[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]10April

Why, because you now have to call 13 13 13?

Absolutely and also due the fact that it looks like this is now going to go completely. I also find it annoying that the only time that one can ring about the Marginal ASA is during Business hours. How is that going to help my performance at work If I have to spend hours on the phone to QF to book something that I have always been able to book myself

Oh and the number is NOT 131313 it is 1300 366 587 so yet another number to add to my phone or memory.

 

[eastwest101]

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

Oh and the number is NOT 131313 it is 1300 366 587 so yet another number to add to my phone or memory.

Once they allocate the costs from 1300 366 587 and the how low a % of overall bookings may be/are made through this channel then I think that suggests a either a very convenient story about the "excessive costs of providing 'marginal' ASA's" and justification for their removal or adding another fee onto such bookings. The very public servicey operating hours suggest that this may be quite an expensive thing for QF to run.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Absolutely and also due the fact that it looks like this is now going to go completely. I also find it annoying that the only time that one can ring about the Marginal ASA is during Business hours. How is that going to help my performance at work If I have to spend hours on the phone to QF to book something that I have always been able to book myself

Oh and the number is NOT 131313 it is 1300 366 587 so yet another number to add to my phone or memory.

Of course you realise that Qantas is just an Australian domestic airline and there's no reason anyone overseas would need to call. I mean, taking on-line booking away and then requiring people to call at odd hours when overseas and pay for international whilst waiting for the call centre to respond, won't bother anyone, will it?

Remember "You are the reason we fly."

 

[TheInsider]

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

For those that want to complain, do it via the correct method so QF can see you are complaining:

Customer Care Feedback Form

 

[drewbles]

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

That phone number has probably been set up to gauge the amount of bookings being made. Otherwise the calls just go through to the general Qantas Frequent Flyer agents AFAIK, as all agents are aware of the change.

Yes, but end of the day all they need to do is cancel that number, and that's that. They've specified a number, and whilst calling 131313 will work, they could just as easily have an agent say 'sorry you need to call this other number'. I've always been a glass is half empty person. It's easier that way to avoid disappointment

Keep in mind, they know exactly how many people book ASA's at the discount rate. The number won't do much I don't think. People will simply not book them as the cheaper ones have been removed. It'd be interesting to see if people simply pay cash for the flight, the increased points rate or go to another airline though (which I suspect is more the reason for the number).

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

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

It's worth noting that selling classic inventory as an ASA, QF (airline) would make more money from QFF (program) for the same available inventory.

 

[medhead]

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

I don't really think so. Saying it can be booked online without fee doesn't preclude booking by phone - it simply says no booking fee for online. It also doesn't guarantee everything can be booked online (clause 15.2.1)

The other thing that people seem to be confusing is that "any seat" refers to "if there is an available seat" but the existing T&C do not guarantee that any available fare bucket can be used to price that seat. Indeed, the terms specifically refer to some promotional fares not being available. The fact that classic inventory may not be able to be accessed for pricing an ASA via the website doesn't violate anything if the seat can be accessed via another fare bucket (which is almost certainly true).

In actual fact, if you want to be really picky, Qantas are violating clause 13.2.3 every time they don't charge a fee for booking an award via the phone - but I don't see anybody complaining about that.

T&Cs actually say to book an ASA a seat must be available. Not if there is a seat available. I don't consider classic awards to be "special promotional" fares. They are a standard offering of the program.

Breaking of the T&C for the award assistance fee is also noted. Just didn't want to mention it. This seems to suggest that a website booking process needs to be available to avoid the fee as per 15.2.1.

 

[Tristanm]

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

It's worth noting that selling classic inventory as an ASA, QF (airline) would make more money from QFF (program) for the same available inventory.

I would presume their reason for not wanting to offer this though is that the "cost" of the points you earn and the SC would exceed the additional revenue gained. Intangibles like loyalty have been undervalued however (IMHO)

 

[ferni]

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

For those that want to complain, do it via the correct method so QF can see you are complaining:

Customer Care Feedback Form

Good call. Email sent.

Why have Qantas removed the "cheap" (in points cost) any seat awards from the new website?


The technology to provide any seat awards is still there since I can book them now, so it can't be a technology issue since only the "cheap" ones have been removed. I understand I can call to book these, but what advantage does that give either myself or Qantas? It will take up valuable time of mine and Qantas staff.


I urge Qantas to reconsider this decision.


An unhappy platinum member.

 

[casanovawa]

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

I guess on the bright side, with fewer high status passengers, and all the resulting extra room in the lounges, it will make a more compelling argument for the return of ATA???

Nah, just more screwing over for everyone coz who doesn't like sitting on a phone...

 

[penegal]

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

I have finally caught up with this thread… Some of you should post slower, us senior citizens can’t read that fast

Like many on AFF, I have used ASAs (at classic level) to great effect over the past couple of years, and will lament their [apparent / impending] loss. I certainly appreciate the speculation and 'heads up' in this thread (and elsewhere).

FWIW In recent days I have burnt over a million QFF points on JASA & FASA tickets (at classic level), and EK J and F classic awards (with the lower taxes & charges). This was done exclusively with information anyone with an internet connection could get access to.


I may need to change one of the tickets and I still have some QFF points to burn, so those two phone calls to QFF could be interesting, but I will hold off for a short while until the dust settles a bit.

 

[penegal]

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

The sore point for me is the fact they can now 'quietly' get rid of the 'cheap' ASA's we used to know and love should they wish to (3 months anyone?). Not making them available online and providing a specific number you have to use to book them, enables them to simply cancel the number and remove the functionality, minimising their effort to enhance it out of existence.

I agree that by forcing X, Z, U and P class ASA bookings through the call centre QF does two things:
(a) Reduces the likelihood of anyone apart from the highly engaged customer from booking these fares
(b) Makes it easier to ‘enhance’ them away entirely in ~3 months (or whenever they please)



A very disappointing move, but not unexpected.



The plus side is I don't mind the aesthetic of the new website, even if the functions are full of bugs currently.

 

[TheInsider]

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

I urge everyone to send feedback into Qantas. More feedback the better.

Customer Care Feedback Form

And trust me, they do pass it on to the appropriate area.

For those people who seem to have contact with the appropriate managers, email/call them too.

 

[Nizar]

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

As a Qantas Platinum Frequent Flyer (for the last 3 years, nothing that special), I will be switching all my travel to other carriers if the ASAs at classic availability is diminished in 3 months.

Trust me, you will not be the only one.

 

[whatmeworry]

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

Virgin must be rubbing their hands with glee over this Qantas enhancement.

Plus the times for booking an ASA over the phone is very inconvenient. Seriously 9 to 5, Monday to Friday? Most of us are at work at those times.

 

[ferni]

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

It won't be just switching our flying to other airlines, it will be switching our credit card point programs away from earning QFF points which Qantas have been so hell bent on promoting recently.

 

[Ansett]

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

I urge everyone to send feedback into Qantas. More feedback the better.

Customer Care Feedback Form

And trust me, they do pass it on to the appropriate area.

For those people who seem to have contact with the appropriate managers, email/call them too.

Already sent and having discussions with the Head of Airline Loyalty Development and Delivery Qantas Loyalty NOT HAPPY QANTAS

 

[RooFlyer]

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

I urge everyone to send feedback into Qantas. More feedback the better.

Customer Care Feedback Form

And trust me, they do pass it on to the appropriate area.

For those people who seem to have contact with the appropriate managers, email/call them too.

Jolly good. So why, once I filled out the form did it suddenly flip to an 'e-mail us' form, losing all my magnificent prose? More IT carp from Qantas.

 

[reductionist]

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

Uggh.

For the longest time this thread has had "Repudiated by Red Roo" in the title so I never bothered to check it.

If I'd known about these changes I would have definitely made some of my regular ASA bookings.

I will absolutely be sending feedback via the Customer Care Feedback Form and I'd encourage everyone to do the same.

If JASAs at award levels go away for good I suspect that will be the end of platinum status for me. I presume this is exactly QFs intention. My current thinking is that I will burn all my points by sending my father OS in J or F (likely the last OS trip he'll ever take) and potentially be done with the QFF program all together.

 

[Nizar]

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

It won't be just switching our flying to other airlines, it will be switching our credit card point programs away from earning QFF points which Qantas have been so hell bent on promoting recently.

You and me both.