ex USA class action - airfare price fixing (no admission of liability by QF)

[MEL_Traveller]

Not sure if this has been mentioned here before but I just read about this in the paper today. (I did a search but couldn't find anything on AFF?)

Seems there are a number of airlines who have agreed to settle, out of court, for alleged price fixing of transpacific airfares exUSA.

Qantas and many others are on the list, although it looks like JAL is coming out worst off. Airlines are denying they have done anything wrong, and the money they have agreed to pay is being offered without any admission of liability. (ANA was found guilty of price fixing however.)

Details here, including links to the FAQs: https://airlinesettlement.com/eng/

Qantas has set aside USD550,000 as their contribution to the fund, plus and additional $100,000 for notification costs.

if you have purchased a ticket ex USA, you can lodge your participation via the above link. My US friend thinks each flight might be worth a few bucks.

 

[SpudOz]

Given that the date range is from 2000 to an Effective Date (not too sure what this is), I reckon if every person lodged a claim, you would be lucky to get two bob

 

[footy99]

I've submitted a bunch for JAL. Even included award flights which weren't specifically excluded although possibly won't qualify under "bought a ticket".

Prob get 2c per flight or something but never know.

 

[drross]

i wonder if it will be worth the effort to find dates and flights from 2000!

 

[Isochronous]

I have a QF flight to the USA from 2008/9 and a Fiji Airways one in 2013. Are FJ included in this?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have a QF flight to the USA from 2008/9 and a Fiji Airways one in 2013. Are FJ included in this?

the list of airlines is in the link provided. Some aren't a part.

Note this is only for flight tickets purchased and originating from the USA.

 

[ketsuzei]

Note this is only for flight tickets purchased and originating from the USA.

A bit different for JAL flights, apparently:

For the JAL Settlement Class, all claims for U.S. originating travel (one-way or roundtrip) and Asia/Oceania originating travel (one-way or roundtrip) will be compensated. With respect to the other Settlement Classes, only eligible claims for U.S. originating travel (one-way or roundtrip) will be compensated. These Settlement Classes, with the exception of the JAL Settlement Class, are not releasing claims for Asia/Oceania originating travel as part of the settlement agreements.

 

[BAM1748]

Qantas has set aside USD550,000 as their contribution to the fund, plus and additional $100,000 for notification costs.

I'd say that would just be for legal costs, suing for a broken leg is around the $160K in lawyers and experts. It will be a difficult one to win but companies might pay for the problem to go away.

Matt

 

[footy99]

I'd say that would just be for legal costs, suing for a broken leg is around the $160K in lawyers and experts. It will be a difficult one to win but companies might pay for the problem to go away.

Matt

Looks like some airlines are more culpable than others here. JAL set aside $10M. Thai and Singapore over $9M. Cathay $7.5M. The rest under $1M.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I'd say that would just be for legal costs, suing for a broken leg is around the $160K in lawyers and experts. It will be a difficult one to win but companies might pay for the problem to go away.

Matt

The USD550K is their part of the compensation fund... paid up, and ready to go to passengers. The 100K is for notification (as in newspaper advertisements etc) to bring the class action to everyone's attention.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A bit different for JAL flights, apparently:

For the JAL Settlement Class, all claims for U.S. originating travel (one-way or roundtrip) and Asia/Oceania originating travel (one-way or roundtrip) will be compensated. With respect to the other Settlement Classes, only eligible claims for U.S. originating travel (one-way or roundtrip) will be compensated. These Settlement Classes, with the exception of the JAL Settlement Class, are not releasing claims for Asia/Oceania originating travel as part of the settlement agreements.

thanks! I was reading through everything and noticed JAL was different, but couldn't immediately see why.

Looks like some airlines are more culpable than others here. JAL set aside $10M. Thai and Singapore over $9M. Cathay $7.5M. The rest under $1M.

Maybe reflects the amount of traffic VN/MH/QF carry across the pacific? I'm guessing the Air France is to Tahiti? And some of other airlines would be code-share only?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just bumping this thread to remind people thinking of joining the action to start getting their travel dates recorded!

 

[drross]

Just bumping this thread to remind people thinking of joining the action to start getting their travel dates recorded!

thanks. loaded some JAL flights last weekend. Just checking dates of qantas flights

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Just a note to bump this up.

From the website:

Status Update as of July 6, 2015: ​

The Effective Date for the Qantas, Cathay Pacific Airways, and Thai Airways Settlements is June 15, 2015. The claims closing date for these Settlements is October 13, 2015. An appeal is pending for the JAL, Air France, Singapore Airlines, Vietnam Airlines, and Malaysian Air Settlements. Please visit this website for updates.

So find your flights and put in your claims!

 

[QF WP]

We are re-opening this thread to allow members to update if they were successful in receiving any payments

 

[drross]

Thanks. Nothing yet

 

[Strategic Aviation]

This remains an interesting case, with Qantas contributing the lowest ($550,000) of the eight defendants to the $39.5M settlement fund (plus kicking in an additional $100,000 to cover some of the notification costs). All USD.

For any participants, what was the last communication from the lawyers? The most recent status update on https://airlinesettlement.com/eng/ is dated 2 Oct 2015.

 

[serfty]

This remains an interesting case, with Qantas contributing the lowest ($550,000) of the eight defendants to the $39.5M settlement fund (plus kicking in an additional $100,000 to cover some of the notification costs). All USD. ...

SWMBO and I have received Settlement Checks cheques.

Now to bank them - look like Citibank may be the place to send them.

 

[Scr77]

I just received a cheque too. $184, presumably USD but not specified.

Total prize pool was $147 million.

Transpacific Airl Settlement Websites - Rust Consulting. > mainpage > Commonly Asked Questions

 

[serfty]

USD but not specified

Yeah, Citbank N.A., account in Minnesota