Flexi Change AFTER checking in for a flight
Nov 28, 2025 | 12:53 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2023
Location: NZ
Programs: NZ*GE
Posts: 638
Flexi Change AFTER checking in for a flight
For the first time ever today I checked in on a flight that I did not intend to catch.
My flight was delayed for 2 hours yet at T-10 for the ORIGINAL my app warned me I had not checked in yet.
1) if a flight is delayed does check-in still close at the original T-30? I thought for some reason that it moved to the new time-30? The app clearly showed the original T-30 as well as updated time that showed delays.
I stressed out so I checked in. Then I later switched to the flight I wanted.
I had bags to check in which is uncommon for me. At 8pm there was no one at Premium check-in and it wasnt being offered (??).
2) I was directed to the kiosk and it directed me to staff members. Was this anything to do with me moving flights after check-in?
Next I got to the gate and the check-in scanner flashed red saying j had already boarded(!).
Come on board and (not surprised to be honest) someone is in my seat. Guy has switched with another person (with permission) and doesnt have his BP further complicating the matter.
Turns out the passenger allocated the same seat as me has a similar (or same) family name as me.
ISM takes all the information out to the gate and still isnt back after 5 min during which time Im typing this story.
Weird experience!! I have so many questions.
Edit: ok ISM is back, seats allocated, but now there are discrepancies between the flight manifest and the number of people on board. Fun times! And this flight had been full too. That would have ramped up the difficulty.
My flight was delayed for 2 hours yet at T-10 for the ORIGINAL my app warned me I had not checked in yet.
1) if a flight is delayed does check-in still close at the original T-30? I thought for some reason that it moved to the new time-30? The app clearly showed the original T-30 as well as updated time that showed delays.
I stressed out so I checked in. Then I later switched to the flight I wanted.
I had bags to check in which is uncommon for me. At 8pm there was no one at Premium check-in and it wasnt being offered (??).
2) I was directed to the kiosk and it directed me to staff members. Was this anything to do with me moving flights after check-in?
Next I got to the gate and the check-in scanner flashed red saying j had already boarded(!).
Come on board and (not surprised to be honest) someone is in my seat. Guy has switched with another person (with permission) and doesnt have his BP further complicating the matter.
Turns out the passenger allocated the same seat as me has a similar (or same) family name as me.
ISM takes all the information out to the gate and still isnt back after 5 min during which time Im typing this story.
Weird experience!! I have so many questions.
Edit: ok ISM is back, seats allocated, but now there are discrepancies between the flight manifest and the number of people on board. Fun times! And this flight had been full too. That would have ramped up the difficulty.
Nov 28, 2025 | 6:58 am
#2
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: New Zealand
Programs: NZ Elite, QF Platinum (LTS ), VA Red and still happy!
Posts: 2,123
Hmm, sometimes when I've seen the inbound late, I don't bother going out to the airport at the prearranged time. There's no point. I'm sure I've called up and said "can I go out later?" and the answer has always been yes. I've never had any issues. You can still check-in online.
Not sure why the mix up with seats etc. Also sounds dodgy that guy managed to show a boarding pass to get on the plane but had lost it? while sitting in the seat?
If I'm switching flights I have unchecked in from the original flight and gone for the later flight but I believe that was Qantas or putting Emirates into credit (thanks Auckland traffic!) and then just booking Air NZ because I still had to go regardless so just caught the next flight out.
I'm not aware of being checked in and then switching to another flight.
I think you also can't change your seat after you've checked in which frustrates me on domestic as I can do that with Qantas. Can't remember if I've done it on the Tasman but I love that I can still switch seats even after check-in with Qantas. Except I have to be careful as some of them are just blocked rather than actually taken. Been caught out with that one once but it was an awesome flight anyway.
Not sure why the mix up with seats etc. Also sounds dodgy that guy managed to show a boarding pass to get on the plane but had lost it? while sitting in the seat?
If I'm switching flights I have unchecked in from the original flight and gone for the later flight but I believe that was Qantas or putting Emirates into credit (thanks Auckland traffic!) and then just booking Air NZ because I still had to go regardless so just caught the next flight out.
I'm not aware of being checked in and then switching to another flight.
I think you also can't change your seat after you've checked in which frustrates me on domestic as I can do that with Qantas. Can't remember if I've done it on the Tasman but I love that I can still switch seats even after check-in with Qantas. Except I have to be careful as some of them are just blocked rather than actually taken. Been caught out with that one once but it was an awesome flight anyway.
