Article: The Qantas Classic Rewards With No Taxes or Charges

[AFF Editor]

The Qantas Classic Rewards With No Taxes or Charges is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

The Qantas Classic Rewards With No Taxes or Charges

When redeeming Qantas Frequent Flyer points to book reward flights, you'll always need to pay taxes and charges in addition to the points.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[HSB44]

Good guide.
The JAL flights with no fees is an interesting one. Do you think there's any chance that the relative competitiveness of rail in Japan plays a part in that?

 

[MELso]

Finnair's carrier charges on Qantas classic reward flights are also generally pretty low...

 

[Markymark2040]

The Qantas Classic Rewards With No Taxes or Charges is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

The Qantas Classic Rewards With No Taxes or Charges

When redeeming Qantas Frequent Flyer points to book reward flights, you'll always need to pay taxes and charges in addition to the points.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

I have a reward booking for AA lax-lhr in December. Qantas have not charged me taxes, even though taxes of Us$187 are due. They dont seem to want to charge me.. Any advice?

 

[encryptededdy]

It's odd because the JAL Domestic flights do have a (very small) charge when booking using Avios. I wonder if the $0 on QFF is intentional or a glitch.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Unfortunately for AA awards they come with some hefty TATL surcharges… well… not sure whether AA does or where they are added.

Not as bad as BA’s surcharges however for the same routes.

 

[GlennT]

It's odd because the JAL Domestic flights do have a (very small) charge when booking using Avios. I wonder if the $0 on QFF is intentional or a glitch.

View attachment 306154

hmm... probably unwise to draw this to Qantas' beancounters attention!

 

[Mattg]

I have a reward booking for AA lax-lhr in December. Qantas have not charged me taxes, even though taxes of Us$187 are due. They dont seem to want to charge me.. Any advice?

It sounds like your ticket may not have been issued.

That's unrelated to the topic of this article, but you should probably follow up with Qantas on that and make sure you have a ticket number starting with "081".

 

[plgreenfield]

Good article. Currently have JAL reward business flights booked. MELSYDHND NRTMEL HNDCTS HKDNGS. as you say no charges domestically. It’s been an interesting journey going through the booking process and what I’ve learned so far is:

Despite booking business class (reward)
- JAL don’t offer Sakura lounge access on J reward tickets domestically, but do on international sectors
- JAL block off all business window seats on both sides of aircraft in a 2-2-2 config, until 72hours before flight departure

I’m fully expecting to be given a different menu onboard to full J. Let’s hope not. I’ll report back

 

[encryptededdy]

snip

Worth noting that JAL doesn't have a domestic business class product per se, just "Class J". They always refer to it as Class J and never as Business Class. First Class is the highest class on travel on domestic. Therefore, IMO, booking Class J using points isn't the best value for money.

- JAL don’t offer Sakura lounge access on J reward tickets domestically, but do on international sectors

Not just reward tickets, Class J doesn't have lounge access regardless (even on cash fares). Only domestic first will get you lounge access (into DP or Sakura lounge).

JAL block off all business window seats on both sides of aircraft in a 2-2-2 config, until 72hours before flight departure

On Apex Suites configurations it's reserved for OneWorld Emerald / JMB Diamond members only. I believe Sapphire and Ruby members can access some of the rearmost window seats before 72h, but they may already be taken.

I’m fully expecting to be given a different menu onboard to full J. Let’s hope not. I’ll report back

I assume this is a sarcastic comment, but if flying domestic, there is no menu anyway since it's drinks only in Class J. Only F has dining. In international you will of course get the same menu as anyone else.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Agree. The ‘Class J’ upgrade is about $10, payable at the airport. The $10 is worth it for the seat.

 

[plgreenfield]

Worth noting that JAL doesn't have a domestic business class product per se, just "Class J". They always refer to it as Class J and never as Business Class. First Class is the highest class on travel on domestic. Therefore, IMO, booking Class J using points isn't the best value for money.


Not just reward tickets, Class J doesn't have lounge access regardless (even on cash fares). Only domestic first will get you lounge access (into DP or Sakura lounge).


On Apex Suites configurations it's reserved for OneWorld Emerald / JMB Diamond members only. I believe Sapphire and Ruby members can access some of the rearmost window seats before 72h, but they may already be taken.


I assume this is a sarcastic comment, but if flying domestic, there is no menu anyway since it's drinks only in Class J. Only F has dining. In international you will of course get the same menu as anyone else.

You’re right, in hindsight probably not the best use of points given JAL doesn’t have a true business class product domestically. Yet it’s advertised that way on the Qantas website as Business Rewards. If I had of known all this I wouldn’t have ‘upgraded’ from economy. Presumably there’ll at the very least be a more comfortable seat. Once again I’ll report back after I’ve experienced it first hand.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

You’re right, in hindsight probably not the best use of points given JAL doesn’t have a true business class product domestically. Yet it’s advertised that way on the Qantas website as Business Rewards. If I had of known all this I wouldn’t have ‘upgraded’ from economy. Presumably there’ll at the very least be a more comfortable seat. Once again I’ll report back after I’ve experienced it first hand.

The seat is wider, and comes with extra legroom… I guess the closest equivalent would be the old JQ star class on the a330s in a 2-3-2 configuration… or the QF domestic a330 business class that copied that 2-3-2 for a while.

Wide enuff for a premium economy product, but too narrow for business class!

Catering is standard economy, so a paper cup of water, tea or juice.

 

[sudoer]

Agree. The ‘Class J’ upgrade is about $10, payable at the airport. The $10 is worth it for the seat.

Same-day Class J upgrades became more expensive earlier this year.

https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/dom/boarding/sd_upgrade.html

Most routes (including HND-ITM) are now 2,200 yen, longer routes like HND-OKA are now 3,300 yen.

Upgrades to First have also gone up to 11,000 / 12,200 depending on length.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Same-day Class J upgrades became more expensive earlier this year.

https://www.jal.co.jp/jp/en/dom/boarding/sd_upgrade.html

Most routes (including HND-ITM) are now 2,200 yen, longer routes like HND-OKA are now 3,300 yen.

First Class has also gone up to 11,000 / 12,200 depending on length.

Thanks! I was wondering if the cost had gone up!

Still good value IMO.

 

[GlennT]

It's odd because the JAL Domestic flights do have a (very small) charge when booking using Avios. I wonder if the $0 on QFF is intentional or a glitch.

View attachment 306154

it's not a glitch! I have a HND-TAK (domestic) flight booked and both QFF and AAdvantage show the flight $0 fees, yet BA want 2 quid. I think it is just than BA can't bring themselves not to turn a buck if they can.

 

[QF_Flyer]

It's odd because the JAL Domestic flights do have a (very small) charge when booking using Avios. I wonder if the $0 on QFF is intentional or a glitch.

View attachment 306154

Yes, this is actually because of an issue with BA's booking system, it can't cope with zero so there's a nominal fee. It used to be you had to make a £1 charity donation as part of the booking or it would just error out.