QF Duty Free Changes

[markis10]

The latest Nov catalog sees some significant changes to the onboard duty free offerings:

1. 10% discount for pre orders if you sign up to their news and offers etc (needs 5 working days notice) 10% off voucher | In Sky Shopping
2. My favourite Korjo USB charger is now in the catalog for $30 - good value KORJO 4 X USB POWER ADAPTOR | In Sky Shopping
3. Telstra are now a major partner TELSTRA A$30 PRE-PAID STARTER SIM KIT STANDARD & MICRO | In Sky Shopping
4. The range has been expanded with some pre order only options AKITA BLACKEAGLE HELICOPTER | In Sky Shopping

 

[RooFlyer]

Can you pay with The Qantas Cash (card)? When I looked in September it wasn't an option. (Yes, was only active in Sept, but one assumes the left hand knows what the right hand is doing ....)

 

[Simo]

Can you pay with The Qantas Cash (card)? When I looked in September it wasn't an option. (Yes, was only active in Sept, but one assumes the left hand knows what the right hand is doing ....)

huge Assumption there!!!

 

[opusman]

Presumably you can pay with Qantas Cash like you can with any credit card?

 

[markis10]

Can you pay with The Qantas Cash (card)? When I looked in September it wasn't an option. (Yes, was only active in Sept, but one assumes the left hand knows what the right hand is doing ....)

huge Assumption there!!!

Yes its a huge assumption, and the answer is no, in fact the FA yesterday asked "whats Qantas Cash", something of an epic fail.

Presumably you can pay with Qantas Cash like you can with any credit card?

Qantas cash is a prepaid card, which the system treats as a debit card, Qantas are somewhat unique in not accepting debit cards, so they lose business.

 

[vitagen]

The korjo USB charger looks like a winner!

 

[DeKa]

2. My favourite Korjo USB charger is now in the catalog for $30 - good value KORJO 4 X USB POWER ADAPTOR | In Sky Shopping

I have one of these chargers, but if you plug an iPad and an iPhone in, they both charge slowly. If you plug a third device in, it just stops charging one device (or cycles between ports).

I hope someone starts selling this charger in Australia (or I may have to order via Shipito)
Amazon.com: Anker® 25W (5V/5A) 5-Port USB Wall Charger / Travel Charger for iPhone 5s, 5c, 5, 4s, 4; iPad 5, Air, mini; Samsung Galaxy S4, S3, S2, Galaxy Note 3, 2; Kindle; LG G2; Nexus 5; Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX; HTC One X V S and more--Space saver

5 ports / 5A output - can charge 2 iPads and an iPhone at full rate easily. It can charge additional devices, just more slowly. Best of all, $20!

 

[markis10]

I have one of these chargers, but if you plug an iPad and an iPhone in, they both charge slowly. If you plug a third device in, it just stops charging one device (or cycles between ports).

I hope someone starts selling this charger in Australia (or I may have to order via Shipito)
Amazon.com: Anker® 25W (5V/5A) 5-Port USB Wall Charger / Travel Charger for iPhone 5s, 5c, 5, 4s, 4; iPad 5, Air, mini; Samsung Galaxy S4, S3, S2, Galaxy Note 3, 2; Kindle; LG G2; Nexus 5; Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX; HTC One X V S and more--Space saver

5 ports / 5A output - can charge 2 iPads and an iPhone at full rate easily. It can charge additional devices, just more slowly. Best of all, $20!

I have just got in the habit of putting the iPad and Galaxy on charge when going to bed, done when I wake up, I take the appropriate plug for the AC keeping the whole setup small in terms of bag space.

 

[DeKa]

I have just got in the habit of putting the iPad and Galaxy on charge when going to bed, done when I wake up, I take the appropriate plug for the AC keeping the whole setup small in terms of bag space.

Ok.. maybe you're lucky. If I charge an iPad, an iPhone and one more device (in my case a very low current draw Huawei e585-u82 hotspot) at least one of the devices stops charging completely... hence why I'm on the lookout for a higher output device. I may settle on this but it's not really enough current output: 4-Port USB Rapid Wall Charger | Power Accessories | Tablets & Laptops

 

[anat0l]

I have one of these chargers, but if you plug an iPad and an iPhone in, they both charge slowly. If you plug a third device in, it just stops charging one device (or cycles between ports).

I hope someone starts selling this charger in Australia (or I may have to order via Shipito)
Amazon.com: Anker® 25W (5V/5A) 5-Port USB Wall Charger / Travel Charger for iPhone 5s, 5c, 5, 4s, 4; iPad 5, Air, mini; Samsung Galaxy S4, S3, S2, Galaxy Note 3, 2; Kindle; LG G2; Nexus 5; Motorola Droid RAZR MAXX; HTC One X V S and more--Space saver

5 ports / 5A output - can charge 2 iPads and an iPhone at full rate easily. It can charge additional devices, just more slowly. Best of all, $20!

I have one as well. Looks the same as the Koryo one, though mine wasn't branded at all. I suspect it's the case like many electronic devices: one manufacturer, many labels!

That said, at one time we had two Galaxy S series phones, one iPad and a Sony camera all plugged in at once, and it didn't seem to be a slower charge time than a standard charger alone (for each device).

My Mum said that my Dad told her it's the best gift I've got him (and that's saying something).

 

[whatmeworry]

Yes its a huge assumption, and the answer is no, in fact the FA yesterday asked "whats Qantas Cash", something of an epic fail.

Is it a bit like itchy and scratchy money?

 

[markis10]

Yes its a huge assumption, and the answer is no, in fact the FA yesterday asked "whats Qantas Cash", something of an epic fail.



Qantas cash is a prepaid card, which the system treats as a debit card, Qantas are somewhat unique in not accepting debit cards, so they lose business.

I should add that I asked if they had plans to accept QF cash inflight at the QF Cash lunch, and the answer was no, as the lack of ability to get live authorisations means QF Duty Free are not prepared to take the risk of selling product to a debit card holder with zero balance.

 

[Lonely Flyer]

Are duty free vouchers transferable? I was given 2 $50 vouchers because my video screen froze on the initial PA announcement.

 

[ajw373]

Qantas cash is a prepaid card, which the system treats as a debit card, Qantas are somewhat unique in not accepting debit cards, so they lose business.

It shouldn't treat it as a debit card, it should treat it as a Mastercard. The fact it is prepaid SHOULD be irrelivant. Same applies with Visa and Mastercard Debit cards issued by the banks, these can be used to buy on-line and overseas as if it were a credit card, something that is not possible with non Visa/Mastercard Debit cards.

 

[markis10]

It shouldn't treat it as a debit card, it should treat it as a Mastercard. The fact it is prepaid SHOULD be irrelivant. Same applies with Visa and Mastercard Debit cards issued by the banks, these can be used to buy on-line and overseas as if it were a credit card, something that is not possible with non Visa/Mastercard Debit cards.

That would all come down to the merchant agreement Alpha has with its payments processor with respect to liability where authorisations cannot be obtained, unlike most online and overseas transactions they cannot authorise the card to confirm funds are available, that's why the fact it's prepaid is hardly irrelevant.

 

[Sprucegoose]

Are duty free vouchers tranferable. I was given 2 $50 vouchers because my video screen froze on the initial PA announcement.

very annoying....CX give $100 as well. It seems to be the going rate for reading a book.

 

[ajw373]

That would all come down to the merchant agreement Alpha has with its payments processor with respect to liability where authorisations cannot be obtained, unlike most online and overseas transactions they cannot authorise the card to confirm funds are available, that's why the fact it's prepaid is hardly irrelevant.

What is the difference between a prepaid card and a credit card that has no credit available? Neither can be checked. I should also point out that balance checking is not something overseas ATM's do as a general rule and you will also find that the liability on an overdrawn card (even if it is a debit card) is to the card issuer, which in the case of Visa/Mastercards branded debit cards is Visa and Mastercard rather than the merchant.

PS you clearly missed the word SHOULD in my post, which I even capitalised. So these cards SHOULD just look like a normal Visa/Mastercard, which is the whole idea behind them. Again see the word SHOULD.

 

[markis10]

What is the difference between a prepaid card and a credit card that has no credit available? Neither can be checked. I should also point out that balance checking is not something overseas ATM's do as a general rule and you will also find that the liability on an overdrawn card (even if it is a debit card) is to the card issuer, which in the case of Visa/Mastercards branded debit cards is Visa and Mastercard rather than the merchant.

PS you clearly missed the word SHOULD in my post, which I even capitalised. So these cards SHOULD just look like a normal Visa/Mastercard, which is the whole idea behind them. Again see the word SHOULD.

Sure they look like a normal card, no discussion warranted there, but they are not the same, and you encapsulate that in your first question, offline merchants have floor limits for credit cards where they can process the card and have no liability for a funds dishonour, the same facility is not on offer for debit/prepaid cards, which is why Alfa choose not to take the risk, other airlines don't seem to mind or take extra precautions (in the case of Thai getting copies of your ID inflight).

Both Mastercard and Visa limit liabilties for prepaid/debit licensed products compared to credit:

A debit Licensee is granted a License limited to the issuance of Debit MasterCard Cards. A principal debit Licensee is not responsible for the Debit MasterCard Card Program obligations of any affiliate debit Licensee that it Sponsors if such an affiliate debit Licensee becomes unable or unwilling to discharge its settlement obligations.

http://www.mastercard.com/us/merchant/pdf/BM-Entire_Manual_public.pdf

 

[pauly7]

There are some really hot deals in the In Sky shopping at the moment I was really surprised and my friend and I ended up buying quite a lot. Far cheaper than Aus duty free stores.

It was funny our purchase seemed to set off cascade of other people ordering - they had a good sale flight!