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

[legroom]

Re: First Ever Status Run !!

I was talking post 26th June 2013. I thought that when calling the 1300 number, only point to point xASAs could be reduced to classic points level. The more obscure routings were being charged per leg....... I'm sure I've seen that reported somewhere in one of these threads about xASAs.

That has been my experience to date, Mr_Orange.

I had booked 3x domestic and 2x INT MASA post June 2013

Been told sternly on numerous occasions that "commercial fare routing" applies and indirect (roundabout) route will incur extra points / charges cf to direct route e.g. SYD-LAX vs SYD xMEL LAX; SYD ADL vs SYD xMEL ADL.

Would love to learn the secret "password" to bring the points / $$ to those of Classics (let alone below those values) as suggested by some posts here.

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: First Ever Status Run !!

I was talking post 26th June 2013. I thought that when calling the 1300 number, only point to point xASAs could be reduced to classic points level. The more obscure routings were being charged per leg....... I'm sure I've seen that reported somewhere in one of these threads about xASAs.

I've booked CBR-SYD-HBA for 16,000 points + co-pay as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

 

[opusman]

Re: First Ever Status Run !!

I've booked CBR-SYD-HBA for 16,000 points + co-pay as recently as a couple of weeks ago.

This is an exception as there are no direct CBR-HBA flights.

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: First Ever Status Run !!

Other "exceptions" from this thread:

#146 HKG-MEL-BNE-CNS in J for 50,000 points + cash

#375 ADL-BNE-TSV-BNE-ADL for 48,000 points plus $363

#392 ADL-PER-KGI for 25,000 points plus $192

#604 60,000 as the min for a trip to BKK where classic cost was 72,000

#686 TSV-BNE-DRW JASA return for April next year and the all point cost came to 91,173points, inclusive of taxes and surcharges. The classic award cost is 100,000 plus a co payment of $173.49...

 

[1022]

Re: First Ever Status Run !!

I just had my second success on an international JASA. NRT - SYD. (Actually booking on bf's behalf). Initial response was "We were told they were being made unavailable and I can't book that for you over the phone". A very gentle nudge, mentioning I'd recently booked one and the right on Q number all helped. The agent was curious to know where I heard all this info She also asked for the booking ref of the one I'd booked previously so that she could have a look at how it was done. She apologised a couple of times for needing to refer back to the memo but was extremely helpful and keen to assist. Ended up spending 80k points and around $350. Points booking fee waived and the call took 20 minutes. Was told the fare is refundable for 30,000 yen fee or changeable for 10,000 yen.

I do worry about the initial negative response. My previous booking a month or so ago was also met with an initial negative response, it's almost as though (bring out the conspiracy theorist in me) they've been told to try and discourage these bookings, but relent if the pax sounds like they know what they're talking about.....

 

[LadyC]

Re: First Ever Status Run !!

Thanks Princess Fiona and legroom - after I called and made my earlier post, I reviewed the thread and saw that from previous examples it was actually quite close. It's just that at 6 times the dollar value, it is higher than anything I have previously experienced with ASAs (under the old system of course). These flights will see me requalify for WP and also qualify the gentleman for WP so I guess I just have to suck it up!

 

[legroom]

MASA post June 2013

Other "exceptions" from this thread:

#146 HKG-MEL-BNE-CNS in J for 50,000 points + cash

#375 ADL-BNE-TSV-BNE-ADL for 48,000 points plus $363

#392 ADL-PER-KGI for 25,000 points plus $192

#604 60,000 as the min for a trip to BKK where classic cost was 72,000

#686 TSV-BNE-DRW JASA return for April next year and the all point cost came to 91,173points, inclusive of taxes and surcharges. The classic award cost is 100,000 plus a co payment of $173.49...

I had PM communication with #146 poster at the time and I did see what he had.

At that time, I could see that route for 50K points on screen for Classics (post June 2013)

So, yes that poster had a nice "win".

The same route now is 84,000 points (with HKG-SYD in Y !) in Classics. Yes, with the dreaded exclamation mark.

So, historical comparison does have some limit.

Plus, the examples above are few and far lower (in numbers) than most MASAs bookings reported so far; So they are "exceptions" rather than the rule as I, for one, would love to know that rule.

 

[dfcatch]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

Could we please have an updated STICKY with the current best way to book these?

Ie. the recommended terminology to use and the internal QF memo to refer to?

I missed a few weeks of reading this thread and am struggling to keep up.....

 

[Newk]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

Lol. In the absence of an updated sticky:
Ring the given number (although it doesn't really matter)
Say very very clearly: I want to book an ASA award in U (uniform) class.
The answer at this stage will give you a pointer of what's to come.
If you got a positive reply you are nearly always ok.
If you get a negative or confused reply it's your call whether to hang up or coach. Coaching can include referring to the Q memo or asking for a supervisor.
Always look it up before so you know what flights you want and that there is classic availability. Have an idea in your head from previous bookings or this thread what the cost should be.
When you get the flights you want at close to your predetermined price take them
Be sure to bring the "no phone fee" into the conversation or you might later find it on your statement.
Similarly it might help to clarify change conditions....see up thread.

 

[legroom]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

Lol. In the absence of an updated sticky:
Ring the given number (although it doesn't really matter)
Say very very clearly: I want to book an ASA award in U (uniform) class.
The answer at this stage will give you a pointer of what's to come.
If you got a positive reply you are nearly always ok.
If you get a negative or confused reply it's your call whether to hang up or coach. Coaching can include referring to the Q memo or asking for a supervisor.
Always look it up before so you know what flights you want and that there is classic availability. Have an idea in your head from previous bookings or this thread what the cost should be.
When you get the flights you want at close to your predetermined price take them
Be sure to bring the "no phone fee" into the conversation or you might later find it on your statement.
Similarly it might help to clarify change conditions....see up thread.

Newk,

Mate, that's where you need to spend some time typing more info for the public.

Don't cut & run

 

[Newk]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

Newk,

Mate, that's where you need to spend some time typing more info for the public.

Don't cut & run

LOL!
My most recent call included an unprompted reading of the (correct I think) terms and conditions that said no cancellation or change fee.
But I am aware that even before the change some ASAs had change fees.
Overall I left it unsaid because I'm not really up to speed enough to attempt to answer that bit.
Over to you legroom

 

[serfty]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

Could we please have an updated STICKY with the current best way to book these?
...

Already there:

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program

See:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....t-flyer-program/asa-change-summary-52004.html

 

[Newk]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

LOL!
My most recent call included an unprompted reading of the (correct I think) terms and conditions that said no cancellation or change fee.
But I am aware that even before the change some ASAs had change fees.
Overall I left it unsaid because I'm not really up to speed enough to attempt to answer that bit.
Over to you legroom

And edit to add, as I've been writing to some enquirers recently: read the whole thread(s) and get back to me.
Although I get the need for a sticky true understanding comes from devoting time to reading all the posts. Don't I know it.....the time I "waste" on this site

 

[ketsuzei]

Re: MASA post June 2013

the examples above are few and far lower (in numbers) than most MASAs bookings reported so far; So they are "exceptions" rather than the rule as I, for one, would love to know that rule.

Fine, then feel free to conclude that JASAs will now only be available at point-to-point pricing.

I just think that by repeatedly saying that better-priced awards are no longer available, you're increasing the likelihood of people settling for something sub-optimal or just giving up, which in turn increases the likelihood of cost-efficient JASAs ultimately being abandoned for apparent lack of demand. There's already enough confusion in the post-online-booking world as it is. There's been ample evidence of CSRs incorrectly telling people that cheap JASAs can't be done, so I'm not sure why you want to read so much into what these same CSRs tell you about routing rules, particularly when presented with evidence to the contrary.

Sick of sounding like a broken record, so will now bow out of the thread.

 

[dfcatch]

re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?

Already there:

Qantas Frequent Flyer Program

See:

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....t-flyer-program/asa-change-summary-52004.html

Thanks Serfty - only 499 other threads to catch up on now

 

[Newk]

Re: MASA post June 2013

Fine, then feel free to conclude that JASAs will now only be available at point-to-point pricing.

I just think that by repeatedly saying that better-priced awards are no longer available, you're increasing the likelihood of people settling for something sub-optimal or just giving up, which in turn increases the likelihood of cost-efficient JASAs ultimately being abandoned for apparent lack of demand. There's already enough confusion in the post-online-booking world as it is. There's been ample evidence of CSRs incorrectly telling people that cheap JASAs can't be done, so I'm not sure why you want to read so much into what these same CSRs tell you about routing rules, particularly when presented with evidence to the contrary.

Sick of sounding like a broken record, so will now bow out of the thread.

come back.....we are all on the same page trying to understand this. I have been told the same as legroom and by a very switched on CSO who seemed to know what was going on. At the same I believe other reports. SOOOOOO what we need to know is what is happening here. What we have to do and say to stimulate a pricing that we want.

 

[opusman]

Re: MASA post June 2013

What we have to do and say to stimulate a pricing that we want.

Everyone taking all their business to Virgin might do it

 

[legroom]

Re: MASA post June 2013

Fine, then feel free to conclude that JASAs will now only be available at point-to-point pricing.

I just think that by repeatedly saying that better-priced awards are no longer available, you're increasing the likelihood of people settling for something sub-optimal or just giving up, which in turn increases the likelihood of cost-efficient JASAs ultimately being abandoned for apparent lack of demand. There's already enough confusion in the post-online-booking world as it is. There's been ample evidence of CSRs incorrectly telling people that cheap JASAs can't be done, so I'm not sure why you want to read so much into what these same CSRs tell you about routing rules, particularly when presented with evidence to the contrary.

Sick of sounding like a broken record, so will now bow out of the thread.

There is a difference between "a conclusion" and a healthy scepticism.

With every MASA booking involving a roundabout (4 so far, personally), I always make a point of requesting a match with Classics in points and - with no exception - I was advised in all cases that such a match (let alone a lower value) is not possible.

SYD xMEL ADL
SYD x MEL PER
SYD xMEL x BNE TSV
SYD xMEL LAX

Entirely true that they are very good at being inconsistent with their advice, but in my own series it seems consistently negative.

Do I want to have a MASA with points less than / equal to those of Classics ?

You can bet your house on it that I do.

Now, could we find out why those examples 'succeeded' instead of saying I love the status quo ?


? No direct routing (the HKG CNS example: there is no direct QF flight, only roundabouts)

? Other reasons

 

[JohnPhelan]

Re: MASA post June 2013

With every MASA booking involving a roundabout (4 so far, personally), I always make a point of requesting a match with Classics in points and - with no exception - I was advised in all cases that such a match (let alone a lower value) is not possible.

SYD xMEL ADL
SYD x MEL PER
SYD xMEL x BNE TSV
SYD xMEL LAX

Were you asking about those flights for specific dates? Specific flight numbers?

 

[QFflyermelbourne]

Re: MASA post June 2013

Just had my first experience since the change and my gut is there is definitely a conspiracy here to discourage bookings. At several turns the agent tried to steer me in other directions and feign that he didn't understand what I wanted, but at every stage once I insisted I knew what I was doing so did he. Was very quick and he didn't have to refer to any supervisor. When reading back all the conditions at the end he was spot on with the fare rules and the co-payment seemed about correct to the old system.

This has just made me all the more suspicious....