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

[drewbles]

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.

And if the conversation happened where I think it did, it was not anything formal. QF are not idiots (despite everyone here seeming to claim otherwise). And this is not a QF 'loophole'. It's a partner airline simply offering something that QF doesn't. QF is not losing out. The partner airline pays QF for the miles and SC's. I fail to see any problems here.

 

[drewbles]

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

Not always, nope!

It's a public forum. I can assure you, things in here do not go unnoticed by QF. Just because a thread is thousands of posts long, does not mean QF won't read it (they employ Red Roo to do that; and you can be sure things get back to management that we don't want to). If you don't want airlines knowing about something, don't post it anywhere.

 

[drewbles]

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

I sent an email complaining about the changes. This is the response I received (my bolding)

Book 'em while you can folks ...

I got the *exact* word-for-word same response. I actually replied back with something along the lines of "thank you for your cut-and-paste response and not answering any of the questions I posed in the original query". No response to that either.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

And if the conversation happened where I think it did, it was not anything formal. QF are not idiots (despite everyone here seeming to claim otherwise). And this is not a QF 'loophole'. It's a partner airline simply offering something that QF doesn't. QF is not losing out. The partner airline pays QF for the miles and SC's. I fail to see any problems here.

lol. it's not that we think qantas are idiots... red roo was on the record agreeing some of us are!

 

[iqis60]

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

Here is my contribution to the avalanche of feedback going to Qantas Customer Care, I'll let you know how it goes-

Dear Qantas Customer Care,

I am a regular flyer with your airline, my Qantas frequent flyer number is xx_xx_X.

I am writing to you to express my disappointment at the recent changes that occurred to the website that resulted in the removal of the ability to book Qantas Any Seat Awards directly from the website.

I understand the facility is still available (for now) by calling Qantas and making an over the phone reservation. Whilst this means that the ability to book Any Seat Awards has not been removed entirely, I need you to know that I find the convenience and flexibility of being able to search myself invaluable and the lack of this facility is very disappointing.

Whilst I intend to continue to fly with Qantas, these changes will immediately effect the amount of flying I do with you and amount of revenue I will direct toward the company.

Having the choice of flying using Any Seat Awards significantly increased the amount of domestic flying I have done over the last few years. There have been a number of trips I have undertaken that I would not have without access to Any Seat Awards. I have also encouraged other friends and family members to fly with me and also assisted them in choosing Qantas for other trips.
These extra domestic trips with Qantas also resulted on me using the Qantas hotel booking engine on a number of occasions to book hotel reservations for my trip. Reservations I would otherwise not have been making if I had not been flying an any seat award flight.
Now that the facility to book Any Seat Awards through the website is gone, I will do less domestic flying with Qantas and I will also cease to encourage friends to do so.

I have also regularly transferred points from both direct earn and non-direct earn credit cards into the Qantas program. I will continue to direct points through the direct earn card, but I don't intend on transferring any further points into the program through the non-direct earn card. The any seat award facility made me feel like I could get good value for my points through Qantas, but I now feel like I can get better value for my points by using them in my credit cards program.

I understand that there may be business viability issues that would make it attractive for you to remove the any seat award online booking facility. But I still think it is prudent for me to let you know that this change will result in me doing less business with you, reducing how much I encourage others to do business with you and also leave me disappointed.

I'm hoping my feedback helps you understand that individual elements of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program may not by profitable in themselves, but it is this collection of attractive elements that make it worthwhile to be a part of the program and result in a continued relationship with the customer and further business.

I love flying and would like to do more flying with you. Please restore online bookable any seat awards.

Best Regards,
iqis60

 

[lovestotravel]

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

It's a public forum. I can assure you, things in here do not go unnoticed by QF. Just because a thread is thousands of posts long, does not mean QF won't read it (they employ Red Roo to do that; and you can be sure things get back to management that we don't want to). If you don't want airlines knowing about something, don't post it anywhere.

I was talking about other less-known forums/groups of which no-one works for an airline nor would want to tip them off.

But posting anything on here will likely get read by people who report it up the line

 

[oz_mark]

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

I then send a long email, via Virgins online feedback form. I discussed what QF had done with the ASA's (I am sure they know) and explained that their are a large amount of disgruntled QF frequent flyers, that would jump tomorrow, if VA offered ASA near or around the same value as what QF previously did. I also stated that they would come over in droves if a status match was offered. If some marketing guru in VA wants to make a name for themselves, the timing could not be any better.

I am pretty sure (after discussions last Saturday night) that VA aren't going to be offering such ASAs anytime soon.

 

[drewbles]

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

Here is my contribution to the avalanche of feedback going to Qantas Customer Care, I'll let you know how it goes-

Dear Qantas Customer Care,

I am a regular flyer with your airline, my Qantas frequent flyer number is xx_xx_X.

I am writing to you to express my disappointment at the recent changes that occurred to the website that resulted in the removal of the ability to book Qantas Any Seat Awards directly from the website.

I understand the facility is still available (for now) by calling Qantas and making an over the phone reservation. Whilst this means that the ability to book Any Seat Awards has not been removed entirely, I need you to know that I find the convenience and flexibility of being able to search myself invaluable and the lack of this facility is very disappointing.

Whilst I intend to continue to fly with Qantas, these changes will immediately effect the amount of flying I do with you and amount of revenue I will direct toward the company.

Having the choice of flying using Any Seat Awards significantly increased the amount of domestic flying I have done over the last few years. There have been a number of trips I have undertaken that I would not have without access to Any Seat Awards. I have also encouraged other friends and family members to fly with me and also assisted them in choosing Qantas for other trips.
These extra domestic trips with Qantas also resulted on me using the Qantas hotel booking engine on a number of occasions to book hotel reservations for my trip. Reservations I would otherwise not have been making if I had not been flying an any seat award flight.
Now that the facility to book Any Seat Awards through the website is gone, I will do less domestic flying with Qantas and I will also cease to encourage friends to do so.

I have also regularly transferred points from both direct earn and non-direct earn credit cards into the Qantas program. I will continue to direct points through the direct earn card, but I don't intend on transferring any further points into the program through the non-direct earn card. The any seat award facility made me feel like I could get good value for my points through Qantas, but I now feel like I can get better value for my points by using them in my credit cards program.

I understand that there may be business viability issues that would make it attractive for you to remove the any seat award online booking facility. But I still think it is prudent for me to let you know that this change will result in me doing less business with you, reducing how much I encourage others to do business with you and also leave me disappointed.

I'm hoping my feedback helps you understand that individual elements of the Qantas Frequent Flyer program may not by profitable in themselves, but it is this collection of attractive elements that make it worthwhile to be a part of the program and result in a continued relationship with the customer and further business.

I love flying and would like to do more flying with you. Please restore online bookable any seat awards.

Best Regards,
iqis60

Dear Mr/Mrs/Miss iqis60,

Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on our online Award booking changes.

The new search function removes the need for three separate entry points for commercial (retail) fares, Qantas & Jetstar Any Seat Awards, and Qantas & Partner Classic Awards. All three booking types can now commence through the one single search panel, with the exception of Classic Award seats purchased as an Any Seat Award.

These Award bookings are available by calling 1300 366 587 (+61 2 8222 2430 from outside Australia) between the hours of 0900 and 1700 AEST Monday to Friday. The Award Assistance Fee will be waived for these bookings, and the booking channel will remain available while the future of these Awards is under review.

Commercial fares for sale on qantas.com are available as an Any Seat Award using a combination of cash and points or paying entirely with points.

We continually review the delivery of our redemption products, including Classic Award seats purchased as Any Seat Awards, and no decision has been made on the future of this product.

If you'd like to know more, please visit qantas.com/frequentflyer or call The Qantas Club and Frequent Flyer Service Centre on 13 11 31 (8.00am to 7.00pm AEST/AEDT Monday to Friday). If calling from overseas visit qantas.com/contactfrequentflyer or call +61 (2) 9433 2329.

Kind Regards,

Thought i'd save you some time in waiting for a response

 

[MarcB]

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

I will also miss being able to book JASAs online that magically booked as FASAs - like the ex-USA ones. 96,000 points plus a co-payment of $1200 to fly in First on the A380.

As an aside, the "enhancement" of the website has also killed off the ability to see/book economy and business fares on the one screen domestically. How can this be considered an improvement??

 

[Steelo]

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

I agree with you. By not displaying the Business Class fares on the same page as the economy fares it is not only inconvenient - it can be misleading. There are many times, especially out of Cairns when economy fares, including on Jetstar can be more expensive that a Business Class Fare. This just reinforces my opinion that it has been designed by either a Gen Y or someone who is not an experienced traveller. It is clumsy and time consuming.

 

[awilcockson]

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

There are many times, especially out of Cairns when economy fares, including on Jetstar can be more expensive that a Business Class Fare. This just reinforces my opinion that it has been designed by either a Gen Y or someone who is not an experienced traveller. It is clumsy and time consuming.

Or by someone who wants to catch people out so that they book in whY without even realising they could get J for the same or cheaper price ...

 

[MarcB]

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

Or by someone who wants to catch people out so that they book in whY without even realising they could get J for the same or cheaper price ...

Though that also means they miss the (more likely) scenario that someone will upgrade for a few dollars more to business, thereby increasing the revenue in the first instance.

 

[DC3]

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

This is the response that I received from QF (by the way, my name is nothing like McNAUGHT, so thanks for nothing, Katie). Just a cut and paste where Katie has left the previous complainant's name in:

"Dear Mr McNaught,

Thank you for taking the time to write to us.

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

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

Bookings of this nature do not attract the booking fee. Due to staffing, the dedicated phone number is best reached during these hours, our global phone support team is available 24/7 for your convenience on 13 1313

Regards

Katie

The Qantas Team"

 

[dairyfloss]

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

Perhaps one option for QF might be to re-introduce the online xASAs, but only make them available to SG or even WP and above? This way, they reduce the concern of low-volume / low-revenue flyers ending up with a top-tier status after a few clever redemption flights, plus get to keep their elites content and maintaining a reason to fly QF. Basically you must prove you're worth it, before you can use it. I've not used ASAs myself before, mainly as I didn't understand the ease and benefits until it was too late to take reasonable advantage... but once I understood them, and everytime someone piped up saying, 'I'm a NB who never flies, but in a week I will be WP thanks to these DSC & ASA thingos', I did wonder what the offering's shelf life was... especially with Red Roo congratulating each newly minted ASA-WP personally on this forum!

 

[codash1099]

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

I will also miss being able to book JASAs online that magically booked as FASAs - like the ex-USA ones. 96,000 points plus a co-payment of $1200 to fly in First on the A380.

As an aside, the "enhancement" of the website has also killed off the ability to see/book economy and business fares on the one screen domestically. How can this be considered an improvement??

It also makes it extremely difficult to book a multi city classic award. To change any one of the legs, you have to start all over again.

 

[Red Roo]

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

lol. it's not that we think qantas are idiots... red roo was on the record agreeing some of us are!

I've sent you a private message. Please let me know if you require any further clarification regarding this matter.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

What makes you say that Red Roo has been absent?? They have been reading here every day, just because there is not an answer forthcoming and there is no requirement for one to be forthcoming does not make the matter one that is ignored. And thats if they are logged in, for instance:

There are currently 25 users browsing this thread. (12 members and 13 guests), some of those guests may have QF IPs.

I know Red Roo has been on the line occasionally - I acknowledged as much in one of my posts. But when I have generally checked (like now) - I haven't seen the log in. If browsing anonymously - well, OK, maybe, but what's the point?

I said in one recent reply to Lindsay Wilson that the issue I think now isn't so much QF 'getting the message' as to help folk here who have genuine questions to a badly explained and executed change. Red Roo looking in either logged in or anonymously doesn't do much for that, does it?

Red Roo has been abundantly present in other threads, and in this thread prior to recent changes with comments and contributions and assistance. And we all like and appreciate that.

But not here recently, when real questions and dilemmas have been put.

If that's how QF want to play it, well that's how it'll be. [Shrugs]

But AFF will be the poorer for it and QF will also be the poorer in the minds of many here.

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Well well, look who's bobbed up while I was writing that last post

 

[markis10]

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

I know Red Roo has been on the line occasionally - I acknowledged as much in one of my posts. But when I have generally checked (like now) - I haven't seen the log in. If browsing anonymously - well, OK, maybe, but what's the point?.

LOL,considering the post above yours !

 

[RooFlyer]

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

LOL,considering the post above yours !

And the post above yours, matey.