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

[tracey37]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Hi asg29e and Newk,

On my 6th call I finally got through to the right person. The wording I used was "I want to book an Any Seat Award". I provided her with the flight numbers and it was all smooth sailing. After the TSV flight I booked another with no issues (again providing the flight numbers that I had just looked at under classic awards online). At one point she asked how I was going to pay for the booking fee but stopped mid sentence and then told me she had mis-read and that it wasn't applicable. The call lasted 26 minutes for multiple flights on separate itineraries. I'm relieved I finally got there... I am awaiting my confirmation email and then I'll post the results for both flights. Thanks again for the help! It really is luck of the draw...

[EDIT] - I've checked my activity statement. Both have come through as ASA's so everything being good I should be getting the DSC's and qualifying for WP before the 31st Jan renew! Yay! Thanks!

Dec 29 | Jan 03 | J | SYD-BNE-TSV return | 48 000 pts | $349.52 + 7 | 200 SC (400 DSC)
Dec 29 | Jan 11 | J | SYD-MEL return | 32 000 pts | $209 + 7 | 80 SC (160 DSC)

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

My first mASA telephone booking. Called at 726pm, Sunday night. Roger on the Premium line, obviously very familiar with mASAs. Asked for "Any Seat award in U class, please."

"Of course, Mr Stupid, that is eligible for all SCs and points."

Booked, and hung up by 730pm.

DEC29 | Oct 2014 | J | OOL-SYD-LAX | 96 000 PTS | $694.56+$30 | 220

(edit : retail for one way J on same flights is $7375, points plus pay (after I'd booked) is 833,500 points)

(edit: minor hiccup in that Roger was obviously not so familiar: charged the 6000 international assistance fee, but a quick phone call and I' assured that will be reversed. I will check in a few days...)

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

My first mASA telephone booking. Called at 726pm, Sunday night. Roger on the Premium line, obviously very familiar with mASAs. Asked for "Any Seat award in U class, please."

"Of course, Mr Stupid, that is eligible for all SCs and points."

Booked, and hung up by 730pm.

DEC29 | Oct 2014 | J | OOL-SYD-LAX | 96 000 PTS | $694.56+$30 | 220 SC

Were you wearing your lucky red & white beanie when you made the call?

I made a one way JASA booking ADL/xBNE/TSV booking for 2 pax 48,000 points total & AUD363.60.

I just mentioned that I would like to book an any seat award booked in "U" class. The CSR did have to go and check re the Right on Q 7740 but everything worked out okay, nil booking fee, fully refundable.

Prior to calling up I checked in Expert Flyer that there were at least 2 seats in "U" class on the flights I wanted. Another thing worth doing IMO is to research the other alternatives so if I was told "you can just book the any seat award on line" I could reply "I've already checked that & the points required is 178,100 for Points & Pay so I would prefer to book the any seat award for 24,000 points plus cash."

The alternatives to a JASA (FB UBPASROW) ADL/xBNE/TSV flights were:

a) Classic Award in "U" class (fare basis UBP) was 36,000 points plus AUD74.50

b) Points & Pay (unsure what class it books into or FB) was 178,100 points all inclusive

c) Retail J fare on QF website AUD1,390.00

 

[drsmithy]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Should the co-pay for one of these mASAs be the same as the co-pay I see for a Classic Award ?

If not, how does one estimate the co-pay ?

 

[KVK]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

My first attempt at the phone in. Rang at 1145 today (30/12/13), 1300 366 587, entered my FF No., pressed 1 for domestic travel.
Got through to Betty in Melbourne and asked for "Any seat award in U class"
Betty knew exactly what I was after, asked for details of dates, destinations etc.
I had looked at the Qantas page for Classic awards, but asked Betty for what was available in U class.
She let me know, booked the tickets and we waited for about 2 minutes for the cost to come through.
Dec 30 / Jan 2014/ J / SYD-BNE-TSV-BNE-SYD / 48,000 pts / $356.52 / hopefully 400SC (includes $7 CC fee)
Extremely helpful service from a charming Betty, all booked by 1152
I still miss the ability to do it on line though

 

[chrisishere]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

I had to mention to the operator that there was no fee for the phone booking. so just be aware of that if they do it, other than that the guy i spoke to was real helpful. he knew that I needed this trip to requal for gold

 

[Mr_Orange]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Should the co-pay for one of these mASAs be the same as the co-pay I see for a Classic Award ?

If not, how does one estimate the co-pay ?

No, mASA co-pay is higher. Estimate, based on my bookings, is between 3x and 4x classic co-pay.

Also, have a look at JessicaTam's spreadsheet which should give more data for you to analyse.

 

[Newk]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Should the co-pay for one of these mASAs be the same as the co-pay I see for a Classic Award ?

If not, how does one estimate the co-pay ?

you could look here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....kings-booked-classic-53677-26.html#post961195

 

[drewbles]

I am aware of one AFFer who flew EK F and chose not to have a shower.

Showering would reduce the time available for one to drink Champagne (and significantly decrease their value for monies worth)

 

[drsmithy]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

No, mASA co-pay is higher. Estimate, based on my bookings, is between 3x and 4x classic co-pay.

Also, have a look at JessicaTam's spreadsheet which should give more data for you to analyse.

you could look here:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....kings-booked-classic-53677-26.html#post961195

Yeah, it was looking at the numbers in the spreadsheet that made me ask the question.

 

[Newk]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Yeah, it was looking at the numbers in the spreadsheet that made me ask the question.

well I reckon the answers are there. If the actual trip you are booking isn't there you can get an estimate of the likely difference between classic and ASA co-pay
I am not sure how to help you any more than that sorry

 

[drsmithy]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

well I reckon the answers are there. If the actual trip you are booking isn't there you can get an estimate of the likely difference between classic and ASA co-pay
I am not sure how to help you any more than that sorry

?

All I wanted to know is if the co-pay for a mASA is different than a regular Classic Award. The reason I asked was because of the significant difference between the co-pays in the spreadsheet and the co-pays I see doing dummy bookings to see if there's any Classic availability.

 

[Kerrodt]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

?

All I wanted to know is if the co-pay for a mASA is different than a regular Classic Award. The reason I asked was because of the significant difference between the co-pays in the spreadsheet and the co-pays I see doing dummy bookings to see if there's any Classic availability.

Yes, they are different. There is no real way to use the price of a Classic Award to estimate the price of a mASA, for points or cash or any mix therein.

 

[Newk]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

Yes, they are different. There is no real way to use the price of a Classic Award to estimate the price of a mASA, for points or cash or any mix therein.

But you can get a rough guide from the spreadsheet. There are columns for classic copayment. Where this is filled in it enables a comparison to be made with MASA copayment

 

[Kerrodt]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

But you can get a rough guide from the spreadsheet. There are columns for classic copayment. Where this is filled in it enables a comparison to be made with MASA copayment

Newk, you are absolutely correct. The spreadsheet is a fantastic resource for making informed decisions and purchases, far more so than the QF online booking engine, insofar as mASA's are concerned. The effort by members to firstly create this spreadsheet, then keep it updated is truly commendable and well in the spirit of what this forum is all about.

 

[Ansett]

Showering would reduce the time available for one to drink Champagne (and significantly decrease their value for monies worth)

Not if you take the bottle of champagne into the shower with you heheheheh

 

[JMFK]

Little bit scared about this one...took over 30 minutes and the CSA had to refer to her 'Senior' a couple of times to make sure she was allowed. Asked some strange questions like, 'Have you booked this before' and 'even when you are only travelling one way without a paid seat on the way back' etc etc. It ended with her giving me a Booking Reference which appears in my account, but said someone would call this friday to confirm payment....as they couldn't see the inventory or something on her end. I'm not really sure, but she said someone from ticketing will be in touch.

There was only one seat available (J from LAX - MEL) on the date I need so hopefully they come through at the price + points I want. In any case, she confirmed that they are holding the seat for me so I guess I'll just wait and see!

 

[Newk]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

?

All I wanted to know is if the co-pay for a mASA is different than a regular Classic Award. The reason I asked was because of the significant difference between the co-pays in the spreadsheet and the co-pays I see doing dummy bookings to see if there's any Classic availability.

I see you got there. Good work.

 

[drsmithy]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

I see you got there. Good work.

Not my first JASA, just the first I've done since the changes.

 

[AusTraveller]

Re: Sucessful ASA Bookings booked at classic rates Reference Guide

I tried my first call to the line today. I will have to rework things and give it another go.

I wanted to do something similar to Anna's trip to Northern Queensland (via the scenic route) but alas it was pricing as individual sectors :-|