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

[Supersonic Swinger]

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

Such private briefing was at extremely short notice and all moderators were invited, along with Admin. Also a representative from Australian Business Traveler was invited. A representative from another website also was involved. This is discussed up thread along with Qantas' reasons why.

Serfty I'm not quibbling with the fact that you or any other moderators attended the briefing so please don't think I am attacking you personally. I think it was poor form of QFF to take this approach rather than being clear and upfront about the change to all members.

Any QFF email I now get I ignore the main PR blurb and pore through the small print right at the bottom looking for the latest devaluation they're trying to slip by members.

Moderately speaking, I think that’s exactly their plan, but hey it’s their company so they can do whatever they like as long as it’s legal...

Yes and that's their prerogative as a company. Just like it is mine as a customer to react to that sort of behaviour. And their online MASA has been the nail in my QFF coffin. I'm not hanging around for when they finally remove all MASAs.

 

[lovestotravel]

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

..............Anyways the good news is that MASA's are here to stay

I have booked quite a few on the phone now, and I simply hang up if after saying "I'd like to book a marginal any seat award with the least possible points"

If they are confused, I just hang up.

Only once a rep rang me back saying "the phone cut out" LOL

 

[support]

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

Yep and that's one of the reasons why I'll never pay to use this site again

lovestotravel,

As the majority of forum revenue comes from advertising I thank you for your support in displaying the ads. I hope you find some real bargains out there and in the true spirit of the forum pass them on to other members.

 

[Limewood]

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

This subject has nothing to do with mods where they went or what they may or may not have been told, Q made this stupid decision and mods being in Dubai or elsewhere has no bearing on it at all.

The fact remains they took ASA's away and it hasn't worked for 50% of their customers, its dam xx_xx_ inconvenient (to put it mildly) so why not fezz up and correct it.

 

[kimjongun]

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

Take away the anytime seat rewards is good business for Qantas and will give better services in the future because more money will make new planes more often and better!

The more money from not having the cheapest seat rewards will allow old planes to get new seats like the 747s and get rid of the 767s and replace them with new planes. I think it is good ideas financially

 

[straitman]

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

..............Anyways the good news is that MASA's are here to stay

I have booked quite a few on the phone now, and I simply hang up if after saying "I'd like to book a marginal any seat award with the least possible points"

If they are confused, I just hang up.

Only once a rep rang me back saying "the phone cut out" LOL

To be fair the wording from the lunches was:

Pre dessert discussion ...

*ASA's are here to stay for the "foreseeable future", but by telephone only ...

Points upgrades on EK metal is being worked on. It is an aim for QFF.

IMHO that is significantly different to 'MASA's are here to stay'

 

[lovestotravel]

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

To be fair the wording from the lunches was:
IMHO that is significantly different to 'MASA's are here to stay'

Oh thanks for clarifying that......

MASA va ASA's

So the three month review date is due when again ?

 

[ketsuzei]

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

To be fair the wording from the lunches was:
IMHO that is significantly different to 'MASA's are here to stay'

Can you explain what you mean by that? What else is the phone number for if not MASAs?

 

[markis10]

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

Can you explain what you mean by that? What else is the phone number for if not MASAs?

Not sure what you are implying, a phone number is to measure the popularity, no bearing on how long it will be in use!

 

[ketsuzei]

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

"*ASA's are here to stay for the "foreseeable future", but by telephone only ..."

So the point is just that "for the foreseeable future" differs from "here to stay"?

 

[serfty]

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

"*ASA's are here to stay for the "foreseeable future", but by telephone only ..."

So the point is just that "for the foreseeable future" differs from "here to stay"?

Ok,
Apologies for the confusion ...

I was paraphrasing several sentences using a smart phone.

The discussion was about the type of ASA that employs Great Circle origination/destination distance for minimum points and that they can incorporate travel on award fare buckets. That is the type that can no longer be booked on line.

As far as the discussion go, the main points were:

- They currently have no plans to do away with them altogether,

- They can only be booked by telephoning &

- There are no plans to re-introduce them for on-line booking.

 

[ketsuzei]

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

The discussion was about the type of ASA that employs Great Circle origination/destination distance for minimum points and that they can incorporate travel on award fare buckets. That is the type that can no longer be booked on line.

As far as the discussion go, the main points were:

- They currently have no plans to do away with them altogether

Thanks. It could be worse.

 

[Newk]

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

Good on you both (seriously). A great example of how to work through a difference of views in a civil and civilized manner. I've learnt from the posts of both of you.

 

[codash1099]

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

It would always have been profit first, loyalty second. They are a public company not a benevolent society. A loyalty program would only be supported by QF if it was profitable.

Is it possible that the two are connected?

 

[JohnPhelan]

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

..............Anyways the good news is that MASA's are here to stay

I have booked quite a few on the phone now, and I simply hang up if after saying "I'd like to book a marginal any seat award with the least possible points"

If they are confused, I just hang up.

Only once a rep rang me back saying "the phone cut out" LOL

So you don't even have the good manners to say "don't worry about it" - you just hang up without saying anything? That's just plain rude.

You also should not be using the term "marginal any seat award" - the call centre operators have not been informed of that term. Follow the script provided upthread about "an any seat award booked from the classic award bucket" (e.g. U bucket for Business).

 

[DC3]

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

'U' for uniform. 'U' for uniform. 'U' for uniform.

And keep repeating that bit to the CSR for a J award until they do it for you, or until you give up in frustration.

 

[JessicaTam]

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

Is it possible that the two are connected?

They certainly are connected. But only in that a loyalty program exists to support the bottom line, as opposed to detract from it.

 

[Princess Fiona]

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

'U' for uniform. 'U' for uniform. 'U' for uniform.

And keep repeating that bit to the CSR for a J award until they do it for you, or until you give up in frustration.

I've personally never used the letter "U" or "P" for any of my bookings so its not absolute.

 

[JohnK]

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

Without wishing to sound trite if QF is not a company you want to interact with then don't. It is a simple business decision on your behalf, and that is my point. I have more to lose than most if the MASA disappears but the reality is if it does go I will try to work out the best way to maximise my travel expenditure. It is an ever evolving experience.

Isn't frequent flying fun?

 

[DC3]

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

I've personally never used the letter "U" or "P" for any of my bookings so its not absolute.

In my single case (since the on-line removal) recently, I felt that I was virtually demanding 'U' for uniform to achieve the desired response. I lost count of the number of times that I had to repeat it during the conversation. Maybe 10+ times. Sound crazy?

I did get a bit of a dud though. Had worked there for 11 years apparently and was an "expert" . It wasn't easy getting the desired outcome (actually, it was pretty unpleasant being continually pushed in the wrong direction), although we got there in the end.

I'm happy for those having a smooth and pleasant experience, but it's still pot luck.