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

[Deleted User]

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

i have been thinking about these in depth today, I cant really see why they should disappear... Like Virginia in the Melbourne call center said to me last week, there is nothing wrong with booking these xASA (MASA) type fares, we hand over a stack of points, and cash as well, so there should be no problem.

In fact I think for us it is better for Qantas while xASA (MASA) bookings are still available, for us it continues to show value in Qantas points, and we all will go out trying our best to earn more, this in return is good for Qantas since it keeps the points sales churning through. I'm pretty sure that if these were removed, many of us would have little interest in the program, and there would be really only one way we would burn points, upgrades... anything other than this is of little interest to the genuine frequent flyer.

"we hand over points, and cash as well, so all's good.....or should be"

 

[Princess Fiona]

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

Booked my first JASA three days ago and I started the call by saying "I would like to book a Classic Award fare as an Any Seat Award please". The agent knew what I was talking about and I had no issues.

With regards to your itinerary, I am also looking at booking MEL-SYD-ASP return in the future and was under the impression it would be around 48k points + ~$380. I realise you added a stop in CBR so I'm hoping that explains the price difference and that there hasn't been a price increase.

I have also paraphrased this and was successful x 2.
I think the key is whether the agent knows what to do or not.
My first booking was done within a few days of the telephone system going live.
It may be that the "ASA in U class" line is needed to guide the newbies.

Thinking out loud here, are there or were there any instances previously where a classic award was available on a flight but a minimum priced ASA was not showing as available to be booked online?
My vague recollection is that this did happen for certain international routes but not domestic.
And like Alice herself I find this curiouser and curiouser

 

[opusman]

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

I always ring and ask for a Marginal Classic Any Seat Award and if that doesn't work I call back and ask for a Classically Marginal one, surely one of these must work!

 

[Traveller1955]

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

Seeking enough SC to remain WP I followed the script as stated yesterday and after speaking to Cameron at QF I booked a Syd-Bne-Tsv return J class. Only 48K points but higher taxes than classic. Cameron was on the ball. Will earn 200SC for the days flight but still 30 shy before anniversary date 31 December 13. Why oh why can't I get the elusive DSC offer? I think QF should help those nuts like me who get to WP and like it!!!!.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

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

Seeking enough SC to remain WP I followed the script as stated yesterday and after speaking to Cameron at QF I booked a Syd-Bne-Tsv return J class. Only 48K points but higher taxes than classic. Cameron was on the ball. Will earn 200SC for the days flight but still 30 shy before anniversary date 31 December 13. Why oh why can't I get the elusive DSC offer? I think QF should help those nuts like me who get to WP and like it!!!!.

no no no!! the taxes are NOT higher.

the fee qantas slugs you for redeeming an award, or co-payment if you like, is higher for an ASA.

this equates a marginal ASA with a jet star bundle. you pay the extra which off-sets benefits such as lounge access with gold or platinum membership (just paying for qantas club membership indirectly)

 

[Commuter]

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

Does the "call up" cheap xASA method" work for JQ flights, and do they give Status Credits and points, i.e. does it go into the Max bundle fare, or not?

Sorry about the newbie question but I have never tried redeeming for a JQ flight or even to use the ASA for that matter.

 

[serfty]

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

Can you do an ASA on FJ as it is not QF Metal???

Not being on QF metal hasn't always been a issue in the past. See posts #1376 (LA)/#1377 (SA).

Not sure about FJ ...

 

[gizzard]

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

Another poor effort by a CSR for my partner. She tried her first mASA booking using the instructions from AFF and the person she spoke to seemed to know exactly what she was after. However, in the end, she was told that she HAD to use points only and points+pay wasn't an option. She went ahead and booked but wasn't happy about using all of the points that she did. After checking with me she now has to phone back and cancel the booking as she was clearly given bad advice.

 

[Deleted User]

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

Another poor effort by a CSR for my partner. She tried her first mASA booking using the instructions from AFF and the person she spoke to seemed to know exactly what she was after. However, in the end, she was told that she HAD to use points only and points+pay wasn't an option. She went ahead and booked but wasn't happy about using all of the points that she did. After checking with me she now has to phone back and cancel the booking as she was clearly given bad advice.

I suggest a PM to Red Roo with the booking reference might be in order so that the CSA can be correctly informed for next time...

 

[markis10]

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

Not being on QF metal hasn't always been a issue in the past. See posts #1376 (LA)/#1377 (SA).

Not sure about FJ ...

With FJ the awards book into a FJ flight number, so I dont think it would work.

 

[suparockin]

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

Just was quoted -

76,679 points + $311.52 for the following itinerary - SYD - ASP (Alice Spings?) then Economy from ASP to Uluru (no idea what the lingo is for that airport!), then the return all economy.

Seems a bit steep - what say you?

 

[drron]

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

There are classic awards available on FJ with the FJ flight number that are bookable on line.In about 3 weeks I will try our luck with a MASA and report back.

 

[blessed11]

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

Called Qantas Premium Friday arvo. Told operator I wanted to book 2 x LHR-SYD as ASA in P class. At first she said this isn't possible, 2 seconds later she repudiated that comment. Gave her exact details which I research classic availability prior. Put on hold for 3-4min, she came back and asked how many points, told her minimum which should be 384k, to which she confirmed. Taxes was $2,400 compared to $1,900 if booked as classic award. Will help easily cruise to Platinum for another year.

After the success quoted above I called Qantas Premium again this afternoon to book 2 x SYD-BKK in J as an ASA. The operator noted she had only done these new booking types a couple of times before, but we had a great chat whilst she was plugging in the necessary data. Taxes/co-payment came to $800 juxtaposed to $600 if booked as a classic. Quick process and we spent more time chatting about family than making the actual booking.

Still wish online ASAs would come back, though my last two bookings were not tedious at all.

 

[Dalek]

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

Just spoke to Chris to book my favourite CBR - HBA Return JASA in December. He knew exactly what to do, only stumbled at the end when he tried to charge me a booking fee. A quick referral to the ROQ 7740 sorted that out. Referring them to their own reference cards always seems to stun them

Had to take one way via MEL rather than SYD but it will still get me 270SC with my 50% bonus. Good to see this can still be done for 32k points.

I had tried to book one for the first week in December and was puzzled by the lack of availability until I realised there is an AFF meet on in HBA that weekend, no wonder all the JASA's were gone

 

[Isochronous]

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

There are classic awards available on FJ with the FJ flight number that are bookable on line.In about 3 weeks I will try our luck with a MASA and report back.

Might be better to tell them to use the QF codeshare number, which exists on all FJ flights.

 

[AusTraveller]

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

There are classic awards available on FJ with the FJ flight number that are bookable on line.In about 3 weeks I will try our luck with a MASA and report back.

I would definitely be interested in hearing how you go with this one. I tried some time back (not long the website changes) and was told it was not possible and that Qantas never have/had "U" class inventory on the code shares. I'd be happy to hear that information was incorrect.

 

[rogerkambah]

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

Just called 1300 366 587 and said I'd like to book a U class seat CBR-MEL via SYD and direct return to CBR for next Tuesday. I was informed that there would be a booking fee involved, but when I referred to ROQ7740 this was dropped.

However, minimum points usage was stated as 48,000 with a payment of $336.66. I am wondering whether this sounds a bit steep, compared to an online JASA booked in May, CBR-MEL-HBA-SYD-CBR costing 48,000 points and $124.57. The same flights booked as Classic would be 32,000 points and $128.16. I see that Dalek (above) has managed a CBR-HBA return for 32,000 points.

Appreciate thoughts on this please. The booking was to be for Tuesday next week. Would this influence the cost, even though there are classic seats available on the flights? I can be flexible on the date of travel.

 

[greenfish]

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

Just called 1300 366 587 and said I'd like to book a U class seat CBR-MEL via SYD and direct return to CBR for next Tuesday. I was informed that there would be a booking fee involved, but when I referred to ROQ7740 this was dropped.

However, minimum points usage was stated as 48,000 with a payment of $336.66. I am wondering whether this sounds a bit steep, compared to an online JASA booked in May, CBR-MEL-HBA-SYD-CBR costing 48,000 points and $124.57. The same flights booked as Classic would be 32,000 points and $128.16. I see that Dalek (above) has managed a CBR-HBA return for 32,000 points.

Appreciate thoughts on this please. The booking was to be for Tuesday next week. Would this influence the cost, even though there are classic seats available on the flights? I can be flexible on the date of travel.

It may be expensive as there is a direct route available (CBR->MEL), unlike CBR-HBA.

 

[asg29e]

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

Just called 1300 366 587 and said I'd like to book a U class seat CBR-MEL via SYD and direct return to CBR for next Tuesday. I was informed that there would be a booking fee involved, but when I referred to ROQ7740 this was dropped.

However, minimum points usage was stated as 48,000 with a payment of $336.66. I am wondering whether this sounds a bit steep, compared to an online JASA booked in May, CBR-MEL-HBA-SYD-CBR costing 48,000 points and $124.57. The same flights booked as Classic would be 32,000 points and $128.16. I see that Dalek (above) has managed a CBR-HBA return for 32,000 points.

Appreciate thoughts on this please. The booking was to be for Tuesday next week. Would this influence the cost, even though there are classic seats available on the flights? I can be flexible on the date of travel.

rogerkambah, see my post 1371 above. I think it is getting more difficult to get JASAs by indirect routes where a direct route exists. In May you could have got that routing for 32000 points I'm sure, but it looks like they are now charging you 16000 points per sector.

pauly7 (post 1379) has a different view I on this so it is possibly not universal. It may depend on the particular route, or even which CSR you get on the phone.

But these indirect JASAs are certainly harder to get at pre June rates unfortunately.

 

[rogerkambah]

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

Thanks greenfish. This could be the reason.