Changing oneworld crediting FF program mid ticket no longer allowed?

[ozbeachbabe]

Thanks for the suggestion. Yes, I've tried both and they don't offer the feature.

I've found a list of Amadeus carriers on Wikipedia and I'm working through them to see if I have any luck. It's a long list.

What happens when you try on the QF website?

 

[medhead]

I did avoid the charges but only after the lounge agent had a senior override the computer. But that shouldn't have been necessary.

I wasn't prepared to risk the lounge agent not entering the correct information in two different fields. She already wanted to charge me excess baggage when I'm clearly entitled to it. The Qantas computer system clearly has not been programmed to recognise the extra baggage allowance for oneworld Emerald.

I'm not looking for a non-human way to do both fields, just the one over-arching one. But the RJ and AY methods have not worked for me for sometime. I'd be interested to know if other people are also having issues using the RJ or AY websites or if it's just me.

Did you tell the agent your status with AA actually gets extra baggage?

 

[Danger]

What happens when you try on the QF website?

I didn't know it was possible to change it on the QF site. If it I would be over the moon to learn the technique.

When I review a particular booking through my QFF account at the top of the page is listed "Passenger details" and across from that "edit". In my younger days I was excited like a kid at Christmas thinking that that would allow me to make some changes. Well, it does: contact numbers, email addresses, sports goods etc. But not the ability to change FF numbers even though that information is displayed here.

Did you tell the agent your status with AA actually gets extra baggage?

I did. After telling her I was not overweight I said "oneworld Emerald allows me an additional 20gs" to which she said "But you're not flying with your Qantas card; you're flying with your AA card". To which I reminded her that the emerald coloured logo on my AA card she was holding meant oneworld Emerald. Still, though, she wasn't convinced and had to get someone to override the computer because at that point my options were (a) reinsert the QF number (which is not where I wanted accrual) or (b) keep the AA number in and be slugged an overweight charge. So I waited for the override that should never have been necessary (on two fronts, one being mix benefits from two (or more programs) without issues (as nowhere it is stated that you can't what a few of us hear seem to have recurrent trouble with) and two, the fact the QF system isn't programmed to accept the additional 20kgs baggage allowance for Emeralds in other programs.)

So basically in addition to seeking competent lounge and check-in staff, my number one priority is to find a reliable non-human method that worked just like the RJ method did up until about the last week in March. I could even do it onboard, after the manifest had been printed and handed to the CSM, at which point I'm getting the best of both worlds. That aside, just being able to do what I'm wanting without involving a human who doesn't know how to do it (eg. leaving two numbers in the booking, which has happened to me multiple times) or agents taking time to do it because they don't know how to or phone agents and the odd CBR lounge agent saying 'No, no. You can't do that' would be bliss.

 

[mannej]

I did. After telling her I was not overweight I said "oneworld Emerald allows me an additional 20gs" to which she said "But you're not flying with your Qantas card; you're flying with your AA card". To which I reminded her that the emerald coloured logo on my AA card she was holding meant oneworld Emerald. Still, though, she wasn't convinced and had to get someone to override the computer because at that point my options were (a) reinsert the QF number (which is not where I wanted accrual) or (b) keep the AA number in and be slugged an overweight charge. So I waited for the override that should never have been necessary (on two fronts, one being mix benefits from two (or more programs) without issues (as nowhere it is stated that you can't what a few of us hear seem to have recurrent trouble with) and two, the fact the QF system isn't programmed to accept the additional 20kgs baggage allowance for Emeralds in other programs.)

I can see why the computer is wanting to charge a Heavy fee. As the domestic (I'm assuming you were flying domestic) allowance is piece based, the AA status would afford you an extra piece, not an extra 20kgs. As the piece you had was over the 23kg piece allowance, it would levy the $30 heavy fee (which is not an over your allowance fee).

The wonders of the piece based system, as you were within your total allowance, but had 1 too few bags checked in.

 

[Danger]

I can see why the computer is wanting to charge a Heavy fee. As the domestic (I'm assuming you were flying domestic) allowance is piece based, the AA status would afford you an extra piece, not an extra 20kgs. As the piece you had was over the 23kg piece allowance, it would levy the $30 heavy fee (which is not an over your allowance fee).

The wonders of the piece based system, as you were within your total allowance, but had 1 too few bags checked in.

Pair point. On that part I was wrong. I agree with you, I was only entitled to an extra piece (which ironically would be 23kgs, higher than the 20kgs for the weight concept). So the computer was potentially correct but what I don't know is what the senior did. He/she either overrode based on what I was telling the lounge agent (an extra 20kgs) or he/she too (like me in this situation) doesn't know the correct additional allowance. Or, perhaps one final thought is the person downstairs found the lounge agent lacking in logic and agrees with us here who believe there's no reason why can't take a cherry from both baskets.

In addition to the issue I'm having (finding a non-human way to do what I want, correctly), it would appear that my recent experience here also confirms that somewhere in Qantas staff are being told that the cherries come from basket and one basket only.

 

[mannej]

Pair point. On that part I was wrong. I agree with you, I was only entitled to an extra piece (which ironically would be 23kgs, higher than the 20kgs for the weight concept). So the computer was potentially correct but what I don't know is what the senior did. He/she either overrode based on what I was telling the lounge agent (an extra 20kgs) or he/she too (like me in this situation) doesn't know the correct additional allowance. Or, perhaps one final thought is the person downstairs found the lounge agent lacking in logic and agrees with us here who believe there's no reason why can't take a cherry from both baskets.

In addition to the issue I'm having (finding a non-human way to do what I want, correctly), it would appear that my recent experience here also confirms that somewhere in Qantas staff are being told that the cherries come from basket and one basket only.

Must be a fairly regular occurrence with the piece based system and a computer says no mentality.

 

[moa999]

From what I understand there is no online way to separate FQTV/FQTS.

As for the agent - if the request was simply to change the FF number then the assumption would be for everything.

If instead you asked to change your FF number for accrual, but keep the existing QF number in their for status benefits, then that is a different request.

Perhaps someone could provide guidance on 1. Whether all staff are trained on the difference between and how to change each FF number and 2. How difficult it is to do versus a simple change

 

[Danger]

Did you tell the agent your status with AA actually gets extra baggage?

Yes, I did. But as noted above it still required the lounge agent to phone a senior to override.

From what I understand there is no online way to separate FQTV/FQTS.

As for the agent - if the request was simply to change the FF number then the assumption would be for everything.

If instead you asked to change your FF number for accrual, but keep the existing QF number in their for status benefits, then that is a different request.

Perhaps someone could provide guidance on 1. Whether all staff are trained on the difference between and how to change each FF number and 2. How difficult it is to do versus a simple change

And I'm more than happy not to separate FQTS and FQTV online. No issue at all. Online or some other without human intervention all I'm only looking to do is take my AA number out and put QF number in, and vice versa. One out, another in.

My request to the lounge agent was "Could you please completely remove my QF FF number from my booking and insert only my AA booking". There was no discussion by either party about specific fields.

 

[serfty]

I can see why the computer is wanting to charge a Heavy fee. As the domestic (I'm assuming you were flying domestic) allowance is piece based, the AA status would afford you an extra piece, not an extra 20kgs. As the piece you had was over the 23kg piece allowance, it would levy the $30 heavy fee (which is not an over your allowance fee).

The wonders of the piece based system, as you were within your total allowance, but had 1 too few bags checked in.

No - the allowance relates to the e-ticket's stated method (weight or piece), not to the Airline of the oneworld program from where the Emerald status comes from that you are using: (Emerald privileges - oneworld)

Extra baggage allowance

As an Emerald frequent flyer you can check in one additional bag for free in addition to your ticketed baggage allowance when you fly on oneworld airlines. If your ticket mentions a weight allowance, you can check in an extra 20kgs (44lbs). (This benefit is not available on British Airways 'Hand Baggage Only' fares on select short-haul routes.)

 

[mannej]

No - the allowance relates to the e-ticket's stated method (weight or piece), not to the Airline of the oneworld program from where the Emerald status comes from that you are using: (Emerald privileges - oneworld)

I'm confused, that's exactly what I've stated (I stated AA status as a function of OWE and relating to the OP, but referring to the fact that the QF status limits do not apply)
QF domestic is a piece based system. As a non-QF OWE, the allowance is the 2x23kg pieces (1 piece as the stated allowance plus the OW extra piece).

The heavy fee comes as the bag checked in was over the 23kg allowance.

 

[drron]

I have found another use for a TA.I have had problems quite a few times in the past.As we book our international travel through our TA on the last occasion it was an email to her and hey presto all done.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

I believe the phrase was something like:

Oneworld Emeralds will be entitled to an additional piece or additional 20kg if ticketed in weight, when travelling domestically on Qantas and QantasLink services.

Which would mean that as an AA OWE pax you are entitled to an extra 20kg only when you're ticketed in weight eg to/from Australia to NZ/Asia/South Africa/Middle East Europe when it doesn't matter how many pieces you have.

As your itinerary to from PER was a domestic one where the piece system applies, as an AA OWE you're entitled to an additional piece where both pieces can be up to 23 kilos each. The issue you experienced was because your bag exceeded the 23 kg limit are were charged a heavy fee which was waived by a senior staff member. If you had checked in two bags under 23 kg there would have been no issues so there isn't any problem with the QF system not recognising your additional OWE allowance - you just need to know whether your ticket is under the weight or piece system and pack accordingly.

I didn't know it was possible to change it on the QF site. If it I would be over the moon to learn the technique. When I review a particular booking through my QFF account at the top of the page is listed "Passenger details" and across from that "edit". In my younger days I was excited like a kid at Christmas thinking that that would allow me to make some changes. Well, it does: contact numbers, email addresses, sports goods etc. But not the ability to change FF numbers even though that information is displayed here.

I would just change it on one of the airport kiosks as there's the facility to add a frequent flyer number from any other OW airlines to your booking at a kiosk and although I've never had the need to change a QF ffn to an AA one I imagine that if you did this Altea would delete your QF ffn & update the pnr with your AA number.

I can see why the computer is wanting to charge a Heavy fee. As the domestic (I'm assuming you were flying domestic) allowance is piece based, the AA status would afford you an extra piece, not an extra 20kgs. As the piece you had was over the 23kg piece allowance, it would levy the $30 heavy fee (which is not an over your allowance fee).

The wonders of the piece based system, as you were within your total allowance, but had 1 too few bags checked in.

Exactly.

Pair point. On that part I was wrong. I agree with you, I was only entitled to an extra piece (which ironically would be 23kgs, higher than the 20kgs for the weight concept). So the computer was potentially correct but what I don't know is what the senior did. He/she either overrode based on what I was telling the lounge agent (an extra 20kgs) or he/she too (like me in this situation) doesn't know the correct additional allowance.

I would guess that the senior just waived the excess which requires them to override the system (which is trackable) as the only other way to make the heavy charge disappear would be if the weight of your bag was adjusted to an amount under 24 kilos or a receipt for the heavy charge was entered.

If instead you asked to change your FF number for accrual, but keep the existing QF number in their for status benefits, then that is a different request.

If the QF number was in the pnr it would have been in the booking as FQTV which is the default when entering it into the system so this would automatically show as status as well as there is only one number in the system.

If you wanted to use the QF ffn for status the CSA would need to delete the QF number as a FQTV entry and re-enter it as FQTS then enter the AA ffn as FQTV for accrual. I can see how CSA's could get confused as it's not a very common thing to be asked.

I don't know to what extent any training covers adding/deleting ffn however from time to time when there are system updates to newer versions the format changes.

 

[Danger]

No - the allowance relates to the e-ticket's stated method (weight or piece), not to the Airline of the oneworld program from where the Emerald status comes from that you are using: (Emerald privileges - oneworld)

No - the allowance relates to the e-ticket's stated method (weight or piece), not to the Airline of the oneworld program from where the Emerald status comes from that you are using: (Emerald privileges - oneworld)

I'm confused, that's exactly what I've stated (I stated AA status as a function of OWE and relating to the OP, but referring to the fact that the QF status limits do not apply)
QF domestic is a piece based system. As a non-QF OWE, the allowance is the 2x23kg pieces (1 piece as the stated allowance plus the OW extra piece).

The heavy fee comes as the bag checked in was over the 23kg allowance.

I'm also confused.

I would just change it on one of the airport kiosks as there's the facility to add a frequent flyer number from any other OW airlines to your booking at a kiosk and although I've never had the need to change a QF ffn to an AA one I imagine that if you did this Altea would delete your QF ffn & update the pnr with your AA number.

Interesting. I didn't know it could be done at one of the self-serve kiosks. I'll give it a shot.

 

[Kangol]

I'm also confused.

My understanding is that the ticket determines how the allowance is calculated and this method overrides that of any carrier or FF program.

Interesting. I didn't know it could be done at one of the self-serve kiosks. I'll give it a shot.

To double check, I would also ring reservations and have them confirm. ie. the old one has been completely removed and the new one entered. I had a huge debacle with QFF about this (AA/QF numbers and lounge agents failing to put the correct number in). In the end I was specifically told by QF staff not to trust the lounge agents because they do not have the same training and knowledge as phone res agents.

 

[Danger]

To double check, I would also ring reservations and have them confirm. ie. the old one has been completely removed and the new one entered. I had a huge debacle with QFF about this (AA/QF numbers and lounge agents failing to put the correct number in). In the end I was specifically told by QF staff not to trust the lounge agents because they do not have the same training and knowledge as phone res agents.

Another reason I'm keen to find a method that doesn't involve humans.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

To double check, I would also ring reservations and have them confirm. ie. the old one has been completely removed and the new one entered.

I wouldn't bother as the airline freq flyer number that prints out on your boarding pass is the one where your points will be credited to, assuming you're only doing the FQTV entry.

I had a huge debacle with QFF about this (AA/QF numbers and lounge agents failing to put the correct number in).

In the end I was specifically told by QF staff not to trust the lounge agents because they do not have the same training and knowledge as phone res agents.

I think comment is a bit rich coming ftom res agents just quietly.

I'd love a dollar for every time I've heard someone who's been told they've got one piece of excess baggage say "but reservations told me as long as the total weight of the items doesn't exceed 23 kilos."

The 'new' (one piece vs 23 kg domestic) allowance came into effect 01 June 2011 - time to get with the program.

 

[moa999]

I wouldn't bother as the airline freq flyer number that prints out on your boarding pass is the one where your points will be credited to, assuming you're only doing the FQTV entry.
.

If going down the FQTV/FQTS path what should be showing on boarding pass (eg. Say Qantas Plat crediting to AA Nothing - will it show Emerald status but AA number?)

 

[Danger]

If going down the FQTV/FQTS path what should be showing on boarding pass (eg. Say Qantas Plat crediting to AA Nothing - will it show Emerald status but AA number?)

Only the FQTV (accrual) is shown on the boarding pass.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

If going down the FQTV/FQTS path what should be showing on boarding pass (eg. Say Qantas Plat crediting to AA Nothing - will it show Emerald status but AA number?)

Only the FQTV (accrual) is shown on the boarding pass.

My understanding is that when you've got the FQTS/FQTV combo happening it's the FQTS number that appears on the both the boarding pass and onboard manifest.

So if you're using your QF WP for status & AA Nothing for accrual, the points & SC will still credit to AA despite the number not appearing on the boarding pass.

It could get a bit messy if you have to chase up points with AA because you'd have to send them a copy of your boarding pass which would have the QF ffn on it. I suppose AA would need to check with QF first that they hadn't already credited the points.

 

[Danger]

My understanding is that when you've got the FQTS/FQTV combo happening it's the FQTS number that appears on the both the boarding pass and onboard manifest.

So if you're using your QF WP for status & AA Nothing for accrual, the points & SC will still credit to AA despite the number not appearing on the boarding pass.

It could get a bit messy if you have to chase up points with AA because you'd have to send them a copy of your boarding pass which would have the QF ffn on it. I suppose AA would need to check with QF first that they hadn't already credited the points.

Short-sighted on my part. Apologies, moa999.