crazy LAX-SYD on QF First $1200!!!!

[AnonymousCoward]

Actually Anonymous Crowd is only half right. They have put in a massive caveat:

Who is "they"?

The person I was replying to claimed to be an EXP for 10 years, who frequently booked premium cabins, and who thought this was a legitimate fare. I find that hard to believe.

A non-frequent traveller, who never checks prices, and who never looks at the sale information on a company's website, might think it's legitimate. But who looks for first class fares from LAX-SYD, for the first time ever, and doesn't have lots of money to play with?

 

[markis10]

I am surprised that there does not appear to be much enthusiasm for the alternate options being offered, $4K for J travel would still seem a bargain (obviously not at the same level as the original booking).

 

[Will]

I am surprised that there does not appear to be much enthusiasm for the alternate options being offered, $4K for J travel would still seem a bargain (obviously not at the same level as the original booking).

Not really. Have you seen the current deals on the QF US website?

 

[markis10]

Not really. Have you seen the current deals on the QF US website?

I have, however most of these bookings are sub 50 day so not eligible for those fares, and there is no F offer of $10K

 

[simongr]

If i went to a shop and bought a case of beer and it scanned at the single bottle price and the check out person accepted that and I walked out what should I do if the store manager comes running out and asks for his case of beer back?

If a property seller mistakenly ticks the box to include curtains and appliances in a property sale worth thousands of dollars then surely I am entitled to keep the appliances when I move in.

I don't see how in a contract of sale an airline is allowed to change the conditions after sale but other vendors are not.

The motivations of the buyers are irrelevant (frankly given that people advocate buying AONE4s to save the extra cost of a full fare SYD-JFK-SYD or talking about ex-xx_ flights that should be sold any more or BAH-Doha SC runs are all little different to jumping on a mistake fare.

In all the examples that have been quoted about mistakes by pax being fixed - these have all been at the discretion of the airline because the pax made a mistake and the airline decided to let it go - this was an airline mistake and the pax should be the ones to decide whether to let it go...

 

[samh004]

If you rescinding tens (or maybe hundreds) of error First Class fares is wrong, you gotta feel sorry for this poor chap……

Punter's winnings dwindle from $12 million to $55

Slightly different there, but I’m sure he’ll get a lawyer and they’ll offer him something more generous.

If i went to a shop and bought a case of beer and it scanned at the single bottle price and the check out person accepted that and I walked out what should I do if the store manager comes running out and asks for his case of beer back?

If a property seller mistakenly ticks the box to include curtains and appliances in a property sale worth thousands of dollars then surely I am entitled to keep the appliances when I move in.

I don't see how in a contract of sale an airline is allowed to change the conditions after sale but other vendors are not.

Quite often I’ve got into a taxi late at night and the driver has asked for an up front single payment. He keeps his meter running nevertheless and if we get to the destination and it’s less, I don’t get my money back, if it’s more, I have to pay up or risk getting in trouble.

So it does happen elsewhere, but I guess in this case, the potential loss is significantly bigger.

 

[serfty]

Actually, the have a 50 day advance purchase requirement with a maximum stay of 330 days.

G'Day USA Sale

e.g. LAX-MEL-LAX June/Nov USD5842

 

[equus]

Quite often I’ve got into a taxi late at night and the driver has asked for an up front single payment. He keeps his meter running nevertheless and if we get to the destination and it’s less, I don’t get my money back, if it’s more, I have to pay up or risk getting in trouble.

Sorry, you're being had. The driver only has the right to ask for a deposit, and you have the right to receive correct change. If the deposit exceeds the fare, you are entitled to your change. If is refused, you can lodge a dispute (and the security camera should help you out here if fitted).

 

[samh004]

Sorry, you're being had. The driver only has the right to ask for a deposit, and you have the right to receive correct change. If the deposit exceeds the fare, you are entitled to your change. If is refused, you can lodge a dispute (and the security camera should help you out here if fitted).

Well luckily I’ve discovered partying all night leaves my wallet feeling very empty, so have stopped for a bit and don’t need late night taxis, but will remember should I ever catch a long ride again.

 

[drewbles]

Sorry, you're being had. The driver only has the right to ask for a deposit, and you have the right to receive correct change. If the deposit exceeds the fare, you are entitled to your change. If is refused, you can lodge a dispute (and the security camera should help you out here if fitted).

Agreed. It is pre-paid "Estimated" fare, and you are absolutely entitled to the difference back, or contact your local taxi directorate.

 

[Alanslegal]

Slightly different there, but I’m sure he’ll get a lawyer and they’ll offer him something more generous.

I'd disagree purely because the punter placed a bet electronically and it was accepted (even though it contravened the 'extra fine print' rules according to the betting agency). This is mirrored with the QF First debacle, where the websites prominently displayed it was First Class, the seat maps were from the First cabin...the booking engine processed the purchases (but somewhere underneath in the fare rules, indicated that it was a Q fare economy class bucket). It's really a much of a muchness.

 

[drewbles]

I'd disagree purely because the punter placed a bet electronically and it was accepted (even though it contravened the 'extra fine print' rules according to the betting agency). This is mirrored with the QF First debacle, where the websites prominently displayed it was First Class, the seat maps were from the First cabin...the booking engine processed the purchases (but somewhere underneath in the fare rules, indicated that it was a Q fare economy class bucket). It's really a much of a muchness.

The fare ruled did not state the basis was Q. *after* they found the issue and rectified it, the fare was changed to Q.

The original fare on offer was A basis. That's First.

It appears to have been leaked as an ID90 fare onto the booking, which would appear to be about right. Those who booked tickets were being ticketed in A, with a fare basis starting with A, not Q.

Sheds a somewhat different light on the situation.

 

[Dave Noble]

The fare ruled did not state the basis was Q. *after* they found the issue and rectified it, the fare was changed to Q.

The original fare on offer was A basis. That's First.

My understanding is that the fare basis was always Q, just that the booking class it went into was A. The 1st letter of Fare Basis does not always match the booking clas to use and seems that someone screwed up

Dave

 

[drewbles]

My understanding is that the fare basis was always Q, just that the booking class it went into was A. The 1st letter of Fare Basis does not always match the booking clas to use and seems that someone screwed up

Dave

I'm sure I read that the fare basis was only changed to Q after the fact. As I did not book one I cannot speak from first hand experience.

 

[drron]

I'm sure I read that the fare basis was only changed to Q after the fact. As I did not book one I cannot speak from first hand experience.

From the FT thread.post 7 9minutes after thread started-

It looks like fare rule is a Q class fare, not sure why it books into A.

Not fully refundable

3 minutes later,post 10-

The fare is great. But I worry about whether it will be honored. The booking code is A, but the fare basis is Q.

So it certainly looks like fare basis was Q and these fellows therefore knew this was a mistake.Post 22-

This is the holy grail of fare mistakes! I've got 6 on hold!

This says it all.I agree with Dave Noble on this one.

 

[oz_mark]

Now who put the A and Q keys so close together on the keyboard. Easy mistake

 

[Mal]

I'm sure I read that the fare basis was only changed to Q after the fact. As I did not book one I cannot speak from first hand experience.

Yeah, that's also my recollection - and I"ve been following things very closely (no ticket, just very interested).

I believe on AA at first it was completely booked into A fare class and also fare basis (or at least the rules stated First), then the rules wouldn't display, then the rules showed Qxx_xx_ and the fare was pulled.

 

[djfuzz]

It appears to have been leaked as an ID90 fare onto the booking, which would appear to be about right. Those who booked tickets were being ticketed in A, with a fare basis starting with A, not Q.

Pretty sure that whatever it was, it was never an ID90 fare - it would not have been confirmed at the time of booking (ie standby / space available), and would more likely have booked into an E class fare, AFAIK. On top of that, you have to demonstrate entitlement / eligibility for ID90 travel (employee badge / record of nomination) before you're entitled to travel on that basis, you can't just buy a ticket online and go.

Travel Guru might be able to clarify though.

I have to say though, if you were able to pick one of these up and are offered the AA compensation, a $200 voucher for jam is not too bad - nor is a J ticket for $5k or whatever they're offering. Makes me wish I'd gotten in purely for the compensatory gesture rather than the erroneous fare.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

I have to say though, if you were able to pick one of these up and are offered the AA compensation, a $200 voucher for jam is not too bad - nor is a J ticket for $5k or whatever they're offering. Makes me wish I'd gotten in purely for the compensatory gesture rather than the erroneous fare.

It seems that plenty of people who did book don't think it's sufficient, judging by the pages of whinging and threats of class action lawsuits going on in the FT forum. :-|

 

[Mal]

Pretty sure that whatever it was, it was never an ID90 fare - it would not have been confirmed at the time of booking (ie standby / space available), and would more likely have booked into an E class fare, AFAIK. On top of that, you have to demonstrate entitlement / eligibility for ID90 travel (employee badge / record of nomination) before you're entitled to travel on that basis, you can't just buy a ticket online and go.

I agree it wasn't an ID90 fare, but I believe it was the price for ID90 filed as the price.