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

[Ansett]

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

To be fair, right at the start of this we were told that the reason that MASAs were removed from the online system was because they were "under review". So the review is not new, nor prompted by any perceived backlash on AFF (though hopefully this will be taken into account).

Hi John

If I recall corectly wasnt the reason given that the new system coulod not handle having U class for example being booked in two ways ie Classic Versus ASA and they can only have one booking class allocated. or something like that.

The review was mentioned I understand only after questions from members and other people who attended the phone hook up

 

[spentan]

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

All they have to do is allow classic awards to earn Points and SCs, boom, everyone's overjoyed.

This would absolutely destroy Velocity Rewards, QFF would be even more desirable!

I should work for QF marketing.

 

[Limewood]

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

Its now 2 months since removal and not one bit of info that's what is annoying at being kept in the dark.

and booking a MASA still a mess

 

[EmilyHoward]

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

It is still beyond me just why Q decided to 'tinker' with the ASA. It wasn't broken and didn't need any attention. Not that many people used the ASA at Classic Award points, aside from people in the know like members here.

In terms of Brand Management and Brand Value, although it is hard to measure in $ terms, this tinkering will continue to eat away at it. For me the Brand is less valuable now and I admit to looking on Webjet for upcoming flights for people in companies that I'm involved in rather than trying to insist we all fly Q.

I have sent around $200 to $250k worth of business Q's way annually for some time but it is just as easy to say 'we should look at the cheapest options' as it is to say 'let's stick with Q'.

It started for me with the removal of Any Time Lounge Access which, I never ever abused but, just used when I was waiting for people to arrive. I did get over that ... eventually ... but have never forgotten it.

One of the issues for me is that one never really knows what the hell the next Enhancement will be!

When I go back to the UK or Europe next I will travel in Business but I doubt it will be with Q anymore.


EH

 

[Limewood]

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

Its about time this cloak & dagger MASA, ASA operation stopped and the latter returned to its natural place"ONLINE", we should not be treated this way.

 

[Ansett]

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

It’s about time that QF realised the harm that it is doing to the brand. I used to talk friends and relatives into flying QF rather than any other airline. Usually help friends, workmates and relatives book well over 100 flights per annum from simple MEL- SYD through to J class LHR-MEL.

Now sadly I am the same as Emily and look for the best value in terms of pricing and timing and have to sday that the last 30ish I have helped people book have NOT been on Qantas. Total Value was in the region of 50-60K. Whilst it doesn’t sound like much if more and more of us are directing ours and others business from QF then it has to start hurting them at some stage surely.

It goes against the grain to divert money from an Australian company however, when that airline continues to enhance the rewards that I get for spending my money with them then I lose my loyalty to them.

 

[Limewood]

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

I have a good friend who spends upwards of $60K a year with QF and uses his points for ASA's for OS leisure travel, he is livid at the removal of them from the QFF site, just booked his 1st VA fight in J to LA recently. As said, if they take away an excellent online feature it will cost them in the long run.

 

[TonyHancock]

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

My relationship with QF is a business one, there is no loyalty from either party. The MASA was (is) something that kept (keeps) me flying QF. It's removal, which now almost seems a foregone conclusion, means that I will be looking for the best J deals to Europe, rather than automatically choose QF.

Life goes on and I'm sure I will finish up working out the most efficient way to meet my travel needs in as much comfort as possible.

Presumably there is a financial gain to be made from the removal of the MASA and QF is a business so you would think there would be some logic to the decision. It is, after all, there for the benefit of the shareholder.

i'm not angry or upset, just disappointed.

 

[JohnPhelan]

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

Life goes on and I'm sure I will finish up working out the most efficient way to meet my travel needs in as much comfort as possible.

But surely this is what you employ Griselda to do ?

 

[TonyHancock]

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

But surely this is what you employ Griselda to do ?

Yes but I take the credit!!!

 

[Newk]

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

And my two bobs' worth. Partly as a result of this and partly as a result of the earn change my Amex Ultimate has been binned. 800,000 points last 12 months. Plus citi select changed away from QFF earn. And considering changing my CBA diamond combo away from QFF earn. My high flyer card is getting a hammering. Before this change virgin got maybe 10% of my flights. Now it's maybe 50%.
As others have said: no big deal, it's just a game we play with the airlines, shrug shoulders and move on.
I did used to love trying to find ASAs on the web site. There was the thrill of the chase that is now gone. Searching for classic awards and then phoning to play another game with a random agent isn't quite the same.
Again: just one pleb's humble opinion.

 

[Limewood]

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

There was the thrill of the chase that is now gone. Searching for classic awards and then phoning to play another game with a random agent isn't quite the same.
Again: just one pleb's humble opinion.

Totally agree, the chase was brilliant pick and choose ASA's online was all there to see at a glance, and at times the result even better.

Of course, the sheer silence of it all by Q in an answer to us all is not the way to run.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

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

My relationship with QF is a business one, there is no loyalty from either party. The MASA was (is) something that kept (keeps) me flying QF. It's removal, which now almost seems a foregone conclusion, means that I will be looking for the best J deals to Europe, rather than automatically choose QF.

Bingo - QFF seem to operate in an environment where they think all of their 9 million members will accept whatever 'enhancements' they make to the program and continue to blindly fly Qantas regardless. The good thing about a site like AFF is that it enables you draw your own comparisons across programs, and a few of us seem to have concluded that QFF definitely doesn't stack up anymore and are acting accordingly.

As LTS, I wish it was a more compelling program, but the thing is now its own separate business unit, it's a financial juggernaut with its own momentum. The tweaks made to the program are primarily designed with that momentum in mind, not necessarily with rewarding frequent flyers.

 

[vt01]

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

I often wonder how much affect we here have on QF when we post decisions on changing to another carrier based on a decision QF makes.
I would assume that QF monitor their bookings and future bookings, number of outstanding QFF points very carefully when they change rules for QFF. QF would only change a decision if they noticed a significant change in bookings IMHO.
But it's always nice to discuss here and be supported! Cheers

 

[OATEK]

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

I often wonder how much affect we here have on QF when we post decisions on changing to another carrier based on a decision QF makes.
I would assume that QF monitor their bookings and future bookings, number of outstanding QFF points very carefully when they change rules for QFF. QF would only change a decision if they noticed a significant change in bookings IMHO.
But it's always nice to discuss here and be supported! Cheers

Of course you are right to surmise that QFF is managed around volume, momentum etc, not on what individuals say. They are looking at the big picture.

But ultimately, QFF is there to funnel potential travellers into QF flights, and therefore what people are saying bout them on influential sites, of which AFF may be one, needs to be addressed if QF wants long term success in the main business of putting bums on seats.

 

[EmilyHoward]

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

Of course you are right to surmise that QFF is managed around volume, momentum etc, not on what individuals say. They are looking at the big picture.

But ultimately, QFF is there to funnel potential travellers into QF flights, and therefore what people are saying bout them on influential sites, of which AFF may be one, needs to be addressed if QF wants long term success in the main business of putting bums on seats.

OATEK you are right; I agree. I would add that what is said (or not said) around the barbeque, dinners, other social functions, the office, the gym etc. does, over the long term influence potential flyers.

I have been a keen and determined spruiker of Qantas up to now in a really positive sense actively promoting it when the opportunity arose. Although the whole ASA saga has affected very few people in the overall scheme of up to 10m Frequent Flyers it has affected me. I wouldn't say anything derogatory; I most likely just wouldn't say anything.

As I said to a colleague of mine (not too close!) who has just had a fall from grace as we were about to head out for a drink. "Hang on, you've forgotten something." I reached down to the floor picked it up and said "Don't forget your reputation dude!"

You don't want that! LOL


EH

 

[coyote25]

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

The people this effects the most are people who are probably 'ambassadors' for QF. They knew how to find the value, surely the majority didn't so this couldn't have been a direct cost.

The indirect cost of having people who talk about and promote the program and service might not be correctly factored in.

Additionally taking something from an online service always seems like a bad step ie can't they get their IT cough into gear? Couple that with the platform not being very stable and it's a bad look all round.

It's their business to run, just not sure our strategic it is to remove something that is probably marginal cost.

 

[opusman]

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

The people this effects the most are people who are probably 'ambassadors' for QF. They knew how to find the value, surely the majority didn't so this couldn't have been a direct cost.

Somewhat earlier in the thread there was a quote from the press briefing or someone at Qantas to the effect that this would only impact certain "highly engaged" customers.

Now I may not know much, but I would have thought as a business, your "highly engaged" customers were the ones you probably didn't want to piss off.

 

[Ansett]

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

Somewhat earlier in the thread there was a quote from the press briefing or someone at Qantas to the effect that this would only impact certain "highly engaged" customers.

Now I may not know much, but I would have thought as a business, your "highly engaged" customers were the ones you probably didn't want to piss off.

Here Here couldnt agree more yet QF seem to think that pissing off its more highly engaged customers is a good thing. I for one have now become Highly DISengaged and know many others that have done the same

 

[Sequel]

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

Just to add another data point (and slightly off topic).

In the three years prior to the removal of ata, I did zero DOM legs on VA. On the few international flights I did on airlines other than QF due to routing/schedule I was thankful to be able to use the QF lounge. I did around 2,000 SC's pa on QF.

With the removal of ata and the well timed status match from VA, I now split my flying about 60/40 with DJ so that I maintain WP with both airlines and have lounge access and other benefits no matter where or who I fly.

My overall flying has increased, yet my QF spend has reduced by about 30%. No issue for me, in fact I am probably better off - thanks QF! It does make me wonder what justification they use internally for these decisions.