[Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10April

[Supersonic Swinger]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I would have thought that the aim should have been to get the liabilities of the zillions of accrued points off their books and get/keep QFF members on qantas planes. all these points sitting there are a major liability on their Balance sheet, surely ?

But by 'enhancing' (i.e. devaluing) the points like they continue to do, they are able to reduce the value of the liability currently on their balance sheet. I expect another strong 'profit' to be reported by the QFF division next half-yearly results announcement - reducing the liability goes straight to revenue and to profit (in the short term at least).

Will be interesting to see what happens in 12 months if the ASA's in the form we know and love are still there. I am currently WP and will possibly drop back to SG on renewal and fall off the tree after that as I am burning my points on simple Classic bookings until my 7 figures points are gone.

i am now accruing in CITIBANK and AMNEX REWARDS rather than sweeping into Qantas FF and I reckon that gives me the flexibility now to get the best deal rather than just fly QANTAS including payin for my own Business seats using tips on this site as I have done in the past.

My QFF account has been reduced to crediting QF/OW flights to, for anything else there are many other programs which provide much greater flexibility and value.

 

[CaviAck]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

To get every QFF member out of the dark why don't they simply insert onto the booking web site what is in the AFF sticky above, can't be that hard...

If you want to book an Any Seat Award that books into the Classic Award fare classes, follow this process:

1. Check on-line for classic award availability. If Classic Award availability exists, proceed to next step.
2. Call the new special phone number (1300 366 587) 9am-5pm EST Mo-Fr and ask "I would like to book a Classic Award fare as an Any Seat Award please".
3. You should not be charged any Telephone Assistance Booking Fee for the reservation
4. If the agent does not understand the request, ask them to check with a supervisor and try reversing the request above to "I would like to book an Any Seat Award in X/Z/U/P class" [these are the classic award fare classes for economy/premium/business/first]

Then once common sense has returned and we are able to book ASA's back online, they can remove it!!

Thank you Limewood!

Just had a chance since the switch over to this call centre non-sense and was astonished to see how many posts have been made and couldn't find a walkthrough.
Tried reading through this thread while ringing up the LOTFAP number and was put through the normal channels. First agent was adamant it wasn't possible to do a ASA over the phone, saw your post and was sadden by the fact I had to call an Aussie 1300 number during business hours. However I was already on the phone to a second agent on the LOTFAP number and I persevered as the second agent was also adamant that this was not possible. I pressed on and asked for a JASA, and the first result came up with a D class fare. Doubled checked with the agent if there was U class availability and there was but was told that if I wanted a U class fare in the ticket it would have to be a round trip and not just one way. I pressed on, saying I was able to do it before the system change and voila! A one way U class ASA came up with the correct (expected) points plus cash payment!

If for some reason you can't reach the dedicated Aussie number (eg. In LOTFAP, overseas or your only phone available is SKYPE with a LOTFAP 1800 number) PERSEVERE! There will be a lot of bumps along the way but stay calm and nudge your agent towards the goal.

Now the question is where to check the penalties for changing or cancelling flights on a U fare ASA...

I'll be back to finish reading this thread, after I sleep off some cruiselag and jetlag lol.

 

[yongkang]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Hate to call. Is there anything we can do to have Qantas reconsider the xASA REMOVING? I think the goal is to have Qantas return the xASA online.

 

[Ansett]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Hate to call. Is there anything we can do to have Qantas reconsider the xASA REMOVING? I think the goal is to have Qantas return the xASA online.

Yes if we all band together and bombard QF with complaints and or do as I have done and booked flights on other airlines such as SQ then they will have to listen

 

[nlagalle]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Yes if we all band together and bombard QF with complaints and or do as I have done and booked flights on other airlines such as SQ then they will have to listen

Actually rather than bring back ASA's I'd prefer them to offer Status credits on all award bookings. Problem solved then..

 

[beardoc]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Actually rather than bring back ASA's I'd prefer them to offer Status credits on all award bookings. Problem solved then..

I think this is the trick - and would probably be of best long term benefit.

 

[Ansett]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Actually rather than bring back ASA's I'd prefer them to offer Status credits on all award bookings. Problem solved then..

I agree that would be a much better option but given that they seem to want to direct people to use what is more or less points plus pay with much higher redemption rates then I cant see them in the near future allowing SC earn on Classic Awards.

 

[nlagalle]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I agree that would be a much better option but given that they seem to one to direct people to use what is more or less points plus pay with much higher redemption rates then I cant see them in the near future allowing SC earn on Classic Awards.

Actually I asked the exact question during the briefing to the Qantas team and although i was given a no comment, i wasn't given a no either. I think you might be surprised to see it happen sooner than you might think.

 

[Limewood]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Actually rather than bring back ASA's I'd prefer them to offer Status credits on all award bookings. Problem solved then..

An excellent idea.

 

[Ansett]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Actually I asked the exact question during the briefing to the Qantas team and although i was given a no comment, i wasn't given a no either. I think you might be surprised to see it happen sooner than you might think.

Hi nlagalle

I hope that you are correct however if that was the intention all along then surely it would have been better to announce the demise of the xASA and the introduction of a positive enhancement to classic awards in the way of SC earns.

This whole business has been handled very very poorly IMHO thus far by QF and is indicative of so many other developments such as the website, the EK JSA where EK Flight numbers dont earn points, member benefits falling with the alignement, it appears to me that QF has some very amatuer people in key decision areas at the moment.

 

[nlagalle]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

Hi nlagalle

I hope that you are correct however if that was the intention all along then surely it would have been better to announce the demise of the xASA and the introduction of a positive enhancement to classic awards in the way of SC earns.

I've said this elsewhere but people who have been utilising xASA's are a small minority, not the larger group.

This whole business has been handled very very poorly IMHO thus far by QF and is indicative of so many other developments such as the website, the EK JSA where EK Flight numbers dont earn points, member benefits falling with the alignement, it appears to me that QF has some very amatuer people in key decision areas at the moment.

EK flights do earn points, they don't earn SC's though. not unusual when you look at the other airline partner earning tables either.

 

[Ansett]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I've said this elsewhere but people who have been utilising xASA's are a small minority, not the larger group.



EK flights do earn points, they don't earn SC's though. not unusual when you look at the other airline partner earning tables either.

If it is a small minority that utulise XASA why the rush to what appears to be getting rid of them? ( Unless as you suggest could be happening in that they are to allow SC earns on Classics) In which case this has been poorly handled IMHO


My Appology You are correct my mistake meant SC and I was more pointing out that with the old BA JSA you got SC if you flew on either a BA or QF flight number where as now if you fly an EK flight number then you dont get SC

I sincerely hope that what you are alluding to is what QF have in mind and that they declare their hand very very soon as I have moved two Int J Flights from QF to SQ as a result of this debacle

 

[beardoc]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I've said this elsewhere but people who have been utilising xASA's are a small minority, not the larger group.



EK flights do earn points, they don't earn SC's though. not unusual when you look at the other airline partner earning tables either.

I think you're right here - the fact that they impact us on this board doesn't mean that anyone outside of this (somewhat unusual) group of flyers even noticed.

I would imagine that the lack of SCs have to do with the OW agreements - that QF couldn't have people earning SCs for flights outside alliance and then the OW alliance would then have to recognise that status, when no airline within the alliance got any benefit from it (other than QF, indirectly).

 

[beardoc]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

If it is a small minority that utulise XASA why the rush to what appears to be getting rid of them?

Because they don't fit in with their new simplified booking system. People understood the old system very badly (outside of this forum).

 

[Anna]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

People understood the old system very badly (outside of this forum).

They seem to be understanding the new one even worse.

 

[Ansett]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I think you're right here - the fact that they impact us on this board doesn't mean that anyone outside of this (somewhat unusual) group of flyers even noticed.

I would imagine that the lack of SCs have to do with the OW agreements - that QF couldn't have people earning SCs for flights outside alliance and then the OW alliance would then have to recognise that status, when no airline within the alliance got any benefit from it (other than QF, indirectly).

With all respect, So by being a member of Air Berlin FF I can earn miles and STATUS miles flying on Ethiad that will accrue towards achieveing OWE? Ethiad obviously are not One World therefore I would suggest that this argument or assumption may not hold.

From the Air Berlin Topbonus Pages on Ethiad Earn and Burn rates

Earn up to 250% of the actually flown miles on Etihad Airways as topbonus award and status miles
Redeem your miles and book your Etihad Airways award flight from 20,000 topbonus award miles
topbonus Silver, Gold and Platinum Card holders can additionally enjoy status benefits such as Priority Check-in or additional luggage allowance on all Etihad Airways flights

 

[opusman]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I was more pointing out that with the old BA JSA you got SC if you flew on either a BA or QF flight number where as now if you fly an EK flight number then you dont get SC

BA flights still earn SCs in eligible booking classes, and that had nothing to do with the JSA - it's because of the oneworld alliance.

 

[nlagalle]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

If it is a small minority that utulise XASA why the rush to what appears to be getting rid of them? ( Unless as you suggest could be happening in that they are to allow SC earns on Classics) In which case this has been poorly handled IMHO

Because as it was mentioned it doesn't fit into the new booking engine.

My Appology You are correct my mistake meant SC and I was more pointing out that with the old BA JSA you got SC if you flew on either a BA or QF flight number where as now if you fly an EK flight number then you dont get SC

Nothing to do with the JSA, that is a OW benefit.

I sincerely hope that what you are alluding to is what QF have in mind and that they declare their hand very very soon as I have moved two Int J Flights from QF to SQ as a result of this debacle

We were told there were other parts coming to the booking engine but no timings yet.

 

[Ansett]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I still comment that if indeed QF are going down the SC on all Award flights then surely they should have had all of the ducks lined up ready to shoot at the one time not a disjointed effort as it currently is.

 

[beardoc]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

They seem to be understanding the new one even worse.

I disagree. It's simpler, has the choice of searching for all flights via the one interface. This is a good thing ultimately for customers as a whole, even if it impacts us that knew how to get value out of the old system.