Lower fees with multi city Qantas

[Rich]

Is this normal? I have booked flights MEL to SIN return, coming back via SYD on BA. Searching for a return trip result in fees of $1066 for 2. However putting the same flights in as multi-city resulted in a $180 saving. Screenshots below for similar dates and flights. It seems BA wants (i.e. based on Other Carrier Charges) an extra $90 each for putting us on the onward QF flight to MEL. Fortunately we found the cheaper method before booking.
Actually, why are there 2 lots of other carrier charges in both cases, for only 1 leg with another carrier.

Return:


Multi:

 

[madrooster]

The multi city tool is charging you correctly.

For point of commencement Australia, the QF YQ for AU-SIN and vice versa in Y is 45 AUD and the QF YQ for AU domestic/trans tasman J or Y is 14 AUD, so the 59 AUD YQ shown for QF is correct.

The BA YQ for SYD-SIN in W or Y and vice versa is 135 AUD, however the F/J YQ is 245 AUD. So for some reason the main booking engine thinks the BA YQ should be charged as the J YQ (presumably based on the SYD-MEL being in J) when the BA segment is in W.

An interesting find. I'll investigate next week...

 

[Rich]

The multi city tool is charging you correctly.

For point of commencement Australia, the QF YQ for AU-SIN and vice versa in Y is 45 AUD and the QF YQ for AU domestic/trans tasman J or Y is 14 AUD, so the 59 AUD YQ shown for QF is correct.

The BA YQ for SYD-SIN in W or Y and vice versa is 135 AUD, however the F/J YQ is 245 AUD. So for some reason the main booking engine thinks the BA YQ should be charged as the J YQ (presumably based on the SYD-MEL being in J) when the BA segment is in W.

An interesting find. I'll investigate next week...

Thanks madrooster.
As a side note (and I am having trouble finding the same fares to post screenshots), selecting the return fare method, it gave a warning "your flight from SYD to MEL will be in business" (edit: I can see that on the screenshot I did post) and when I tried the multi-city but with SYD to MEL in Y the booking fell over (after entering passenger details). It seems insistent that we go J on that leg.

 

[madrooster]

when I tried the multi-city but with SYD to MEL in Y the booking fell over (after entering passenger details). It seems insistent that we go J on that leg.

A common problem... QF regularly blocks connections between BA and QF domestic both on commercial and awards. You can do the SYD-MEL in Y, but it has to be done over the phone.

 

[Rich]

A common problem... QF regularly blocks connections between BA and QF domestic both on commercial and awards. You can do the SYD-MEL in Y, but it has to be done over the phone.

There's something I can't be bothered with. J is a bit of a waste of points for that short leg in my opinion, but we'll try the J lounge over QP on this occasion rather than get on the phone with Qantas. I would have liked J on the overnight leg from SIN but you get what you can on short notice. (Who says you can only get reward flights a year out though?)

 

[Hampton Mike]

(Who says you can only get reward flights a year out though?)

People who don’t know the system, or who like to selectively present information to back up their jumping in on the QF pile-on

 

[MaudedAnvers]

Thanks madrooster.
As a side note (and I am having trouble finding the same fares to post screenshots), selecting the return fare method, it gave a warning "your flight from SYD to MEL will be in business" (edit: I can see that on the screenshot I did post) and when I tried the multi-city but with SYD to MEL in Y the booking fell over (after entering passenger details). It seems insistent that we go J on that leg.

Have you done this directly on the airline website? I'd be curious to know how much would it quote on sites such as trip.com for your same flights and itinerary (of course you would need to go on to filters and select QF/BA only) I have a feeling it would be even cheaper...

 

[Rich]

Have you done this directly on the airline website? I'd be curious to know how much would it quote on sites such as trip.com for your same flights and itinerary (of course you would need to go on to filters and select QF/BA only) I have a feeling it would be even cheaper...

Yes I did this on the QF site. It was a points booking. I didn't look at other sites.

 

[madrooster]

The verdict on this issue is, it's specific to the QF website newer booking engine. The website is making the assumption that BA P class (W award) is first class and therefore it is forcing the first class taxes/fuel fines on the W award. QF uses P class for F awards... so it's obvious where the assumption came from.

The contact centres have no issue pricing it correctly.

 

[Rich]

@madrooster does this mean that the multi city charges are correct or are both methods over charging?

 

[madrooster]

@madrooster does this mean that the multi city charges are correct or are both methods over charging?

As I stated previously, the lower 135 AUD fuel fine charged by the multi city tool is correct for a W award.

 

[Vic]

. (Who says you can only get reward flights a year out though?)

LOL
You got international economy awards less than a year in advance. Well done.
That's very easy, I even got 3x economy and return premium to LAX 6 months in advance.

Talk to us when you get business awards, young padawan.

People who don’t know the system, or who like to selectively present information to back up their jumping in on the QF pile-on

Well the fact that I got multiple business awards to europe last year using virgin australia versus NOTHING on qantas disproves your theory. Even better my virgin points got me business on Qatar, a Qantas oneworld partner. Yet NOTHING with my qantas point.

Methinks the lady doth protest too much...

 

[Rich]

Talk to us when you get business awards, young padawan

I was referring to general reports in the media where such claims are made without reference to class.

Well the fact that I got multiple business awards to europe last year using virgin australia versus NOTHING on qantas disproves your theory. Even better my virgin points got me business on Qatar, a Qantas oneworld partner. Yet NOTHING with my qantas point.

That's everything to do with how Qatar release seats, not Qantas. And you prove the point of @Hampton Mike with your selective example.
After that comment you should be careful who you call padawan.

If you have a beef with Qantas, take it up with them.

 

[Vic]

I was referring to general reports in the media where such claims are made without reference to class.

I was referencing the experiences reported here. You'll be happy to know I found awards from Qantas flying Qatar today In economy! with $800 co-pay each way! This is for the end of February. I'd rather pay money and earn Avios...

That's everything to do with how Qatar release seats, not Qantas. And you prove the point of @Hampton Mike with your selective example.
After that comment you should be careful who you call padawan.

Not sure how you make that claim, care to outline your reasoning? I do know how the system works, so that part of @Hampton Mike point doesn't apply. In the example I provided I spent weeks searching using multiple means and options with Qantas - e.g. multi-city, via the USA or Asia etc. and highly flexible +/- 2 weeks. Absolutely ZERO premium awards with Qantas.
Virgin - Multiple business class options on multiple airlines.
Does how Qatar release seats impact SQ or EY?

You think I've proved his point, I disagree.

If you have a beef with Qantas, take it up with them.

Well actually, I have a beef with the Qantas cheer squad. Hence taking it up with those praising Qantas, with claims about general reports about finding awards.
Otherwise, for my flying, I just change how I spend my money. I got that under control. Thanks for your concern.

 

[Rich]

I was referencing the experiences reported here

Actually you were responding to me and I was referencing general media comments where people say you can only get flights 12 months out (whether I was clear or not).
Don't forget I stated that I would like to have found J flights but at short notice I'll take what I can get (Y there, Y+ back). That was actually an acknowledgement that things aren't ideal, not being in a cheer squad. You want to interpretet it a certain way for whatever reason.

Not sure how you make that claim, care to outline your reasoning?

I was responding to your point that you could book Qatar through Velocity but not QF. The rift between Qatar and Qantas has been widely discussed on these forums.

Well actually, I have a beef with the Qantas cheer squad. Hence taking it up with those praising Qantas,

Again, stating that you can get flights a few months out (and someone else agreeing) is not being in a cheersquad. I wasn't even praising QF, just stating that it is not as bad as sometimes reported. That doesn't mean I am saying it is good.