Is Discounted Economy a Dirty Word at Qantas?
Aug 13, 2017, 1:28 am
#16
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 6,334
I fly a lot of last/first legs on Qantas after flying in on AA.com
A few times I've asked question like going standby and the response is always "but this is a discounted economy ticket" said with a bit of a sneer?
In the US most tickets are discounted economy, is that not the case at QF?
I ask this because I'm flying back soon (QF MEL-SYD) then using AA. I'm a bit worried if I misconnect QF will treat me shabbily. It's all ticketed on AA but AA has no presence in MEL and minimal presence in SYD.
A few times I've asked question like going standby and the response is always "but this is a discounted economy ticket" said with a bit of a sneer?
In the US most tickets are discounted economy, is that not the case at QF?
I ask this because I'm flying back soon (QF MEL-SYD) then using AA. I'm a bit worried if I misconnect QF will treat me shabbily. It's all ticketed on AA but AA has no presence in MEL and minimal presence in SYD.
That response is likely due to the number of people who buy the cheapest inflexible tickets...but then try to be put on a different flight..... the agent probably just assumed you were trying it on. As already said..if the QF flight is late they will make it right and get you home.
P.S. have a look at all the threads about European airlines - where US citizens are asking the same questions.. "why can't I standby?" It would appear Standby is largely a US airline concept.
Aug 13, 2017, 6:25 pm
#17
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Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,273
Thanks, but it was more than just going standby.
It just seemed (to me) that I was in the small minority with my T Fare Class ticket.
Good to know QF will make it right.
It just seemed (to me) that I was in the small minority with my T Fare Class ticket.
Good to know QF will make it right.
Aug 13, 2017, 6:58 pm
#18
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,549
Given that it is not permitted to rebook on day of travel, unless there is some other reason ( e.g. flight cancelled or has a long delay ) perhaps just take boarding pass for your booked flight and go; that way there will be no opportunity for any sneering , perceived or otherwise
Aug 13, 2017, 7:02 pm
#19
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: AUS
Programs: QANTAS, Oneworld
Posts: 84
Probably equivalent to QANTAS O (or one of the other similar Red e-Deal codes).
Aug 13, 2017, 9:49 pm
#20
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Melbourne
Programs: Velocity Gold
Posts: 1,069
AFAIK Qantas don't have standby like you do in the US, so this might be where you are struggling. You either can change the ticket completely (with the appropriate fare difference and fees, or it may not be allowed at all. i.e. it is rebooked or not.
Aug 14, 2017, 1:06 am
#21
Join Date: Jul 2007
Programs: QFF
Posts: 5,304
They once canceled a CBR-MEL flight I had booked and moved everyone to the earlier flight. I never got the message they said they left (they called the wrong number) and arrived at the airport in time for the now canceled flight. They put me on standby for the next 2 flights before confirming a seat on a flight 7 hours later.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:30 am
#22
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Brisbane QLD AU
Programs: QF
Posts: 235
Award tickets booked in 'X' class are treated as flexible fares so if there were 'X' class seats available they could be changed.
Commercial standby travel may happen from time to time for pax on flexible fares or occasionally on discounted fares in the case of IRROPS or some other network disruption when a 'flow forward' is in place. This would only be for pax with no checked luggage.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:39 am
#23
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,549
Standby does not happen in my experience - either rebooked and confirmed onto a flight or no change. Have not seen standby
Aug 16, 2017, 3:52 pm
#24
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Is 'T' class an ultra discount economy fare on AA or a Mile Saver award?
If you were on a discount economy fare eg fare buckets N, E, O, Q then no changes are permitted on the day, even if paying a fee.
Award tickets booked in 'X' class are treated as flexible fares so if there were 'X' class seats available they could be changed.
Commercial standby travel may happen from time to time for pax on flexible fares or occasionally on discounted fares in the case of IRROPS or some other network disruption when a 'flow forward' is in place. This would only be for pax with no checked luggage.
If you were on a discount economy fare eg fare buckets N, E, O, Q then no changes are permitted on the day, even if paying a fee.
Award tickets booked in 'X' class are treated as flexible fares so if there were 'X' class seats available they could be changed.
Commercial standby travel may happen from time to time for pax on flexible fares or occasionally on discounted fares in the case of IRROPS or some other network disruption when a 'flow forward' is in place. This would only be for pax with no checked luggage.
Aug 16, 2017, 3:56 pm
#25
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Several times I went "standby" at the gate; if any PAX failed to board in time, their seat would become available. Seems this was common practice, especially in the evening when parliament arose for the weekend/period.
Last edited by serfty; Aug 16, 2017 at 4:02 pm
Aug 16, 2017, 4:16 pm
#26
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Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 44,549
Back CBR in the venin the late nineties, I often used to fly out of CBR in the evenings, mainly in B and Y class.
Several times I went "standby" at the gate; if any PAX failed to board in time, their seat would become available. Seems this was common practice, especially in the evening when parliament arose for the weekend/period.
Several times I went "standby" at the gate; if any PAX failed to board in time, their seat would become available. Seems this was common practice, especially in the evening when parliament arose for the weekend/period.
My post was intended to relate to current times - If going back far enough, I remember buying a standby ticket for LHR-MAN on BA but BA does not sell such tickets now