Only 2 hours transit in SYD for international connection

[Rich]

For anyone still interested, in the end, when QF cancelled flights to SFO and put us on a flight to LAX instead (leaving SYD before we got there) we called again. The South African agent opened up 5 award seats for us MEL to DFW, which was a much better option for us anyway.
They owe us some points and dollars for this trip but I am reluctant to try and sort it out until after we have commenced in case they mess it up.

 

[JohnK]

To make matters worse, Qantas recently cancelled our domestic flight and put us on a later flight, reducing the time to exactly 2 hours and they still won't change our flight to an earlier one.
That's 2 hours (actually 1 hour given check in closes 1 hour before the flight) to account for delays, get off the plane, get our luggage, change terminals, check in and clear immigration. Certainly no time for dinner in the Amex or Qantas lounge as I hoped, but more importantly a big risk of missing the flight.

Whenever they cancel flights Or make changes you should be able choose the flight you want not the flight they force you take.

I've done this many times pre-covid but have not had a need to do it this year. I'd like to think that my Platinum status had nothing to do with it.

Do you have young kids, stroller etc? If you do then you can argue that you need longer connection to take care of the kids.

If not then keep calling and trying a different agent. You might find a sympathetic agent that will assist.

Last option is to arrive very early on day of departure hoping you can get on earlier flight.

I know this does not help you now but with Qantas I refuse to accept connecting flights under 3 hours but in today's environment I'd ensure that I did the domestic connection the night before and even then avoid the later flights as there could be delays/cancellations in the evenings.

 

[Rich]

Thanks John. In the end it was resolved (see my previous post) with a change of route, buy only because Qantas delayed flying again to SFO.

 

[JohnK]

Thanks John. In the end it was resolved (see my previous post) with a change of route, buy only because Qantas delayed flying again to SFO.

Yes I did see your post and good to see it was resolved. Have a nice trip.