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

[Newk]

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

Called up to talk this through and the CSR confirmed that there is no guarantee that the seat swill be released back into the U fare bucket. Thankfully there are alternatives I am prepared to book instead, but then up popped yet another QF credit card related, how shall I put it, anomaly!!

The card I used to originally pay the $$$ is now closed and gone, so QF cannot refund to a different credit card without a letter from the bank saying which account is closed and what the new details are or a stat dec from me, witnessed by a JP, saying the same. WTF!!! The former is impossible as the old and new cards are with different banks and, in any case, Woolworths (old card) is not a bank and the latter just seems an unnecessary ball ache. What with this and being double charged, I'm not surprised QF are up the creek without a paddle and with a hungry salty looming!

ah, yes, I had just that discussion with the help desk recently. A stat dec!!!? You've gotta be joking. In the end I've ended up with a credit shell. Now better remind myself to use it
what a PITA it all was

 

[Mr_Orange]

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

ah, yes, I had just that discussion with the help desk recently. A stat dec!!!? You've gotta be joking. In the end I've ended up with a credit shell. Now better remind myself to use it
what a PITA it all was

I asked for a credit as I was going to use it up in the very same phone call rebooking my flights, but the 'fare desk' apparently said 'no, not possible'.

What a joke! I understand the rules about paying by credit card and getting a cash refund (money laundering) but refunding to another credit should not be an issue.

 

[ketsuzei]

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

A couple of questions to the more learned and experience members here from a member who has never before embarked on any xASA booking, but is tempted to:

1. How accurate is FlightStats (FlightStats - Global Flight Tracker, Status Tracking and Airport Information) in its display of available fare buckets? Does anyone have experience with this site, as it seems that you can access seat availability data by fare bucket for free, whereas the data on expert flyer is available only with a premium subscription.

2. What is ROQ7740 and what does it say/what purpose does it serve to the customer service rep? Do I need to know/understand what this means?

3. I have never phoned to book an xASA before, but I am tempted to do some January status runs with the combination of the current dom DSC offer, and a few hundred thousand points that I have in my account with no real intended purpose as yet. Is it really as simple as it seems to be portrayed by peoples comments on this site i.e.
- Check the QF website to see if a classic award is available (or check expert flyer or flightstats for available U class fare buckets for a JASA) on one of these often mentioned good quality status runs
- Call the phone number, and ask for a price on that flight, in that fare bucket. Mention ROQ7740 if the CSR is unsure
- Get a quote in points/point plus dollars for the fare, which should be attractive if U is available (for a JASA)
- Confirm that it is an Any Seat Award and NOT a Classic Award to ensure points and SC earn
- If I'm happy with the price, accept it and book. No "phone assisted" booking fees to apply
- thats it.....

Is it really that simple?

4. Are the CSR's helpful in finding a competitively priced itinerary or do they just operate based on what I will tell them i.e. If I call and I say I want to do a a couple of MEL-SYD-ASP return flights to convert QFF points into SC's, and I am completely flexible with dates in January, will they do a bit of hunting around for me on the system to find days/flights that are available at a competitive points price to then present to me, or do I have to do the hunting around (somehow) and present the CSR with what I want (dates, flight numbers etc) and then hope that I have fluked it and got the flights right that coincides with a good price?

Apologies for what are no doubt novice questions. I just don't want to call up and screw everything up for myself by doing the wrong thing, or saying the wrong things to the CSR's.

Many thanks in advance though for the assistance in response.

Assuming you already know where you want to fly, this is what I do:

1. Use prior knowledge or the spreadsheet to know what the route in question should cost in terms of cost and co-pay. Or ask here first.
2. Use the QF website to make sure of classic availability for the dates you want.
3. Call.
4. "Hi, I'd like to book an Any Seat Award in the U fare bucket".
5. Give the specific flight numbers you looked up in 2.
6. Be prepared to say how much you want to pay in points, then check that the price matches what you expect.
7. If it doesn't match what you expect, say so. If it does, you probably have a mASA.
8. If still uncomfortable, say thanks and try again later.
9. Check your Activity Statement for the magic words "ANY SEAT AWARD" when your points are deducted.
10. Look out for a 3,500 points deduction around the same time.
11. Call back if 9 doesn't apply or 10 does.

 

[smarty11]

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

I asked for a credit as I was going to use it up in the very same phone call rebooking my flights, but the 'fare desk' apparently said 'no, not possible'.

What a joke! I understand the rules about paying by credit card and getting a cash refund (money laundering) but refunding to another credit should not be an issue.

I have had the same issue a little while ago. It was an Amex which I no longer had and no other Amex. Called Amex up explained to them the situation. They said no problem let QF issue the refund and when the money is in they will issue a cheque. Which they did promptly. No issues at all.

 

[Newk]

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

I have had the same issue a little while ago. It was an Amex which I no longer had and no other Amex. Called Amex up explained to them the situation. They said no problem let QF issue the refund and when the money is in they will issue a cheque. Which they did promptly. No issues at all.

wow, great idea. Thanks. Hopefully the situation never arises again for me but if it does this is a great idea. Likely to help others too

 

[JessicaTam]

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

JessicaTam, you are one of the members here who actually make it sound (to me anyway) as being relatively simple - if you can get the stars to line up magically for you. So, perhaps you have been subconsciously reprogrammed to accept this new way and work within its complications.

Whilst this is the 'new world order' and I may have accommodated myself to it, it is hardly simple. Your lengthy post I quoted a part of is testament to that. Booking a JASA online was significantly easier.

 

[Ansett]

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

Just when I thought it was getting better it comes back and bites me Grrrrrrrrrrr. Rang and Booked JASA for Mrs Ansett MEL-SYD-ASP return all was good with the points and the co payment however, just cheked MMB and low and behold instead of going up and coming back on the same day theyve booked her up on the Saturday then back on the Sunday and no availability now to book same day return on any weekend in January...... NOT HAPPY JAN


Just tried to PM Red Roo and cant even do that as mail box is full Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Think Happy Thoughts

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

I asked for a credit as I was going to use it up in the very same phone call rebooking my flights, but the 'fare desk' apparently said 'no, not possible'.

What a joke! I understand the rules about paying by credit card and getting a cash refund (money laundering) but refunding to another credit should not be an issue.

Just when I thought it was getting better it comes back and bites me Grrrrrrrrrrr. Rang and Booked JASA for Mrs Ansett MEL-SYD-ASP return all was good with the points and the co payment however, just cheked MMB and low and behold instead of going up and coming back on the same day theyve booked her up on the Saturday then back on the Sunday and no availability now to book same day return on any weekend in January...... NOT HAPPY JAN


Just tried to PM Red Roo and cant even do that as mail box is full Grrrrrrrrrrrr

Think Happy Thoughts

Doubletree alice is quite cheap

 

[rogerkambah]

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

My latest debacle shows up on my activity statement as:

[TABLE="class: basic, width: 760"]
[TR="class: underline1 alt"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]25 NOV 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]QANTAS & JETSTAR ANY SEAT AWARD 1 ADT REF 8HRBDA[/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-32,000[/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

while the flights flown are thus:

[TABLE="class: basic, width: 760"]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD]04 DEC 13[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]QF 779 BUSINESS 03DEC13 SYDNEY/CANBERRA (CLASSIC AWARD FLIGHT) BOOKING REF 8HRBDA[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1 alt"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]04 DEC 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9, align: left"]QF 862 BUSINESS 03DEC13 SYDNEY/GOLD COAST (CLASSIC AWARD FLIGHT) BOOKING REF 8HRBDA[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD][/TD]
[TD][/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures"][/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures"][/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures"][/TD]
[TD="class: figures"][/TD]
[TD="class: noFigures"][/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1 alt"]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]04 DEC 13[/TD]
[TD="bgcolor: #F9F9F9, align: left"]QF 863 BUSINESS 03DEC13 GOLD COAST/SYDNEY (CLASSIC AWARD FLIGHT) BOOKING REF 8HRBDA[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: figures, bgcolor: #F9F9F9"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: underline1"]
[TD]03 DEC 13[/TD]
[TD="align: left"]QF 704 BUSINESS 03DEC13 CANBERRA/SYDNEY (CLASSIC AWARD FLIGHT) BOOKING REF 8HRBDA[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]-[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]0[/TD]
[TD="class: figures"]0[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

So even when one may think an xASA has been booked, the whole thing reverted to a classic award. Two CSRs had a go at this, with input from Red Roo. What confidence can we have in the CSR process.

The online system worked well. Why fix something if it ain't broke? (I know this doesn't apply to a/c maintenance).

Having sent a PM to Red Roo more than 48 hours ago and heard nothing (although RR could have been busy as others have noted inbox was full), decided to call the 1300 number and to have the problem fixed. The CSR looked at my account and agreed that pts and SCs should have been awarded. Put on hold for 2-3 mins while talked to the 'service centre'. Came back and informed me that this type of problem is normally fixed in 4-6 weeks. I expressed my disbelief at this time period and explained that my status year expired at the end of the month and was concerned about the situation, with SC not being credited before the expiry. My DSC period also expires then and I need the DSC credit to advance to Platinum. CSR then ventured the problem may be fixed within the week. Said I'd give it a week.

Its just not good enough. All this hassle could be avoided if ASAs were still available online.

 

[serfty]

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

...
Came back and informed me that this type of problem is normally fixed in 4-6 weeks. ...

The agent is being lazy - they can fix this on the spot if they can be bothered.

Perfect HUACA situation ...

 

[Princess Fiona]

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

The agent is being lazy - they can fix this on the spot if they can be bothered.

Perfect HUACA situation ...

Correct
I had one fixed up immediately on the telephone.
I also think based on my own sample of n=4 that there are now problems with the crediting of JASAs.
Prior to the new booking engine, and presumed upgrade of the back end myself and Shrek had no JASA's post incorrectly. Since then 4/6 have posted as Classic Awards with zero points and SC's. :evil:

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

Correct
I had one fixed up immediately on the telephone.
I also think based on my own sample of n=4 that there are now problems with the crediting of JASAs.
Prior to the new booking engine, and presumed upgrade of the back end myself and Shrek had no JASA's post incorrectly. Since then 4/6 have posted as Classic Awards with zero points and SC's. :evil:

with a gazillion new bookings because of double SC I imagine this will cause quite a few headaches and dozens of phone calls if it's not sorted soon.

On the upside surely this forum's mass cash injection from JASA during these next 2 months will save the airline?

 

[Mr_Orange]

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

Called up to talk this through and the CSR confirmed that there is no guarantee that the seat swill be released back into the U fare bucket. Thankfully there are alternatives I am prepared to book instead, but then up popped yet another QF credit card related, how shall I put it, anomaly!!

The card I used to originally pay the $$$ is now closed and gone, so QF cannot refund to a different credit card without a letter from the bank saying which account is closed and what the new details are or a stat dec from me, witnessed by a JP, saying the same. WTF!!! The former is impossible as the old and new cards are with different banks and, in any case, Woolworths (old card) is not a bank and the latter just seems an unnecessary ball ache. What with this and being double charged, I'm not surprised QF are up the creek without a paddle and with a hungry salty looming!

Well, they have accepted my stat dec, or at least the second one because the first wasn't quite right apparently despite me wording it as advised. The full points have been credited back to my account for the cancelled JASA and hopefully the $$$ refund will go through next week.

Replacement JASA has been booked for the exact same points and $$$, but now it qualifies for the DSC , so that's a nice 240SC haul.

 

[fresherbill]

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

Month booked | Month travelled | Cabin | Route | Points cost | Co-pay* | Classic co-pay~ | Max points cost~ | SCs earned
DEC 13 | JAN 13 | J | BNE-MEL-PER-KTA-PER-SYD-BNE | 72,000 | $598.67 + $7 | $222.68 | ?? | 380

I might have rejoiced too soon! My 72,000 point JASA ended up on my statement as 136,119 points, with a little @ indicating "Points deduction is inclusive of applicable surcharges, fees and taxes (including fuel and insurance surcharges)". Weirdly, my credit card has been charged the quoted co-payment amount as well.

Called up and was told it's definitely a mistake, and the issue will be referred to the Frequent Flyer department for fixing.

The saga continues...

 

[DC3]

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

I might have rejoiced too soon! My 72,000 point JASA ended up on my statement as 136,119 points, with a little @ indicating "Points deduction is inclusive of applicable surcharges, fees and taxes (including fuel and insurance surcharges)". Weirdly, my credit card has been charged the quoted co-payment amount as well.

When will these bookings go back on-line? :evil:

 

[k_sheep]

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

Silly question ... I booked one today, the right number of points deducted, and the $$ copayment was more than double for classic award (so sounds right for an ASA) .... shows up as U class in MBB, but just says "Award" on the booking receipt? Have I actually managed an ASA, or have I got some screwy classic award? Just a bit paranoid ...

 

[GalaxyNexus]

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

What does it say on your activity statement?

 

[Aussie_flyer]

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

Silly question ... I booked one today, the right number of points deducted, and the $$ copayment was more than double for classic award (so sounds right for an ASA) .... shows up as U class in MBB, but just says "Award" on the booking receipt? Have I actually managed an ASA, or have I got some screwy classic award? Just a bit paranoid ...

What does your online activity statement say? nowadays they don't mention anyseat on the e-ticket receipt

 

[medhead]

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

When will these bookings go back on-line? :evil:

Never IMO.

 

[Robbi]

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

RANDOM QUESTION
I am wanting to take advantage of the 100% bonus FF european promotion, but the conditions say I have to fly to a QF destination in EU, Lisbon is not a QF destination, but I will fly via London which is. Would that count, or is my destination where I get off my last plane?