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

[Limewood]

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.

Its dam amazing that after what 3 months they are still not trained, frustrating customers and put simply its ridiculous.

When one asks bring ASA's back online like before, make it so easy to book them and save Q a bucket load of operator dosh its move on by one or two members, why should we?. It does however look like Q are just not going to listen to common sense at this point and let the lottery booking system continue.

 

[cove]

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

None of my last minute bookings have been ANY SEAT as the number of points quoted have been ridiculous so it has been Classic J on QF and now a J on Virgin to get home from the AFL grand final.

 

[Nizar]

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

Not direct AA earn I know, but David Jones Amex or Diners transferred to SPG then to AA is still marvellous value. For DJ Amex spend at supermarkets it works out to in excess of 1.5 AA points/$, taking into account the SPG transfer bonus.

Hmmmmm time for a separate thread perhaps. Didn't think it would be >1.5 AA miles per dollar. Cheers.
I now need to think about this properly and do the sums. Could be a goer.

 

[JohnK]

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

Its dam amazing that after what 3 months they are still not trained, frustrating customers and put simply its ridiculous.

You are again assuming that Qantas wants to keep making this loophole available to everyone.

 

[Supersonic Swinger]

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

When one asks bring ASA's back online like before, make it so easy to book them and save Q a bucket load of operator dosh its move on by one or two members, why should we?. It does however look like Q are just not going to listen to common sense at this point and let the lottery booking system continue.

Probably because when they were still online, the 9 million or so QFF members who aren't readers of AFF would have seen the cheap ASAs online and booked them thinking "that's cheap".

Now, not knowing they were ever online, they'll only see the Classic Awards or the full "Pay With Points" amounts, and will either pick the Classic for which QF doesn't need to hand out points and SC for, pay the full ASA rate or just pay a cash fare.

The extra money QF makes out of that pays for a bit of extra phone time spent dealing with AFFers who are aware of marginal ASAs.

 

[Deleted User]

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

Why so much discussion as to how and why.... those that want to let's just enjoy MASA's while they are available...?

Simple....or are some trying to make this the largest thread on AFF...?

 

[Limewood]

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

You are again assuming that Qantas wants to keep making this loophole available to everyone.

Its not available to everyone because most don't know to book a MASA.

 

[Deleted User]

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

Its not available to everyone because most don't know to book a MASA.

And many supposed QFF members didn't know the valuable ones either and why they were so valuable indeed...

 

[Limewood]

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

And many supposed QFF members didn't know the valuable ones either and why they were so valuable indeed...

At least when online we could see them without this stupid call up method.

 

[geordieladinoz]

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

Just tried for LHR-SYD one way flights in early July 2014 and absolutely no classic award availability for booking a MASA and all requests for classic release over a 7 day period were declined for 2 x WP's.

As far as the MASA process went, Sangita told me that I could book online. I explained that it was no longer possible. She understood the principle of the MASA and even mentioned the work 'Marginal' and that Classic Awards had to be available for a MASA to be booked. Unfortunately there were none and I even considered just the Classic awards but none were forthcoming either via DXB or HKG.

Hmmmmmm, looks like we will be flying back from the UK with another One World Carrier this time.

I imagine that Qantas are being very careful about their bookings next year due to the Dubai restrictions. I will keep checking in the hope that something crops up.

 

[Limewood]

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

Think you mean 2014

Rather surprise as a WP no seats that far out.

 

[bcworld]

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

Think you mean 2104.

Rather surprise as a WP no seats that far out.

91 years out...really??

 

[geordieladinoz]

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

So was I!

DXB is reduced capacity so I am wondering if there are restricted award fares until flight reductions are fully confirmed. There was nothing with QF/EK via DXB or BA/QF via HKG. There is no J or F classic award availability online for all of July or August but with the way the website is going at the minute I thought calling would be worth a try. Qantas computer says NO!!

 

[Limewood]

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

Did you try SYD/HKG/LHR? or SYD/HKG/DXB/LHR?

 

[geordieladinoz]

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

Did you try SYD/HKG/LHR? or SYD/HKG/DXB/LHR?

Just looking for LHR-SYD with any combination in the middle. All = NO!

Sep 2013 / J / HBA>MEL>LHR / 256,000 / $1473 / 280SCs x 2 / 2 x PAX / Travel Jul 2014
Sep 2013 / J / LHR>MEL>HBA /128,000 / $1194 (!!!) + $30 CC / 280SCs / 1 PAX / Travel Aug 2014
- (was initially asked for a booking fee as well, then CSA would not move on the CC fee)

AFF member 'Sale' recently booked MASA for August 2014 at extremely good value as above. Seemingly they have had better luck than myself. I am not seeing any classic award availability at all for J, earliest available is mid-September 2014. I know the nothern hemisphere summer is busy but to not even get classic awards released seems strange!

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

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

Probably because when they were still online, the 9 million or so QFF members who aren't readers of AFF would have seen the cheap ASAs online and booked them thinking "that's cheap".

Now, not knowing they were ever online, they'll only see the Classic Awards or the full "Pay With Points" amounts, and will either pick the Classic for which QF doesn't need to hand out points and SC for, pay the full ASA rate or just pay a cash fare.


The extra money QF makes out of that pays for a bit of extra phone time spent dealing with AFFers who are aware of marginal ASAs.

UNFORTUNATELY I think this is a pretty fair summary !

 

[Nizar]

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

AFF member 'Sale' recently booked MASA for August 2014 at extremely good value as above.

HBA>MEL>LHR at 256k points and $1437 per person is extremely good value ?
Relative to some of the shop items maybe lol but to be honest compared to what some other programs offer (e.g., SQ 127k points + approx the same cash component as QF) nothing with QFF is extremely good value IMO. 280k awards are perhaps reasonable value but even then AA offer them at 190k.

 

[geordieladinoz]

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

HBA>MEL>LHR at 256k points and $1437 per person is extremely good value ?
Relative to some of the shop items maybe lol but to be honest compared to what some other programs offer (e.g., SQ 127k points + approx the same cash component as QF) nothing with QFF is extremely good value IMO. 280k awards are perhaps reasonable value but even then AA offer them at 190k.

I was referring to the LHR-MEL-HBA of 128k points + ~$1k for 1 person. Not an expert but seems good to me when I've got points to burn.

 

[Joshua]

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

Everything is a matter of perspective.

UNFORTUNATELY I think this is a pretty fair summary !

Don't you mean FORTUNATELY for us??? May or may not have an impact on award inventory but certain means less people with status from ASAs.

I was referring to the LHR-MEL-HBA of 128k points + ~$1k for 1 person. Not an expert but seems good to me when I've got points to burn.

QF burn rates have always seemed to suck. But if you do have a lot of points then you could argue the quicker they're burnt, the sooner you'll not have them to feel screwed by QF

For me, occasion ASAs and the zone 10 awards are where it is at.

 

[greenfish]

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

I believe it as been reported elsewhere, but an attempted MASA BNE--> SYD --> AKL for 3 people resulted in 156000 min points instead of 108000 for BNE --> SYD direct, despite the classic award available for 108000 BNE --> SYD --> AKL.

Clearly the two segments are being priced separately for the MASA. The very helpful CSA reviewed the issue and called me back to confirm that this was all correct. Pretty poor value, unfortunately.

Shame as it would have bumped both the kids over to SG, but we're not travelling enough in the next 15 months for it to be worth the spend...PS will have to suffice.