Be Aware! Qantas double points Trap ["Discount Economy is 'not' Economy"]

[Athleticfrog]

I fall into this promotion trap for my last trip to US, booked return ticket but didn't get double points for Sydney to Dallas which is discount economy, I didn't even think they differentiate different type of economy class for the promotion, then I asked whether "flexible economy" count in this promotion and didn't get any response, I filed a case to Fair Trading to see how it goes.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Promotion in Email.

Whether you're planning an adventure around America or visiting for work, flying to the USA is now even more rewarding.

Book an Economy flight to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas or Honolulu and earn double Qantas Points on Qantas operated flights with a QF flight number.*

Simply register and book your flight between 12.01am (AEST) 13 July 2019 and 11.59pm (AEST) 22 July 2019, for travel between 23 July 2019 and 31 August 2019.

Remember to include your Qantas Frequent Flyer number in your booking


*This Bonus Points offer is valid when you register and make a new eligible flight booking between 12.01am (AEST) 13 July 2019 and 11.59pm (AEST) 22 July 2019 for travel between 23 July 2019 and 31 August 2019. An Eligible Flight for the purpose of this promotion means an Economy Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number on your ticket between Australia and the USA where Qantas Points are normally earned. For full details see Terms and Conditions. Qantas Points and bonus Qantas Points will not be earned on some fare types and booking classes including Classic Flight Rewards. Any flight with a QF flight number on the ticket which is not operated by Qantas including Jetstar, Jetstar Asia, Valuair, Jetstar Japan, Jetstar Pacific and other partner airlines are not eligible for this offer. See Airline Earning Table for details. All Eligible Flights will earn 100% more Qantas Points than the standard Qantas Points earned.

Response from Qantas


As per the Terms and Condition of the promotion " An Eligible Flight for the purpose of this promotion means an Economy Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number on your ticket between Australia and the USA where Qantas Points are normally earned." We have further investigated that the flight QF007 is in the booking class Discount Economy making the travel not eligible.

 

[gpr49697]

a bit misleading to say the least. this will be their out I suspect:- Qantas Points and bonus Qantas Points will not be earned on some fare types and booking classes including Classic Flight Rewards

 

[Athleticfrog]

Yes, that is exactly the excuse used by Qantas, general understanding of economy in this promotion email means economy seat/class instead of fare class.

 

[blackcat20]

Dodgy. The average punter won’t have any clue about different classes of economy. The should have specified fare codes if it wasn’t all economy.

 

[Athleticfrog]

Dodgy. The average punter won’t have any clue about different classes of economy. The should have specified fare codes if it wasn’t all economy.

Will see how they respond to fair trading, will keep you posted.

 

[Austman]

It sounds to me like a lot of initial responses that I get from Qantas these days.

When pressed to provide precise details of why, they usually then acknowledge their error.

I'd ask where in the offer "Discount Economy" was specifically excluded? And to note that "Economy" is a general fare class . The sub-classes of "Economy" are "Sale", "Saver", "Flex" etc.

 

[cjd600]

Whenever I see these offers, I assume I'd get double for booking an economy seat.

 

[Athleticfrog]

I got doubt points for return leg, it is economy fare class, I didn't pay much attention when I booked it.

 

[Austman]

I got doubt points for return leg, it is economy fare class, I didn't pay much attention when I booked it.

If Qantas awarded points for one leg of your return flight it adds to your argument. I hope you also pointed that out.

It's likely just a Qantas stuff-up.

 

[Athleticfrog]

They blame me not reading term and condition

----------

Thank you for contacting Qantas Frequent Flyer.

This is to acknowledge that we received the Service Request you sent to us. first of all, we apologise for any inconvenience caused on rejected flight. Your understanding in this matter is highly appreciated. While we understand your feedback in line with the Double Qantas points for July 13-22 July 2019. I'd like to further explains that earning of bonus Double Qantas points applies to Economy Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number. I retrieved your flights, and upon investigation the flight QF074 earns double points due to the fare type or alpha code being ( V ). This alpha code as per earning table is under the Economy fare. While the flight QF007 fare type or alpha code being ( N ) and as per earning table is under Discount Economy. Hence, not eligible to earn Double Qantas points as per fare type purchased.

While we aid to understand that the promotion address "Economy" for double Qantas points. Please note that the "Important Information" is provided under the bottom part of the promotional email you previously received. As we are bound to terms and conditions, kindly be guided that the Minimum Points Guarantee applies only to the Eligible Flight Segments specified as eligible for Qantas Points earn in the Airline Earning Tables. That the earning table offers the eligible fare type is being eligible for the promotion.

Moving forward for future promotions of our program, I highly suggest that you may refer to "Important Information" for the eligibility of earning. I hope this address your concern and we appreciate the time you've taken to write to us. And we look forward to a continuing positive relationship with you in the future.

 

[tdimdad]

Knowing Qantas also can write the exclusions in the T&C's when they want to, your case sounds like an error on their part in this case and should be easy to fix once they realise the facts.

This extract is from their double status credit promotion in April 2019 and it was limited to specific fares.
"An Eligible Flight for the purpose of this promotion means an international Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number on your ticket where an Eligible Fare Type has been purchased and Status Credits are normally earned. Eligible Fare Types include Economy Saver Fares (Booking classes: G, K, L, M, S, V), Economy Flex Fares (Booking classes: B, H, Y), Premium Economy Saver Fares (Booking class: R) Premium Economy Flex Fares (Booking class: W), Business Saver Fares (Booking Class: D) Business Flex Fares (Booking Classes: C, J) and First Saver and Flex Fares (Booking Classes: A, F). Any international sale fare (including Economy Sale, Premium Economy Sale, Business Sale or First Sale Fare in booking classes E, N, O, Q, T or I) on a Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number is not eligible for this offer."

 

[Athleticfrog]

This make sense and I won't argue if listed in the T&C.

Knowing Qantas also can write the exclusions in the T&C's when they want to, your case sounds like an error on their part in this case and should be easy to fix once they realise the facts.

This extract is from their double status credit promotion in April 2019 and it was limited to specific fares.
"An Eligible Flight for the purpose of this promotion means an international Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number on your ticket where an Eligible Fare Type has been purchased and Status Credits are normally earned. Eligible Fare Types include Economy Saver Fares (Booking classes: G, K, L, M, S, V), Economy Flex Fares (Booking classes: B, H, Y), Premium Economy Saver Fares (Booking class: R) Premium Economy Flex Fares (Booking class: W), Business Saver Fares (Booking Class: D) Business Flex Fares (Booking Classes: C, J) and First Saver and Flex Fares (Booking Classes: A, F). Any international sale fare (including Economy Sale, Premium Economy Sale, Business Sale or First Sale Fare in booking classes E, N, O, Q, T or I) on a Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number is not eligible for this offer."

 

[Pleb Status]

There actually needs to be substantial financial penalties for this kind of bulls$!t.

QF will end up paying the points on a 'goodwill' basis, accepting no liability of course...

 

[Athleticfrog]

There actually needs to be substantial financial penalties for this kind of bulls$!t.

QF will end up paying the points on a 'goodwill' basis, accepting no liability of course...

If they ignore fair trading, I don't mind to go to court.

 

[Austman]

retrieved your flights, and upon investigation the flight QF074 earns double points due to the fare type or alpha code being ( V ). This alpha code as per earning table is under the Economy fare. While the flight QF007 fare type or alpha code being ( N ) and as per earning table is under Discount Economy. Hence, not eligible to earn Double Qantas points as per fare type purchased.

So if you booked the more expensive "Flexible Economy" being "alpha codes" B, H and Y, you'd be ineligible too? How ridiculous!

There has to be in the T&Cs of the offer, a statement that specifically excludes "alpha codes" E, N, O, Q.

 

[Mrmaxwell]

Qantas cannot have it both ways;

Remove all mention of fare codes during the booking process using their website while running numerous promos referring to fare classes in simple terms such as 'economy' and 'Business' and then when it comes time to claim the promo they get technical and pull out the fare code table pointing to all the different codes they use behind the scenes that the average passenger has no idea about.

If they were serious about helping out passengers the promo line would read;

Book an Economy flight to San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York, Dallas or Honolulu and earn double Qantas Points on Qantas operated flights with a QF flight number (excludes discount economy)

 

[Comoman]

I agree - IMO this is seriously dodgy on QF's part and the OP should quickly be awarded his double points.

 

[odysseus]

When you click register it takes you to the full terms.

If the full terms are like tdimdad posted then it would be valid. I note their reply does refer to terms in the "Important information" which isn't in your extracts above.

Do you still have the registration link, and is that page still up?

 

[Isochronous]

This is yet another misleading conduct violation by Qantas. By saying that the promotion applies to economy fares then you have a reasonable expectation of receiving points - even if the "click here for full T&Cs link" has some qualifier referring to fare bucket, that is likely too unclear for Qantas to have a good legal defence. The inability to see fare bucket during the fare booking process makes things even worse.

 

[Athleticfrog]

After registration, still available
........

Thanks for registering
This is your registration confirmation.
You’re on your way to earning double Qantas Points on eligible Economy Qantas flights with a QF flight number to the USA.*
Here’s how to earn double Qantas Points
1. Make a new booking on an eligible Economy Qantas operated flight with a QF flight number between Australia and the USA between 12.01am (AEST) 13 July 2019 and 11.59pm (AEST) 22 July 2019.*
2. Travel between 23 July 2019 and 31 August 2019.
3. Don't forget to include your Qantas Frequent Flyer number in your booking.
Bonus Qantas Points will be credited to your Frequent Flyer account up to six weeks after travel. To be eligible for this offer you must have received a double Qantas Points on eligible flights to the USA offer via email on 13 July 2019. This offer is not transferable and applies to travel taken by the recipient of the email only, regardless of other passengers in the same booking.

Find flights

……..............

When you click register it takes you to the full terms.

If the full terms are like tdimdad posted then it would be valid. I note their reply does refer to terms in the "Important information" which isn't in your extracts above.

Do you still have the registration link, and is that page still up?