Earn bonus points on Gift Vouchers - new and improved for Xmas.

[turtlemichael]

My frustrating level with Qantas is increasing. Having bought vouchers and partially used one for a booking 9 days ago (for two of us) I did not receive the replacement voucher for the balance. I patiently waited a few days and phoned. "OK sir we'll email them". "Them", because the original voucher is now two vouchers as discussed by others earlier in this thread.

Nothing received so I phoned again today. "Okay sir, we'll send them". The agent gave me the locator numbers which is good because all I received was one by email. No sign of the other. And what I receive is a dummy booking, an itinerary and receipt, from Winterhaven to Vichadero and therefore am unable to enter the locator number into the gift voucher redeem box, because it has already been used!

 

[kevrosmith]

And what I receive is a dummy booking, an itinerary and receipt, from

That's all I received sometimes when I rang up... there's seems to be a few ways that the phone agents can send itineraries through, and one is a plain text email without a PDF attachment etc. To get the "Gift Voucher" version, it seems they have to put the voucher onto the queue being used to generate the new Gift Voucher emails manually.

My advice would be, as long as you get the PNR, then you should be right to go. Sometimes the new PNR isn't generated for a few hours, so after making a booking with a voucher, wait a few hours and then ring up. Often they could see that the new PNR had been created and could tell me it over the phone, and then I wouldn't worry whether an email came through or not... though often it eventually did.

 

[turtlemichael]

My advice would be, as long as you get the PNR, then you should be right to go. Sometimes the new PNR isn't generated for a few hours, so after making a booking with a voucher, wait a few hours and then ring up. Often they could see that the new PNR had been created and could tell me it over the phone, and then I wouldn't worry whether an email came through or not... though often it eventually did.

But how can I use the new PNR when it has already been "used" for the dummy booking?

 

[medhead]

But how can I use the new PNR when it has already been "used" for the dummy booking?

Perhaps try manage your booking for the PNR and then change the flights. With the bookings that I had listed under my bookings I'd just change flights to use the voucher.

 

[kevrosmith]

But how can I use the new PNR when it has already been "used" for the dummy booking?

No, no.. That's how it's stored in their booking system. Are the origin and destination something like GIF VCH?

Just try to use the PNR in the redeem gift voucher as per normal and it should take you to the usual Find Flights screen.

 

[turtlemichael]

Perhaps try manage your booking for the PNR and then change the flights. With the bookings that I had listed under my bookings I'd just change flights to use the voucher.

:idea: I'm not ready to book yet but that sounds like an option. They alter the gift voucher rules for the better but don't have the systems in place to back them up.

 

[medhead]

:idea: I'm not ready to book yet but that sounds like an option. They alter the gift voucher rules for the better but don't have the systems in place to back them up.

You can try it to see if it works. You always have the option to not proceed like any dummy booking.

I also do think that it should work in the gift voucher booking area. Those are the standard sectors that appear on a voucher.

 

[turtlemichael]

Just try to use the PNR in the redeem gift voucher as per normal and it should take you to the usual Find Flights screen.

That's my problem. Entering the PNR number on the redeem voucher page takes me to the dummy booking not to the Find flights screen.

I'll leave as is for the moment and when I'm ready to make a booking (1) I'll try again on the redeem voucher page or (2) alter the dummy booking or (3) get on the phone again.

 

[samh004]

That's my problem. Entering the PNR number on the redeem voucher page takes me to the dummy booking not to the Find flights screen.

I'll leave as is for the moment and when I'm ready to make a booking (1) I'll try again on the redeem voucher page or (2) alter the dummy booking or (3) get on the phone again.

You need to call them up and get them to change it. Happened to one of four vouchers I bought and it took about an hour on the phone, but they will fix it. Get through to the Plat desk!

 

[turtlemichael]

I've taken Samh004's advice this morning. Thanks Sam. First reaction was: "There is nothing we can do about it. You'll have to call to make a booking and there will be no fee". I pointed out that was not what the rules said and it didn't sit well with me calling from o/s.

So four phone calls and probably an hour and a half in total on the phone later I have useable gift vouchers. I was told that the problem arises when Qantas touch the booking. It then becomes a dummy. Hardly robust.

 

[dodgeyhack]

Something to be aware off is when making a multi person booking and a new voucher (Refund) is to be issued a new voucher will be issued against each person named on the original voucher.
($1200 voucher, booked fare was $840 for 3 people)

In my case instead of a new voucher for $360, issued will be 3x $120 vouchers.
The lady I spoke to said she was unable to make them into 1 voucher again.
So to make another booking with the 3 travelling I need to make 3 separate bookings and then phone to get them linked.

In some ways it is beneficial, but others just a pain....

This isn't what happened to me.
I just got one voucher back, which included myself and my wife.
I was actually hoping for separate vouchers as I booked the return flight, but we are flying to Melbourne separately.

So now I figure there are 2 possible options - not sure if either will work
1. Call and ask the voucher to be split - can this be done?

2. Second option, (and I don't think this option will work, as from what I understand, a cancelled and then rebooked flight is subject to the flight change rule where the new flight must be the same value or higher)
- book us both flexi-savers using the voucher (she has to book a flexi-saver as that's all that's available.)
- call and get the PNR split.
- cancel my booking, getting back credit which I'll use for a red e-deal (there are red e-deals when I want to fly). This will leave some credit which will be a bit annoying to use.

Hmmmm

 

[turtlemichael]

This isn't what happened to me.
I just got one voucher back, which included myself and my wife.
I was actually hoping for separate vouchers as I booked the return flight, but we are flying to Melbourne separately.

So now I figure there are 2 possible options - not sure if either will work
1. Call and ask the voucher to be split - can this be done?

2. Second option, (and I don't think this option will work, as from what I understand, a cancelled and then rebooked flight is subject to the flight change rule where the new flight must be the same value or higher)
- book us both flexi-savers using the voucher (she has to book a flexi-saver as that's all that's available.)
- call and get the PNR split.
- cancel my booking, getting back credit which I'll use for a red e-deal (there are red e-deals when I want to fly). This will leave some credit which will be a bit annoying to use.

Hmmmm

Another option. Just buy the forward tickets without using the voucher and save the voucher for when you are travelling together, assuming you can book together within the life of the voucher. Of course, that involves outlaying more cash in the short term. I don't believe they will allow you to split the voucher (seems to me it is only ok when they do it!) but you can but ask.

 

[dodgeyhack]

Another option. Just buy the forward tickets without using the voucher .

That is of course the other option, and it has the added bonus of leading to more trips this year - as the vouchers must be used =)

 

[nate89]

just a bit of a vent (at QF and myself).

I bought the voucher on the 22nd I believe. Didn't receive anything on either the QF email I use or the gift recipient email I used, but decided to wait until after the gf's birthday (2nd) as I had other pressing matters.

Called up today to see what has happened - they can't find it. Have to wait up to three business days for the right department to find it.

My fault lies after QF's eff up - I didn't keep the reference number that popped up when I bought the voucher (odd though as I usually do...).

Lesson learned Hope this saves someone else the pain of chasing them up.

They did at least acknowledge that there was an issue with the system during this time where emails weren't being sent properly.

 

[samh004]

They did at least acknowledge that there was an issue with the system during this time where emails weren't being sent properly.

I received 2 out of 4 emails... always pays to note the PNR.

 

[sumthinfornuthin]

just a bit of a vent (at QF and myself).

I bought the voucher on the 22nd I believe. Didn't receive anything on either the QF email I use or the gift recipient email I used, but decided to wait until after the gf's birthday (2nd) as I had other pressing matters.

Called up today to see what has happened - they can't find it. Have to wait up to three business days for the right department to find it.

My fault lies after QF's eff up - I didn't keep the reference number that popped up when I bought the voucher (odd though as I usually do...).

Lesson learned Hope this saves someone else the pain of chasing them up.

They did at least acknowledge that there was an issue with the system during this time where emails weren't being sent properly.

Have you checked your Credit Card account to make sure they did actually debit the card ??? Could be why you don't have a reference #....there may not have been one ???????????????????.....Just a suggestion

 

[nate89]

Have you checked your Credit Card account to make sure they did actually debit the card ??? Could be why you don't have a reference #....there may not have been one ???????????????????.....Just a suggestion

thanks for the suggestion, but I did check. It was the first thing I checked in fact

 

[eosphoros]

Has anyone had their points for purchasing these post yet? It's been a mighty long time!

 

[mrfreeze]

Has anyone had their points for purchasing these post yet? It's been a mighty long time!

I believe the T&Cs were points can take up to 6 weeks to post.

On a side note, redeemed the final vouchers yesterday for myself and kids on the new sale fares advertised for the period I wanted to travel.
Rang to an asked what if fare goes up as I have to make each booking separately and told 9+ seats available.
Made the booking for each of us then rang back to link them.
Asked if their booking would show up on my account and told no, so when I select a seat I need to ring AGAIN to get them seated with me.
Made my seat selection while on the phone and the lady seated the kids with me.

So at T-80 when I check for row 4 I am going to have to ring again.......Why did my voucher reissue get split Qantas???
I see the advantages in it being split, but in my case it is annoying.
We should of had the option to get it split or keep it as one.
Luckily it was just 3 of us, what if you are a large family, it would get messy.

 

[oz_mark]

Has anyone had their points for purchasing these post yet? It's been a mighty long time!

The points from the Christmas 2011 promotion landed in my account on 6 Feb 2012, so I am not expecting them until the first week of Feb this time.