The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[dairyfloss]

Hello.
Looking for advice on how likely Qantas will be to let myself and 2 guests into the Sydney First Class Lounge. Flying J on CX if that matters.

I am WP, the others have no notable status. I understand that officially it is myself + 1 guest only, but what would the likelihood be that they would be generous and let my additional guest in? Flight time is quite late, 10.20PM.

Following from that, I am denied two guests, could I allow my 2 guests in while I go elsewhere? (forfeiting my flounge access)

Unlikely, but it doesn't hurt to ask, especially at that late hour. If it is a "No", I'd take one guest down to J (your least favourite guest ) and leave them there, and then come back with the other. You won't be able to guest in 2 in place of you + 1.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[TheDefenestrator]

What's the standard operating hours for the HBA/VIP Service Team?
I think I got lucky with reaching one of the VIP team recently to change one leg of a multi-city CR ticket - same flight on BA, but W -> J.
Looks like F has opened up on the same flight now so hoping to call up to do a similar change (since it errors out online) and hopefully not have the ticket get messed up lol.

 

[BriarFlyer]

What's the standard operating hours for the HBA/VIP Service Team?

I believe the HBA contact centre operates 7am-11pm, seven days a week.

 

[Beerman]

I've looked but cant find an answer, so I'm asking here.
I'm trying to use QF points for East coast Aus to Europe, dep late Aug 25, return late Sept. What I'd like to know is,

Can I open another One World carriers booking portal and use QF points directly?

Obviously I can do this on the QF website, but there is no availability around the dates we want. I have tried the AA website and after selecting suitable flights it wants an AA log in, which I'm not a member, so could progress no further.

Do I need to join AA (or other OW carrier) to be able proceed with this method, or it's just not feasible?
Beers,
Beerman

 

[SYD]

I've looked but cant find an answer, so I'm asking here.
I'm trying to use QF points for East coast Aus to Europe, dep late Aug 25, return late Sept. What I'd like to know is,

Can I open another One World carriers booking portal and use QF points directly?

Obviously I can do this on the QF website, but there is no availability around the dates we want. I have tried the AA website and after selecting suitable flights it wants an AA log in, which I'm not a member, so could progress no further.

Do I need to join AA (or other OW carrier) to be able proceed with this method, or it's just not feasible?
Beers,
Beerman

No, you can only use QF points with QF website/app/call centre.

Have you tried using the multi-city booking tool to see if you can cobble something together?

 

[Beerman]

No, you can only use QF points with QF website/app/call centre.

Have you tried using the multi-city booking tool to see if you can cobble something together?

Thanks @SYD going out is ok, not great, but return is not working. Will have a look on Seats.Aero in the next few days for something. It seems to be the best tool I've found so far.

 

[Mwenenzi]

I've looked but cant find an answer, so I'm asking here.
I'm trying to use QF points for East coast Aus to Europe, dep late Aug 25, return late Sept. What I'd like to know is,

Can I open another One World carriers booking portal and use QF points directly?
Obviously I can do this on the QF website, but there is no availability around the dates we want. I have tried the AA website and after selecting suitable flights it wants an AA log in, which I'm not a member, so could progress no further.

Do I need to join AA (or other OW carrier) to be able proceed with this method, or it's just not feasible?

Thanks @SYD going out is ok, not great, but return is not working. Will have a look on Seats.Aero in the next few days for something. It seems to be the best tool I've found so far.

Nothing to stop you booking the outbound now. Then later the inbound as a separate award if you can find something half suitable.. No need to have the same EU & AU airports for both awards. Award EU to Asia and then a separate cash ticket to AU is another option. What class of travel?

 

[Beerman]

Nothing to stop you booking the outbound now. Then later the inbound as a separate award if you can find something half suitable.. No need to have the same EU & AU airports for both awards. Award EU to Asia and then a separate cash ticket to AU is another option. What class of travel?

I'm happy enough in Economy, partner would like premium E, especially if there are multiple stops to get to 'end' destination, or prolonged travel times >30+hrs etc.
I had thought of the strategy you mention, but don't like the pricing of one way revenue fares home, if it comes to that. May as well book a return revenue fare for the extra 20% and enjoy near direct flights IMO.

 

[RooFlyer]

I had thought of the strategy you mention, but don't like the pricing of one way revenue fares home, if it comes to that. May as well book a return revenue fare for the extra 20% and enjoy near direct flights IMO

Yes, that's one of the catches. I think @Mwenenzi 's suggestion of booking one-way points outbound, then one-way points inbound to say SIN, CGK or BKK, then a cheap revenue ticket for the short hop home is a good one.

 

[SYD]

Yes, that's one of the catches. I think @Mwenenzi 's suggestion of booking one-way points outbound, then one-way points inbound to say SIN, CGK or BKK, then a cheap revenue ticket for the short hop home is a good one.

Or even points flight to an Oz city (that’s not home) if you can get them. It’s easy to then get a seperate one way domestic flight.

Still an embuggerance but better than nothing.

 

[shaun_b]

I've got a two part question

If you are booked in J class and want to fly earlier, will the agents at the lounge offer Y class flights if no earlier J is available?

If so and you take the Y offer, will you still earn J SC and points related to your original booking?

 

[Lynda2475]

If you are booked in J class and want to fly earlier, will the agents at the lounge offer Y class flights if no earlier J is available?

Unless you re a P1, have a flex ticket or fly forward is happening due to weather then they dont generally allow you to request an earlier flight.

During weather events you can choose to take a Y seat.

If so and you take the Y offer, will you still earn J SC and points related to your original booking?

I think Original Routing Credits are only available for involuntary chnages. Not sure what happens if you choose to fly in Y earlier.

I often find when weather related fly forward is happening I dont get offered earlier flights if I have a J seat as with only 12 J seats there usually isnt any availability in J. If flying whY then is offered in app.

 

[elanshin]

Could I use the Qantas domestic at SYD going I-D without a connecting flight (partner is) and go to the lounge on arrival at T3?

 

[muehli3]

How can I convince a call center agent to book rewards seats?

Or, in other words: They tell me, no reward seats available, although I could book them online. ExpertFlyer also show 4 seats available. However, I cannot book them myself because it is the first leg of multi-city booking which I cannot do because of the broken Qantas multi-city booking with error code 3006

 

[RichardMEL]

Could I use the Qantas domestic at SYD going I-D without a connecting flight (partner is) and go to the lounge on arrival at T3?

Going to say no as you have no BP to scan or proof of onward travel. They may be nice and allow it with partner, but I would expect a rejection.

Have to get free Tbus (or nit free train)

 

[Lynda2475]

If I buy a flex fare and then cancel my flight prior to check-in closing I understand I can opt for a travel credit for the full amount of the fare which can then be applied towards on one or more flights within 12 months of the original booking date.

However if after doing so I find I am unable to use the credit within the 12 month window, can I then still request a cash refund (on say the 364 day mark) and just pay the $99 fee? Or once a flex flight has been converted to a credit does that negate all ability for a cash refund?

Paging @madrooster

 

[SYD]

If I buy a flex fare and then cancel my flight prior to check-in closing I understand I can opt for a travel credit for the full amount of the fare which can then be applied towards on one or more flights within 12 months of the original booking date.

However if after doing so I find I am unable to use the credit in time, can I then request a refund and just lose the $99 fee? Or once a flex flight has been converted to a credit does that negate all ability for a cash refund?

You could book another fully flex flight and then cancel that.

 

[Lynda2475]

You could book another fully flex flight and then cancel that.

But wouldn't the PNR be retained so your still stuck within the original 12 month window?

 

[Lynda2475]

Im trying to set up a fare alert, but it seems to deafult to whY and I cant seem to find a way to get an alert only for J on specific date. Any clues?

 

[SYD]

But wouldn't the PNR be retained so your still stuck within the original 12 month window?

Yes, but if you were trying to just get your cash back, rebooking and cancelling within the 12 mth period ought to work.