Involuntary Downgrade

These guidelines outline the notification, rebooking, ticket reissue and fare adjustment process for you to follow when your customer has been affected by an operational change resulting in an involuntary downgrade of the cabin.  The fare adjustment process also applies to customers booked in premium cabins who travel in an inoperable seat.

General Information

Your Customer’s Ticket

General Information

What is an Involuntary Downgrade?

An involuntary downgrade is when your customer is affected by an operational change that results in a downgrade of the cabin.

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How will I be Notified if my Customer has been Affected by an Involuntary Downgrade?

Customers affected by an operational change will be automatically rebooked by Qantas to the new cabin.

You will receive notification through your Technology Partner queues. Qantas will send a status change to the affected flights as a UN/TK message and an SSR/RM remark in the PNR. Queues and notifications should be checked frequently.

If the involuntary downgrade is not acceptable to your customer, please refer to the Qantas Schedule Change Policy for rebooking options.

For involuntary downgrades on another airline’s flight validated to a Qantas (081) ticket, please refer to the Other Airline Schedule Change Policy for rebooking options.

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Your Customer’s Ticket

Ticket Reissue Guidelines

For Customers Holding a Qantas (081) Validated Ticket

All Qantas flight changes need to be reissued prior to travel to prevent customer mishandling. You can reissue the ticket in-house to retain control of the ticket for future servicing, within these guidelines:

  • Original ticket to be reissued to reflect the new booking class or cabin
  • Ticket to be reissued with no additional collection or refund of fare and ticket taxes
  • No change fee is to be applied to the reissue
  • All details of the original ticket to be shown on the new ticket including fare basis and fare calculation
  • Any existing data in the tour code box is to be retained
  • An authority must be placed in the endorsement box. The authority number for the involuntary downgrade is: 415235.

Qantas NDC Call Out

If Qantas makes an involuntary downgrade to your customer’s booking, follow one of the below options: 

  •  If your customer is satisfied with the change, accept the involuntary downgrade change to the order and reissue the ticket using the Involuntary Downgrade authority number 415235.
  • If your customer is not satisfied with the change, then you should reshop to an alternative flight and reissue the ticket. using the Involuntary downgrade authority number 415235.

Please contact your Technology Partner if further assistance is required.

For Customers Holding a Ticket Validated to Another Airline

You should refer to the ticketed airline's involuntary downgrade policy for the applicable ticket reissue guidelines.

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For Customers Holding a Qantas (081) Validated Ticket

All Qantas flight changes need to be reissued prior to travel to prevent customer mishandling. You can reissue the ticket in-house to retain control of the ticket for future servicing, within these guidelines:

  • Original ticket to be reissued to reflect the new booking class or cabin
  • Ticket to be reissued with no additional collection or refund of fare and ticket taxes
  • No change fee is to be applied to the reissue
  • All details of the original ticket to be shown on the new ticket including fare basis and fare calculation
  • Any existing data in the tour code box is to be retained
  • An authority must be placed in the endorsement box. The authority number for the involuntary downgrade is: 415235.

For Customers Holding a Ticket Validated to Another Airline

You should refer to the ticketed airline's involuntary downgrade policy for the applicable ticket reissue guidelines.

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Applying for a Fare Adjustment

Unless otherwise stated in the fare rules, customers affected by an involuntary downgrade of the cabin are eligible for a fare adjustment refund in accordance with the operating airline's involuntary downgrade policy.

Customers booked in premium cabins who travel in an inoperable seat are also entitled to the same fare adjustment. Please include the inoperable seat number in the refund request.

How to Claim a Fare Adjustment

  • A fare adjustment request should be submitted once travel is completed on the ticket
  • For customers holding a ticket validated to Qantas (081), request a fare adjustment through a BSPlink Manual Refund Application
  • If the involuntary downgrade was on another airline’s flight, include a copy of the boarding pass with the refund request
  • For customers holding a ticket validated to another airline, contact the applicable airline who will liaise with Qantas on your behalf

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