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

[pauly7]

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

I can't believe I just read this thread from beginning to end. Such vitriol!

Time to play CSR lottery, mix in skype call quality lottery and see if I can book a JASA again.

Cheers Skip

Don't worry about this thread now it's just for the people who can't seem to move on . Unless there is another major development no real need to keep checking I think!

The other factual thread about loads of people still booking these flights is much.... Calmer

 

[cove]

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

I did get offered an Any Seat one way in business class for two by Qantas to the AFL grand final at just over 750,000 points. I took the Classic for 100,000 via Brisbane from Perth and booked to get home with that challenging site Virgin Australia has.

 

[Mr_Orange]

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

I think that lottery is wrong as well. Some people have it way too easy. Time and time again. Or should I feel happy for them for getting something for nothing?


And you have every right. If they go they go. Move on.


Thanks for your wise summation....

You do seem to think the world owes you a favour because you earn your status down the back with discount economy status credits. You shouldn't be so bitter or begrudge those that attain their status through other, legal means.

 

[serfty]

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

...
If that is the case you will find a different way to earn status. You will evolve. If you really want to go somewhere then you may end spending the same amount of points on a Classic award. Isn't that what people were doing for many years until 2 years ago?

No - for much of the past decade I was spending mine on upgrades, generally on longhaul international segments. (It was easier pre-2005 when they could be done from any revenue class and would be confirmed immediately if U was available).

Before the turn of the century points upgrades were not available for international segments.

The last thing I am going to do after the many 'enhancements' I have experienced with the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is keep a warehouse full of points ... that 1990's 37.5K 'round oz business award cost 110K+++ by the 2000's.

 

[amaroo]

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

The last thing I am going to do after the many 'enhancements' I have experienced with the Qantas Frequent Flyer Program is keep a warehouse full of points ... that 1990's 37.5K 'round oz business award cost 110K+++ by the 2000's.

While the cash price to purchase the same ticket has fallen.

The best QFF point is the one you have already cashed in.

 

[cove]

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

Mrscove was very surprised just how difficult it has become to use Qantas points for international runs at the pointy end. She was trying something for August 2014 and the date reset to this September and we could go in 2 days time but not next year.

 

[whatmeworry]

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

Qantas would not be making much money on some of these bookings. With the example I highlighted earlier the taxes & surcharge component on the Any Seat award are much less than a cheap red e-deal on that route. The points cost is minimal and you earn 4x the economy SCs and you also earn QFF points to offest the minimal cost in points for the Any Seat award.

Whether QF makes much money on cheap ASA's is irrelevant. It is the incalculable value that ASA's adds to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

"The sum of its whole is greater than its parts".

 

[mono88]

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

Whether QF makes much money on cheap ASA's is irrelevant. It is the incalculable value that ASA's adds to Qantas Frequent Flyer.

"The sum of its whole is greater than its parts".

If QF makes any revenue from a particular seat, it is important to QF and better than zero;to help cover it's costs.

Also, by giving a ASA seat, QF is stopping a competitor airline getting that passenger and any revenue, which is important from a market share and loyalty aspect. QF has said that market share is an important objective.

It is no longer enough to just have an FF program, as perhaps people generally are not as brand loyal as in the past. The FF program needs to give QF a competitive advantage.

 

[JohnK]

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

You do seem to think the world owes you a favour because you earn your status down the back with discount economy status credits. You shouldn't be so bitter or begrudge those that attain their status through other, legal means.

World owes me nothing. What you are really saying is I am not allowed to voice my opinion on this topic because it upsets some people.

I earn my status the hard way. I couldn't care less how other people earn their status.

I look at ways to maximise my SCs. I was not happy when the AY tag runs disappeared. I was not happy when most CX cheap runs disappeared. I survived. I have now found another way to do it. And if this one disappears then I will find another way to do it.

If cheap Any Seat awards disappear then tough luck. It is not the end of the world. Find another way to spend your hard earned points. Or do you think if AFFers whinge enough Qantas is going to keep them?

Perhaps I should start my campaign to get Anytime lounge access back again.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

have I got this wrong? I thought a cheap ASA was only available where the seat was available as a classic award? and not otherwise?

so the seat was never going to make revenue anyway, just under a cheap ASA qantas gets additional revenue through a hefty surcharge in carrier fees (over and above the classic award carrier fees).

if that is correct, then the hefty surcharge is no different to a jetstar bundle. you pay extra and you get miles and SCs.

at least that how it works for those of us without status.

 

[QF WP]

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

I am hoping to have the video of Stephanie Tully discussing this issue at the Rockpool Lunch, up on this thread by COB tomorrow - a very kind Moderator has offered to assist me.

 

[EmilyHoward]

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

World owes me nothing. What you are really saying is I am not allowed to voice my opinion on this topic because it upsets some people.

I earn my status the hard way. I couldn't care less how other people earn their status.

I look at ways to maximise my SCs. I was not happy when the AY tag runs disappeared. I was not happy when most CX cheap runs disappeared. I survived. I have now found another way to do it. And if this one disappears then I will find another way to do it.

If cheap Any Seat awards disappear then tough luck. It is not the end of the world. Find another way to spend your hard earned points. Or do you think if AFFers whinge enough Qantas is going to keep them?

Perhaps I should start my campaign to get Anytime lounge access back again.

Have you considered going for a Senate seat next time JohnK?

EH

 

[oobi doobi]

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

Just booked my first any seat award under the new system. I am no expert at this but I think I know a little more than the rep I phoned up. I asked as per the AFF cheat sheet for a classic award booked as an any seat award in the "u" fare bucket. There was silence and then she said you mean a classic award. After a lot of talk I thought I must have it all wrong as I was quoted 100000 pts and some $700 NZ? and no SC's (classic award). I was after 2 business seats from Singapore to Perth next april which were showing at classic rates of 100000pts and about $550 taxes. Margaret was very friendly but I soon realised she had no idea of what I was asking for. As it turns out she is based in Auckland and the number of times I was put on hold showed her supervisor was struggling as well. I also quoted right on Q no 7740 and she went off to read it.

I then said all I am after is the SC's and she came back with a quote of over 900000 pts or 100000 and $6663. I said I think we are talking at cross purposes here and I might give up. She said wait one more time and she came up with 189000 pts all up. I said 'll have it. The whole process took 46 mins also told Margaret to read the relevant threads on Australian frequent flyer as she said this was the first one of this type she had encountered.

 

[asg29e]

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

Just booked my first any seat award under the new system. I am no expert at this but I think I know a little more than the rep I phoned up. I asked as per the AFF cheat sheet for a classic award booked as an any seat award in the "u" fare bucket. There was silence and then she said you mean a classic award. After a lot of talk I thought I must have it all wrong as I was quoted 100000 pts and some $700 NZ? and no SC's (classic award). I was after 2 business seats from Singapore to Perth next april which were showing at classic rates of 100000pts and about $550 taxes. Margaret was very friendly but I soon realised she had no idea of what I was asking for. As it turns out she is based in Auckland and the number of times I was put on hold showed her supervisor was struggling as well. I also quoted right on Q no 7740 and she went off to read it.

I then said all I am after is the SC's and she came back with a quote of over 900000 pts or 100000 and $6663. I said I think we are talking at cross purposes here and I might give up. She said wait one more time and she came up with 189000 pts all up. I said 'll have it. The whole process took 46 mins also told Margaret to read the relevant threads on Australian frequent flyer as she said this was the first one of this type she had encountered.

I've booked a few of these now and I think I have the terminology down pat. IMO as soon as the words "classic award" come out of your mouth you are behind the eight ball. But it sure helps if you get someone who actually knows that these exist.

 

[Limewood]

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

The lottery continues, one day Q may wake up.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

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

The lottery continues, one day Q may wake up.

Perhaps a "consultant" might be paid a large fee to put forward a 50 page brief on the potential cost savings for Qantas and additional take up of seat capacity through a "revolutionary" on line process whereby people can search for and book these U class ASA seats themselves thereby encouraging the attainment of higher status and continued loyalty to the Qantas brand of aligned airlines ??

I think I am getting too old and too cynical

 

[Anna]

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

The lottery continues

Ringing the QF call centre is a lottery no matter what it is you are ringing about. Getting a dud on the other end is not limited to trying to book xASAs. Solution when you get a dud is to end the call and ring again, as fortunately the duds are the minority.

 

[daturtle]

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

Ringing the QF call centre is a lottery no matter what it is you are ringing about. Getting a dud on the other end is not limited to trying to book xASAs. Solution when you get a dud is to end the call and ring again, as fortunately the duds are the minority.

Not just limited to Qantas either. I remember the 12 months I spent writing for a major Telco. I'm surprised sine of the people there remembered to breathe.

 

[markis10]

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

Here is the lunch video QF WP promised where you can hear the news from the source!


[video=youtube;uP1_1TnPvz4]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP1_1TnPvz4&feature=youtu.be[/video]

 

[ketsuzei]

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

"We have absolutely no plans to take them away."

"Woo-hoo!"