callcentre, I think it will only happen if the Australian Government supports Qantas. Otherwise I have doubts that the cashflow situation of the company (like most international airlines) would allow a refund of the flight costs to everyone.

 

[get me outta here]

Seems as if QF heard me and you can turn some flights into a voucher. Details :

Coronavirus travel update | Qantas

Find information on immigration changes and options for customers with travel booked to mainland China.

www.qantas.com

.

Yes, whatever can be done to take the pressure off call centres whoever they are. I didn't mean to have the whole answer to a very complex problem. But, airlines saying we've cancelled come call us and we'll put you on hold for hours is not working.