The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[elanshin]

Looking at flow forward. Did Qantas IT break something again

 

[Roga]

Hi guys.

Got a question regarding checked through baggage and allowance.

Flying from HND to PVG (China Eastern) then PVG to SYD (Qantas), made under one booking. Will be in economy on both, but just want to check if my baggage will be booked through to Sydney and what my baggage allowance would be if it was booked through? I can see in manage my booking that I have 2 pieces I can check in for both flights, is that correct?

 

[DejaBrew]

Hi Experts

Question re: linking QF bookings...

I have 2 separate PNRs for some upcoming travel (1 for the "main" return trip and another for the "repositioning" return flights). Ideally this was all on one PNR, but due to reasons for which I won't bore you, that didn't work out). My main concern is related to the final flight of my "main" booking as it requires a very tight connection from the arriving flight. Now, whilst I recognise Qantas have a responsibility to get me to my destination if delays to the arriving flight result in me missing the connection, but my concern is that such a delay may cause me to also miss the return leg of my "repositioning" booking.

So my question is -: Is there any value to calling up Qantas and requesting for the two PNRs to be linked (to make it more obvious that I have onward travel)? Or will this not really make any difference and I'm in the lap of the aviation gods?

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Unless you are WP/P1, and can get HBA, I would leave it alone and hope all goes well.
If you are lower down, and get MNL/JNB/NAN it cold see it get worst.
VH did say she would look into bringing all the QF call centers back to Aust, but this would take time.
Best of luck.

 

[RichardMEL]

Linking bookings will do nothing to offer any protections for a tight connection. As far as QF are concerned they are still two separate bookings.

Having said that, in tgeory, depending on the situation, you may bevable to through check in across the two bookings, which would make things easier, but there is still no requirement that you be protected or reaccomodated across the tight connectoon imo.

 

[DejaBrew]

Linking bookings will do nothing to offer any protections for a tight connection. As far as QF are concerned they are still two separate bookings.

Having said that, in tgeory, depending on the situation, you may bevable to through check in across the two bookings, which would make things easier, but there is still no requirement that you be protected or reaccomodated across the tight connectoon imo.

Thanks. That's sort of what I was expecting to be the case.

Maybe just to add some context, my "at risk" connection is in MEL where there is 30mins between the scheduled arrival of my inbound QF flight and the scheduled departure of my outbound QF flight. I'm flying in J and will (most likely) be HLO, so with any luck, I'll be able to simply jump off the inbound flight and immediately connect with the outbound flight, both of which are on the same PNR. But if that connection is missed, my concern is whether I'd reach my destination in time for the repositioning flight.

I know Qantas has a responsibility to rebook me to my destination if the MEL connection is missed due to late arrival etc (as it's all on the same PNR), and I appreciate there is no obligation for them rebook me if the repositioning flight is missed (as it's a separate PNR). I guess I was simply thinking that linked bookings might make it more obvious that there is onward travel and even if it doesn't provide protection per se, it might facilitate a more proactive approach to resolving things if delays come into play.

Good point though re: through checking.

 

[RichardMEL]

Thanks. That's sort of what I was expecting to be the case.

Maybe just to add some context, my "at risk" connection is in MEL where there is 30mins between the scheduled arrival of my inbound QF flight and the scheduled departure of my outbound QF flight. I'm flying in J and will (most likely) be HLO, so with any luck, I'll be able to simply jump off the inbound flight and immediately connect with the outbound flight, both of which are on the same PNR. But if that connection is missed, my concern is whether I'd reach my destination in time for the repositioning flight.

I know Qantas has a responsibility to rebook me to my destination if the MEL connection is missed due to late arrival etc (as it's all on the same PNR), and I appreciate there is no obligation for them rebook me if the repositioning flight is missed (as it's a separate PNR). I guess I was simply thinking that linked bookings might make it more obvious that there is onward travel and even if it doesn't provide protection per se, it might facilitate a more proactive approach to resolving things if delays come into play.

Good point though re: through checking.

I am now confused. If your tight connection in MEL is on the same PNR then if you miss it, you will be rebooked.

Btw 30min meets QF Dom-Dom MCT.

I think you need to clarify this more tbh.

 

[DejaBrew]

I am now confused. If your tight connection in MEL is on the same PNR then if you miss it, you will be rebooked.

Btw 30min meets QF Dom-Dom MCT.

I think you need to clarify this more tbh.

Apologies if I wasn't clear before. Allow me to clarify...

Flights in question for PNR #1: AKL>SYD, SYD>MEL, MEL>OOL
Flights in question for PNR #2: OOL>SYD

Connection time between the SYD>MEL and MEL>OOL flights is 30mins, so yes, they meet MCT and it's on Qantas to get me to OOL should service delays cause me to miss my scheduled MEL>OOL service. So far, so good.

However.... my OOL>SYD flight is scheduled to depart 110 minutes after the scheduled arrival of my current MEL>OOL flight. My concern would be getting on an alternate MEL>OOL offering that gets me to OOL within that 110 minute window.

So whilst I appreciate Qantas has no obligation to get me to OOL in time for my subsequent flight to SYD (that's on a separate PNR), I was trying to determine whether there was any value to linking the bookings to make it more obvious re: the onward travel (for whatever it's worth)?

All things being equal, the flights all depart/arrive relatively on time and this is a total non-issue

 

[RichardMEL]

Ok I see now.

I would suggest if you miss MEL-OOL there's twonoptions, they put you on a later one (JQ possibly) or ironically via SYD. Either way likely to muss OOL-SYD.

Potentially you may wind ymup getting on MEL-SYD and applying for IRC, thiugh split the way this is, your potential pain piint imo is at OOL and not so much MEL because QF is ibliged to get you to OOL, but not to get you there in time for your 2nd booking of OOL-SYD.

Of course if AKL-SYD has issues, you could get rebooked SYD-OOL.

If it was ME, I'd have scheduled OOL-SYD to first thing the next morning. That way, you have options to get to OOL if you miss that connection and not be a no show for the OOL-,SYD. As ut stands, if you get in a pickle you may have to cancel that to retain value or lose all via a noshow. This sounds like quite the status run.

Others may have differing views on this of course. Hopefully all goes OK.

 

[DejaBrew]

Thanks @RichardMEL. I did consider booking OOL>SYD the day after, but was thinking it would likely be ok. The original plan was simply AKL>MEL>OOL, however I then noticed I could do AKL>SYD>MEL>OOL for similar cost and a decent bump in (D)SC, so it was a no-brainer in that respect. In fact, ironically the latter routing provided greater buffer for the OOL>SYD flight. The longer I've had it booked, the more concerned I became about that 30m connection in MEL. I'm sure it will all work out fine... I was just contemplating approaches to minimise issues if the worst happened.

In summary, I guess I'm hearing that there's not much point in trying to link the bookings.

 

[tdimdad]

You may also be lucky to find an agent in MEL who can kindly rebook you to a new OOL-SYD flight if it's obvious you'll miss your original booking #2. If I got stuck in MEL in a similar situation, I'd try my luck in the lounge, asking if there's a way they could move me to a later OOL-SYD flight. In the best case, you'll be sorted without extra cost, mid case is rebooking with a fare difference, and the worst case they'll say "no can do" and point you to the call centre.

 

[dairyfloss]

Thanks @RichardMEL. I did consider booking OOL>SYD the day after, but was thinking it would likely be ok. The original plan was simply AKL>MEL>OOL, however I then noticed I could do AKL>SYD>MEL>OOL for similar cost and a decent bump in (D)SC, so it was a no-brainer in that respect. In fact, ironically the latter routing provided greater buffer for the OOL>SYD flight. The longer I've had it booked, the more concerned I became about that 30m connection in MEL. I'm sure it will all work out fine... I was just contemplating approaches to minimise issues if the worst happened.

In summary, I guess I'm hearing that there's not much point in trying to link the bookings.

The only linking of bookings I'm aware of that QF will do is the kind for keeping a group together, known as a 'TCP' link ('The Complete Party') - this type of link is for where you have two parties or more on the same flights but on separate bookings. This noted about linking, they should still be able to check you through from AKL to the final SYD destination as QF will check through QF>QF even on separate PNRs. Someone may know better how the system treats your booking/s once checked through, but it might end up creating some of the protections you're after. I'm sure though if push comes to shove, you'd still have to suffer any losses from a missed connection to the last PNR.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[baggyred]

Question - anyone had luck getting access to lounges or other benefits whilst in the midst of an itinerary that will achieve the required status?

Have a trip later in the year where I will achieve platinum, and was hoping to access the first lounge in Sydney - though at that point, I won't be platinum.

 

[RichardMEL]

Question - anyone had luck getting access to lounges or other benefits whilst in the midst of an itinerary that will achieve the required status?

Have a trip later in the year where I will achieve platinum, and was hoping to access the first lounge in Sydney - though at that point, I won't be platinum.

Then you won't get in, short of being guested by someone else, or flying in F of course.
Rocking up and saying "But I will be Plat after this flight" isn't grounds for entry. You will politely be directed to the J lounge.

 

[Bluewave]

Not full. You earn a reduced amount as per

Classic Flight Reward tables | Qantas Frequent Flyer

See how many Status Credits you’ll earn on Qantas marketed Classic Flight Rewards as a member of Points Club or Points Club Plus.

www.qantas.com

OMG! Being in Points Club, I thought I was going to crack Gold with my flights this m'ship year, but one trip is using Classic Rewards, and I had figured I'd get same SC's as if paying fare... but it appears that is wrong... oh no!! So glad I saw your post! I need to do a status run before my m'ship re-sets ...

 

[MelbFlyer]

I haven't flown QF Domestic for almost 10 years so don't have too much experience with QFd.

I have a return trip on QF from MEL to BNE next month and was just wondering the likelihood of "T-80" still being effective to get better / upfront / normally reserved seats?

As a lowly Bronze, looking at the QF seat map (also looked on Expertflyer), rows 4 to 8 and 10-12 are all greyed out with an X / unavailable as per below:



My current seat is just behind the middle exit rows and I've got a reminder on my phone set at 80hrs before the flight to login and check to see if I can change to / select Row 4 on the 737 (ideally 4C and 4D).

I understand it'll be highly dependent on whether or not there's other passengers with higher status that have already selected those seats or not, plus every flight is different, and you "just never know".

Basically long story short - have you had much luck in getting Row 4 at T-80 if you're a member with no status?

 

[SYD]

I haven't flown QF Domestic for almost 10 years so don't have too much experience with QFd.

I have a return trip on QF from MEL to BNE next month and was just wondering the likelihood of "T-80" still being effective to get better / upfront / normally reserved seats?

As a lowly Bronze, looking at the QF seat map (also looked on Expertflyer), rows 4 to 8 and 10-12 are all greyed out with an X / unavailable as per below:

View attachment 373494

My current seat is just behind the middle exit rows and I've got a reminder on my phone set at 80hrs before the flight to login and check to see if I can change to / select Row 4 on the 737 (ideally 4C and 4D).

I understand it'll be highly dependent on whether or not there's other passengers with higher status that have already selected those seats or not, plus every flight is different, and you "just never know".

Basically long story short - have you had much luck in getting Row 4 at T-80 if you're a member with no status?

T-80 still works but if you see a sea of blocked seats, just keep trying over the next day or so - even up to T-25.

There’s a dedicated thread on the topic.

 

[puchu]

T-80 still works. Row 4 secured.

 

[MelbFlyer]

There’s a dedicated thread on the topic.

Thanks, I couldn't find the thread even despite searching for "T-80" (got the result "The search could not be completed because the search keywords were too short, too long, or too common."), hence the question in the most appropriate thread I could find.

T-80 still works. Row 4 secured.

Thankyou, glad to hear that it's still useful.

 

[elanshin]

I haven't flown QF Domestic for almost 10 years so don't have too much experience with QFd.

I have a return trip on QF from MEL to BNE next month and was just wondering the likelihood of "T-80" still being effective to get better / upfront / normally reserved seats?

As a lowly Bronze, looking at the QF seat map (also looked on Expertflyer), rows 4 to 8 and 10-12 are all greyed out with an X / unavailable as per below:

View attachment 373494

My current seat is just behind the middle exit rows and I've got a reminder on my phone set at 80hrs before the flight to login and check to see if I can change to / select Row 4 on the 737 (ideally 4C and 4D).

I understand it'll be highly dependent on whether or not there's other passengers with higher status that have already selected those seats or not, plus every flight is different, and you "just never know".

Basically long story short - have you had much luck in getting Row 4 at T-80 if you're a member with no status?

T-80 should work. But a lot more people know about this so you have to be on the ball pretty quick.

At OLCI (t-24) all seats open up for free including emergency exit.

Do notr however that status shadows exist in lighter loads so you may see blocked seats still.