Not JQ (or 3K), but a Proper Airline

[clifford]

Probably not the correct place, but here goes. If not, a Mod can move it to the correct place.

I'm a gold FF with QF and BA (amongst others). Tried to book an award flight from BKK to KUL (a flight of just over one hour). My annoying "friends" at AirAsia wanted 2,500 baht plus plus, so I wasn't going to spend good money on that cough.

So I thought, what about a FF redemption. Well, try that online and the QF website will direct you to 3K, and BKK-SIN-KUL, at a ridiculous cost. Bad form Qantas!!!

Then a lightbulb went off in my head. Looked at the BA website and they offered flights BKK-KUL on Malaysian for not many Avios and GBP 14.00. So I went with it, as good old Qantas wasn't going to admit such an availability online. Just before I pushed the "book" button on ba.com, I rang the QF call centre and asked about MH. The operator sheepishly said they could do it, but not online.

Isn't that disgusting, but typically QF ripoff (maybe the average Australian wouldn't even notice).

 

[docjames]

There's a number of other "hidden" availability that you can only access via phone.

Why the system allows the call centre to see it and qf don't make it viewable online, well, you'd have to ask qf that one......

 

[esseeeayeenn]

Interesting. I have noticed a lot of routes I would expect to show OW redemption options show nothing. Maybe I should call about them.

 

[JohnK]

There's a number of other "hidden" availability that you can only access via phone.

Why the system allows the call centre to see it and qf don't make it viewable online, well, you'd have to ask qf that one......

Some Oneworld airlines have this quirk.

Not sure why it is so difficult.

 

[opusman]

I suspect with QF it's so they can charge you a phone booking fee.

 

[moa999]

MH has never had online availability on QF website - you need to call

The only airlines I have ever seen are QF, JQ, AA, BA, CX, EK and even then I don't think all CX options show

 

[browski]

Personally, I would have redeemed or purchased a revenue J fare on the Royal Jordanian A330 flight option.

 

[JohnPhelan]

I suspect with QF it's so they can charge you a phone booking fee.

You should NOT be charged an assistance fee for something that cannot be booked online.

 

[opusman]

You should NOT be charged an assistance fee for something that cannot be booked online.

I agree, unfortunately QF do not see it that way.

 

[esseeeayeenn]

You should NOT be charged an assistance fee for something that cannot be booked online.

This is a big grievance with QF.
If I want to fly on QF metal from Perth I have to fly via SYD/MEL on a multi-city booking.
You can't change a multi-city booking online. So there is no choice but to call and pay the fee.
I don't mind the fee being charged as an incentive to force people to do things online.
But if that option isn't there, neither is the justification.

Incidentally it seems ridiculous that you can't change a multi-city booking online.
If the system can apply the fare rules to a complex booking when you make it online, surely it can recalculate the fare if you change it.

 

[Jhig]

Thanks for that, I was looking at a similar booking last month. HKT - KUL - BKK, nothing via the QFF site with Malaysian, didn't want to go via SIN either. Went to Malaysian site and purchased multi city ticket in J for total of $500 AUD. Was not disappointed with that J ticket price at all. Get a few more Status credits and accumulate a few more points, instead of paying about half that in fees and taxes as well as 30000 odd points.