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

[SeatBackForward]

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

Exactly! The tie-ins and 'loyalty' that were the selling points for the program may take a huge dive as a result....

I for one am not changing anything. I've never used ASAs. If I ever want to, I now know that the cheapest of cheap ASAs might be tougher to find, but the majority of them are still there.. And nothing else has changed..today.

 

[serfty]

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

'Perk'. Is that what you call it?

...

Perk? No perks here mate - just a willingness to share my experience and knowledge that comes with PAXing in over 1000 commercial flights in the last 18½ years. I have also learned a lot from this site (when I joined, I though I new it all ) and have made some great friendships.

TBH, I really believe you should lighten up.

Have you lost out with this more that anyone else?

You obviously had time to consider your options given your posts on this thread yesterday afternoon - it's: 1) not like there was no indication something was happening and 2) the U class JASA's are generally fully refundable.

 

[Flashback]

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

Does anyone seriously think the call centre people are willing to check dozens of date and even destination combinations for us when we call them to book a JASA ?
Coz that's what I usually do when I book it online...

They do it already for booking classic awards / oneworld awards.

 

[Nizar]

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

They do it already for booking classic awards / oneworld awards.

Correct, but they charge a fee for that don't they ?

 

[Flashback]

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

Correct, but they charge a fee for that don't they ?

They do indeed, except in the case where it can't be booked online - although even that isn't always true

 

[JohnK]

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

The large icons/type is to cater further for the tablet/smartphone world.

I have my own issues-can't find the booking class as easily as before and my script no longer works ...:-|

So stuff those using laptops and desktops? Not good.

 

[Ansett]

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

So stuff those using laptops and desktops? Not good.

According to QF people dont book on lap tops these days uts all ab out Tablets and Smart Phones Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

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

I think QF are going to regret this. I personally use the JASA to keep my status up so I can enjoy flying QF and its partners and the privileges that status gives. If I cannot keep my status up, I won't go out if my way to fly QF Will just look for the cheapest fares. The JASA's were my reward for spending many hours in Y on work china trips and PER eastern seaboard work trips.

Me too, I will simply be looking at cheapest quality airline once I use my points and let the points accumulate in the Credit Card program

Does anyone believe the Call Centre staff will have the time or inclination to constantly give us all the various options available ?/ It simply is not practical for Qantas to provide this service given the number of FF's

 

[Deleted member]

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

Does anyone seriously think the call centre people are willing to check dozens of date and even destination combinations for us when we call them to book a JASA ?
Coz that's what I usually do when I book it online...

And when Mrs GPH looks she will take about 30 mins every morning just looking. So the call centre are going to be well pleased dealing with her looking at options every morning for 6 months solid

 

[whatmeworry]

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

Quite a few people here have e-mail and phone numbers of some senior Qantas execs. Only gotta ask ...

Yeah I got a few...

When EDR stopped the bonus points at BWS, WW, Big W, I found as many EDR email addresses I could find. I even gave others my list. Low and behold bonus points came back.
This Qantas guerrilla campaign is not over by a long stretch.

 

[JohnK]

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

Allow me to translate:

- Changes affecting JohnK = Big deal.
- Changes not affecting JohnK = Storm in a tea cup.

That is not nice.

People survived before Any Seat awards.

People will survive after Any Seat awards have been removed. That should read if they are removed.

To me losing benefits of status are more important but I guess we see that side of things differently. No point going for status if there is not benefit in having it. Oh well....

 

[Hvr]

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

Does anyone seriously think the call centre people are willing to check dozens of date and even destination combinations for us when we call them to book a JASA ?
Coz that's what I usually do when I book it online...

And that is going to be the issue. I booked a JASA yesterday and the permutations I considered were way beyond what a call centre operator would ever consider reasonable. Things like how long I was transiting in SYD and MEL respectively to indulge in the F lounge. Making sure the plane was the type I preferred, A380 and so on.

I spent at least two hours doing this including changing destinations and starting points. My final routing (AKL-SYD-LAX; LAX-MEL-AKL) covered everything i wanted. I doubt a call centre operator would have the patience to survive my innumerable questions, research and wanting to know everything about a potential booking, then taking notes and keeping on searching.

The Qf internet site was its usual coughpy self telling me that I had sent bad instructions and having to go back to the home page several times and start again. Of course when you change destinations you have to re-enter everything including class of travel and date range.

I will stay with Qantas, frankly they're good to me and I like the OneWorld alliance. Also, LTG is very close (just over 2,000 SCs) so definitely worth continuing.

But with the cessation of loyalty bonii for anything but Qf flights and now this, I reckon they'll need to step up even more and be consistent rather than intermittent with top level service.

Here's hoping there is something to replace that which has been lost.

I think Qantas will rue the day they did this especially once they read this thread.

 

[Lisee]

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

I'm entirely sure that they won't care, they certainly didn't when everyone cancelled their Platinum Charge Cards.

No problem. What do you suggest for consumer action that has efficacy in this situation please?

I have sent three separate comment forms to Qantas today using their online feedback form, regarding the three distinct ways I have thus far been affected. As I have never received a response to a Qantas online feedback form (many submissions have been complimentary of their staff); I do not hold any hope that they will even read my feedback let alone aggregate it with other people's submissions for company action. I have always selected "yes" for the "do you want to be contacted" option & included full contact details.

 

[JohnK]

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

Also JohnK may not be happy. Super saver to/from SIN says 1 stopover allowed in each direct but not permitted in Australia.

Which is the funny bit. I seem to recall that he likes to book multi segment flights Asia to Australia and then use them for domestic travel via a stopover. As mentioned the fare rules are now saying stopovers are not permitted in Australia. I'm not sure if this has changed but I'm assuming it has given his past use of such stopovers.

If that is indeed true then I will have to find different ways of doing things. Not the end of the world.

One question for you though. If a SIN-AUS return allows 1 stopover in each direction how can that stopover not be in Australia?

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Perk? No perks here mate - just a willingness to share my experience and knowledge that comes with PAXing in over 1000 commercial flights in the last 18½ years.

TBH, I really believe you should lighten up.

Have you lost out with this more that anyone else?

You obviously had time to consider your options given your posts on this thread yesterday afternoon - it's: 1) not like there was no indication something was happening and 2) the U class JASA's are generally fully refundable.

Disappointed that you take that reaction to my posts, serfty and I apologise if you feel offended. I haven't mentioned anything remotely to impute that you have done anything except to be an asset to this site, nor to suggest that you have received any 'perks'. "Perks" was the term used by another poster, not me, to describe the ability of someone who got information and then do certain things: viz (my bolding):

The way I see it is:
1. The mods were invited to a 4pm briefing on the change of the website
2. A condition of this invite is they were gagged until 6am from discussing it
3. If a mod took advantage of what was gleaned at that briefing then it could be considered a perk. (so what)4. There was ample other information in this thread for members to form their own opinion, and book ASA's should then consider so.
5. I think the mods do a tremendous job
6. Nothing more to see here people, move on please

Frankly I'm appalled such an attitude. Doesn't matter if its in business, at the tennis club, on an anonymous internet forum; I think its repugnant.

I may well need to lighten up. But until I breach some forum rules and am knocked off, I'm content to maintain my rage, if that's OK.

The changes to the QF ASAs isn't the point for me (although the web site stuff ups are). But it doesn't require me - or anyone - to have "lost out" more to talk about the need for transparency - and that's what I've mainly been banging on about. I think this is an important site. I think for it to remain that way it needs to demonstrate transparency, when mods and others are getting certain privileges from outside agencies . I've said several times that I don't mind if certain contributors / mods /whoever get certain benefits such as trips away, or advance notice of changes. I've said several times, good luck to 'em! But I ask again - why not have those things declared, transparently? What's the problem?

Serfty, I do respect you. If you can give a decent argument as to why there shouldn't be plain disclosure of when there is a private briefing (after any embargo, if required), or if free trips are given (and their conditions) or anything of the like, then I'll say, well, we'll see what's said.

I've put the same thing to Admin.

What's it to be, I'm wondering.

 

[DaveB]

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

If the number of JASA/FASa redemptions was few, why would QF bother? Weird strategy as it will PO loyal customers chasing status who obviously do multiple trips annually and are not your mum, dad and kids on their annual cheapest One Star/Tiger flight.
I found myself getting sucked into the status game after my daughters by accident reached gold and silver status with VA. I thought I would try to reach gold with QF and use up my old points stockpile even though it would cost more points and not provide me any real benefits. Consequently, I will resume flying with the most competitive airline on award points which is never QF.

 

[burmans]

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

QF wishes.

I wonder what QF's reaction to people exercising of 'perks' as you call it? "Nothing to see here people, move on please."

So are you self appointed guardian of QFs wishes now? Really I think QF are quite big enough and ugly enough to speak on their own behalf.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

So are you self appointed guardian of QFs wishes now? Really I think QF are quite big enough and ugly enough to speak on their own behalf.

HA HA HA! "QF ... speak on their own behalf"? Anyone seen Red Roo lately?

Aw, come on. You're killing me

 

[medhead]

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

If that is indeed true then I will have to find different ways of doing things. Not the end of the world.

One question for you though. If a SIN-AUS return allows 1 stopover in each direction how can that stopover not be in Australia?

Exactly, it's stupid. How can you have one stopover in each direct but not be allowed a stopover at one end. I'll have to find the exact wording tomorrow, when back on a computer.

 

[BD1959]

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

When Qantas introduced Any Seat awards they did not earn SCs and FF points. Then when they started earning SCs and FF points people thought it was too good to be true.

Someone in QF obviously put in a Business Case and Revenue model to support the introduction of SC/Point Earning ASAs.

Surely the question our Mods - who clearly are seen by QF as some sort of reps of this Forum - should be asking is: what has changed such that QF have decided to remove a revenue-stream which was so popular with some of QF's claimed-to-be most valued customers.

If there is no response then you have to wonder whether it's worth being loyal to a Company which U-turns on a regular basis: remember how RedQ, the BA JSA (at its last renewal), etc were all "vital to the survival of Qantas". I'm sure there are countless other examples which (this late hour) escape me.

Regards,

BD