[Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10April

[ketsuzei]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

Wow, $641, that's incredible - only 6m ago it was around $400 - that's over 50% increase.

You're sure you're talking about the same route?

 

[legroom]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

Mrsbuzzard & I were looking at a trip to AKL.
Classic (J) 72,000 + $281.25ea
JASA 72,000 + $641.25 ea
Thats quite a difference - $720 more for the 2 of us. :evil:

Not sure what you had decided there.

I would probably hang up and try again the next day (and the day after that) .... until I get the co-payment to be about 1.3-1.5x that of Classics.

I had no hard data on this apart from my own limited experience where I could get lower MASA payments on the 2nd or 3rd calls (when the $$ seemed a bit too much).

It's certain others would chime in with reports of co-payments equal or even lower than those of Classics.

But 2.3x more seems - to me anyway - a bit suspect.

The haphazard way QF CSRs handles phone MASA leaves us with so much uncertainty as to acceptance or rejection of their 'advice' .

If the 2nd or 3rd calls are similar to the 1st, well, you've got yourself a little problem .... with QF.

Your decision, as always !

 

[kooky]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

You're sure you're talking about the same route?

No, not really, I presumed east cost going by the points, I thought they'd all be roughly similar prices.

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

No, not really, I presumed east cost going by the points, I thought they'd all be roughly similar prices.

I'm just asking because Buzzard seems to be located in Adelaide... that would be an extra 80-120 SCs return right there.

 

[kooky]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

I get the feeling everyone will campaign long and hard to get MASAs back online, then they'll come back with a price 3x that of classic, and we'll be right back to where we started.

 

[kooky]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

I'm just asking because Buzzard seems to be located in Adelaide... that would be an extra 80-120 SCs return right there.

You're totally right, my apologies, although I'd eat my hat if the MASA cost was more than $400 6m ago, even from Adelaide, given Syd would be classed as a transit etc.

 

[Newk]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

as a data point I booked an online JASA Adelaide-Sydney-Auckland one way earlier this year that cost 36,000 points and $310.53. So what has been quoted is well within the ball park

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

my apologies

Nothing whatsoever to apologise for... we're all just striving for data.

 

[kooky]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

as a data point I booked an online JASA Adelaide-Sydney-Auckland one way earlier this year that cost 36,000 points and $310.53. So what has been quoted is well within the ball park

I guess there were always certain JASA dates that cost more, although from the east cost return it was under $400, 72k points, back in January. Strange Adelaide would get charged $250 more for the same points as a transit itinierary, since there's not even any GST on the fare from memory, but that's probably out of the boundaries of this thread.

 

[ALH]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

and then you are WP it'll be easier to do the bookings at the premium desk, so you can stay WP a bit longer so that it is easier to..............

Didn't work for me. All 3 calls went through to the premium desk. No luck (and a blatant lie as far as I can tell from reading other people's comments about indirect routing). In the end I went with Classic J on-line. I've pretty well decided it's all too hard and I don't have the time or the patience to muck around anymore. I will spend my Personal and Business travel money elsewhere.

 

[Flashback]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

Didn't work for me. All 3 calls went through to the premium desk. No luck (and a blatant lie as far as I can tell from reading other people's comments about indirect routing). In the end I went with Classic J on-line. I've pretty well decided it's all too hard and I don't have the time or the patience to muck around anymore. I will spend my Personal and Business travel money elsewhere.

... and that's exactly what QF wants!

 

[Buzzard]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

You will get back at least 6000 points and 240 status credits each for $360. Many would think that was worth it. But everyone has different goals.

I suppose if you look at it that way the cost is not unreasonable. Perehaps not worth squibling about a couple of hundred dollars but I thought the co pay would have been around the $400 mark (ea) tops. Like some other posters have suggested, I can always ring back and try again.

 

[iqis60]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I got a reply to my enquiry a while ago and as promise, here is the (form) reply-

Dear Mr iqis60,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on our online Award booking changes.

The new search function removes the need for three separate entry points for commercial (retail) fares, Qantas & Jetstar Any Seat Awards, and Qantas & Partner Classic Awards. All three booking types can now commence through the one single search panel, with the exception of Classic Award seats purchased as an Any Seat Award.

These Award bookings are available by calling 1300 366 587 (+61 2 8222 2430 from outside Australia) between the hours of 0900 and 1700 AEST Monday to Friday. The Award Assistance Fee will be waived for these bookings, and the booking channel will remain available while the future of these Awards is under review.

Commercial fares for sale on qantas.com are available as an Any Seat Award using a combination of cash and points or paying entirely with points.

Mr iqis60, thank you for taking the time to write and let us know your views. I hope this information will help you to fulfil future award requests.


Kind Regards,


Kristeen
The Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre

qantas.com/frequentflyer


Q:xx_xx_

[THREAD ID:1-Fxx_XX]



-----Original Message-----

From: xx_xx_xx_
To: [email protected]
Subject: Frequent Flyer - Award Flight Bookings/xx_xx_



Reference number: xx_XX-xx_xx_
E-mail submitted by Mr iqis60 on Wed 3 July 2013, 14:38 (AEST)

Here is my contribution to the avalanche of feedback going to Qantas Customer Care, I'll let you know how it goes-

Dear Qantas Customer Care,

I am a regular flyer with your airline, my Qantas frequent flyer number is xx_xx_X.

I am writing to you to express my disappointment at the recent changes that occurred to the website that resulted in the removal of the ability to book Qantas Any Seat Awards directly from the website.

I understand the facility is still available (for now) by calling Qantas and making an over the phone reservation. Whilst this means that the ability to book Any Seat Awards has not been removed entirely, I need you to know that I find the convenience and flexibility of being able to search myself invaluable and the lack of this facility is very disappointing.

Whilst I intend to continue to fly with Qantas, these changes will immediately effect the amount of flying I do with you and amount of revenue I will direct toward the company.

Having the choice of flying using Any Seat Awards significantly increased the amount of domestic flying I have done over the last few years. There have been a number of trips I have undertaken that I would not have without access to Any Seat Awards. I have also encouraged other friends and family members to fly with me and also assisted them in choosing Qantas for other trips.
These extra domestic trips with Qantas also resulted on me using the Qantas hotel booking engine on a number of occasions to book hotel reservations for my trip. Reservations I would otherwise not have been making if I had not been flying an any seat award flight.
Now that the facility to book Any Seat Awards through the website is gone, I will do less domestic flying with Qantas and I will also cease to encourage friends to do so.

I have also regularly transferred points from both direct earn and non-direct earn credit cards into the Qantas program. I will continue to direct points through the direct earn card, but I don't intend on transferring any further points into the program through the non-direct earn card. The any seat award facility made me feel like I could get good value for my points through Qantas, but I now feel like I can get better value for my points by using them in my credit cards program.

I understand that there may be business viability issues that would make it attractive for you to remove the any seat award online booking facility. But I still think it is prudent for me to let you know that this change will result in me doing less business with you, reducing how much I encourage others to do business with you and also leave me disappointed.

I'm hoping my feedback helps you understand that individual elements of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program may not by profitable in themselves, but it is this collection of attractive elements that make it worthwhile to be a part of the program and result in a continued relationship with the customer and further business.

I love flying and would like to do more flying with you. Please restore online bookable any seat awards.

Best Regards,
iqis60

 

[iqis60]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

And my latest reply-
Dear Kristeen,

Thank you for replying to my feedback. I am aware of what the new website provides in terms of booking facilities and am also aware that I can book any seat awards at a classic awards rate by phoning the number you provided below.
I would still like to reiterate that I prefer to have the online facility available for making any seat award bookings at a classic rate. Without this facility, I will do less flying with you.

iqis60

 

[JessicaTam]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

[sarcasm]
It is good to see that Kristeen was able to address your concerns so completely and is aware of the hours that the call centre is able to book Any Seat Award tickets at Classic point levels.
[\sarcasm]

 

[lovestotravel]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

I still find it funny that people think an email to QF will get anything but a standard "fill in the blank" repsonse!

 

[Limewood]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

The real sticking point is "WE DO NOT WISH TO CALL !!", "WE WANT TO BOOK ASA's ONLINE" at our own leisure, when will these Q people get the message?.

 

[straitman]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

The real sticking point is "WE DO NOT WISH TO CALL !!", "WE WANT TO BOOK ASA's ONLINE" at our own leisure, when will these Q people get the message?.

The cynic in me has to ask if they will ever get the message :?:

 

[Limewood]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26-was]10April

The cynic in me has to ask if they will ever get the message :?:

We can all wish and hope they come to their senses, I'm still optimistic.

 

[ALH]

Re: [Confirmed] QF removing [cheap] ASAs [from web booking engine Jun 26] was 10Apri

... and that's exactly what QF wants!

? ......to lose my Personal travel and the Business travel I book for my staff? My business aim is to generally keep clients, not send them elsewhere.