Potential error in Classic Award cost calculation

[MEL_Traveller]

Was just looking for some flights to the USA next year. There's a mixed bag of results using EK, JL and CX.

However, it seems with certain mixed class combinations there's a an error in the costing of the awards in that QFFF is charging on a per sector basis rather than the highest class of service for the through fare.

For example MEL-HKG-LAX in J/F, connecting same day in HKG is coming back at 245,800 (75,000 plus 170,800) and it should be 227500 (Zone 10 F award).

Similar pricing problems with EK/EK via DXB to ORD (adding sectors rather than the through fare).

Just to be aware of this when booking to make sure you get the right price (although with three-four hour hold times I wonder if you could just book it now to secure the seats and get the points adjusted by emai?)

 

[Mattg]

That's annoying.

Does the incorrect pricing carry through to the payment page?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That's annoying.

Does the incorrect pricing carry through to the payment page?

It does indeed. I hit the 'continue' button thinking it might correct itself but no

Sample example... 31 March MEL-LAX, CX134/882. Displays as 'classic award business', on selection says 'your HKG-LAX will be in First'.

Dunno if the problem is affecting all accounts or only some.

 

[exceladdict]

Hopefully not another enhancement...

 

[Vic]

Maybe some kind of error related to condition 14.4.1 for Qantas and partner airline travel, which says the cost is based on a series of one way trips.
But there is also a different condition (14.5) for Oneworld classic awards, which looks to be what you're doing.

14.4.1 The Qantas Points required for a Classic Flight Reward Itinerary will be calculated as a one way Trip or series of one way Trips and will be the sum of the Qantas Points required for each Trip in that Itinerary.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/discover-and-join/terms-and-conditions.html?int_cam=au%3Afrequent-flyer%3Aheading-and-links%3Ahandy-links%3Aen%3Ann#classic-flight-rewards

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Maybe some kind of error related to condition 14.4.1 for Qantas and partner airline travel, which says the cost is based on a series of one way trips.
But there is also a different condition (14.5) for Oneworld classic awards, which looks to be what you're doing.

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/frequent-flyer/discover-and-join/terms-and-conditions.html?int_cam=au%3Afrequent-flyer%3Aheading-and-links%3Ahandy-links%3Aen%3Ann#classic-flight-rewards

Both the sections are consistent. A 'trip' is defined as a single segment or series of segments which don't involve a stopover or change in airlines between tables (etc).

In my case, CX->CX, or EK->EK are both single 'trips' (immediate connections in both HKG or DXB).

 

[oz_mark]

However, it seems with certain mixed class combinations there's a an error in the costing of the awards in that QFFF is charging on a per sector basis rather than the highest class of service for the through fare.

It's been doing this for a while. What points do you suggest should be charged for the famous MEL-SYD-LAX business redemption where your journey from SYD to LAX is in economy?

 

[Matt_01]

Sample example... 31 March MEL-LAX, CX134/882. Displays as 'classic award business', on selection says 'your HKG-LAX will be in First'.

Dunno if the problem is affecting all accounts or only some

I just entered the same search as you mentioned and am getting the points calculation as 227500 which is as expected.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's been doing this for a while. What points do you suggest should be charged for the famous MEL-SYD-LAX business redemption where your journey from SYD to LAX is in economy?

it *should* be 18,400 + 41,900 - so 60,300.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

hmmm... so I just did it again and same result! WiIl try clearing caches....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Incognito window - same results at 245,800.

More confusing is another route MEL-NRT-LAX, all in business class, which is pricing at 172,000. Can't get to that figure by adding the sectors or using the through fare. It doesn't exist on any table!

 

[Matt_01]

@MEL_Traveller I am also getting the same result as you if I search from the standard search engine. Try using the multi city tool the result is different. The standard QF booking engine seems to have been playing up for several months.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Thanks Matt_01.

Worthwhile for anyone booking to double check the actual mileage against the award tables and make sure there's no overcharging!

 

[Matt_01]

Thanks Matt_01.

Worthwhile for anyone booking to double check the actual mileage against the award tables and make sure there's no overcharging!

Since QF started playing with their website a few months ago it has really gone to worms. Maybe not for people on this site or others who know what the rough points should be however I would suspect that a number of novice QFF will get caught. The fact that the points landing page is based on the revenue rate to use points there may be many that do not realise that you need to swap to the classic reward view.