Originally Posted by
number_6
It is up to UA not QF as it is within MCT; QF to QF would be no problem to change, esp. with QFF status equivalent to DM
I've flown over million miles with DL and now avoid them like the plague due to various problems, so not sure using DL as the target responsive airline is the best choice
Bottom line is cross-alliance connections generally mean no favours but only contractually required service, so going QF/UA is the problem and UA controls what happens. As for tight connections, I've made QF to UA within 30 min of landing, so it is possible but requires the stars to align (and have made QF to AA within 20 min but with concierge help). LAX isn't soooo bad of an airport if you know your way around.
Not sure why it is up to UA. Entire ticket purchased through QF, so QF could easily change the connection to one of the AA flights later that morning. Indeed, it gives me that option on its website, albeit at a change fee of $200.
I agree with you that LAX isn't too bad, except for: (1) if immigration/customs get clogged up and (2) the fact that UA terminals T7/T8 are much further out from TBIT than connecting AA flights. If everything works well, I should be fine, but what if....
I guess what makes me mad is that QF changed the connection time to being a lot less than what my personal comfort zone is to avoid potential hassle, and less than what was advertized when I bought the ticket. At that time, I had several later connecting options, but deemed a 2.5 hour connection sufficient. Now they change the schedule, but do not allow me to reconsider and get a later flight option. And yes, yes, it still meets MCT etc., but I think some flexibility would be a nice thing under these circumstances. It's not like I'm now trying to regret an earlier decision and just trying to get around the change fee.
Anyway, life will go on, and if things go wrong on the day, they'll just have to fix it.
