The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[AIRwin]

Another question.

With gift vouchers, if I want to redeem them for more complex routing like multi-city, can I do that online or do I have to call them up?

Call

 

[elanshin]

Call

And I would imagine, best course of action is to have all flight details researched and ready to go right?

Since I don't usually call for my bookings, are the booking agents of similar competency as to the general complaints handling agents (ie generally very average at fixing something slightly complex).

 

[Pele]

I booked a China Airlines (CI) flight using QFF points. Trying to do seat selection on the CI website it is telling me the PNR is limited to CI bookings.

Has anyone managed to do seat selection online?

Thank you.

 

[AIRwin]

I booked a China Airlines (CI) flight using QFF points. Trying to do seat selection on the CI website it is telling me the PNR is limited to CI bookings.

Has anyone managed to do seat selection online?

Thank you.

There are some posts on this thread:

China Airlines reward seats using Qantas points

Hey guys, I just booked CA flights to/from Taiwan for later this year with Qantas Points. Unfortunately, I cannot select our seats via the Qantas website and also can't via the China Airlines website. When I try via the CA website or App I use my booking reference number (provided by Qantas)...

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[tdimdad]

And I would imagine, best course of action is to have all flight details researched and ready to go right?

Since I don't usually call for my bookings, are the booking agents of similar competency as to the general complaints handling agents (ie generally very average at fixing something slightly complex).

Yes. Plan the itinerary with the multi-city tool and then call with your preferred dates & flights.

Take note of the pricing you see online because sometimes the agents see higher prices. It may be need a bit of legwork from them to get the pricing down to what you see through the public website. Also, the keyword to avoid the assisted booking fee is that you are unable redeem the voucher online for this booking (the GV booking engine supports only return trips).

 

[shaun_b]

Do lounges (Domestic Business in particular) allow you to enter/exit as much as you want on the day of your flight?

 

[Beano]

Do lounges (Domestic Business in particular) allow you to enter/exit as much as you want on the day of your flight?

Absolutely, they may even remember you and not ask for your BP again. You could do a lounge crawl also.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Do lounges (Domestic Business in particular) allow you to enter/exit as much as you want on the day of your flight?

I have not had issues entering a domestic lounge, leaving it then later coming back. However, I suspect if you do that often in a given day (especially with different guests) that may raise some eyebrows.

 

[Beano]

Missed that reason.

 

[shaun_b]

Absolutely, they may even remember you and not ask for your BP again. You could do a lounge crawl also.

I have not had issues entering a domestic lounge, leaving it then later coming back. However, I suspect if you do that often in a given day (especially with different guests) that may raise some eyebrows.

Thanks, good to know.

 

[RooFlyer]

I have not had issues entering a domestic lounge, leaving it then later coming back. However, I suspect if you do that often in a given day (especially with different guests) that may raise some eyebrows.

@shaun_b - I would totally discount the above. You can come and go as you please, all day. You didn't mention bringing guests.

 

[Spacetravel]

Hello, I plan on travelling SYD > SPU (split Croatia) and would love to have it all on the same QF ticket (even if it's not a code share). I can do SYD > ZAG as code share which puts me SYD > LHR > ZAG. Or SYD > PER > FCO > ZAG with FCO > ZAG not a codeshare but booked with a Croatia Airlines flight number. Is there a way to have either of these routes but continue on ZAG > SPU with a Croatia Airlines flight number but have it all on the same ticket booked by Qantas?

I should add I have tried this with the multi-city tool but it errors out whenever I add SPU.

Additional question, is there any benefit having a QF flight number on a BA flight? I did notice these codeshare flights were slightly cheaper than the BA flight number of the same flight.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Hello, I plan on travelling SYD > SPU (split Croatia) and would love to have it all on the same QF ticket (even if it's not a code share). I can do SYD > ZAG as code share which puts me SYD > LHR > ZAG. Or SYD > PER > FCO > ZAG with FCO > ZAG not a codeshare but booked with a Croatia Airlines flight number. Is there a way to have either of these routes but continue on ZAG > SPU with a Croatia Airlines flight number but have it all on the same ticket booked by Qantas?

In theory yes the main concern would be routing ofcourse. To give you a simple example, you can fly SYD to LHR with BA or QF, and BA even operates a non-stop service from LHR to SPU. The problem is the SPU flight is poorly timed such that if you were to take the QF flight there, you would arrive with a very tight connection (likely less than MCT) meaning it's unticketable. If you fly BA to LHR and connect to SPU that is fine and perfectly ticketable. In terms of other partners who fly to SPU, that's also a challenge. For instance neither QR nor EK fly nonstop to SPU.

What you may want to try doing as a first step is to give Qantas reservations a call and see what they can price out. They have access to more sophisticated booking tools than you or I have. Additionally, a skilled travel agent will likely be able to help you sort that one out.

I should add I have tried this with the multi-city tool but it errors out whenever I add SPU.

I believe for multi-city tickets QF is not allowed to sell flights originating outside of Australia and/or going to a destination other than Australia which is likely why you are seeing that error out despite BA obviously having a single nonstop option ex LHR

Additional question, is there any benefit having a QF flight number on a BA flight? I did notice these codeshare flights were slightly cheaper than the BA flight number of the same flight.

The main benefits of a flight carrying a QF flight number is several fold. First, you will earn status credits at the Qantas earn rate as opposed to the BA earn rate (which tends to be poorer). Second, for things like loyalty bonus and the 4 flight segment requirement to qualify for QF elite that BA flight carrying a QF flight number will count as a QF flight whereas carrying a BA flight number it won't. You would also have access to the EK lounge but I suspect that is a moot point given your status.

There are some benefits of carrying a BA flight number for a BA operated flight. For instance, I hear upgrades are easier to come by. Second, since you are now flying a UK airline by flight number you are covered by UK261 on the outbound and EU261 inbound trip. With a Qantas flight number you would only be covered on the inbound.

In terms of what to book it's really what you are after. Are you in desperate need of status credits? If so then choosing a QF option makes the most sense. On the other hand if you want a convenient itinerary and don't care if you leave a few status credits on the table booking something more direct like BA might make sense.

 

[Spacetravel]

In theory yes the main concern would be routing ofcourse. To give you a simple example, you can fly SYD to LHR with BA or QF, and BA even operates a non-stop service from LHR to SPU. The problem is the SPU flight is poorly timed such that if you were to take the QF flight there, you would arrive with a very tight connection (likely less than MCT) meaning it's unticketable. If you fly BA to LHR and connect to SPU that is fine and perfectly ticketable. In terms of other partners who fly to SPU, that's also a challenge. For instance neither QR nor EK fly nonstop to SPU.

I believe for multi-city tickets QF is not allowed to sell flights originating outside of Australia and/or going to a destination other than Australia which is likely why you are seeing that error out despite BA obviously having a single nonstop option ex LHR

Thanks for the information!

Regarding the flight LHR > SPU. No matter what I put into the Qantas website it will not give me flights to SPU but if I put ZAG it will. I'm not sure I understand what you mean with the multi-city ticket? I can put LHR > ZAG on a different day with the multi city tool and it will still provide me a flight and as a QF codeshare.

Here is some screen shots showing what is going on:


Then if I do the following, I get an error with no flights

Despite there being flights bookable with BA directly:

What you may want to try doing as a first step is to give Qantas reservations a call and see what they can price out. They have access to more sophisticated booking tools than you or I have. Additionally, a skilled travel agent will likely be able to help you sort that one out.

Yes I might do this during the day and see how I go, unless you (or anyone else) has any further information now with the additional screenshots I provided.

 

[Spacetravel]

Regarding the flight LHR > SPU. No matter what I put into the Qantas website it will not give me flights to SPU but if I put ZAG it will. I'm not sure I understand what you mean with the multi-city ticket? I can put LHR > ZAG on a different day with the multi city tool and it will still provide me a flight and as a QF codeshare.

So I called Qantas to try and book it and they were unable to book to SPU as well. They tried but said BA restricted them from booking flights on this route.

 

[elanshin]

I have just realised there was a mistake when getting vouchers in the past and now i have a 4pax voucher. Can i call them up to get the number of pax changed?

 

[Lynda2475]

Is there a specific reason you want to get to SPU via Zagreb (do you want to spend time there)?

Look at other One World Airlines who fly to SPU and then routing to align.

For example Iberia fly to SPU so maybe SYD-SIN-MAD (or BCN) then SPU? Finnair also fly to SPU so SYD-SIN(or BKK or HKG) - HEL - SPU may also yield results.

When I last went to SPU I flew BCN-SPU with Vueling which is the Iberia version of Jetstar, no points earn but super short flight and great schedule.

So if you can accommodate a 1 night stop over in London It might makesense to buy LHR- SPUdirect from BA, or stay a night in BCN and buy BCN-SPU from Vueling

 

[RooFlyer]

Hello, I plan on travelling SYD > SPU (split Croatia) and would love to have it all on the same QF ticket (even if it's not a code share). I can do SYD > ZAG as code share which puts me SYD > LHR > ZAG. Or SYD > PER > FCO > ZAG with FCO > ZAG not a codeshare but booked with a Croatia Airlines flight number. Is there a way to have either of these routes but continue on ZAG > SPU with a Croatia Airlines flight number but have it all on the same ticket booked by Qantas?

I should add I have tried this with the multi-city tool but it errors out whenever I add SPU.

Additional question, is there any benefit having a QF flight number on a BA flight? I did notice these codeshare flights were slightly cheaper than the BA flight number of the same flight.

My best advice to you would be to book through a travel agent (good one, not a Flight-Centre type). They will be able to book whatever flights you like and if its possible to code-share, they will and will also be able to put at least the OneWorld flights on a single ticket, perhaps including Croatia Airlines ones which of course is Star Alliance, not One World. (My own TA does all sorts of things that I don't follow - I just get my ticket and fly!).

These days, most TAs will charge a fee, but for me its worth it: I value my time and sanity and they should offer 24/7 help (very valuable in this age of changed flights - they do all the sorting out). Depending on circumstance, a good TA will also have contacts with the airlines and can occasionally get an exemption granted to 'rules' .

If you don't have a TA and would like to explore, PM me.

 

[Ade]

Want to claim ORC for a couple of flights - called 13 12 11, connected to a premium customer service agent who told me that they can’t do this and I need to call the QFF team on 13 11 13 … is this correct? Previously, I have always called 131211 for all of my QF related things … has something changed?

 

[SYD]

Want to claim ORC for a couple of flights - called 13 12 11, connected to a premium customer service agent who told me that they can’t do this and I need to call the QFF team on 13 11 13 … is this correct? Previously, I have always called 131211 for all of my QF related things … has something changed?

Why don’t you email them? Much easier.