Booking my first award flight .... encountered problems

[Stargazer]

I have just tried to book my first award flight Melbourne/London/Melbourne in business class using a classic award (insufficient points for any seat award). But I have struck a problem using the QF web site. Obviously I am doing something wrong.

On the 'search' page I put in all the relevant details including destination, the fact that the booking is a classic award and the dates. I then clicked 'go' and ended up on the 'select' page. I selected my flights in business class as follows:

outbound: QF428 melbourne/sydney; QF1 sydney/london
inbound: QF2 london/singapore; QF10 singapore/melbourne

At the bottom of the page it stated total points: 256,000 (which is correct for business class return).

When I clicked on the review page I saw that only part of the journey was in business class the rest in economy.

outbound: QF428 in business (Mel/Syd); QF1 in economy (syd/lon)
inbound: QF2 in economy (lon/sin); QF10 in business class (sin/mel)

Points were still showing as 256,000 (business class) plus $1045 in taxes.

I did the calculation several times thinking that I had made an error. But the same problem kept cropping up. Why is only part of the journey shown in business class. So what am I doing wrong?
:?::?::?:

thanks

 

[straitman]

I'm trying to think of a nice way of saying 'because the QF system rips you off if you're not careful' :evil:

i.e. This is not uncommon.

 

[Stargazer]

I'm trying to think of a nice way of saying 'because the QF system rips you off if you're not careful' :evil:

i.e. This is not uncommon.

This is unbelievable. There has to be a way around this!!! Any ideas

 

[Mike_m]

Try booking a direct (with SIN stopover) MEL/LON flight, for example QF9/10. The qantas website has a known problem where if you do a mulitsector award booking it will only give you the shortest sector in Business and the longer sector in economy. It happens a lot with people from Mid/West Aus who connect up in SYD/MEL/BNE for USA flights only to realize they have paid for an economy seat with business points for the long sector to the USA.

While it is a known problem Qantas are unwilling/ incapable of fixing it so the only solution is to be very careful and double check your booking before you confirm it. Again if you can get MEL/LON and the return all on one flight number you should be fine, but double check.

 

[Stargazer]

Try booking a direct (with SIN stopover) MEL/LON flight, for example QF9/10. The qantas website has a known problem where if you do a mulitsector award booking it will only give you the shortest sector in Business and the longer sector in economy. It happens a lot with people from Mid/West Aus who connect up in SYD/MEL/BNE for USA flights only to realize they have paid for an economy seat with business points for the long sector to the USA.

While it is a known problem Qantas are unwilling/ incapable of fixing it so the only solution is to be very careful and double check your booking before you confirm it. Again if you can get MEL/LON and the return all on one flight number you should be fine, but double check.

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately booking a classic award (in business class) there were only a few flights left and they all went via sydney and then a stop en route. I changed the dates a heap of time as I am flexible and this problem kept cropping up. The flights I wanted are in September/October next year. I thought booking this far in advance would be no problem. It seems that my flight plans are in disarray. I don't have enough points for an any seat award MEL/LON. Not too sure what to do as I really wanted to fly business class.

 

[sarvowinner]

I know it's a total ripoff, but you can call QFF and get them to book it over the phone. You might be able to get them to refund the booking fee (points) by pointing out the glitch in the Qantas booking system.

Good luck

 

[JohnK]

Thanks for the advice. Unfortunately booking a classic award (in business class) there were only a few flights left and they all went via sydney and then a stop en route.

Availability even this far out seems to be very limited. Don't underestimate the effect the Olympics will have on award availability to/from London.

Also you may have to settle for an award out of Sydney rather than Melbourne and would need to get yourself to Sydney seperately.

I believe there are a few business class seats on the outbound sectors so probably best to book a one-way business class award MEL-LHR and then wait and see if more seats are released closer to travel. You may have to settle for premium economy or economy on the return leg but book them seperately and you will save on points.

 

[Vinny]

It's a very common occurrence. It's also easy to book an award trip where they offer J class domestic seats and Y class international seats while charging the J class points. You need to really watch this.

QF are quite aware of the problem, but do not seem to be willing to fix it. I phoned customer care who offered to book a J class trip but for money or points which begs the question what use is the site in the first place. They are always willing to book a seat via SYD, MEL or ADL instead of my local airport when flights are available. Another way to get a bit back in fuel fines I suspect. Another thing to watch is directed via SYD and requiring an overnight stay with a flight out at 6 am.

I'm busy burning points and have as much time as it needs to get what I want but it does take time and persistence. I recently booked a trip to Europe and the convoluted routing via a number of Asian ports in both directions is amusing and very creative.

I mentioned this in a survey by QF frequent flyer a few days ago and I'm sure I'm not the only one.

 

[serfty]

...

QF are quite aware of the problem, but do not seem to be willing to fix it. ...

Maybe they don't actually see it as a "problem"!

In any case, as noted, careful checking of all segments is necessary before booking.

 

[stomplad]

Have you looked at he option of booking a JASA?

 

[straitman]

Have you looked at he option of booking a JASA?

See the OPs first sentence. Not enough points for an ASA.

 

[equus]

(insufficient points for any seat award)

Not sure how this can actually be the case.

If there is U class availability, then a JASA can be booked for exactly the same points as required for a Classic Award (it is just the cash contribution which may be a little high :shock. If you are way under the required points showing when you try, it is probably because there is no U class availablity, and thus no classic award either.

 

[Stargazer]

Availability even this far out seems to be very limited. Don't underestimate the effect the Olympics will have on award availability to/from London.

Also you may have to settle for an award out of Sydney rather than Melbourne and would need to get yourself to Sydney seperately.

thanks for the advice. Yes it occurred to me that I should book a flight out of SYD to LON and that would eliminate the glitch in the system for flights ex MEL. Just tried it and came up with the same problem. I put in the following flights:

SYD/LON (change of flight in SIN): QF5/QF9
LON/SYD (change of flight in SIN): QF2/QF6

Instead of getting business class throughout -- the sectors SIN/LON and LON/SIN were in economy -- the points required were 256,000 (which is the classic award business class).

So it seems that even by taking a flight to and from SYD the system does not recognize this as a business class booking.

So what to do. It seems to me that the only option is to book it direct with QFF and lose 2500 points.

The system is not geared to assisting the flyer and throws up curve balls. For example:

When I originally checked flights for this booking out of Melbourne there were no direct flights available. Everything went via SYD. The same with the flight LON/MEL -- no direct flights (everything again went via SYD).

When I checked the flights from LON/SYD you could actually fly LON/MEL/SYD. My question is this: why isn't the LON/MEL flight still showing as available when doing a LON/MEL award booking?

I believe there are a few business class seats on the outbound sectors so probably best to book a one-way business class award MEL-LHR and then wait and see if more seats are released closer to travel. You may have to settle for premium economy or economy on the return leg but book them seperately and you will save on points.

The seats that you mentioned in the above quote -- booking a one-way business class award MEL/LHR -- I assume you mean an any seat award. Don't have enought points to get anywhere near this award level.

Can you explain your comment "wait and see if more seats are released closer to travel". What seats will be released? Do you mean classic award? But if I have booked an any seat award aren't I locked into that seat -- penalties apply if I change???

If there is U class availability, then a JASA can be booked for exactly the same points as required for a Classic Award (it is just the cash contribution which may be a little high

). If you are way under the required points showing when you try, it is probably because there is no U class availablity, and thus no classic award either.

This is where my lack of knowledge comes into it. I did a booking based on my flights and according to the system I required 964,274 points for the least expensive fare type in business class. Continuing the booking on the "review" page there is a slider and I can use my existing points (276528) with a cash top up of $6959.53. Is that what you mean by a U class booking.

Any and all information to assist me in finally organizing my booking would be appreciated.

 

[serfty]

...
When I originally checked flights for this booking out of Melbourne there were no direct flights available. Everything went via SYD. The same with the flight LON/MEL -- no direct flights (everything again went via SYD).

When I checked the flights from LON/SYD you could actually fly LON/MEL/SYD. My question is this: why isn't the LON/MEL flight still showing as available when doing a LON/MEL award booking?

...

Be wary - check the booking classes for each segment, the LON-MEL-SYD option may have LON-MEL in economy ans onl the MEL-SYD in business. The same with LON-SYD-MEL, the LON-SYD may be in economy.

...This is where my lack of knowledge comes into it. I did a booking based on my flights and according to the system I required 964,274 points for the least expensive fare type in business class. Continuing the booking on the "review" page there is a slider and I can use my existing points (276528) with a cash top up of $6959.53. Is that what you mean by a U class booking.

As for the "Any Seat Award", these can be had for the same points cost as a classic with small premium on the $$$ componet - if the are already classic awards available. For more, see here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer....uent-flyer-program/how-do-i-book-j-29610.html

 

[Stargazer]

As for the "Any Seat Award", these can be had for the same points cost as a classic with small premium on the $$$ componet - if the are already classic awards available. For more, see here: http://www.australianfrequentflyer.c...k-j-29610.html (The "how do I book a J any seat award at classic award points level" thread.)

I have read this thread started by Markis10. And I think I did everything that was mentioned in the post. That's why I came up with an any seat award using all my points plus an additional cash payment of just under $7000. So I am not sure what you mean by a small premium. $7000 is a lot of money!!

 

[Limewood]

Have you thought about buying a Y fare to Singapore then JASA from there to London return? with possibility you could upgrade the Y fare before departure from OZ.

 

[serfty]

I have read this thread started by Markis10. And I think I did everything that was mentioned in the post. That's why I came up with an any seat award using all my points plus an additional cash payment of just under $7000. So I am not sure what you mean by a small premium. $7000 is a lot of money!!

You are missing the point.

Today I can see a business classic award from LON to MEL on November 12, 2012.

A one-way classic award can be booked on QFF for 128,000 QFF points and £435.

An any-seat award on the same flights can be booked for 128,000 QFF points and £480.

The "JASA" earns 240 SC's and from 15,000 QFF points; the classic earns nothing

 

[Stargazer]

You are missing the point.

Today I can see a business classic award from LON to MEL on November 12, 2012.

A one-way classic award can be booked on QFF for 128,000 QFF points and £435.

An any-seat award on the same flights can be booked for 128,000 QFF points and £480.

The "JASA" earns 240 SC's and from 15,000 QFF points; the classic earns nothing

thank you for pointing that out. Found the flight which is great. But that still leaves the problem of finding a flight ex Mel or Syd which allows me to fly the entire distance in business class. Tried various options and still showing economy for major part of the flight despite requiring requiring business class points

 

[serfty]

I must ask, when are you trying to book for?

That's a very popular route in Business class. Wile there are ordinarily award seats in business on these flights when they become available (353 days out), they are generally snapped up quite quickly, especially during holiday and other popular periods.

That's why I was looking at a flight 352 days away.

 

[Stargazer]

I must ask, when are you trying to book for?

That's a very popular route in Business class. Wile there are ordinarily award seats in business on these flights when they become available (353 days out), they are generally snapped up quite quickly, especially during holiday and other popular periods.

I appreciate your efforts to help me. I do realize that you were looking for flights 12 months out because the seats are snapped up quickly. My ideal plan is to leave sometime in early september for three to four weeks away. I am flexible on dates and that's why I keep playing around with the QF booking site. But everything I look at requires a change of flight in Asia and as noted in previous posts there is a glitch in the system -- while the booking requires the full business class redemption of points a major part of the journey is in economy.