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.

I am not in the know, but this is my guess:

scenario 1: before you can resume your owe in MEL you are going to have to re-issue and pay the fee + the additional ticket.

scenario 2: re-issue and pay fee + additional ticket.

scenario 3: your best bet, *if* QF goes for it. QF could, if they wanted to, take your CNS-MEL coupon and give you a CNS-XXX-MEL e-ticket in its place, with no re-issue, no hassles, and, hopefully, no fee; but, the fact that your inbound to CNS is not part of the owe will probably play against you.

Actually, wouldn't the easiest thing to do if you miss the flight is to stay in CNS an extra day and just call to schedule CNS-MEL for the next day?

I know it's something you don't really want to do, but think of these advantages:

1. Depending on where you start this trip date changes to times (versus locations) might be free.

2. You'd avoid the hassle of reissuing the remainder of the ticket, and you wouldn't have to worry about giving up the seats for the other flights.

3. If you're spending a week on a dive boat and build up a week's worth of nitrogen an extra few hours on the ground (especially since you're flying before, even low altitude) to decomp even with the built in time I'm sure you'll get on the boat isn't the worst thing either before you go up into 1/2 altitude.

Only drawback to this is you'd better make sure of availability beforehand so you don't worry about getting stuck there.

The hoops to reissue especially at a desk likely staffed by people who have no idea how to do an RTW are not insignificant. Counter that with my vague memory of walking up to the counter after I'd missed a flight on my last OWE and rebooked it with a call to the OW desk, and even with the old coupon all went smoothly.

Other than that, scenario 3 is what you'd hope for - my previous RTW would have actually been 21 segments if I'd completed as a forced reissue added one in the US - but sympathy is going to be very important to get this done as unless it's a QF flight don't expect them to do so. Keeping the itinerary intact will cause you a lot less pain and is a lot better option than scenarios 1 & 2.

Thanks for all the useful info. In light of the information provided, when it actually comes to booking I may well consider booking the later flight to or BNE and purchase the connection to MEL. This would avoid potential complications. I will make a determination later after talking with the dive op to see what their casual reference to the flight returning to CNS at 11 AM actually means. If it means that is the latest they return then this is a moot issue; however if they are uncertain then I could go with the later flight via SYD from the git go.

BTW, regarding the diving, I will have been top side for 24 hours by flight time, use EAN 36 so nitrogen levels and microbubbles will not be an issue. Also, I will only be on live aboard for 4 days. Trust me, after a good friend who was a dive instructor got hit hard twice with DCS, I don't take any chances. BTW, he is fine, but has given up diving to pursue other less life threatening interests.

If I do reserve the 12:50 flight, and then miss it, yes I could stay in CNS, but will eat a day from my MEL stopover and also take a hit on the Hotel room. Depending on the options at the time, if this were to happen at least I will be prepared mentally for the possibility.

Thanks again for yours and Viajero�s insight.

Having been on two ex-CNS liveaboards I can assure you they will have you out and off as soon as they can. The turnaround time is very short and they need to get the boat ready for next pax. I also did the CNS-MEL flight but round availability very tight. I was waitlisted until the day before.

I agree with what has been said about giving yourself an extra day and removing some of the stress. Hotels in CNS are relatively cheap. I stayed in a small motel type place and it was excellent value. Good sized room that was clean and comfortable.

I agree with this 100%. I had a yet-to-be-started AONE4 reissued by BA at EDI (Edinburgh) a few years ago and it took them most of the day. After 1.5 hours at the Ticket Desk I eventually left them to it and returned later that night.

I doubt very much if the agents at CNS will ever have had to do one. It could take so long that you would miss the later flights!

Glad to hear your friend is ok. I knew someone who actually didn't make it out of a wreck dive (no one ever really figured out what happened) so I tend to be overcautious - at least before I throw on my drysuit, some year I'll get the hang of BC in it! Incidentally, any good recommendations for GBR dive operators when I do my segment of the OWE I'm about to start next month? Wasn't really planning to do a liveaboard unless its brief. Given I haven't gotten wet in a couple years and am still getting back into good shape wasn't also planning to be terribly hardcore about it either,

Regarding overnighting, keep in mind a lot of hotels have 6 pm cancel policies day of, so if you don't make your flight just call and resched, so you don't pay 2 nights hotel. Unless you're staying with friends that is...

The only desk I've found that really is good at reissuing RTWs is AA's LHR desk; they pulled a neat trick forcing an electronic conversion of 19 segments from a written ticket last time I was there. I'm sure there are others, but the thought of giving it to say an agent in the boonies would frighten me...

Edit after posting after saw this on another thread on this forum that made me laugh:

Guess CNS isn't the boonies after all! Still, try to avoid OWE reissues if at all possible.

I did this liveaboard in January 2002. Excellent boat and crew. They are aiming at the "Mike Ball" market and services but without the "Mike Ball" prices. The food produced by the Swiss Chef and his wife was amazing for such a small galley.

The diving was excellent. Lots of different types of dives and nothing that would be too much of a challenge to an experienced diver.