Rights when flight time/schedule is changed?

10 replies

mbe1510

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Aug 2014

Total posts 27

Rights when flight time/schedule is changed?

Sorry for the big wall of text. Today I discovered my flight from Brisbane to Montreal on December 22, 2015 has changed. It's a Qantas (QF) coded trip booked BNE-LAX-YYZ-YUL. (The quickest trip Qantas offered to Montreal). Turns out my QF LAX-YYZ flight has been moved from 9am to 11pm that night as American Airlines has cancelled their morning direct service but kept their redeye one it seems.

But my QF YYZ-YUL leg operated by WestJet has been kept the same on December 22. So basically my Toronto to Montreal flight will leave before I've even left Los Angeles according to this schedule, leaving me standard it'd seem at Toronto. Unfortunately it was booked through an online website, not Qantas. Kinda regretting this. But what are my rights, obviously they have to fix up the trip but can I demand to rerouted via somewhere else as I need/want to be in Montreal that night. I've looked at other flights so I've seen a combo I'd like to get on. Will I have to pay for a change fee to request a certain flight. Would it help to call Qantas too? It seems the reason I'm in this situation is because Qantas moved the morning QF flight code to the evening flight. Thanks Qantas! Thank you very much.

TomGoddardd

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 15 Dec 2014

Total posts 191

Don't call Qantas they don't have much to do with it. If anyone call AA as they are causing the inconvienence, I would act very unhappy, and see if they can put you on the next available flight, (whatever airline) looking at the schedule for YYZ-YUL there seem to be quite a few flights, get them to put you on the next available flight they can book, also ask for an upgrade to Business (On both legs :) then if the wait is long ask for them to put you up in a hotel.

 

As for the online agency, I don't think that should be much of a problem, because AA will have your booking number and see that you are going through to Montreal.

 

Happy and Safe travels!

mbe1510

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Aug 2014

Total posts 27

Would love Business Class. On my booking on my frequent flyer account it says I need to confirm changes with my travel agent? I assume this means American won't help me?

mbe1510

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Aug 2014

Total posts 27

Contacted American. They said it's Qantas' problem as it was booked through them haha

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

Is this two separate bookings? The way you've described it suggests it's a single ticket? Have I read this incorrectly?

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 999

I am afraid if you have two separate booking you have very little rights. Neither party even obligated to give you refund. You may ask Qantas for full refund or ask them to rebook for earlier flights and they may help you, but this is about it I am afraid. Just do not tell Qantas that you have connection - say that you have meeting of life and death importance and they may rebook you one day earlier or via different connection.

mbe1510

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Aug 2014

Total posts 27

It's all on the same booking Serg all with QF flight codes.

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 999

If it the same booking all way through to Montreal then they should change all legs accordingly to make proper connection and give you accommodation if you have to stay overnight. Or give you full refund if new schedule not suit you. You may be late, though and you may ask them to re-route you completely but they may ask you for extra payment if new route cost more. If you like them to rebook you day earlier and they do not have seats then maximum of their obligation will be full refund and no one cares that you have to buy more expensive tickets because of this. This is my understanding and lets someone correct me if I am wrong.

 

TheRealBabushka

Member since 21 Apr 2012

Total posts 2,058

If it's on the same booking with a single ticket number then Qantas needs to fix this. However since you have not flown, the booking remains the responsibility of the travel agent. Call them up. If that proves unfruitful, call Qantas and see what they can do.

Serg

QFF

Member since 12 Apr 2013

Total posts 999

And do not be so negative - such cre@p happens continuously. They managed to kill my flight to Frankfurt when I have ticket on hands and hope that I can upgrade it and replace this flight with Emirates via Malaysia and India (or Sri Lanka, do not remember). However when I requested they gave me full refund including payment for seat in exit row that non-refundable.

mbe1510

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 07 Aug 2014

Total posts 27

Thanks for the help guys. Currently in contact with both Qantas and the booking agency so hopefully it works out in my favour.  

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