I will be booking the last outbound CNS-MEL direct flight of the day when I return from a Mike Ball Live Aboard via low altitude flight (which is not part of ONE) from GBR (Lizard Island I believe). The time they list as returning to CNS airport is 11 AM and the last non-stop to MEL is 12:50 on QF. BTW, I will have all 4 segments booked in OZ, and I will have maxed out my 20 segments.

If I missed the 12:50 QF flight I see having 2 options to get to MEL that day.

1. Purchase a CNS-BNE/SYD-MEL oneway flight and pay cash thus not using the CNS-MEL segment at all. What are the ramifications, if any, of not using the CNS-MEL ONE segment?

2. Purchase a SYD-MEL oneway ticket and then re-ticket/re-issue the CNS-MEL ONE segment to be CNS-SYD connecting with the SYD-MEL purchased segment. Is this possible or will the hoops I need to jump through be too much? I assume I will pay the $75 re-issue fee plus the cost of the ticket from SYD to MEL.

3. Will QF GA feel sorry for me and book me onto the CNS-MEL flights via BNE or SYD. And, if they do, then what are the ramifications down the road with regard to me exceeding 20 segments because they accommodated me on 2 flights which was originally 1? Should I be cautious of them doing something like this and causing more headaches than I need down the road.

I would prefer not to stay in CNS, or change the other part of my OZ visit as preferred aircraft have been selected and I have my ONE routed to maximize mileage so using a ONE segment for SYD-MEL does not fit in well with that. So other scenarios, like going to SYD first have been explored and dismissed, and the above options are the best backup plan IMO. I just need to know the ramifications of the scenarios outlined above.

Thanks in advance for any insight from those in the know.