Risk 1hr 5min ZRH stopover for F reward?

[sa0072]

I'm looking at QFF reward with BA cityflyer LCY - ZRH; 1 hr 5min stopover then F reward with EK. If the first leg is late and I miss my flight, do Qantas have to find me a new flight? I would have 23 hrs then to get to DXB (if I missed it) to get to my next connecting flight. Zurich airport guidelines say 1 hr minimum. Just seems so tight, but yet QFF has it together as an option

 

[RooFlyer]

If it’s on the same ticket then yes, the airline will re accommodate you, and, better, the EU flight delay provisions may apply.

But the next offered flight may not be the same or even next day and/or may not be in First.

Your onwards connection out of DXB would be at risk.

Yes, airlines can sell flights which satisfy minimum connection times. In this case, it’s not the connection time itself that I’d be concerned about, but a delay in the BA flight inbound.

Again, you would get the EU rule compensation for a long delay but you’d still miss your onward DXB flight if it was a very long delay.

 

[exLXCXFF]

A couple of thoughts:

1. The BA flight from LCY does not always arrive at the E Gates, but sometimes at the D Gates (which really is Gate B). In that case you would need to deplane, and somehow get out to the E Gates again (I have done that once in 2017 when the LX flight from HKG was first displayed in D and then moved back to E - I can’t remember whether you can do that w/o going through immigration (2x) again. So which passport you hold is essential as you may or may not able to use the automatic immigration gates
2. D to E takes you 20 - 25 mins from deplaning I would say.
3. The A380 is boarded at E56, at the very end of the terminal. So that’s another 5-7 minute run.
4. If you arrive with BA on time from LCY in the E gates, then this should be fine as transit security is often very quick in the E gates.
5. Whilst past performance is not an indicator of future performance, did you look at how this BA flight performs normally? LCY can be hectic and also weather can play a crucial factor in timing especially in autumn and winter where there are often delays.
6. If you miss it, will be hard for QF to find you an F award, they may say, the next one is in 17 days or just offer to put you into J and giving you a few points back. I have never read a success story on here for a missed F award due to connection.

 

[sa0072]

thanks for your quick replies @RooFlyer and @exLXCXFF
I think it's just a bit too fine so I'm giving it a miss

 

[ChrisMars]

Although OP has made the decision to not persue this option, just want to add that in case of missed connection, it's the operating airline that arrived late (BA) that is responsable of finding an acceptable alternative, not QF. BA should then look into its inventory, and partner airlines inventory, to find another seat (award or revenue seat, doesnt matter anymore during IROPS) normally in the same booking class, but might propose lower cabin class if the next flights are full in F. So this depends on the partners flying your route (ZRH to DXB? Not sure what s your final destination), the class they fly, and the availability of seats.

 

[madrooster]

BA and EK do not have an interline agreement so BA will not be able to check you in for the EK flight, even though it would be one ticket. You'd be landing at effectively what is the EK check in cut off, so it's a hard no go.

 

[exLXCXFF]

BA and EK do not have an interline agreement so BA will not be able to check you in for the EK flight, even though it would be one ticket. You'd be landing at effectively what is the EK check in cut off, so it's a hard no go.

Interesting observation @madrooster, did not even think about that issue.

Is this offering then kind of a glitch from a QF side as the system obviously does not validate the interline agreements but presumably only the MTC for a given airport. Sounds a bit silly that this ticket is being offered and imagine you buy it, rock up at LCY and hear what you just said…

 

[madrooster]

Is this offering then kind of a glitch from a QF side as the system obviously does not validate the interline agreements but presumably only the MTC for a given airport. Sounds a bit silly that this ticket is being offered and imagine you buy it, rock up at LCY and hear what you just said…

It's arguably one of those situations that slips through the cracks. QF has interline agreements with BA and EK, however BA and EK don't.

The booking and ticketing process does not validate interline agreements between connecting carriers as it's not a requirement to issue a ticket. Eg. I can ticket a QR fare on QR ticket stock and that ticket can contain both QF and VA domestic segments on that ticket. QF and VA don't have full interline that's for sure.

The best solution to block such connections would require either BA or EK to file invalid MCTs (ie. "INV" MCT) at all ports that they connect at. That's easier said than done...

 

[sa0072]

in case of missed connection, it's the operating airline that arrived late (BA) that is responsable of finding an acceptable alternative, not QF

That's interesting...I rang Qantas (got through straight away!) and told them flights I was looking at, what would happen if I missed connecting. They said MCT was 1 hr so all okay. I said it seems a bit tight if BA run late. She said if it was and I missed connecting EK flight, to see Qantas and they would arrange another flight. And if I decided I wasn't happy with that option, to ring and ask for another option. I wonder if she gave me incorrect info.. ?
I didn't end up booking. Ended up booking J reward BA: LHR-FRA then EK: FRA-DXB with 1.5hr connect. At least if it's late and I miss it, a J seat will be easier to find

 

[madrooster]

I didn't end up booking. Ended up booking J reward BA: LHR-FRA then EK: FRA-DXB with 1.5hr connect. At least if it's late and I miss it, a J seat will be easier to find

If you are going carry on only you might be fine but if you're checking baggage it will a potential recipe for disaster.

 

[Quickstatus]

a J seat will be easier to find

not necessarily... Typically a Y seat is easier to find. There are more of them

 

[sa0072]

If you are going carry on only you might be fine but if you're checking baggage it will a potential recipe for disaster.

Took your advice @madrooster and went with longer (albeit midnight) connection on Royal Jordanian LHR-AMM and AMM-DXB with Emirates . Couldn't imagine fitting a few weeks luggage into carry-on. I cancelled the previous one within 24 hours and QF said they'd waive 6000 point penalty. Still haven't got points back yet. It's been four days, so I'll have to follow it up