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

[AndyGoodyear]

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

1. If somebody who was privy to that briefing used this information to their advantage, that is simply not on. There were some posts last night about the 'ethics' of using privileged information and I hope this is not the case.

Which was the question I and many others have asked. I didn't want to sound accusatory, but when someone says they attended a private briefing which was yesterday afternoon, and then says today that they 'used a lot of points last night' - it doesn't paint the best picture.

Moderators have our respect and while it wouldn't be against any rules, it would hold a question about ethics

 

[equus]

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

15.2.1 would have to be changed. Points plus pay has been marketed separately to Any Seat Awards. They cannot be considered the same thing, especially as they have separate and different definitions in the T&Cs.

Please also quote the conditions for ASAs that says not all fare types are available. ASA were specifically marketed as allowed any seat on any flight to be redeemed as an award.

Points plus Pay doesn't appear anywhere, so as it clearly isn't classic, it could only be covered as ASA.

I am not sure why you have referenced 15.2.1 as that only says there is no booking fee for online bookings.

In any event 15.1.2 contains the provision that "not all Qantas and Jetstar promotional fares are available as Any Seat Awards". I would take "promotional" as a fairly meaningless adjective - and capable of covering award fares.

 

[Lisee]

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

News today that classics have lost their 24 hour restriction is something I would say thanks for, other than that there is really nothing lost that has been confirmed, other than the fact the best value ASAs now require a phone call. I think the jury is still out on the changes in the cash component, something that yesterday was categorically stated as not happening.

I have received confirmation of loss, for myself only, via a 1.75hr call with QF Premium desk this morning. I have lost all capability to book the type of multi-city ASA that has been very freely available to me for the past ~2 years. QF are now calling it an "illegal itinerary" & instead are wanting to sell it to me as separate bookings for a total point or point+pay cost many tens of thousands of points / hundreds of dollars more than yesterday & the past ~2 years.

I have also lost the capability to search for &/or book my own FF redemption travel.

I have not received any notification from QF prior to nor after these losses (I hope there are not more that I have yet to stumble across!!!).

My loss will, in turn, be QF's loss of me as a paying passenger across my business & leisure travel.

:!:

 

[lovestotravel]

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

Well at least QF have not enhanced the number of points needed for a classic award (yet)

However the $ in taxes is way too high

 

[Danger]

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

Markis - just a question and more to put my mind at ease as a concerned member of this forum.

You said that you were privy to the Qantas info yesterday afternoon and then used up a lot of points last night. To me, when there were lots of conversations about ethics and embargoes, this does not wash right.

Don't take offence - every time I have re-worded this it sounds mildly accusatory. I'm just hoping you will clarify as a few people have asked.

I think you've worded your concerns well. And clearly you're not alone in your feelings.

I got the impression that Markis didn't get any more insider info than what was already on the forums, took a punt putting 2+2 together and getting a negative outcome and made a number of bookings. I'd come to a similar conclusion that the embargo wouldn't mean good news and had my dates been available I'd have done the same thing.

The difference perhaps being that some of us only had '2' where as some others seem to have 2 and 2.

Beside, apparently, being part of the private media briefing about the changes.

One possibility is that Qantas gave a briefing in advance just like any other company does and for the same reason.

When there is a change which may be contentious (as this certainly was) and has definitely been widely discussed on AFF for that matter, you want to ensure some 'key influencers' are 'in the loop' and explain it to them, give them the chance to ask questions and get their facts straight. It's not about 'currying favour', it's about controlling the message!

Naturally Qantas wouldn't want people to pass this information on before the change took place because they would rush out and grab all the FASA/JASA awards they could. Hence the embargo. I think that is totally fair and it's a credit to AFF that it is recognised as one of those 'key influencers' and was invited to attend this briefing.

I would much rather see AFF involved in this and being able to help inform members and pass on accurate information about the changes, rather than not being involved and having everybody running around this morning like chooks with their heads cut off!

But this raises two other issues.

1. If somebody who was privy to that briefing used this information to their advantage, that is simply not on. There were some posts last night about the 'ethics' of using privileged information and I hope this is not the case.

2. I would also like to ask if any of those who were in on the briefing have received any favoured treatment from Qantas Frequent Flyer, such as a free upgrade of their QFF status to Platinum? Anything that might explain why some people today seem a lot less defensive about these changes than they might normally have been?

..........

Which was the question I and many others have asked. I didn't want to sound accusatory, but when someone says they attended a private briefing which was yesterday afternoon, and then says today that they 'used a lot of points last night' - it doesn't paint the best picture.

Moderators have our respect and while it wouldn't be against any rules, it would hold a question about ethics

As I posted previously, I'm not necessarily suggesting any impropriety but I think there's enough concern among some members (myself included) that admin should weigh in on this. markis10, with respect, you don't seem to be putting your shoulder to the wheel in allaying any concerns outlined here.

 

[TheInsider]

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

So essentially we are in the same position that we were a couple of years ago - you can book award flights using points and pay for surcharges with increased availability for WP, P1 and CL?

Yep, with the option of still using the phone for ASAs

 

[obrienja]

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

Nope he made it quite clear that he was briefed yesterday and that was a private briefing, yet the silence from Red Roo on here is well to be expected.

My mistake & I'll reserve judgement until Markis answers the questions posed by others. I've got a feeling that there might be a number of posters being banned for obscene language in the event that the way events transpired are not as above board as perhaps they should have been.

 

[cmon0005]

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

Not sure if this has been discussed already, but you can now select a 'From' destination that is outside australia without having to change to a different countries QF site.

 

[AndyGoodyear]

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

Can I just say - having never met anyone from this forum yet - I actually take offense to this.
This thread has been around for months and on Facebook as well as on this thread early yesterday afternoon uncertainty about the future of JASA certainly seemed to be on the forefront of peoples minds. Yes others not just Markis10 were alerted to a press briefing occurring at 4pm with an embargo thereafter. But had I had my points and availability I would have been booking jasa and fasa all over the place from about 2pm based on the information on other publicly available advice.
If markis10, like I should have, headed this warning and booked. I have no issues with that.
My biggest issue is that having acted on this ides of march warning he is being subject to some of the same flaming that this thread saw in the early stages.
He found out about the fate after booking and even considered cancelling to avoid situations such as this ... calm down guys we are all people
business is business, these things happen
and saying im not flaming you "but" means "I am flaming you"
I still consider myself a new member but I find it sad that there are threads where people think it is ok to let the hounds loose.
We all knew for months the information was here...

some members may be cats of other members but for arguments sake lets call them people

You have every right to take offense - this is a forum and that is your right. I don't think I used any language that was inappropriate or said 'you have done this'. I was commenting on markis' own post which said "I used a lot of points last night" and this was obviously after the briefing.

yes, this thread has been around for months and I for one made some bookings. My point was saying points were used after receiving information under a private briefing does pose questions. I'm surprised you jumped on my comment which I think was worded politely and then talked about 'letting the hounds loose'.

Offended or not, the timing is a little too convenient. And my intent was not to flame and while it is about perception and not intent - this was not aimed at you.

 

[markis10]

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

I have received confirmation of loss, for myself only, via a 1.75hr call with QF Premium desk this morning. I have lost all capability to book the type of multi-city ASA that has been very freely available to me for the past ~2 years. QF are now calling it an "illegal itinerary" & instead are wanting to sell it to me as separate bookings for a total point or point+pay cost many tens of thousands of points / hundreds of dollars more than yesterday & the past ~2 years.

I have also lost the capability to search for &/or book my own FF redemption travel.

I have not received any notification from QF prior to nor after these losses (I hope there are not more that I have yet to stumble across!!!).

My loss will, in turn, be QF's loss of me as a paying passenger across my business & leisure travel.

:!:

Thats not good news, and its news to me!

 

[oz_mark]

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

In any event 15.1.2 contains the provision that "not all Qantas and Jetstar promotional fares are available as Any Seat Awards". I would take "promotional" as a fairly meaningless adjective - and capable of covering award fares.

Maybe they need to redefine the word 'Any'

 

[simongr]

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

ANd with the ability to book classic awards within 24 hours which I see as a negative change. This will further reduce either OpUps or points upgrades for nonP1/CL. I know WP get some upgrades confirmed at 72 hours but if you are waiting for the upgrade now someone can snaffle that seat through an award...

 

[markis10]

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

ANd with the ability to book classic awards within 24 hours which I see as a negative change. This will further reduce either OpUps or points upgrades for nonP1/CL. I know WP get some upgrades confirmed at 72 hours but if you are waiting for the upgrade now someone can snaffle that seat through an award...

Good point, however for those subject to sudden travel needs due to illness/death, I think it is good news (assuming there is seats on offer), helping to keep costs down in circumstances where travel can be expensive.

 

[medhead]

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

Points plus Pay doesn't appear anywhere, so as it clearly isn't classic, it could only be covered as ASA.

I am not sure why you have referenced 15.2.1 as that only says there is no booking fee for online bookings.

In any event 15.1.2 contains the provision that "not all Qantas and Jetstar promotional fares are available as Any Seat Awards". I would take "promotional" as a fairly meaningless adjective - and capable of covering award fares.

Try looking at the QFF terms and conditions to find 15.2.1, then you will see that it says ASA may be booked online. They can't. That condition would have to be changed.

Www.qantas.com.au/fflyer/dyn/program/terms#jump14

Jump1 gives you the definitions which clearly include points plus pay. Points plus pay is mentioned. Condition 15.3.1 makes a distinction between ASA and points plus pay.

There is no restriction in clause 15 to limit fare classes, that I can see.

 

[Princess Fiona]

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

I have received confirmation of loss, for myself only, via a 1.75hr call with QF Premium desk this morning. I have lost all capability to book the type of multi-city ASA that has been very freely available to me for the past ~2 years. QF are now calling it an "illegal itinerary" & instead are wanting to sell it to me as separate bookings for a total point or point+pay cost many tens of thousands of points / hundreds of dollars more than yesterday & the past ~2 years.

I have also lost the capability to search for &/or book my own FF redemption travel.

I have not received any notification from QF prior to nor after these losses (I hope there are not more that I have yet to stumble across!!!).

My loss will, in turn, be QF's loss of me as a paying passenger across my business & leisure travel.

:!:

This is exactly what I thought might happen.
Last night I booked SYD-MEL-PER-MEL-SYD for a work trip in August as I thought the chances of the call centre offering it as a JASA today to be about as likely as my CL membership arriving in the mail

 

[simongr]

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

Yep - I can see that - hopefully not a benefit I will have to use (only time I have done something similar I had a week to travel due to delays in the funeral so did not need the 24 hours)

 

[shellthom]

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

You have every right to take offense - this is a forum and that is your right. I don't think I used any language that was inappropriate or said 'you have done this'. I was commenting on markis' own post which said "I used a lot of points last night" and this was obviously after the briefing.

yes, this thread has been around for months and I for one made some bookings. My point was saying that you had done this which was after receiving information under a private briefing does pose questions.

Offended or not, the timing is a little too convenient. And my intent was not to flame and while it is about perception and not intent - this was not aimed at you.

I can understand where that train of thought is coming from but what I am referring to is these information sources that were available at about midday/2pm yesterday


maybe Markis10 didn't choose his words quite rightly but I don't think that a seasoned traveller would make such proclamations if they had something to hide. So I feel that a few people are kind of running with this to vent their frustrations.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, frustrations and people will act as they see fit.

Usually I am proud to be a member of this forum but there are occasions where I have to stop and think...
No disrespect to you or the others who feel the same way, I am sure there are a lot of people feeling a little sore for a number of reasons.
I didn't book anything yesterday or over the last 3 months because I simply didn't have the points to book the flights I wanted - J to JNB.. and now I might just have to fly classic so be it. Its not Markis10's fault I didn't ... David Flynn and Nick La Galle all told me to book... and I didn't

We need to also remember that people have other things, they can't be available to answer our demands of their accountability within an instant.
So Qantas launched a new website today which seems to have many flaws... how much time do you think redroo has at the moment to jump on here and appease us all... I am sure there are meetings and some nice big issues to deal with for booking etc that need to happen right now...
We all need a few days to wait for it to calm down I think then see what the real impact is

 

[RooFlyer]

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

Which was the question I and many others have asked. I didn't want to sound accusatory, but when someone says they attended a private briefing which was yesterday afternoon, and then says today that they 'used a lot of points last night' - it doesn't paint the best picture.

Moderators have our respect and while it wouldn't be against any rules, it would hold a question about ethics

Lets not let QF off the hook.

Why did they provide a private briefing to some here? If the recipients couldn't share the info with the rest of us, until its all public anyway, why do it? The recipients here aren't journalists who might need to digest the info then write a story and go off and check some facts.

I question the motives and ethics of QF entirely in this matter. And I'm leaning to put a formal complaint into QF about their behaviour.

I see markis10 at least is still posting here. About that elephant in the room?

And where the HELL is my e-mail from Qantas telling me about their nifty enhanced web site?

 

[samh004]

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

I will echo trippin_the_rift's thoughts.

Like the new website, expect to see more changes in the future that make it even more functional and better for my use and enjoyment. I had a little play around with it this morning and liked what I saw, nearly booked a few flights too.

Unfortunate regarding removal of ASA's online, though my travel is drying up already this year so chances are I wont be using the phone service before they disappear completely. Will make re-qualification that little bit harder next year when DSC (hope that's not going too) rolls around, but I realise the program wasn't meant to be easy!

As it stands, still looking forward to PG at the end of this year (and my sister might be too), and LTS next year.

 

[scheps]

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

I must be a slow reader, coz i could barely get to the last post and reply before the next post page of posts come up!!!!

I was a bit emotional initially, but when i came home and played with my smiling 8 month old daughter, i for one dont really care about the ASA anymore.

I think this will all blow over because everyone here will either use this time to quickly book more ASA via phone, find a solution and move on (use the phone, change FF program) or suck it up go classic, after sufficient amount of venting/ranting etc