Standby on Qantas flight booked with AA miles?
Apr 6, 2014, 11:22 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: New York, NY
Programs: IHG Spire Ambassador, Hyatt Explorist, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 456
Standby on Qantas flight booked with AA miles?
Hello all,
Does Qantas allow standbys for an earlier (domestic) flight if it was booked using AA miles? Currently, I've got a flight from SYD arriving in MEL at 8pm on May 18, connecting to QF9 - MEL-LHR the following day. Any earlier SYD-MEL flight would exceed 24 hours, so I was hoping to go standby. Would Qantas allow this? Thanks for the help!
Does Qantas allow standbys for an earlier (domestic) flight if it was booked using AA miles? Currently, I've got a flight from SYD arriving in MEL at 8pm on May 18, connecting to QF9 - MEL-LHR the following day. Any earlier SYD-MEL flight would exceed 24 hours, so I was hoping to go standby. Would Qantas allow this? Thanks for the help!
Apr 6, 2014, 3:18 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
Not to my knowledge. If, however, QF are actively trying to move people onto earlier flights due to, for example (1) approaching bad weather, or (2) cancelation of the late / last flight, then you might have a chance of such a move forward. If you have high status, you might get more of an audience (in the Qantas Club lounge) if you make the request - otherwise I wouldn't expect anything.
Apr 6, 2014, 3:38 pm
#3
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,265
I had a good experience on DXB-LHR, booked on QF1 which was showing a 40-minute delay into DXB was able to be rebooked onto QF9 which left/departed on time. Was in F booked with AA miles. The only downside was less time at the lounges, but worth it overall in order to arrive at the office on time.
I doubt that it would have worked if QF1 was showing an on-time arrival, however.
I doubt that it would have worked if QF1 was showing an on-time arrival, however.
Apr 6, 2014, 6:16 pm
#4
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: DCA
Programs: UA LT 1K, AA EXP, Bonvoy LT Titan, Avis PC, Hilton Gold
Posts: 9,658
Not to my knowledge. If, however, QF are actively trying to move people onto earlier flights due to, for example (1) approaching bad weather, or (2) cancelation of the late / last flight, then you might have a chance of such a move forward. If you have high status, you might get more of an audience (in the Qantas Club lounge) if you make the request - otherwise I wouldn't expect anything.
Apr 6, 2014, 9:19 pm
#6
Join Date: May 1998
Location: australia
Posts: 5,762
Not to my knowledge. If, however, QF are actively trying to move people onto earlier flights due to, for example (1) approaching bad weather, or (2) cancelation of the late / last flight, then you might have a chance of such a move forward. If you have high status, you might get more of an audience (in the Qantas Club lounge) if you make the request - otherwise I wouldn't expect anything.
Agree in general, but on high frequency routes like SYD-MEL, I have several times (on reward tickets) been but on an earlier flight when checking in. I suspect the rationale - what if later in the day there are issues (weather, mechanical, others with misconnections, etc) then it is better to fill up the earlier aircraft. These routes have 767s and A300s.
On the 1 or 2 occasions that I have requested an earlier flight I have been told that I would need to contact AA to change the ticket.
(Bad) Weather is your friend sometimes
Apr 6, 2014, 11:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney, Australia
Programs: QF Gold LTG (ow Saph), HHon Silver, Marriot Gold
Posts: 2,927
QF are generally sticklers for the rules if you call the call centre etc.
but once at the airport, the customer service agents, particularly those in the lounge (albeit not that useful if you have luggage) tend to be more flexible.
That said has been reported on another forum that there have been some recent directives to limit flexibility on the cheaper inflexible tickets, but as always YMMV depending on the agent
but once at the airport, the customer service agents, particularly those in the lounge (albeit not that useful if you have luggage) tend to be more flexible.
That said has been reported on another forum that there have been some recent directives to limit flexibility on the cheaper inflexible tickets, but as always YMMV depending on the agent
Apr 7, 2014, 10:58 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On a Bridge
Programs: Starwood Residences Owner, AA 1MM, MP Gold, Avis-Hertz PC, Ritz Gold
Posts: 1,072
I've had 100% success standing by on an earlier domestic flight using an award ticket. Standing by for a later flight is the same as a no-show.
While Qantas agents religiously follow rules, some go above and beyond to help (e.g. if at first you don't succeed, ask at another counter).
While Qantas agents religiously follow rules, some go above and beyond to help (e.g. if at first you don't succeed, ask at another counter).
Apr 8, 2014, 2:59 am
#9
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: SYD
Programs: QF WP/LTG | UA P
Posts: 13,530
I've had 100% success standing by on an earlier domestic flight using an award ticket. Standing by for a later flight is the same as a no-show.
While Qantas agents religiously follow rules, some go above and beyond to help (e.g. if at first you don't succeed, ask at another counter).
While Qantas agents religiously follow rules, some go above and beyond to help (e.g. if at first you don't succeed, ask at another counter).
Apr 9, 2014, 2:51 pm
#10
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: On a Bridge
Programs: Starwood Residences Owner, AA 1MM, MP Gold, Avis-Hertz PC, Ritz Gold
Posts: 1,072
MEL didn't prove too bad but still ended up shelling out $450 to get back to SYD after no-showing. Started off in Domestic Business Lounge (incredibly rude), then Customer Service counter past security (slightly nicer but unwilling to accommodate) followed by Ticketing counter outside security (very nice lady took pity and moved me to next day's flight).
Apr 10, 2014, 3:46 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Melbourne
Programs: ►QFWP/LTG►VA WP►HyattExpl.►HiltonGold►ALL Silver
Posts: 21,993