QF Partner Award Involuntary Downgrade.

[Cadboy]

Hello Friends

I managed to snag a couple of incredible one way QFF first class partner awards SYD-HND-DFW & JFK-HND-SYD all in JAL F later this year. Unfortunately the SYD-HND/HND-SYD (JL51/52) equipment has been down-gauged to a 788 meaning for that sector I have been forced into J both directions. I have a couple of questions about this:

1. Given that both directions were booked as one ways with less then 24 hours in HND the itineraries are considering connected and have priced all the way through as one F award. Am I correct in saying that even though half the journey is now in J I am NOT entitled to any points compensation because this ticket would still price the same as the original?

2. The SYD-HND/HND-SYD (JL51/52) sectors seem to have been rebooked as full fare (J) class and are now showing they will earn a full serve of points at status credits (6,000 Qantas Points and 60 Status Credits each way). I assume this is an unexpected bonus assuming I don’t make any further changes?

3. Further to the above does being booked in revenue J now allow me any extra flexibility? I would prefer a longer stop in HND but booked with less than 24 hours originally to maintain the most "efficient" away through pricing while enjoying F the whole way. Now that I am in only in J for half and fairly mediocre J at that (not a fan of JL 788) would there be any possibility they would move the J sector a few day earlier to create proper stopover in HND even if there is no award space? I realise this would 'break" the ‘through pricing’ of the award and would instead re price as 2 different individual sectors while also losing the rev fare bucket I currently have for JL51/52 but is this even possible?

4. My other option is just to cancel the SYD-HND/HND-SYD (JL51/52) sectors and find a different way of getting between Aus and Japan with a better stop over but this will be very tricky given peak time of year. If i were to do this though I would get a sizable refund of points and tax since the existing awards would just be rebooked and repriced as the HND to USA sectors correct?

5. Any other thoughts from the brains trust haha? I want to run everything here first before risking any changes with the rampant incompetence the fills the QFF offshore call centers.

Cheers,

 

[Mattg]

Given all of the above circumstances, I personally would not touch this ticket. Just make sure it's been re-ticketed correctly and enjoy the trip

 

[offshore171]

I wouldn’t mess with it to be honest. Bird in the hand.

 

[sudoer]

Am I correct in saying that even though half the journey is now in J I am NOT entitled to any points compensation because this ticket would still price the same as the original?

Correct

2. The SYD-HND/HND-SYD (JL51/52) sectors seem to have been rebooked as full fare (J) class and are now showing they will earn a full serve of points at status credits (6,000 Qantas Points and 60 Status Credits each way). I assume this is an unexpected bonus assuming I don’t make any further changes?

Likely correct

3. Further to the above does being booked in revenue J now allow me any extra flexibility? I would prefer a longer stop in HND but booked with less than 24 hours originally to maintain the most "efficient" away through pricing while enjoying F the whole way. Now that I am in only in J for half and fairly mediocre J at that (not a fan of JL 788) would there be any possibility they would move the J sector a few day earlier to create proper stopover in HND even if there is no award space? I realise this would 'break" the ‘through pricing’ of the award and would instead re price as 2 different individual sectors while also losing the rev fare bucket I currently have for JL51/52 but is this even possible?

I wouldn't try this unless you have an involuntary schedule change on the SYD-HND legs. At the very least it will cause a reprice

4. My other option is just to cancel the SYD-HND/HND-SYD (JL51/52) sectors and find a different way of getting between Aus and Japan with a better stop over but this will be very tricky given peak time of year. If i were to do this though I would get a sizable refund of points and tax since the existing awards would just be rebooked and repriced as the HND to USA sectors correct?

You may end up worse off on taxes.

5. Any other thoughts from the brains trust haha? I want to run everything here first before risking any changes with the rampant incompetence the fills the QFF offshore call centers.

Have a look at award availability in F on SYD-SIN (BA) and SIN-HND (JL) as these carriers are on the same QFF classic award table.

It's not unheard of to see seats on these routes and you should be able to get the change fee waived by QFF. The points table may be the same bracket (nothing additional to pay) or the next bracket up. Taxes will be recalculated and the BA leg will add a bit...

That's the best chance I can think of to avoid JL 788 J ... which is really not a bad config if you get the Apex Suites rather than the Shell Flat Neo.