Travelling to Australia During COVID-19 (Discussion)

[gourevib]

My cousin, who was originally supposed to be flying LHR - SYD on Qatar this coming Wednesday, was bumped off her flight on Thursday. Next available flight in mid September. She's now rebooked herself on Singapore for tomorrow, fingers crossed.

I have asked earlier in this very thread about EC261 but no-one seems to know anything about how it works in these situations. I get the impression that the airlines are simply ignoring it.

The whole purpose of this thread is how to avoid being bumped. In principle it shouldn't be happening but it is still widespread.

This shows clearly that despite bad press and all that, this appalling practice is still alive and kicking. Have anyone heard similar things happening to passengers on US carriers (AA, United, Delta)?

 

[louie-m]

I think SQ tend to be less inclined to bump pax than others.

We're hoping that is the case. I don't think they would be selling tickets on Friday for flights on Monday if they weren't intending to transport you. At least, I hope not.

Incidentally, for anyone looking at SQ from LHR to SYD, I've been monitoring availability for the last few days and there has been at least one seat on multiple flights in premium economy and business on most days over the next week, although they come and go.

 

[Flying mermaid]

I think SQ tend to be less inclined to bump pax than others.

Heck when we travelled back last December my partner couldn’t even get himself bumped from the flight until we were at the airport a couple of hours before the flight. (i.e they wouldn’t allow his fully paid cash business class ticket that his company paid for, to take the place of his economy saver award ticket booked months earlier - although they managed to do so finally at the airport..)

SQ might not have been bumping people from flights but they haven’t been all that great either. Dr FM booked a business class fare with them (single lhr-bne), for $6,000 in September last year. In late November they cancelled her flight and refused to rebook her unless she paid 50% more. After advice from here and social media comments they agreed to rebook her at the same price. This was for an early Feb flight.

Then came the fiasco where Singapore stopped transits for flights from London. After they allowed flights where people transited on the tarmac, Dr FM’s tried to get moved to one of those — by this time she offered to pay whatever fare they wanted if they would do it. However they refused to move her and also refused to cancel even though it was clear her flight couldn’t proceed with a long transit in Singapore.

Finally in mid January she got offered a ticket on Qatar ($12,000) and booked it. She could cancel SQ with a small penalty just before it flew, so she let it stay to see what would happen. SQ finally cancelled and refunded her money 2 days before it was due to fly. She was in a fortunate position to be able to tie up nearly $20,000 in airfares but not so easy for others. There were a number of young medical specialists doing their training in the UK that SQ mucked around at this time, so they haven’t won a lot of friends.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Not that I know of, but I'm not 100% sure. She's not really sure what happened given she had an email from them the day before preparing her for the flight and then the next day the booking had disappeared from MMB. Couldn't get a straight answer.

Checking QR’s schedules might be the way to go... comparing a similar day to see the planned schedule vs the actual schedule on the day she is due to fly. If all the flights are going I’d be looking for some answers!

 

[PineappleSkip]

My cousin, who was originally supposed to be flying LHR - SYD on Qatar this coming Wednesday, was bumped off her flight on Thursday.

IIRC a problem with the application of the caps is that they don’t get ‘firmed’ up on a flight by flight basis until about a week or so out. So the airlines have to adjust their loadings accordingly, apart from the option of cancelling flights. There are of course in addition the constant and arbitrary reductions in caps which can impact immediately. I am not looking forward to the outcome of today’s National Cabinet at all.

Have anyone heard similar things happening to passengers on US carriers (AA, United, Delta)?

Yes. It gets a mention in podcast #54.

cheers skip

 

[MEL_Traveller]

IIRC a problem with the application of the caps is that they don’t get ‘firmed’ up on a flight by flight basis until about a week or so out. So the airlines have to adjust their loadings accordingly, apart from the option of cancelling flights. There are of course in addition the constant and arbitrary reductions in caps which can impact immediately. I am not looking forward to the outcome of today’s National Cabinet at all.

That could explain bumping, and probably an excuse for the airlines to avoid liability. But then that transfers the blame directly onto the Aussie government for causing pax to be bumped

 

[PineappleSkip]

There are things I’d blame the Feds for but not so much this. It is driven by wails and howls from selected states, which are as loud as ever today.

 

[gourevib]

IIRC a problem with the application of the caps is that they don’t get ‘firmed’ up on a flight by flight basis until about a week or so out. So the airlines have to adjust their loadings accordingly, apart from the option of cancelling flights. There are of course in addition the constant and arbitrary reductions in caps which can impact immediately. I am not looking forward to the outcome of today’s National Cabinet at all.


Yes. It gets a mention in podcast #54.

cheers skip

I have reviewed podcast #54 again but found nothing about US carriers. Maybe I missed it.

 

[louie-m]

My cousin, who was originally supposed to be flying LHR - SYD on Qatar this coming Wednesday, was bumped off her flight on Thursday. Next available flight in mid September. She's now rebooked herself on Singapore for tomorrow, fingers crossed.

Cousin made it to Sydney this morning, hurray! Thank you SQ.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Cousin made it to Sydney this morning, hurray! Thank you SQ.

Sorry if you already mentioned this... did they have to buy a premium cabin for that?

 

[louie-m]

Sorry if you already mentioned this... did they have to buy a premium cabin for that?

Premium economy. There was no availability in economy any time soon.

 

[dajop]

Premium economy. There was no availability in economy any time soon.

Not sure if even available for connections but the only seats i could find into Australia from SIN in an economy cabin with an SQ code (in the next few months) is into PER or MEL on a service operated by Scoot.

 

[mahooligan]

@madrooster your guides have been comprehensive and welcomed. I have a 12 month contract with the State Government of Victoria that requires me to leave Australia for 12 months. I wish to leave Australia with my partner (both Australian Citizens). I have a few questions for you please:

1. Do we complete one exit pass application where I list her as my dependent?
2. Do we need to include copies of our passports?
3. I will attach the following evidence
   • Statutory Declarations for the both of us stating why we wish to travel and that we will be away for more than 11 months, we have been in a relationship for over 15 months, etc. Also have Stat Decs from a Detective, Nurse and Dentist all saying the same.
   • Have contracts showing I'm engaged by State Govt. Victoria
   • Have registered a business overseas in our names
   • Expat Health Insurance for 12 months
   • Travel insurance for 12 months
   • One way tickets from Australia as we are not sure if we will be back in under 12 months
   • Evidence that we both have had all our Covid Jabs
4. How long would such an application take to process?
5. Likelihood to be knocked back?

Thanks for all your help.

Mahooligan

 

[louie-m]

Why was that? I've seen a few posts (not just here) about people getting bumped by QR.

I have heard that they still overbook vs. likely caps...is that the case? Had they previously made an assumption of increased caps from say July 1?

Don't know the answers to most of your questions, but as I mentioned somewhere upthread, my cousin was last week bumped from QR economy (been in UK since early March so probably booked in January or February) which should have left on Wednesday (30/6). And that into Sydney which as far as I know has never reduced any caps, so they can't use that as an excuse. So yes they are still overbooking.

 

[Revenge]

I have a 12 month contract with the State Government of Victoria that requires me to leave Australia for 12 months. I wish to leave Australia with my partner (both Australian Citizens). I have a few questions for you please:

1. Do we complete one exit pass application where I list her as my dependent?
2. Do we need to include copies of our passports?
3. I will attach the following evidence
   • Statutory Declarations for the both of us stating why we wish to travel and that we will be away for more than 11 months, we have been in a relationship for over 15 months, etc. Also have Stat Decs from a Detective, Nurse and Dentist all saying the same.
   • Have contracts showing I'm engaged by State Govt. Victoria
   • Have registered a business overseas in our names
   • Expat Health Insurance for 12 months
   • Travel insurance for 12 months
   • One way tickets from Australia as we are not sure if we will be back in under 12 months
   • Evidence that we both have had all our Covid Jabs
4. How long would such an application take to process?
5. Likelihood to be knocked back?

Thanks for all your help.

Mahooligan

I could probably answer most of these questions, I've just had an outbound travel exemption approved.

1. One application where you list multiple travellers
2. Yes
3. That should do it. I don't think you need stat decs from third parties confirming, just stat decs of the travellers.
4. Mine was approved in just under 48 hours
5. People leaving for 3+ months for compelling reasons are pretty sure to get approved if submitting all the correct documentation.

There is a really good facebook group which provides lots of guidance and has really good examples: Facebook Groups

 

[mviy]

The problem is my “compelling reason” is unlikely to fit within the government’s definition. Anyone who is wanting/needing to travel at the moment has a compelling reason in their own view.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Don't know the answers to most of your questions, but as I mentioned somewhere upthread, my cousin was last week bumped from QR economy (been in UK since early March so probably booked in January or February) which should have left on Wednesday (30/6). And that into Sydney which as far as I know has never reduced any caps, so they can't use that as an excuse. So yes they are still overbooking.

But it might have been an issue on whether the flight ex UK was actually flying rather than overbooking?

 

[Revenge]

The problem is my “compelling reason” is unlikely to fit within the government’s definition. Anyone who is wanting/needing to travel at the moment has a compelling reason in their own view.

My understanding is if it is for family reunification, work, medical, or compassionate reasons, those qualify as compelling reasons for the 3+ months category. If it's for a holiday or to go to a wedding or other event, then that's not sufficient.

 

[louie-m]

But it might have been an issue on whether the flight ex UK was actually flying rather than overbooking?

Maybe. But there are four daily QR or BA flights to DOH and I don't imagine they are particularly busy given Qatar is on the UK's red list (so no leisure travel, not that July in Qatar is popular anyway) and you can book them at short notice no trouble. So I doubt it. She couldn't get an answer as to why she was being bumped so I doubt we'll ever know.

 

[bcworld]

Maybe. But there are four daily QR or BA flights to DOH and I don't imagine they are particularly busy given Qatar is on the UK's red list (so no leisure travel, not that July in Qatar is popular anyway) and you can book them at short notice no trouble. So I doubt it. She couldn't get an answer as to why she was being bumped so I doubt we'll ever know.

I have seen posts from a travel agent in an FB group I'm in state that QR is guilty of overbooking.

I also think there may have been bookings made a long time ago for travel far into the future that assumed much higher caps on those flights.