Has anyone had success with the call-up "Marginal" xASA's?
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
This has been covered both in this thread and the sticky.
Ask for an Anyseat Award booked in the classic award inventory in fare bucket U for uniform (Business) or P for papa (First)
If they don't know what they are doing or question waiving the booking fee, refer them to the cheat sheet "Right on Q 7740"
I had to cancel a domestic JASA on Friday that had been booked for October and wanted to rebook it for an international JASA to either SIN or HKG. Got a brilliant consultant, extremely helpful, named Deama down in Hobart (You listening red roo? Big thumbs up to her) who knew straight away what I wanted and how to do it. During the call the line dropped out while I was on hold and Deama rang me straight back on my mobile recorded in my profile to complete the call, even though I hadn't given it to her. I couldn't complete the rebooking that night as I had to check some dates, but she was extremely helpful in trying to assist me to get the best routing and the best price in points/co-payment.
Ring back Saturday and got another consultant. Went through the entire booking process and had the times, dates and flight details ready when I called so it was all reasonably smooth until the consultant insisted there was a booking fee applicable. I politely told her that was incorrect and referred her to "Right on Cue 7740" She indicated I was wrong, and she would check with her supervisor. I politely said "Please do, I'll wait" If I was uncharitable I would say she then hung up on me, but let's give her the benefit of the doubt and say the line dropped out immediately. Regardless I didn't get a call back.
Yesterday, I tried again. Got a consultant who was polite and helpful but didn't know the ins and outs of how to book a JASA in the classic award bucket. Referred her to the Right on Q 7740 and she was appreciative, indicating she hadn't seen the card before, would be reading up on it and expressed surprise that a customer would know about it when half the staff wouldn't have seen it. Booked the flight and all was good....or so I thought.
Got an email today saying there was a problem with the credit card and unless it was sorted within 24 hours the booking would be cancelled. Huh? Check my card, the co payment has been taken out by Qantas so I ring them and ask what the problem is. Qantas tells me the payment hasn't been released by the financial institution. Ring the bank and they tell me the payment was authorised at the time of the booking but Qantas then tried 3 times after the payment had been authorised to draw the co payment again, even though the payment went through the first time. Fortunately, that would have tipped the card overlimit so payments 2,3 and 4 were knocked back, hence the email. Ring back Qantas and quote them the authorisation number. The consultant admits there is a problem with the system where it sometimes tries to take multiple payments (as in this case) He is currently trying to sort it out from their end.
Sigh, life was much simpler pre-26 June 2013, not to mention the amount of time it now takes playing the consultant lucky dip and getting one who is au fait with booking cheap xASAs.
This has been covered both in this thread and the sticky.
Ask for an Anyseat Award booked in the classic award inventory in fare bucket U for uniform (Business) or P for papa (First)
If they don't know what they are doing or question waiving the booking fee, refer them to the cheat sheet "Right on Q 7740"
I had to cancel a domestic JASA on Friday that had been booked for October and wanted to rebook it for an international JASA to either SIN or HKG. Got a brilliant consultant, extremely helpful, named Deama down in Hobart (You listening red roo? Big thumbs up to her) who knew straight away what I wanted and how to do it. During the call the line dropped out while I was on hold and Deama rang me straight back on my mobile recorded in my profile to complete the call, even though I hadn't given it to her. I couldn't complete the rebooking that night as I had to check some dates, but she was extremely helpful in trying to assist me to get the best routing and the best price in points/co-payment.
Ring back Saturday and got another consultant. Went through the entire booking process and had the times, dates and flight details ready when I called so it was all reasonably smooth until the consultant insisted there was a booking fee applicable. I politely told her that was incorrect and referred her to "Right on Cue 7740" She indicated I was wrong, and she would check with her supervisor. I politely said "Please do, I'll wait" If I was uncharitable I would say she then hung up on me, but let's give her the benefit of the doubt and say the line dropped out immediately. Regardless I didn't get a call back.
Yesterday, I tried again. Got a consultant who was polite and helpful but didn't know the ins and outs of how to book a JASA in the classic award bucket. Referred her to the Right on Q 7740 and she was appreciative, indicating she hadn't seen the card before, would be reading up on it and expressed surprise that a customer would know about it when half the staff wouldn't have seen it. Booked the flight and all was good....or so I thought.
Got an email today saying there was a problem with the credit card and unless it was sorted within 24 hours the booking would be cancelled. Huh? Check my card, the co payment has been taken out by Qantas so I ring them and ask what the problem is. Qantas tells me the payment hasn't been released by the financial institution. Ring the bank and they tell me the payment was authorised at the time of the booking but Qantas then tried 3 times after the payment had been authorised to draw the co payment again, even though the payment went through the first time. Fortunately, that would have tipped the card overlimit so payments 2,3 and 4 were knocked back, hence the email. Ring back Qantas and quote them the authorisation number. The consultant admits there is a problem with the system where it sometimes tries to take multiple payments (as in this case) He is currently trying to sort it out from their end.
Sigh, life was much simpler pre-26 June 2013, not to mention the amount of time it now takes playing the consultant lucky dip and getting one who is au fait with booking cheap xASAs.
Last edited:
D
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
I spoke to Dema on Thursday. .. possibly one of the most competent CSA's I have ever spoken too at qantas.
If you call and get to speak to her you are going to have a good result. Wile you are talking to her please pass om my regards...
Shintaro10x
I spoke to Dema on Thursday. .. possibly one of the most competent CSA's I have ever spoken too at qantas.
If you call and get to speak to her you are going to have a good result. Wile you are talking to her please pass om my regards...
Shintaro10x
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
I don't see how it's double dipping. Two examples:
A Classic award flight in J SYD-MEL-SIN-BNE-SYD will cost you 120k points and $618 co-payment. The same flight as a MASA will cost you 120k points and $1008 co payment.
A Classic award flight in F SYD-HKG-SYD will cost you 180k points and $360 co-payment. The same flight as a MASA will cost you 180k points and $718 co payment.
As I see it, you are paying a premium to earn SC and points. The "double dipping" claim is only valid if we were paying the same co-payment as a classic award in my view.
I don't see how it's double dipping. Two examples:
A Classic award flight in J SYD-MEL-SIN-BNE-SYD will cost you 120k points and $618 co-payment. The same flight as a MASA will cost you 120k points and $1008 co payment.
A Classic award flight in F SYD-HKG-SYD will cost you 180k points and $360 co-payment. The same flight as a MASA will cost you 180k points and $718 co payment.
As I see it, you are paying a premium to earn SC and points. The "double dipping" claim is only valid if we were paying the same co-payment as a classic award in my view.
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Is it possible to place a call and request a CSA by name ?
Is it possible to place a call and request a CSA by name ?
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Not too shabby for 320SCs. Or 640 if you have a DSC offer.
I agree wholly.
Not too shabby for 320SCs. Or 640 if you have a DSC offer.
I agree wholly.
sumthinfornuthin
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
More than likely independantly wealthy and just works so she can afford to pay for the French groomer for her pedigree poodle ?????????
Irritated :?: Is she a Qantas big wig filling in at the call centre
More than likely independantly wealthy and just works so she can afford to pay for the French groomer for her pedigree poodle ?????????
opusman
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
By way of comparison, a JQ Business Max bundle SYD-HNL-SYD is $400 on top of whatever the flight costs, and earns 280 SCs.
That's why I find the talk on here of "double-dipping" and "rorting the system" hard to square with reality. Qantas/JQ themselves have put a price on earning points/SCs by offering the Business Max bundle, and it seems like the premium for a UASA is pretty much equivalent to that.
By way of comparison, a JQ Business Max bundle SYD-HNL-SYD is $400 on top of whatever the flight costs, and earns 280 SCs.
That's why I find the talk on here of "double-dipping" and "rorting the system" hard to square with reality. Qantas/JQ themselves have put a price on earning points/SCs by offering the Business Max bundle, and it seems like the premium for a UASA is pretty much equivalent to that.
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Yes, not too bad except a similar route with an extra leg thrown in (SYD-BNE-SIN-BNE-MEL-SYD) booked in July for travel in November cost me 120k points & $1072 co payment for 380 SC. 60 extra SC for $64 more and will tip me into Platinum.
Yes, not too bad except a similar route with an extra leg thrown in (SYD-BNE-SIN-BNE-MEL-SYD) booked in July for travel in November cost me 120k points & $1072 co payment for 380 SC. 60 extra SC for $64 more and will tip me into Platinum.
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Not really. Your call could be routed to a call centre in a different state and if the CSA is in domestic they apparently can't book an international flight and vice versa. I'm guessing their system is set up to send your call to the first available operator and that's that.
Not really. Your call could be routed to a call centre in a different state and if the CSA is in domestic they apparently can't book an international flight and vice versa. I'm guessing their system is set up to send your call to the first available operator and that's that.
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
I think you're onto something there. I've noticed the co-payment difference seems to be about $400 more than the co-payment on the equivalent classic award on a return fare, which equates to $200 each way in J. What's a max bundle worth, around $225 each way?
One reason I rarely fly Jetstar is that the difference in fares is not all that great once you add on the max bundle, especially if you're buying the Qantas fare during a sale.
I think you're onto something there. I've noticed the co-payment difference seems to be about $400 more than the co-payment on the equivalent classic award on a return fare, which equates to $200 each way in J. What's a max bundle worth, around $225 each way?
One reason I rarely fly Jetstar is that the difference in fares is not all that great once you add on the max bundle, especially if you're buying the Qantas fare during a sale.
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
I don't think the call centre people at these training seminars necessarily get treated with a whole lot more respect than QFF customers.
The "double dipping" / pricing argument is just nonsense. There was already one hike in co-payments earlier in the year (or perhaps late last year, I forget), so it's clear that they could keep repricing to the "right" level if they wanted to. And my contact within QF has made it perfectly clear that she was privy to considerable discussion as to the premium that should be paid for SCs. Seriously, how could it all have happened accidentally? It was a well thought-through process.
I want to trust the recent reassurances that RASAs (real ASAs) aren't going away to the greatest extent possible, but I really no longer have any idea what's going on, and my contact also appears thoroughly disillusioned. The most innocent explanation is incompetence at a level I just don't consider acceptable for a company of that size. And the less innocent explanation is even more annoying.
I don't think the call centre people at these training seminars necessarily get treated with a whole lot more respect than QFF customers.
The "double dipping" / pricing argument is just nonsense. There was already one hike in co-payments earlier in the year (or perhaps late last year, I forget), so it's clear that they could keep repricing to the "right" level if they wanted to. And my contact within QF has made it perfectly clear that she was privy to considerable discussion as to the premium that should be paid for SCs. Seriously, how could it all have happened accidentally? It was a well thought-through process.
I want to trust the recent reassurances that RASAs (real ASAs) aren't going away to the greatest extent possible, but I really no longer have any idea what's going on, and my contact also appears thoroughly disillusioned. The most innocent explanation is incompetence at a level I just don't consider acceptable for a company of that size. And the less innocent explanation is even more annoying.
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Limewood
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Hit the nail on the head but as usual Qantas are not listening.
Hit the nail on the head but as usual Qantas are not listening.
medhead
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
A report on trying to change a cheap ASA at the last minute. Thursday nights JASA booked for 24k+$154. Last minute important meeting on Friday, J available for $880 total, and an additional payment of $564. Therefore 24k points are valued at $162 or 0.675 cpp.
Return flexi on Friday with VA, $590 with no hotel required. Ended up booking flights on VA for $300 + 18500 points in Flexi and J. A more realistic value for my existing J fare would have seen QF pick up another $350.
A report on trying to change a cheap ASA at the last minute. Thursday nights JASA booked for 24k+$154. Last minute important meeting on Friday, J available for $880 total, and an additional payment of $564. Therefore 24k points are valued at $162 or 0.675 cpp.
Return flexi on Friday with VA, $590 with no hotel required. Ended up booking flights on VA for $300 + 18500 points in Flexi and J. A more realistic value for my existing J fare would have seen QF pick up another $350.
opusman
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Was there no U inventory available at the new time? Changes to UASAs should be free if there is classic award inventory available.
Was there no U inventory available at the new time? Changes to UASAs should be free if there is classic award inventory available.
re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
Hi all,
Just wanted to add my experience with the call centre and these marginal ASAs.
I rang up to ask to book an ASA in the U booking class and, as many others had experienced, was told that call centre staff now cannot do ASAs any more. It has to be all done on the website now since they upgraded the online booking system. She seemed quite adamant so I thanked her for her time and ended the call.
I then tried again later and got the same response. I told this second person to please look up the Right on Q number 7740 and the relevant page on the website saying ASA's in U class can only be booked through the call centre, and after studying the reference card the penny dropped. She seemed really confused and lacking any knowledge about this process, confusing these ASAs with points plus pay.
But once she got over that she did manage to price LST-MEL-SYD-OOL in U class (with LST-MEL in X class) at 32,000 points + $238, compared with the classic award rate of 24,000 + $94.
Echoing the comments of others here, the process is now far more difficult via the call centre and, from my perspective, leads to a lot of frustration when trying to make a booking.
ps. just wondering if someone with more expertise in this area can tell me if ASA price looks fair or is a little bit on the high side? Cheers
Hi all,
Just wanted to add my experience with the call centre and these marginal ASAs.
I rang up to ask to book an ASA in the U booking class and, as many others had experienced, was told that call centre staff now cannot do ASAs any more. It has to be all done on the website now since they upgraded the online booking system. She seemed quite adamant so I thanked her for her time and ended the call.
I then tried again later and got the same response. I told this second person to please look up the Right on Q number 7740 and the relevant page on the website saying ASA's in U class can only be booked through the call centre, and after studying the reference card the penny dropped. She seemed really confused and lacking any knowledge about this process, confusing these ASAs with points plus pay.
But once she got over that she did manage to price LST-MEL-SYD-OOL in U class (with LST-MEL in X class) at 32,000 points + $238, compared with the classic award rate of 24,000 + $94.
Echoing the comments of others here, the process is now far more difficult via the call centre and, from my perspective, leads to a lot of frustration when trying to make a booking.
ps. just wondering if someone with more expertise in this area can tell me if ASA price looks fair or is a little bit on the high side? Cheers
D
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re: Has anyone had success with the call-up method for "Marginal" xASA's?
I was told that most CSA's do what they call a "Single Simple Search" which is NOT what you want when booking an xASA. What you need to ask for is an Any Seat Award booked into "U" inventory and that this can only be done with a phone call...and will earn SC & QFF
I was told that most CSA's do what they call a "Single Simple Search" which is NOT what you want when booking an xASA. What you need to ask for is an Any Seat Award booked into "U" inventory and that this can only be done with a phone call...and will earn SC & QFF
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