Qantas redemption booking woes

[Gold Member]

Post automatically merged: Dec 2, 2023

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Not to be confused with the unpublished benefit and universally understood expectation afforded to all members and non-members alike - “Your experience will be in Economy”.

 

[Fifi2207]

Not to be confused with the unpublished benefit and universally understood expectation afforded to all members and non-members alike - “Your experience will be in Economy”.

 

[Fifi2207]

Ah well. Don’t feel so bad that j can’t book a reward flight to Europe a year out. Qantas upgraded my daughter to LHR today ( family upgrade!!)
and she’s beyond excited!

 

[Lynda2475]

Points upgrade? Or Op Up at no cost?

 

[Seat0B]

Post automatically merged: Dec 2, 2023

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I do not know how they continue to get away with this type of advertising - it must surely skate close to the misleading and deceptive line. I have nearly been caught out on this several times in years past.

 

[Fifi2207]

Not sure yet balance hasn't changed.…. but could on landing!

 

[MelbFlyer]

(1) Book the international leg in J from Brisbane and buy an el cheapo Y flight MEL-BNE the night before

Yes, even on a separate booking if it isn't a OWA - this is the easiest way. Or even just a revenue / cash fare from MEL to BNE.

Sadly you won't be very likely to ever get HBA with no status with QF unfortunately. This does limit things more unfortunately.

I've got through to Hobart at least a few times, either by luck or because I was a repeat caller.

I did also call 13 12 11 as well though, so maybe that may make a difference..?

You really need to secure that BNE-LAX flight *now.* Every minute that you're here talking about it is another minute that someone will grab it before you...

100% agree. MEL to BNE can be on a separate ticket.

Oh, and I have another issue: why does Qantas not send the most complex issues such as round-the-world tickets or "oneworld awards" to the most experienced agents either through a special phone number or a selection in the phone menu? By letting inexperienced agents handle such matters they often end up making mistakes that are frustrating for the customer and expensive for Qantas because they require multiple calls.

100% to this as well - I tried to change a flight on my now done OWA with business reward seats that were showing online, it just baffles me / pisses me off why all consultants don't have the same visibility as us / Hobart.

Having to HUACA endless times until you get someone who can properly assist is a complete waste of not just our time, but Qantas' agent's time too.

Like others, my philosophy is to pounce on a CR in J as soon as I see it and work out the rest later.

Yep, this philosophy works but it's sometimes easier (better) just to get everything done in the one booking.

Ultimately, Qantas J is below standard when it comes to comparison with Asian carriers, but Qantas PE was subjectively better than SQ's offering. Hmmm.

I've been on both QF and SQ's business class products - QF on their A330 and B787, and SQ on their regional A350 product - I found QF actually better IMO.

Despite having very low expectations due to the bad rap of Qantas lately, both my QF international business flights were quite nice. I also got lucky with rows 1 and 2 as well, and I have no status either.

These “finds” are rare esp for Bronze FF Fliers

As a Bronze, I can see quite some business availability for say, May next year, but that's because I'm not actually looking to travel in May.

I'm sure however that if I look specifically for a time that I want to go, Murphy's Law will state that there are no business award flights / only award flights in Economy.

 

[drcam]

Thanks for all your input.
Seems like the highest expected value move is to book BNE-LAX in business.
More important to get the best included entree even if I have to pay for my starter. And in these cost-of-living crisis time now it's time for me to stop upper-class whinging and shhh.

 

[love_the_life]

Like others, my philosophy is to pounce on a CR in J as soon as I see it and work out the rest later.

In this case I would buy a ticket to BNE the night before and stay in an airport hotel. Done this many times before and make a relaxed walk over the check in the next morning.

Aren't the airport hotels at BNE not close to terminal to walk - domestic is but not international I thought but haven't been through there for a while.

 

[PlaneCrazy]

Ah well. Don’t feel so bad that j can’t book a reward flight to Europe a year out. Qantas upgraded my daughter to LHR today ( family upgrade!!)
and she’s beyond excited!

That's the excitement I feel when I finally get through to someone at Qantas who are both knowledgeable and helpful

 

[Fifi2207]

That's the excitement I feel when I finally get through to someone at Qantas who are both knowledgeable and helpful

Me too!!!

 

[ronlon]

If MEL to LAX is a day time flight as you say, personally I would go with the premium economy direct flight.

 

[offshore171]

Pounce on the long haul J asap before it disappears.

Figure the rest out later.

 

[drcam]

Thank you for all your responses. There is a twist in the tail.
A J redemption booking has popped up from Krisflyer on my preferred date so I will be flying with SQ through to the USA (which is good, if long - but I do rather enjoy their catering).
I was able to get a flight back with QF points on Fiji airlines from San Francisco through to Auckland (with a 14 hour layover in Nadi). I will spend a few days of relaxation and exercise in New Zealand to burn off jetlag before returning to Oz.

 

[drcam]

So what's to do with 14 hours in Nadi? Hire a car and drive some of the Queens Road and stop at a beach? Any good restaurants you recommend in Nadi for lunch? Is the lounge at the airport adequate for an early dinner?

 

[VeniVidiVici]

So what's to do with 14 hours in Nadi? Hire a car and drive some of the Queens Road and stop at a beach? Any good restaurants you recommend in Nadi for lunch? Is the lounge at the airport adequate for an early dinner?

Head to Denarau probably, wouldn't bother with Nadi itself. There's the harbour, some shops, a water park, golf and plenty of nice hotels with nice bars.

Don't remember the lounges being much

 

[Economy_Gold]

So what's to do with 14 hours in Nadi? Hire a car and drive some of the Queens Road and stop at a beach? Any good restaurants you recommend in Nadi for lunch? Is the lounge at the airport adequate for an early dinner?

The FJ lounge in Nadi is okay, but nothing to be too excited about. It has zero views and often gets pretty full because there are so many ways you can get access, including Priority Pass if I remember correctly. The food is overall a good buffet, drinks are on the cheap side. So overall I think it is okay for an early dinner, but I would not spend too much time there.

 

[straitman]

This is sort of the same topic however it's something outside my experience.

I am currently outside Australia and need to cancel a QF award booking.

Leg #1 on QF and leg #2 on FJ. (cost is only 20,300 points and $141.78)

Online seems the logical way do do this. Is there anything I should know or tricks in doing so?

 

[SYD]

This is sort of the same topic however it's something outside my experience.

I am currently outside Australia and need to cancel a QF award booking.

Leg #1 on QF and leg #2 on FJ. (cost is only 20,300 points and $141.78)

Online seems the logical way do do this. Is there anything I should know or tricks in doing so?

If you just want to cancel both and refund points/charges less cancellation fee, it should just go through clicking “Cancel” online.

If there’s a prospect that you can use the itinerary on another day you ought to be able to click “Change” and rebook. But I’d search separately first to check availability. There’ll be the 5k change fee (or whatever it is these days).

 

[straitman]

If you just want to cancel both and refund points/charges less cancellation fee, it should just go through clicking “Cancel” online.

If there’s a prospect that you can use the itinerary on another day you ought to be able to click “Change” and rebook. But I’d search separately first to check availability. There’ll be the 5k change fee (or whatever it is these days).

Thanks. That's exactly what I thought. I did actually cancel online 2 days ago however have no acknowledgement (ie no email etc) other than finding the booking is now defunct online.