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

[Princess Fiona]

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

Does anyone have any advice on other FF programs to look at, previously I have been redeeming FASA and JASA's to attain status and maintain status, however with what looks like the removal of ASA's i doubt if I will be bale to keep any status. Do any of the other airlines allow for points redemptions to earn points and maintain status? Or would I be better off just converting to Amex rewards and just not worrying about status and trying my luck to continue to redeem points for F or J seats in which case status doesn't really matter? I have become accustom to lounge access (when doing domestic economy trips) but I guess there is always the option of purchasing club membership for this. Looks like I might need to go and have a study up on some of the other airline threads on here. Was just starting to enjoy my FASA's and JASA's. looking forward to hear about what others are thinking about doing going forward. FWIW not really a fan of Virgin I think they are similar to Jetstar but happy to be converted/convinced otherwise as I haven't really flown them in years being a Qantas Loyalist

I think you would be better not worrying about status. AFAIK QFF was the only program offering Status Credits for reward seats (with the exception of the Virgin temporary offer which finished on 30th June).
Looks like the days of gaining status using points are well and truly over.
As you pointed out, this is somewhat of a moot point on J and F award bookings but the cost of QP membership will need to be factored in for Y trips.

 

[Limewood]

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

It was just so easy to see the ASA's and book online, its dam annoying to have to call a special number now and take pot luck what one is told, it's so inconvenient if you ask me, have better things to do with my time like AFF!. This is no enhancement its simply ridiculous. I told a mate of mine yesterday yesterday about this ASA change as he does a lot of flying, he called me last night says he's done with QFF.

Going on the mountain of disappointments just on AFF with over 1500 replies, really if common sense prevailed QFF should put it back to how it was.

 

[opusman]

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

This is no enhancement its simply ridiculous.

It's a Qantas enhancement

 

[RooFlyer]

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

And "hear to stay" they appear to be - sadly the PASA/UASA/ZASA/XASA types have become harder to book.

Or impossible to book if you happen to get one of the phone agents who don't know about the enhancements.

And I doubt they will be 'here to stay' in any format / rebadging / hidden in a few months. Wouldn't you agree, based on what QF has said about 'under review'?

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Suggestion

There have been many here who have been asking genuine questions because they don't understand the changes. Others who have been complaining that the changes are not working as advised (ie the phone booking service - works for some but clearly not all operators have been properly trained).

Some mostly venting (looks in mirror).

Red Roo has bolted.

Here's a suggestion. Could our moderators / Admin, who clearly have a good relationship with QF / Red Roo, organise a dedicated thread, of limited time (a day?) with a senior Red Roo authorised to give real answers to real questions and have that thread actively moderated to take out irrelevant questions / rants, so that the senior Red Roo's time is well spent. If a question can't be answered immediately, it would be 'taken on notice' and a reply posted on the thread when available.

But I would also suggest that 'difficult' questions be allowed (such as 'why didn't Qantas train its phone operators adequately with the new MASAs') and Senior Red Roo be encouraged to answer as honestly and fully as possible. Maybe mods could dis-allow an answer which appears not to address the question.

I appreciated mods time is voluntary, and this is a bit of a call on their time, but given this 'enhancement' seems so contentious, with a lot of mis understanding and lack of input from regular Red Roo, I would suggest its worth having a go. Or at least making the suggestion.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

I think you would be better not worrying about status. AFAIK QFF was the only program offering Status Credits for reward seats (with the exception of the Virgin temporary offer which finished on 30th June).
Looks like the days of gaining status using points are well and truly over.
As you pointed out, this is somewhat of a moot point on J and F award bookings but the cost of QP membership will need to be factored in for Y trips.

we can always go back to flying around the LOTFAP (not going to spell it out lest the company rep is reading! but you all know what I mean!)

i did vote with my feet some time ago... and being status-less is pretty good. not tied to any airline. can pick and choose between US based mileage sales... confirmed flights in first and business... qantas ff has little relevance (although to be fair it comes in cheaply for some one way intra-Asia redemptions that can be very very expensive $$ wise)

as an interesting note on the latter... I recently redeemed a zone 2 award (for intra-Asia) that was roughly 10 miles under the limit... the qf booking engine refused to display results as a through flight, and would only display results as a multi-city booking. even then, it refused to ticket without calling the call centre. all the other flights in zone 2 displayed and were bookable as normal... so the booking engine deliberately didn't want to give me a good value award by telling me 'no flights exist'... tsk tsk).

 

[Princess Fiona]

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

we can always go back to flying around the LOTFAP (not going to spell it out lest the company rep is reading! but you all know what I mean!)
.

Oh in conversations I've had with them they are VERY well aware of that little trick
Who knows they could have an army of analysts working on enhancing that as we speak

 

[lovestotravel]

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

Oh in conversations I've had with them they are VERY well aware of that little trick

Why would you be bringing that up in conversations with QF ?

 

[medhead]

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

Jessica, are you really disappointed?

I am also disappointed my weekly airfares have been increasing the past couple of years. Yes, I know there is nothing I can do about it but just thought you may you want to know about my disappointment.

Irrelevant you say? I am sorry for the interruption....

I can only ask why you'd tell JessicaTam about your disappointment rather than telling qantas.

That seems to be the key difference, she told qantas of her disappointment and reported the reply here.

 

[will2rob]

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

Slightly off topic, but I found the following article interesting in respect of the numbers. 9.3M QFF members and an 8% increase in redemptions in March. I'd love to know what % of those are ASAs as opposed to classic awards. I'm guessing that the numbers of flyers rooting around on JASAs and status runs would be statistically insignificant, most redemptions would probably be classic awards or upgrades I would think. Might put the changes into perspective.

Virgin chases Qantas frequent flyers

DateJuly 2, 2013

• Read later

Matt O'Sullivan

Growth business: Virgin is attempting to win over Qantas' corporate travellers. Photo: Angus Mordant​

​

Virgin Australia says it is eating into Qantas' share of the frequent-flyer loyalty market, highlighting growth in its membership base and travellers redeeming their points over the past year.
Australia's second-largest airline is stepping up the focus on its Velocity loyalty program, which will be central to its battle with Qantas for lucrative corporate travellers.
Taking a leaf out of Richard Branson's publicity playbook, Virgin will now allow loyalty members to earn frequent-flyer points when their cats or dogs fly on its planes on domestic routes.
Neil Thompson, chief of Virgin's Velocity program, said the airline had made inroads into Qantas' dominance of the frequent-flyer market, citing the growth in members over the past year.
Advertisement
Virgin's membership base has grown by 500,000 to almost 3.7 million.
While Virgin is closing in on the 4 million-member mark, it remains a distant second to Qantas, whose loyalty scheme has 9.3 million members. Qantas stands to benefit from Emirates' Skywards members switching their allegiance in the wake of the airlines' alliance.
Mr Thompson emphasised that member activity - earning and redeeming of points - was more important to airlines than membership tallies.
''We have seen significant growth in the volume of flights people are redeeming,'' he said.
He declined to put a figure on the increase in Velocity members redeeming points.
Qantas' most recent figures showed a rise of almost 8 per cent in redemption rates for its loyalty scheme in March, compared with the same month in 2012.
Analysts said many of the extra Velocity members were likely to be Qantas Frequent Flyer holders but it remained unclear whether it meant they were flying less with Australia's largest airline.
''The fact that they are growing the membership base doesn't necessarily mean they are hurting Qantas,'' Commonwealth Bank analyst Matt Crowe said.
Investors are more focused on whether the greater Velocity membership base is helping the airline to boost the number of business people flying on its planes. A key part of Virgin's long-term strategy has been to gain a bigger share of the corporate travel market.

 

[oz_mark]

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

Why would you be bringing that up in conversations with QF ?

What makes you think it wasn't Qantas that brought it up in conversation?

 

[lovestotravel]

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

What makes you think it wasn't Qantas that brought it up in conversation?

Well in that case it's when you act "dumb" and don't tell them why you are flying so much over a short period of time

The fact that this was said indicates that a conversation was had explaining how/why the flights were booked/planned that way

Oh in conversations I've had with them they are VERY well aware of that little trick

 

[Awesom Andy]

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

Well in that case it's when you act "dumb" and don't tell them why you are flying so much over a short period of time

The fact that this was said indicates that a conversation was had explaining how/why the flights were booked/planned that way

Given that they are already well aware of it, I'm sure that conversation no harm done.

 

[lovestotravel]

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

Suggestion

There have been many here who have been asking genuine questions because they don't understand the changes. Others who have been complaining that the changes are not working as advised (ie the phone booking service - works for some but clearly not all operators have been properly trained).

Some mostly venting (looks in mirror).

Red Roo has bolted.

Here's a suggestion. Could our moderators / Admin, who clearly have a good relationship with QF / Red Roo, organise a dedicated thread, of limited time (a day?) with a senior Red Roo authorised to give real answers to real questions and have that thread actively moderated to take out irrelevant questions / rants, so that the senior Red Roo's time is well spent. If a question can't be answered immediately, it would be 'taken on notice' and a reply posted on the thread when available.

But I would also suggest that 'difficult' questions be allowed (such as 'why didn't Qantas train its phone operators adequately with the new MASAs') and Senior Red Roo be encouraged to answer as honestly and fully as possible. Maybe mods could dis-allow an answer which appears not to address the question.

I appreciated mods time is voluntary, and this is a bit of a call on their time, but given this 'enhancement' seems so contentious, with a lot of mis understanding and lack of input from regular Red Roo, I would suggest its worth having a go. Or at least making the suggestion.

Not going to happen

QF has decided what they want to do and that is it

Red Roo is a social media rep and low down the food chain, why you think he/she has any power over anything is beyond me

Don't like the changes, vote with your feet ?

Don't like the fact that you can't fly on a cheap FASA/JASA and retain Platinum, either vote with your feet or fly more or give Qantas actual $ and then be rewarded for your loyalty

While I agree this is a cough change, that's life

 

[lovestotravel]

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

Given that they are already well aware of it, I'm sure that conversation no harm done.

Oh I am glad you are sure of it, I am relieved

 

[oz_mark]

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

Well in that case it's when you act "dumb" and don't tell them why you are flying so much over a short period of time

The fact that this was said indicates that a conversation was had explaining how/why the flights were booked/planned that way

Or maybe the conversations took place in a more social environment....

Keep in mind that things that have been discussed on this board (and others) are going to be things that Qantas knows about.....

 

[QF WP]

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

If I'm not mistaken, their "classic" equivalent awards already include points and status.

I think this was a temporary offer that finished on the 30th of June...

I think you would be better not worrying about status. AFAIK QFF was the only program offering Status Credits for reward seats (with the exception of the Virgin temporary offer which finished on 30th June).
Looks like the days of gaining status using points are well and truly over.
As you pointed out, this is somewhat of a moot point on J and F award bookings but the cost of QP membership will need to be factored in for Y trips.

Yes, VA's offer that finished on 30 June was using points for status, but no additional point earn to offset the points spent...see my account below:
[TABLE="width: 513"]
[TR="class: alt, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9"]19 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9"]17 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9"]Melbourne-Brisbane VA0347[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]60[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: last, bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]19 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]17 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Brisbane-Melbourne VA0304[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]60[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: last, bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt, bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9"]08 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9"]06 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9"]Adelaide-Brisbane VA1405[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]60[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: last, bgcolor: #E9E9E9, align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="bgcolor: transparent"]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]08 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]06 Jun 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent"]Brisbane-Adelaide VA1384[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]60[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: last, bgcolor: transparent, align: right"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
So there is/was a point of differentiation with QF's xASA's - QF was better for some, but not all (assuming redemption costs were the same - which I doubt).

 

[lovestotravel]

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

Keep in mind that things that have been discussed on this board (and others) are going to be things that Qantas knows about.....

Not always, nope!

 

[ReLoad]

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

I sent in a complaint to QF about the removal of ASA's from the web here is the response, rather interesting I must say!!


Dear ReLoad

Thank you for taking the time to write to us.

We understand the importance of your complaint and the inconvenience caused.

Your feedback has been forwarded to our websupport team

Qantas welcomes and appreciates all customer feedback and comments, which are used to continuously improve our products and services.

Our global phone support team is available 24/7 for your convenience on 13 13 13 so booking this type of Any Seat booking is not limited to business hours

Regards

Persons name removed

 

[QF WP]

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

Suggestion

There have been many here who have been asking genuine questions because they don't understand the changes. Others who have been complaining that the changes are not working as advised (ie the phone booking service - works for some but clearly not all operators have been properly trained).

Some mostly venting (looks in mirror).

Red Roo has bolted.

Here's a suggestion. Could our moderators / Admin, who clearly have a good relationship with QF / Red Roo, organise a dedicated thread, of limited time (a day?) with a senior Red Roo authorised to give real answers to real questions and have that thread actively moderated to take out irrelevant questions / rants, so that the senior Red Roo's time is well spent. If a question can't be answered immediately, it would be 'taken on notice' and a reply posted on the thread when available.

But I would also suggest that 'difficult' questions be allowed (such as 'why didn't Qantas train its phone operators adequately with the new MASAs') and Senior Red Roo be encouraged to answer as honestly and fully as possible. Maybe mods could dis-allow an answer which appears not to address the question.

I appreciated mods time is voluntary, and this is a bit of a call on their time, but given this 'enhancement' seems so contentious, with a lot of mis understanding and lack of input from regular Red Roo, I would suggest its worth having a go. Or at least making the suggestion.

Not going to happen

QF has decided what they want to do and that is it

Red Roo is a social media rep and low down the food chain, why you think he/she has any power over anything is beyond me

Don't like the changes, vote with your feet ?

Don't like the fact that you can't fly on a cheap FASA/JASA and retain Platinum, either vote with your feet or fly more or give Qantas actual $ and then be rewarded for your loyalty

While I agree this is a cough change, that's life

Most of the Mods and admin have met Red Roo (IIRC) and have been involved in various QF events, so yes we have a good relationship (both the Mods and the AFF members - who have been involved in the two Rockpool events and others like Tweet & Greet, etc). Whilst we can ask, I doubt that QF & Red Roo will be able to arrange as you request RooFlyer. Their responses are as you state - if they know the answer without having to refer, they post. If not, they contact the relevant person/department within QF and then filter the response through to the respective thread when received. We can only moderate answers in terms of the T&C's and cannot force QF/Red Roo to answer any post, or in any specific way - any more than you can.

I certainly think they know the response from the AFF community on the changes (and proposed changes) through comments on this and other threads, so we can only continue to voice our concerns here and via direct contact with QF Management (and the online Customer Care forms etc) to be able to ensure that our voices are heard. Only then can we hope to have our opinion matter in the decision making process.