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

[JohnK]

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

Despite ASA online removal.

It is not coming back. Time to move on.

Out of interest why do you think Qantas owes you a cheap way to earn status for the life of the QFF program? Any other generous FF programs that allow you to earn status via cheap awards? No? There must be a very good reason.

Could that reason be that is does not make much business sense to continue? Could it be that it was a mistake in the first place. People should be grateful for this nice loophole the past couple of years. Loophole closing quickly....

 

[JohnK]

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

A bit O/T: Loss of Anytime Access, anyone?

I removed the post you quoted and reposted it but you are right.

I really miss Anytime access. Last night was a perfect example at OOL. The Virgin Lounge had nothing. Some soup, some vegetarian fried rice that looked awful and the usual "gourmet" salady stuff that is awful.

And Upgrade credits would be extremely useful now that I am flying more.

 

[MartinO]

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

I put the proposition that I've said before. If QF introduced a new fee for something over the phone, does anyone honestly think that after a couple of months, they would tolerate call centre operatives NOT charging the fee for want of 'training' ? If you, like me, don't believe that, why would you believe that the current situation with MASAs is an oversight and not a conscious strategy of under-training?

I'll put this proposition to you. Any fees and charges, including new ones, increased ones, etc, are automatically charged according to the rules. The consultants do not have to charge the fee, it just happens. In the case of a MASA, what they do need to do, is actively waive the fee. They don't need training to charge a new or increased fee. They do need it, to understand when to waive a fee.

 

[Limewood]

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

It is not coming back. Time to move on.

Out of interest why do you think Qantas owes you a cheap way to earn status for the life of the QFF program? Any other generous FF programs that allow you to earn status via cheap awards? No? There must be a very good reason.

Could that reason be that is does not make much business sense to continue? Could it be that it was a mistake in the first place. People should be grateful for this nice loophole the past couple of years. Loophole closing quickly....

If it was a mistake why still have them by the inconvenient phone lottery method the ASA's MASA's whatever one likes to call them. Then if you don't know how to book them well bad luck, book a classic and get no points at all.

 

[JohnK]

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

If it was a mistake why still have them by the inconvenient phone lottery method the ASA's MASA's whatever one likes to call them. Then if you don't know how to book them well bad luck, book a classic and get no points at all.

I suspect they are still there (temporarily) due to the uproar on AFF.

Qantas is trying to phase them out. Perhaps they are still undecided.

 

[Limewood]

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

Possibly but AFF be a small sample of the total.

 

[Flying Fox]

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

Possibly but AFF be a small sample of the total.

Agreed by number.

However, I would like to think that we possibly represent the top 10-20% of QF FF program by value (either points or dollars).

 

[TonyHancock]

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

Agreed by number.

However, I would like to think that we possibly represent the top 10-20% of QF FF program by value (either points or dollars).

I suspect not even remotely close. The fact is we AFF members typically want something for nothing.

 

[Deleted User]

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

I suspect not even remotely close. The fact is we AFF members typically want something for nothing.

And whats wrong with that

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

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

I suspect not even remotely close. The fact is we AFF members typically want something for nothing.

They were the ones that sucked us in !

 

[TonyHancock]

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

And whats wrong with that

Absolutely nothing, I'm all for it. However, I suspect that AFF'ers only account for a tiny percentage of income for QF.

 

[Flying Fox]

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

I suspect not even remotely close. The fact is we AFF members typically want something for nothing.

Well we do have quite a few CLs, P1s, WPs etc online. And those ppl obviously travel plenty. Plus we all collect points via various methods and those companies do pay QF for the points which added to the scheme's $280M profit (IIRC).

In addition we do have official company representatives on this forum so in the eye's of the airlines, we are a voice to be heard.

 

[TonyHancock]

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

Well we do have quite a few CLs, P1s, WPs etc online. And those ppl obviously travel plenty. Plus we all collect points via various methods and those companies do pay QF for the points which added to the scheme's $280M profit (IIRC).

In addition we do have official company representatives on this forum so in the eye's of the airlines, we are a voice to be heard.

There is the odd CL, a handful of WP1's and plenty of DSC and MASA WP's*.

I think you are overestimating the importance of AFF'ers by some considerable margin.

* Not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

I'll put this proposition to you. Any fees and charges, including new ones, increased ones, etc, are automatically charged according to the rules. The consultants do not have to charge the fee, it just happens. In the case of a MASA, what they do need to do, is actively waive the fee. They don't need training to charge a new or increased fee. They do need it, to understand when to waive a fee.

So can I deduce then that you are in the camp of believing that, a couple of months later, the charging of the booking fee for a MASA is a "oops, didn't train that phone agent enough" issue? Remembering that AFFers are but a small proportion of QF customers, but probably more QF savvy than the average punter. Just how often is this fee being charged in error without being reversed? If Telstra or the AFL or Ticketek or similar were doing this, how loud would people scream?

You see, I have this great bridge in Sydney that I'm offering to selected people with an appropriate sunny outlook. One careful owner, great cash-flow

 

[MartinO]

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

So can I deduce then that you are in the camp of believing that, a couple of months later, the charging of the booking fee for a MASA is a "oops, didn't train that phone agent enough" issue? Remembering that AFFers are but a small proportion of QF customers, but probably more QF savvy than the average punter. Just how often is this fee being charged in error without being reversed? If Telstra or the AFL or Ticketek or similar were doing this, how loud would people scream?

No, I am in the camp that believes that fees are automatically charged by the system. So when there is a new or increased fee, there really is nothing for the agent to learn - the system just applies the charge. You were stating that they would not tolerate the agents charging the new rates, and I am stating that it is the system that does the charging. What you, and many people on this thread, don't seem to be getting, is that the fee needs to be waived or it will automatically be charged - not that the agent applies the fee. So, if you book one of these, make sure it is being waived by the agent.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

No, I am in the camp that believes that fees are automatically charged by the system. So when there is a new or increased fee, there really is nothing for the agent to learn - the system just applies the charge. You were stating that they would not tolerate the agents charging the new rates, and I am stating that it is the system that does the charging. What you, and many people on this thread, don't seem to be getting, is that the fee needs to be waived or it will automatically be charged - not that the agent applies the fee. So, if you book one of these, make sure it is being waived by the agent.

Fair 'nuf if you don't like that analogy. Let me give you another one then. Lets say Qantas IT - who we know aren't the best in the business - developed software or an interface for the postulated new fees and that software regularly failed to add the new fees on when phone agents accessed the particular service / fare type (whatever). I don't believe Qantas management, alerted to the issue, would tolerate this software/interface glitch to continue after months and months, depriving Qantas of revenue.


What I am getting at is that after several months, and even after multiple alerts to QF management (ie via Red Roo and many customers), fees are still regularly being charged when they shouldn't be, and some phone agents are still completely and utterly ignorant of MASAs, and give wrong and misleading advice to callers regarding MASAs. I cannot believe that this is a result of lack of competence in the phone agents. Far easier for Qantas management to "accidentally" not devote enough resources to the training and/or turn a busy eye away from the problem. Every mistake the agents make benefits Qantas.

It shouldn't be up to customers to make sure the phone agents/Qantas aren't charging them fees that aren't due. A reputable company should fix the problem, full stop.

 

[Deleted User]

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

the way I see it, despite what Qantas do, I'm just glad I'm a member here and can know where the good oil's at

MASA's are here to stay, just not online... when they go permanently I'll worry about it then, but for now keep calm & carry on...

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[MEL_Traveller]

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

Well we do have quite a few CLs, P1s, WPs etc online. And those ppl obviously travel plenty. Plus we all collect points via various methods and those companies do pay QF for the points which added to the scheme's $280M profit (IIRC).

In addition we do have official company representatives on this forum so in the eye's of the airlines, we are a voice to be heard.

the indicators do not support your proposition, particularly in the case of engagement by the company representative.

a company representative should be able to analyse tending issues and respond to those from a PR and stakeholder management perspective. the indications I see are more of AFF being used for feedback, much in the same way as a niche focus group, rather than its members being seen as a 3rd party endorsers.

 

[deka2]

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

I rang up for a second time to book a MASA in J SYD-MEL
The operator introduced himself as James
His first comment after I told him what I wanted was that this was only available online.
After some discussion he asked me the flight details and after what seemed to be a lot if tapping on his computer gave me points and $ options.
I still don't know why we had to go through the discussion.

 

[JohnK]

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

the way I see it, despite what Qantas do, I'm just glad I'm a member here and can know where the good oil's at

MASA's are here to stay, just not online... when they go permanently I'll worry about it then, but for now keep calm & carry on...

That's the spirit.

e.g. A MEL-SYD flight in O Class: Earnings for: No status - 55 miles, Gold: 625, Plat/EXP: 1000.

A lot of my SYD-BNE flights book into E class. There is a sizeable $ difference between E class and O class and be very careful of N class. There could be an even bigger difference between N class and S class.

Earn/burn is much more complicated than some of these threads suggest.