Earning points: a simple question

[Stargazer]

Sorry for the basic question. If I book Qantas flights through webjet, or another booking website can I earn QF points. Or do I have to book direct with Qantas. If permitted to book via a non Qantas website what is the procedure to have points credited to my account?

 

[wandering_fred]

Webjet would be "just another travel agent".
As long as your Qantas Frequent Flyer number is correctly added to the booking of a Qantas flight, you should earn points and status credits. If this is not done during the reservation process, you should be able to add via the "manage my booking" pages which would be accessed by reservation code (PNR) and your last name.
Happy wandering
Fred

 

[andye]

Note that the same does not apply to hotels or car hire where you (almost always) don't get their points if you go through a 3rd party site

 

[AIRwin]

On a separate note and out of curiosity, is Webjet cheaper?

 

[Stargazer]

Is webjet cheaper - haven’t checked. Question out of curiosity. Given your experience, have you found booking on the Qantas website is the best option (best fare price) rather than a third party website.

 

[AIRwin]

Given your experience, have you found booking on the Qantas website is the best option (best fare price) rather than a third party website.

Sometimes it's the same but I don't like the Webjet fees...

 

[Stargazer]

As a newbie, what fees does webjet apply? Do all third party websites charge fees?

 

[Happy Dude]

Webjet's fees, rather costly IMO, are clearly stated on the website for domestic and international airfares.

Most here might use Webjet as a search tool but then book direct or elsewhere with no/lower fees. I've never used a third party site for airfares so dunno which charges what.

 

[Scr77]

I book directly with any airline. It’s usually easier to make changes and sort any problems. Doesn’t Qantas now allow free seat selection if booked direct but not if via 3rd party?

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

Yes, I book direct with the airline. The price you see is the price you pay. Not sure what it’s like these days but my experience was, unless you found an unusual fare, it would be at least the same or more expensive to book with the 3rd party after all the add on fees

 

[The Flying Schwartz]

As a newbie, what fees does webjet apply? Do all third party websites charge fees?

Is there a reason you prefer a third party? I find the direct booking process pretty painless these days and as previously mentioned, it’s far easier to sort things out when it goes pear shaped

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Also, if you book direct, you can choose your seat at the booking stage, and depending on your airline status and luck, you usually get to keep your seat option you made at the booking stage.
On a side note, we call it OffTopic, I made a booking for another airline, via a TA, and went to the airline's website, (not QF), and the airline's website won't let me pick my preferred seat.
Not doing that again!OnTopic

 

[AIRwin]

As a newbie, what fees does webjet apply? Do all third party websites charge fees?

You had a similar query back in 2011:

Current best web sites - flights, accommodation

Hi, am interested in knowing your current best picks in relation to web sites for booking flights, accommodation.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

 

[JohnK]

On a separate note and out of curiosity, is Webjet cheaper?

Not always but Webjet can be cheaper.

I wanted BNE-SIN-BKK//CNX-SIN-BNE and I could not get anything cheaper than $1950 return and most were $2100-$2200 return.

I saw one on Webjet for around $1570 but the catch was 17 hours in SIN. No problem with that transit for me. Hesitated an hour or so and booked it at $1770 so still significant saving on what anyone else was offering. Flexible on way out and have 90 SCs on VA already and normal economy back.

And what's even better for me is using Afterpay. Last instalment not due until return from Thailand. Perfect.

I'll be on the lookout for further bargains on Webjet but suspect they're only available last minute.

 

[Stargazer]

On a separate note and out of curiosity, is Webjet cheaper?

Hi All, just been playing around with the webjet website to check their prices. Webjet has a servicing fee for domestic flights $21.95 and booking price guarantee of $12.95. In reading the fine print it appears that the two fees are included in the prices on the website. Can you advise if this is right Or if the fees are added later when the booking is finalised?

 

[tdimdad]

Hi All, just been playing around with the webjet website to check their prices. Webjet has a servicing fee for domestic flights $21.95 and booking price guarantee of $12.95. In reading the fine print it appears that the two fees are included in the prices on the website. Can you advise if this is right Or if the fees are added later when the booking is finalised?

Those are the WebJet service fees you pay on top of the flight prices.
WebJet, SkyScanner, etc are gret in scouting out options. Especially for domestic flights, I use WebJet routinely to check the prices available. But all bookings I do directly via the airline to 1) avoid the unnecessary fees and 2) be able to deal with the airline directly in case of disruptions or changes.

 

[Stargazer]

Thank you to everyone who has replied. One of the more interesting points is that several people have pointed out the importance of booking direct with an airline. And that’s the path I will take. But I am interested to know if there are other reasons why you would book with a third party provider such as Webjet. JohnK has provided one reason. Interested in other views.

 

[andye]

I try to book with the airline buy there are occasions when
1. The price is only available with the third party
2. I have a credit card offer with a significant cashback for booking via third party (Amex statement credit or travel credit is most common for me)
3. The airfare is bundled as a package only available via the third party
4. Have bought discounted giftcards for the third party
5. Significant discount via one of the cashback sites (though rare for airfares as margin is slim)

 

[Stargazer]

Andre, what do you mean by cashback sites. Not familiar with this concept (Point 5 in your post). under what conditions would the airfare be bundled as a package only available via a third party provider

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Have a look at something like www.cash****rewards.com.
Take away the asterix.
You will earn a small amount back by giving the company providing the service your business and your data.
Like a lot of people love FB/EDR, we are giving them our spending and data, they give us back points.
Credit card companies give you points, but they earn from you putting your purchase via them.
Etc, etc, etc.
Also, some travel websites will offer maybe 90% of the price, or 95% if you book flights and hotel and car rentals direct with them, they get your money when you spend with them, and they drop the prices of the whole trip with them.
QF and the other airlines do this too, if you book air and hotels with QF, they promise a discount in hotel.
Eg; if you book a flight on the QF website, you get the eticket email, but a while later, QF will send you another email, asking that you book hotel and go via the link in that email, so you get a bit off the hotel booking price.