Changing a F Class redemption booking

[LionCity]

I have a F Class redemption booking and there are about 4 daily flights. The F Class is generally very empty and redemption seems easily available.

I have the following questions:

1. Can I change the booking at the airport for an earlier flight?
2. Is it a painful process especially at the last minute when Krisflyer help line is closed i.e. after 9 pm?

Appreciate any kind advice.

[Kyo]

My experience is KF is generally not so keen and they would want to charge USD75 if within 24 hours of flight departure.

Same situation - I was also inquiring about leaving on an earlier flight. The cut-off seems to be within 24 hours of departure.

HOWEVER, and this may be when PPS *might* help - they might waive the fee if you use your PPS status... do have a try and let us know what happens.

(my example based on an upgraded Y into J revenue booking)

[StarG]

In the past they have been quite lenient and would let you change flights at the airport. However, in my last experience (last year, before the global crisis) the check in staff insisted that I had to contact KrisFlyer to change flights for O class.

No idea what they do these days. Good luck.

[Kyo]

Did they charge you a fee when changing at the airport, StarG? How long ago was that? I presume it was within 24 hours of departure?

[Dickson]

My one recent experience was that they still charged me USD75 for making a change <24hours. And this was despite my Solitaire status. I did this change over the phone <24hours before scheduled departure. I showed up at the airport and negotiated with the ground staff to waive the USD75 but to no avail.

[Kyo]

Well... sorry to hear that, Dickson, but thanks for clearing that up.

Did you inquire in the SKL? Those guys seem to try harder than the general check-in area landside...

[StarG]

I tried to catch an earlier flight on a simple SIN-CGK flight, at the F reception at T2.
Ended up not changing flights as they wanted to charge me a change fee as well. The earlier flight flew with F quite empty.

[LionCity]

I tried to catch an earlier flight on a simple SIN-CGK flight, at the F reception at T2.
Ended up not changing flights as they wanted to charge me a change fee as well. The earlier flight flew with F quite empty.

Thanks for the feedback to ALL...I think I will stick to the existing booking.

[milehighj]

I tried to catch an earlier flight on a simple SIN-CGK flight, at the F reception at T2.
Ended up not changing flights as they wanted to charge me a change fee as well. The earlier flight flew with F quite empty.

Wow I am surprised to hear that. In the recent past I have changed to earlier flights while travelling on I and X class when seats were available.

[Kyo]

milehighj: Within 24 hrs of your pre-existing/confirmed flight departure? Did they charge you USD75?

[SkySuites]

I was on a saver First last year BKK-SIN-SYD...I wanted to get on the earlier BKK-SIN flight to spend more time in the F lounge at Changi...it was the hardest thing to do...took over an hour and was charged 9000 KF miles and then another 7500 'no show' fee - tried to get that reversed once I got my statement but it is like dealing with autobots - too hard in the end.

The funniest thing is the F cabin was completely empty BKK-SIN and it was a solo F experience...

[stargold]

I think you sold yourself short there , since the TG BKK F lounge is supposed to be far, far better than the SQ SIN SKL F lounge. I have tried the SKL F (but not yet the TG F lounge) and I found it to be an extremely boring lounge. No meaningful upgrade over the SKL C lounge.

[StarG]

Wow I am surprised to hear that. In the recent past I have changed to earlier flights while travelling on I and X class when seats were available.

Yup. However - as I mentioned - this was still in 'good times' when lots of tightening/rule re-reinforcement etc. happened.
They may have relaxed the rule again lately.

[SkySuites]

I think you sold yourself short there , since the TG BKK F lounge is supposed to be far, far better than the SQ SIN SKL F lounge. I have tried the SKL F (but not yet the TG F lounge) and I found it to be an extremely boring lounge. No meaningful upgrade over the SKL C lounge.

hey you're right - I didn't think of that...was I entitled to use the TG F lounge? I've used it in the past in the new BKK airport and you're right - it is one of the best lounges - far superior than even the TPR or F SKL in T3 SIN.

Will think of that next time...

[milehighj]

milehighj: Within 24 hrs of your pre-existing/confirmed flight departure? Did they charge you USD75?

No, exact same example as StarG, different airports. Got to the airport early, and was able to take an earlier flight than was originally booked into. Would definitely not have paid a change fee.