attention red roo - resolution of award bookings ex bkk and china

[Isochronous]

When you look at the ex-Asia prices, you will immediately understand why QF (or any airline) would prefer to sell ex-Australia

Happy wandering

Fred

Business Class prices are still profitable ex Asia though. Is it better to fly empty seats than attract paying Asian traffic?

 

[Archphoto]

I recently visited the BKK office, and supposedly as of January 2014, you'll be able to pay online and won't even need to show your CC when you check-in. Guess we'll have to wait and see; the sooner they sort this utter mess of *(lack of) customer service* out the better!!!

 

[Aussie_flyer]

I recently visited the BKK office, and supposedly as of January 2014, you'll be able to pay online and won't even need to show your CC when you check-in. Guess we'll have to wait and see; the sooner they sort this utter mess of *(lack of) customer service* out the better!!!

so maybe they are finally doing something. woot woot. of course it's possible the airline will be belly up by then

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I recently visited the BKK office, and supposedly as of January 2014, you'll be able to pay online and won't even need to show your CC when you check-in. Guess we'll have to wait and see; the sooner they sort this utter mess of *(lack of) customer service* out the better!!!

thanks for the news!

It will be interesting to see if this applies for other countries where an office visit is required? For example China.

Still no confirmation on this from the company representative. And why is it that another passenger has to break news rather than the company itself?

The key issues raised on this forum should be regularly monitored and reported on.

 

[drron]

Oh dear.One man's meat is another s poison.Maybe my AA awards via BKK will dry up.

 

[GalaxyNexus]

I haven't been booking any Qantas flight ex-CGK recently (used to do it 2-3x a year, booked via a travel agent) due to this CC nonsense. I either route via SIN on JQ or AA connecting to QF, or fly SQ all the way. I can see myself redeeming CGK-SYD flights as classic awards J if this restriction goes away, but am not holding my breath.

 

[thewinchester]

This topic has previously been discussed, but I can't put my finger on the threads. The short version, according to the roos and my recollection and despite any assertion from yourself to the contrary, is that this process and local rules require the CC presentation and there's nothing they can do about it.

Simply put, just work with it. It's 30 seconds of your life, stop moaning about petty things and just enjoy the journey.

 

[Archphoto]

Wish it was only 30seconds - last time it took me 3 hrs; and don't forget, if you suddenly had to make a flight that didn't allow you to visit said office (closed on Sat & Sun), you are rather screwed. Sure, you could fly with another carrier, but what if company policy dictates who you fly with? (Doesn't help with QFi making $$$ either - book all online, no visit to an office? I'll just chose X/Y/Z over QF - no wonder they're having problems. )

I'm not bemoaning the need to present a CC, just the fact that it has to be done at an office, in the city, that doesn't allow for out of hours verification (if needed) - the airport is just as easy and a hell of a lot more convenient for passengers. No card, no ticket issued. You want to board - pay again.

 

[Aussie_flyer]

This topic has previously been discussed, but I can't put my finger on the threads. The short version, according to the roos and my recollection and despite any assertion from yourself to the contrary, is that this process and local rules require the CC presentation and there's nothing they can do about it.

Simply put, just work with it. It's 30 seconds of your life, stop moaning about petty things and just enjoy the journey.

You seriously think presenting yourself in person at an office in Bangkok is a 30 second inconvenience? Even if your bkk based its a major hassle but what if your thousands of miles away?

The `local rules' nonsense has been proven to be utter rubbish long ago...since all other major carriers including JQ (part of Qantas group) allow online booking with either no need to show the card at all (eg air asia) or to simply show it at checkin! !

 

[MEL_Traveller]

This topic has previously been discussed, but I can't put my finger on the threads. The short version, according to the roos and my recollection and despite any assertion from yourself to the contrary, is that this process and local rules require the CC presentation and there's nothing they can do about it.

Simply put, just work with it. It's 30 seconds of your life, stop moaning about petty things and just enjoy the journey.

the 'local rules' is the issue.

that was the line qantas was using for a long time. when I was in the china office one time they said words to the effect of 'we don't have an on line merchant bank to allow us to process the payments so you have to come in'.

on calling the Australian call centre one time I was told that they couldn't process the ticket, and only after speaking to a supervisor I was told they would make a 'one off' exception.

they have consistently refused to waive the assisted operator fee (I've been lucky once, but the rest if the time I've had to pay). we have asked for a policy change to waive the fee, at least perhaps for status members, but this has also not been responded to.

bottom line, why should I have to pay $60 EXTRA to redeem an award, when it seems there is in fact no local rule? if there is such a local rule, why not tell us what it is? we have been waiting for one year for an official response on that but it's NEVER come.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

because then they want to charge you the award assistance booking fee.

Not if you've already booked it online.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

just a bump to say the issue still exists. can QF please provide an update on progress?

 

[Cat207]

Even though I have read this thread before, I got myself caught up in this issue last night when I booked a Classic Award from HKG to PEK using my points, and then went to book a Classic Award from PVG to HKG using my partner's points. I got the message re: front up at the office in China within two days. I had a sleepless night wondering how this was going to work. If I don't have the flight booked I can't get the Visa - if I don't have the Visa I can't get there to show the credit card!

In hindsight I should have transeferred my partner's points to me and booked both flights at the same time as that doesn't seem to cause the same problem.

I did call Qantas this morning and got it all sorted. After I said I'd cancel the HKG - PEK booking, transfer the points from my partner to me, then rebook both flights together as that was cheaper than paying the phone booking fee, the CSA (Mahommed from the Auckland centre) very kindly waived the phone booking fee and completed the booking for me in AUD.

This 'rule' is antiquated and near impossible to follow and should be changed to fall into line with other carriers.

And, every time I think I've got it figured out and feel confident that I'm getting the best 'bang for my buck', up comes another curly one! Such a lot to learn...

 

[Timba-Jet]

just a bump to say the issue still exists. can QF please provide an update on progress?

+++1 for this bump.

Was considering booking a one-way BKK-SYD classic award but then realised the stupid show credit card in BKK requirement.

 

[JessicaTam]

It is amazing that this process still exists. TK have been able to sight CC at checkin for years. And I cite them as an example, as their website is atrocious, so it can't be an IT issue.

 

[drron]

And I can still book an AA award BKK-SYD in J on QF,pay online and not have to show my CC.

 

[JohnK]

And I can book golf tours with some tour companies in Thailand and they do not accept credit card payments over the internet but if I go their office they accept my credit card.

Go figure...

 

[Formal Hall]

Looking to book a one way classic award from Jakarta to Melbourne, but the need to have your credit card sighted in Jakarta is still in place, an impossibility from Australia!
Have tried ringing QFF in Australia and they can ticket it but it will cost 30k points + 238AUD, whereas online it is 30k + 150USD (160AUD). I assume the difference is the phone booking fees. If I just book it online is there any workaround, like faxing a copy of my credit card, or ringing up QFF in Australia and getting the to verify the card without slapping a phone booking fee on top?

 

[gibspmuh]

Previously I've been able to pay the Jakarta office with an AMEX card without needing it to be sighted (but they said only with AMEX, not Visa or Mastercard). Probably worth calling to confirm if that's still possible.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Looking to book a one way classic award from Jakarta to Melbourne, but the need to have your credit card sighted in Jakarta is still in place, an impossibility from Australia!
Have tried ringing QFF in Australia and they can ticket it but it will cost 30k points + 238AUD, whereas online it is 30k + 150USD (160AUD). I assume the difference is the phone booking fees. If I just book it online is there any workaround, like faxing a copy of my credit card, or ringing up QFF in Australia and getting the to verify the card without slapping a phone booking fee on top?

i would keep calling back until you find an agent willing to waive the call centre fees. If not - shoot a PM to Red Roo and see if they can help.