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

[whatmeworry]

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

13 SEP 13 QANTAS & JETSTAR ANY SEAT AWARD 1 ADT REF 2Bxx_ - - - -16,000 -
13 SEP 13 AWARD ASSISTANCE FEE - 2BWxx_ - - - -3,500 -


GGGRRRRRRRR!

A very big DISLIKE!

 

[legroom]

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

13 SEP 13 QANTAS & JETSTAR ANY SEAT AWARD 1 ADT REF 2Bxx_--- -16,000-
13 SEP 13 AWARD ASSISTANCE FEE - 2BWxx_--- -3,500-


GGGRRRRRRRR!

Guess we have to be on guard ALL the time

Have to have a 'cheat sheet' ready with items like fee waiver, expected points & co-pay and fare rules to tick off rather than expecting QF to be nice to us.

 

[ferni]

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

So the award assistance fee is always a separate line item than the booking?

I called yesterday to try and change a domestic JASA, first the rep wanted to charge me $60pp plus a $40 change fee that would be waived. I asked why, she put me on hold then came back and said it will actually cost 3.5k points PP change fee. I said when i booked I was advised there is no cancellation or change fee (I did ask when booking and it was confirmed). I asked about cancelling and rebooking she said it would be a 5k PP cancellation fee. She knew they weren't classic awards from the initial confusion where she tried to charge $ and I advised her they were ASA bookings. By that time I couldn't be bothered wasting my time so said I'd call back. I'm used to playing Agent Roulette with USDM but with QF this is new for me.

 

[markis10]

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

Did you confirm that no fee was payable when booking the xASA...?

Something like: There should be no telephone assistance fee for that booking since it can not be done online... and as per the Qantas email "Please note that from 26 June 2013 Any Seat Award bookings made in reservation classes X, Z, U or P cannot be made online at qantas.com. "

No, I got the email saying so, which will be referred to when I call QFF tomorrow. Surprised this happens, there are a number of instances where fees are charged that are not advertised, bound to get the attention of the authorities sooner or later, hardly consumer friendly, most if not all are related to poor online functionality.

 

[geordieladinoz]

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

I have just updated the bookings page related to this topic.

Managed to book a couple of flights this afternoon with subsequent confirmation in my activity statement that the fares are 'Qantas and Jetstar Any Seat Awards' so gives me a better feeling that things went ok. You can never be too sure that you are being given the correct information when they 'say' that you will earn frequent flyer points and status credits.

It was certainly a pain having to book the flights online but given I had time this afternoon to do it and I got 2 ladies, Lorraine and Michelle, who seemed to know the process meant it went a lot easier than I was anticipating. Booked SYD-MEL-PER-MEL-SYD, following the AFF 'why fly direct when you can change' motto and also 2 x SYD-NRT, all in business class. Michelle also wanted to charge the booking assistance fee but waived it when I confirmed I was unable to make these bookings online. Made a dent in my points tally but plenty more points to come and a few family transfers should soften the blows.

Oh, and bookings made mean WP will be retained to end of June 2015.

 

[Newk]

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

I have just updated the bookings page related to this topic.

Managed to book a couple of flights this afternoon with subsequent confirmation in my activity statement that the fares are 'Qantas and Jetstar Any Seat Awards' so gives me a better feeling that things went ok. You can never be too sure that you are being given the correct information when they 'say' that you will earn frequent flyer points and status credits.

It was certainly a pain having to book the flights online but given I had time this afternoon to do it and I got 2 ladies, Lorraine and Michelle, who seemed to know the process meant it went a lot easier than I was anticipating. Booked SYD-MEL-PER-MEL-SYD, following the AFF 'why fly direct when you can change' motto and also 2 x SYD-NRT, all in business class. Michelle also wanted to charge the booking assistance fee but waived it when I confirmed I was unable to make these bookings online. Made a dent in my points tally but plenty more points to come and a few family transfers should soften the blows.

Oh, and bookings made mean WP will be retained to end of June 2015.

Good work! Thanks for the posts here and the success thread. Enjoy the trips

 

[Deleted User]

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

Houston we have a problem.... Another epic fail from the xASA hotline... ADL > PER > ADL quoted at 72k & ~$1k WTF...?

Thankfully I had the focus to hang up and try again... amazing to find Elizabeth quoted ~$544 less for the same.... :shock:

Red Roo, this is really disturbing (poor) so much difference in quoted price from CSA's in less than 10 min.....


Edit: Had a good laugh when I has to "teach" the CSA about the fare rules in regard to cancellations Also the phrase "Right on Q 7740" clearly defines superior knowledge when booking these...

 

[QF WP]

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

My points balance has almost grown to the point where I'll need to use them for a mJASA BNE/PER, so I'll be armed with all the information (viewing the locked thread from which to quote ). My first time since the changes to try the telephone call option.

 

[Deleted User]

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

My points balance has almost grown to the point where I'll need to use them for a mJASA BNE/PER, so I'll be armed with all the information (viewing the locked thread from which to quote ). My first time since the changes to try the telephone call option.

Don't be afraid to hang up if you think you are getting a bum-steer... I had to do it last night after being quoted 72k & $1k in taxes for ADL > PER return :shock:. The second call essentially saving >$500

 

[Limewood]

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

We can jump and down all we like about this fiasco but Q are just not listening.

 

[lovestotravel]

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

We can jump and down all we like about this fiasco but Q are just not listening.

I am pretty sure that was established many many weeks ago....

 

[Limewood]

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

I am pretty sure that was established many many weeks ago....

But why?.

Sure we AFF's are a small part of the equation but hey its frustrating for many and must be costing them lots of shekels paying staff.

 

[yohy?!]

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

Burn baby burn..those qff points and start looking to pastures greener...

 

[RooFlyer]

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

We can jump and down all we like about this fiasco but Q are just not listening.

Oh, I'm sure they are 'listening', and are hearing us, but are quite satisfied with the current situation.

The new system, with its many, many and continuing "oops we charged you a fee when we shouldn't have" goes straight to the bottom line or at least offsets a chunk of the extra call centre costs.

I put the proposition that I've said before. If QF introduced a new fee for something over the phone, does anyone honestly think that after a couple of months, they would tolerate call centre operatives NOT charging the fee for want of 'training' ? If you, like me, don't believe that, why would you believe that the current situation with MASAs is an oversight and not a conscious strategy of under-training?

 

[deka2]

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

just tried booking a marginal ASA SYD-MEL, for next Tuesday coming back next Thursday in J

The operator had no idea and told me this could not be done

Eventually went to her supervisor and came back saying it could be done, and the points only amount was 184,000.

When I asked what the $ value would be for 32,000 points I was told this could not be calculated.

Told them not to worry

I'll try again later this afternoon

 

[Nizar]

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

i am considering the AA route. I am LTG so the reality is my benefits are a diminishing rate of return

As am I but it just seems so much easier to get to WP with QF flying with AA every 23 months or so than it is to get to EXP with AA through flying QF (or AA).
From my understanding; A typical status run with AA could easily get you WP with QF but probably won't get you EXP with AA.

 

[Nizar]

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

just tried booking a marginal ASA SYD-MEL, for next Tuesday coming back next Thursday in J

The operator had no idea and told me this could not be done

Eventually went to her supervisor and came back saying it could be done, and the points only amount was 184,000.

When I asked what the $ value would be for 32,000 points I was told this could not be calculated.

Told them not to worry

I'll try again later this afternoon

Wow lol do you know the name of the operator ?
Would be nice to get a list of operators to avoid so people do not waste their time.

 

[DC3]

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

It is not coming back. Time to move on.

But times are good right now. There are other frequent flyer programs out there that allow you to earn SCs and points/miles for cheap award bookings.

Oh wait..... there isn't?....

A bit O/T: Loss of Anytime Access, anyone?

 

[RooFlyer]

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

It is not coming back. Time to move on.

But times are good right now. There are other frequent flyer programs out there that allow you to earn SCs and points/miles for cheap award bookings.

Oh wait..... there isn't?....

True JohnK, but your comment presupposes that one can book a cheap award booking (MASA). Its obvious from comments here that many are finding that can't make the booking, because of ignorant call agents and/or they are being charged very expensive points and cash, until they crack the 'right' agent.

A program feature that relies on pure chance to benefit from isn't much of a program benefit.

 

[JohnK]

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

Despite ASA online removal.

It is not coming back. Time to move on.

Out of interest why do you think Qantas owes you a cheap way to earn status for the life of the QFF program? Any other generous FF programs that allow you to earn status via cheap awards? No? There must be a very good reason.

Could that reason be that is does not make much business sense to continue? Could it be that it was a mistake in the first place. People should be grateful for this nice loophole the past couple of years. Loophole closing quickly....