Recent SYD-MEL fly-ahead/standby experiences?

[shuuy]

What are your recent experiences in SYD-MEL trying to fly ahead same day? Have read

• "flow forward" most likely on days with bad weather.
• Hit or miss with lounge agents, definitely not on the contact centre
• App often allows the opportunity

But unclear how status plays into it... and whether red e-deal's are part of it (Platinum page now says "## Only available when booked on fares permitting waitlist for travel on selected Qantas operated flights with a Qantas (QF) flight number on your ticket. Check booking for fare rules.")

($200 difference between a 9pm and 4pm MEL-SYD... so wondering if you risk it for the biscuit. Probably not?).

 

[elanshin]

What are your recent experiences in SYD-MEL trying to fly ahead same day? Have read

• "flow forward" most likely on days with bad weather.
• Hit or miss with lounge agents, definitely not on the contact centre
• App often allows the opportunity

But unclear how status plays into it... and whether red e-deal's are part of it (Platinum page now says "## Only available when booked on fares permitting waitlist for travel on selected Qantas operated flights with a Qantas (QF) flight number on your ticket. Check booking for fare rules.")

($200 difference between a 9pm and 4pm MEL-SYD... so wondering if you risk it for the biscuit. Probably not?).

I used to get it every time on SYD - MEL on the app regardless of my status or fare booked. However since the app update, my last 2 flights (last thu ANZAC day) and today the option isnt there.

I know that Thu it was relatively light loads so normally I'd be offered an earlier flight.
This is still just 2 data points recently but it may be that they've stopped offering it (I'm sure i wasn't the only one changing as I'd regularly see row 4 occupied seats disappear and be available again om the day of the flight).

 

[SeatBackForward]

Only ever had this option when either:
a) Bad weather / network operations has been announced
b) On Flexible tickets.

Even as a WP, I've never been given this option on the cheapest fares.

 

[Ade]

Tried fly forward today for CBR-SYD leg. Arrived 5 hours earlier to airport and requested if I can fly early. Agent asks if I have a flex ticket, I say no. She asks for ID, scans my QFF card. I also say I have an international out of SYD. She then puts me on the next service out. QF WP here.

 

[shuuy]

On a recent day trip SYD-MEL I had the options in an app (outbound could have been earlier or later) on a red e-deal.

"ATC cancelled" two morning flights, so there wasn't any capacity inbound or outbound (my plane had multiple middle seats free).

On the return I'm lucky to have made my flight thanks to MEL's fantastic highway system, leaving Richmond 75 minutes before my flight and 2 security screening belts not operational.

 

[Ade]

Tried fly forward today SYD-CBR. Booked on the 0930 service - just to factor in additional time as I was coming off an international flight. But everything went on time, so arrived at SYD J domestic check in around 0640 and requested if it is possible to fly forward. The person manning the J queue asked if I had a Flex ticket. I say no, then she tells that "we are not doing fly forward today, you can try your luck at the lounge".

I got to the SYD J domestic lounge around 0650 and requested if it is possible to fly forward. The agent gladly put me on the 0730 service. I was in CBR by 0830 and at work before 0930. Lucky day!

 

[RichardMEL]

Tried fly forward today SYD-CBR. Booked on the 0930 service - just to factor in additional time as I was coming off an international flight. But everything went on time, so arrived at SYD J domestic check in around 0640 and requested if it is possible to fly forward. The person manning the J queue asked if I had a Flex ticket. I say no, then she tells that "we are not doing fly forward today, you can try your luck at the lounge".

I got to the SYD J domestic lounge around 0650 and requested if it is possible to fly forward. The agent gladly put me on the 0730 service. I was in CBR by 0830 and at work before 0930. Lucky day!

Glad lounge angel helped. You may have gotten more joy at T1 transfer check in rather than the dom check in. Those agents seem to have more lattitude in this dept and possibly would have done it there as they deal with that stuff a lot.

 

[Ade]

Glad lounge angel helped. You may have gotten more joy at T1 transfer check in rather than the dom check in. Those agents seem to have more lattitude in this dept and possibly would have done it there as they deal with that stuff a lot.

Makes sense. Will try asking at the transfer desk next time. Got a trip coming up in a few days.

 

[elanshin]

Ok so they moved where it shows up in the app now.

Instead of a big yellow notice at the top it's now a tiny bar here. So i may have just missed it last time.

 

[wannabeinvestmentbanker]

As a general rule I wouldn’t rely on fly ahead. If there is weather it will get enacted but outside that they seem to manage the route very tightly especially if you’re less than P1 and not on a flex

 

[elanshin]

As a general rule I wouldn’t rely on fly ahead. If there is weather it will get enacted but outside that they seem to manage the route very tightly especially if you’re less than P1 and not on a flex

I don't rely on it, but i do book SYD - MEL knowing I'd be ok with the flight i booked but also seeing if there's ways to get a more prime slot time.

Also just watched a SG ask to move from the 10pm tonight to an earlier flight (8:30pm) at the SYD dom J lounge (QP is closed/closing now). Lounge Lady offered him thr flight and I think he took it.

I just did it on the app and still kept my exit row seat.

 

[elanshin]

I feel as though we need to have a bit more awareness on this. Seems lots of FF have no idea this is a thing on QF.

I suspect they don't advertise it because they don't want it to be an official policy, but the amount of times ive used it over the last 2 years is quite regular on the golden routes.

Lounge may say no, but app often lets you move around. If you're one that pays attention, you'll often see a seat or two on row 4/exit rows open up a few hours before flights as some people (like myself) move to earlier flights.

 

[gaz0303]

Wow…had no idea this was a feature in the app. It will save me from hassling the lounge staff where I got a lot of success moving flights.

 

[fletty]

I've never been offered it (in the app) in Brisbane, Sydney almost always when flying in the evening, especially on a Friday, and have had it appear a few times out of Melbourne in the afternoon.

From my experience I've always been offered an earlier flight if I ask nicely at the lounge.

Most recent experience was a MEL>BNE at 2130 in J (on sale for DSC) and got brought forward 4 hours at the lounge.