Has anyone had success with the call-up "Marginal" xASA's?

[cmdwedge]

Guys, I'm really sorry to ask a stupid question, but here goes anyway.

I've started a new job which will have me flying quite a bit - 4-8 times per year J class. In just two trips, I've gone from Bronze to Gold and I'm 70 SCs from Platinum. As I'd like to experience the First-class lounges when heading abroad, I'd really like to nail down Platinum ASAP before my next trip. I've got a lot of FFPs saved up. I've also registered for the double SC offer.

As I'm based in CBR, I figure that it's just one return trip to SYD in Economy to add 80 SCs to my account (20 SCs per sector, doubled). I've looked at the prices for Economy and it's 18,000 points one way! Which seems a bit much. Is it possible to ring up and get the flights at least 'near' Classic Award rates? Which class do I need to make sure I'm booking - of course Discount Economy will only give me 40 SCs. I'm looking to travel on early morning in January, and arrive back in Canberra before work.

Is there a trick to asking the CSRs the right questions?

Thanks very much, wedge.

 

[AIRwin]

As I'm based in CBR, I figure that it's just one return trip to SYD in Economy to add 80 SCs to my account (20 SCs per sector, doubled).

CBR to SYD return on an ASA in Economy will earn 10x2 status credits or 40 with a DSC... You may need to book J one way and Y the other?

 

[beardoc]

Guys, I'm really sorry to ask a stupid question, but here goes anyway.

I've started a new job which will have me flying quite a bit - 4-8 times per year J class. In just two trips, I've gone from Bronze to Gold and I'm 70 SCs from Platinum. As I'd like to experience the First-class lounges when heading abroad, I'd really like to nail down Platinum ASAP before my next trip. I've got a lot of FFPs saved up. I've also registered for the double SC offer.

As I'm based in CBR, I figure that it's just one return trip to SYD in Economy to add 80 SCs to my account (20 SCs per sector, doubled). I've looked at the prices for Economy and it's 18,000 points one way! Which seems a bit much. Is it possible to ring up and get the flights at least 'near' Classic Award rates? Which class do I need to make sure I'm booking - of course Discount Economy will only give me 40 SCs. I'm looking to travel on early morning in January, and arrive back in Canberra before work.

Is there a trick to asking the CSRs the right questions?

Thanks very much, wedge.

If you're just looking for 80SC from CBR-SYD-CBR, if you just book a standard revenue fare (flexi-saver or above) which will earn you full economy status credits (20SC CBR-SYD and 20SC SYD-CBR - doubled to 80SC during the promotion. Can do it easily in much less than a day - about $540, no points needed.

 

[beardoc]

I've noticed on the ASA Spreadsheet no one has booked CBR-SYD-BNE-TSV-BNE-SYD-CBR in J on a mASA - by my calculations that's 36000 points and 280SC (doubled to 560SC on this promotion). I might be wrong here - and I haven't tried to book it, and I'm not sure it can be done in a single day, but would this work?

 

[Deleted member]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Dec 13 | Jan 14 | J | SYD-BNE-TSV return | 48 000 pts | $349.16 + $7.00 CC fee| $97.00 | 86 418 pts | 200 SC (400 DSC)

1. Called earlier this evening. CSR's reply? "You can book these online. There's only Classic awards, which book into Uniform class, or there's Points + Pay." Sigh... HUACA...

2. 3 hours later...My initial request was met with 10 sec of silence. Followed the suggested spiel, CSR seemed unsure, so I also indicated that I wished to make a booking that earned SC. Put on hold for 5 min. Offered minimum of 86 418 points. "Your'e after an Any Seat Award in Uniform class? That's the minimum." I had to gently push, but wasn't until I nominated 48 000 pts & a higher co-pay that the declared "minimum" was able to be brought down to the expected level. Suggested ROQ7740: "Yes, I'm looking at that." I somewhat sensed the process was tedious & frustrating for the CSR, who was also aware the ability to book JASAs online had been removed. Nevertheless, CSR was polite & helpful. (Total call time: ~20min vs <5 min online pre-June 2013; Would call times be of interest to anybody in the reference guide?)

Like those before me, I'd also just like to add my sincere thanks for everybody's generous contributions to the forum, particularly this & the other 2 associated threads.

Merry Christmas!!

Similar experience here. 17 minutes ( last week) to book a JASA BNE -AKL return. And that was with a cooperative CSR.
I have listened to mrs GPH wrangle for much longer only to quit and call back to get someone who is prepared to play the game , can take well over 30 minutes to do something that should take 3-4 minutes. Oh well that's enhancements for you

 

[Ansett]

I seem to have had good luck on a Sunday and get the Hobart desk. They always seem to know what to do

Same here I mainly ring in the morning and 95% of the time get Tassie based staff who I have found to be the most knowledegeable and helpful in the QF CSO team

 

[Robbi]

Same here I mainly ring in the morning and 95% of the time get Tassie based staff who I have found to be the most knowledegeable and helpful in the QF CSO team

Well two heads are better than one

 

[JessicaTam]

I've noticed on the ASA Spreadsheet no one has booked CBR-SYD-BNE-TSV-BNE-SYD-CBR in J on a mASA - by my calculations that's 36000 points and 280SC (doubled to 560SC on this promotion). I might be wrong here - and I haven't tried to book it, and I'm not sure it can be done in a single day, but would this work?

It should be possible to book as a mASA, as I can book it online as a classic. It does not look likely that you could do it in a day, unless one leg was just CBR-BNE-TSV (dropping SYD). The points cost is about right, but can't be sure until someone books it.

With a couple of positioning flights that could be WP in two - three days!

 

[Cossie]

Just tried again, the person I spoke to said that I could only do it online and was quite insistent even after I read out the paragraph. Told him I'd ring back later, which is probably what they want.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Just tried again, the person I spoke to said that I could only do it online and was quite insistent even after I read out the paragraph. Told him I'd ring back later, which is probably what they want.

We should start taking names and employee numbers...

 

[JessicaTam]

We should start taking names and employee numbers...

Red Roo has asked for names in the past, so that follow up training can occur.

 

[kalboy]

Had great success with a young lady called Jessica, Kalgoorlie-Perth-Melbourne in U class took 4 to 5 minutes. Very effiicient.

 

[JessicaTam]

Had great success with a young lady called Jessica, Kalgoorlie-Perth-Melbourne in U class took 4 to 5 minutes. Very effiicient.

Is there something I should know about?

 

[aikman]

Would any of you kind folk know if there is a penalty or fee for cancelling a domestic YASA? What about a date change? Thanks.

 

[legroom]

Would any of you kind folk know if there is a penalty or fee for cancelling a domestic YASA? What about a date change? Thanks.

If it was an ASA, there should be no penalty point for change or cancellation (clause 15.6.1 of the T & C).

See this thread (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ht-credits-refunds-asas-56485.html#post956929)

 

[aikman]

If it was an ASA, there should be no penalty point for change or cancellation (clause 15.6.1 of the T & C).

Thanks for this.

 

[tracey37]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Hi All,

I'm trying to book the following flight but not having any luck at all.

Dec 13 | Jan 14 | J | SYD-BNE-TSV return | 48 000 pts | $349.52 + No CC fee| ? | ? | 200 SC (400 DSC)

I've read through pages of trouble and pages of people booking it with no problems and I'm starting to get very frustrated. This will be my fourth call. The previous calls I have rung the 1300 366 587 number and asked to book a "Classic Award booked as a Any Seat Award". The first call I was quoted some bizzare number of points and told to use point + pay online. The second call went a similar way and I was placed on hold for around 15 minutes at which point I gave up. The last call got me to a point where I could book the flight for around 60k points and over $1000 cash.

Am I doing something wrong? I've seen references to ROQ. What is this and how can it help me? I have seen that some people have called it a Marginal ASA so on my next call I will try booking with that term.

How are people getting these down to 48k points and $349 dollars?

I have found classic award flights that would work for me but in the previous attempts I have just told them the days I want to fly and classes. Is this because they are booking non-classic awards?

I've only just signed up for the DSC offer so obviously there is a bit of a hurry to book as I need this to qualify for WP.

Am I doing everything correctly? I see replies about 4 minutes and it's done yet I've spent 1 hour on the phone already and got nowhere. Is my wording or process incorrect?

Ugh... sorry. Please help.

 

[serfty]

If it was an ASA, there should be no penalty point for change or cancellation (clause 15.6.1 of the T & C).

See this thread (http://www.australianfrequentflyer....ht-credits-refunds-asas-56485.html#post956929)

That is not the case generally for YASA!

It depends upon the specific "fare conditions" at the time of booking ... Most domestic economy mASA's have significant penalties.

(It's only the Domestic Business mASA's that can generally be refunded without penalty.)

15.6.1 A refund of an Any Seat Award will only be made in accordance with the applicable Fare Conditions and these Terms and Conditions, and the following provisions:

(a) If a refund is requested prior to travel commencing, and the money paid to obtain the Any Seat Award is equal to or greater than the cancellation fee (or refund fee) specified in the Fare Conditions ...

The cancallation (or refund) fee for a domestic JASA is normally "full refund" - this is rarely the case for Economy bookings.

 

[Newk]

Tracey37 sorry it's been so hard for you. As it is for most of us some of the time.
Some hints: ask for an Any seat award in U class. Or uniform class. Don't even mention classic awards. "Marginal" is not an official qantas term so I'd avoid that too.
After that it's just luck with the CSO that you get. If you are using the right prompts and getting nowhere hang up and call again.

 

[asg29e]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Hi All,

I'm trying to book the following flight but not having any luck at all.

Dec 13 | Jan 14 | J | SYD-BNE-TSV return | 48 000 pts | $349.52 + No CC fee| ? | ? | 200 SC (400 DSC)

I've read through pages of trouble and pages of people booking it with no problems and I'm starting to get very frustrated. This will be my fourth call. The previous calls I have rung the 1300 366 587 number and asked to book a "Classic Award booked as a Any Seat Award". The first call I was quoted some bizzare number of points and told to use point + pay online. The second call went a similar way and I was placed on hold for around 15 minutes at which point I gave up. The last call got me to a point where I could book the flight for around 60k points and over $1000 cash.

Am I doing something wrong? I've seen references to ROQ. What is this and how can it help me? I have seen that some people have called it a Marginal ASA so on my next call I will try booking with that term.

How are people getting these down to 48k points and $349 dollars?

I have found classic award flights that would work for me but in the previous attempts I have just told them the days I want to fly and classes. Is this because they are booking non-classic awards?

I've only just signed up for the DSC offer so obviously there is a bit of a hurry to book as I need this to qualify for WP.

Am I doing everything correctly? I see replies about 4 minutes and it's done yet I've spent 1 hour on the phone already and got nowhere. Is my wording or process incorrect?

Ugh... sorry. Please help.

My advice:
Avoid using the words "classic award" at any time. It just confuses them. Try instead "I want to book an Any Seat Award in U for Uniform class." If they are struggling with this concept you have two choices; hang up and try again (often the quickest way) or try and coach them through it. The reference card to point them to is ROQ 7740.

Before you end the call, get them to confirm that it is an Any Seat Award, and if they try to charge a booking fee point out to them that the fee should be waived, as per ROQ 7740.

After the call it is VITAL to check your activity statement to see that the words "Any Seat Award" appear. This will be the only evidence that this is what you have booked.

Good luck. You just have to be persistent and eventually you will get there.