Malaysia Airlines to join Oneworld alliance

[k3nnis]

Looks like QF and MH are not friends!

 

[oz_mark]

Odd. I wonder what sort of limitation that would be.

 

[markis10]

Looks like QF and MH are not friends!

Maybe not, at least the MH systems are talking to QF, just did an online booking with MH and it picked up status!

KUL-LGK, LGK-KUL [TABLE="class: details"]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"] Qantas Frequent Flyer[/TD]
[TD="class: colDetailDescr"] QF0000904
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"]Frequent Flyer Tier[/TD]
[TD] Emerald[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"]Ticket Number[/TD]
[TD="class: colDetailDescr"] 2322421123456
[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"]Seat[/TD]
[TD="class: colDetailDescr"] [TABLE="class: seatsDescr"]
[TR]
[TD] KUL-LGK
1F
[/TD]
[TD] LGK-KUL
1F
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[Isochronous]

I just spoke to QF about this. The agent put me on hold to investigate because he thought KUL was loaded as an award destination. He returned to say that due to "system limitations" KUL would never appear in the list and they do not have authority to waive the phone booking fee.

Wow.

I'd be writing QF a formal letter about this and notifying Red Roo. That's very poor on their behalf.

 

[Danger]

I'd be writing QF a formal letter about this and notifying Red Roo. That's very poor on their behalf.

As far as I can tell (and as I noted to the phone agent), KUL is the only hub of a oneworld carrier not included in the desintations.

 

[JohnK]

The main loser in the FF programs are the people who remain loyal to a particular airline at all cost due to their FF membership. Leaving these people unable to take advantage of good deals that are outside of their chosen sphere of airline travel. They will use all sorts of excuses to justify this of course.

And I think that comment was meant for me?

Sometimes I think I do the right thing by being loyal and taking advantage of the generosity of the QFF program. But sometimes I also fall into my own traps....

 

[PineappleSkip]

Odd. I wonder what sort of limitation that would be.

Not sure its any spat. 'System limitations' sounds very plausible. MH's IT systems have limitations galore.

Cheers skip

 

[defurax]

But apparently LAN is working hard to make their IT compatible to MH IT or something like that....There is a weird disclaimer on OW website about LAN and MH being unable to offer OW benefits to each other FF until April 1st.

 

[Awesom Andy]

Odd. I wonder what sort of limitation that would be.

When you can offer flights to tiny obscure destinations half-way around the world, but not the major hub of a supposed partner, the limitation is most likely the lack of will.

 

[pagingjoan]

Maybe not, at least the MH systems are talking to QF, just did an online booking with MH and it picked up status!

KUL-LGK, LGK-KUL [TABLE="class: details"]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"] Qantas Frequent Flyer[/TD]
[TD="class: colDetailDescr"] QF0000904[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"]Frequent Flyer Tier[/TD]
[TD] Emerald[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"]Ticket Number[/TD]
[TD="class: colDetailDescr"] 2322421123456[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD="class: colDetailName"]Seat[/TD]
[TD="class: colDetailDescr"] [TABLE="class: seatsDescr"]
[TR]
[TD] KUL-LGK
1F
[/TD]
[TD] LGK-KUL
1F[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

Is that REALLY your QFF number, markis10?
Most impressive, if so. But you may wish to edit details.

 

[ajca]

Its looking like its a big no, MH have updated their site to say now their elite and F class passengers can access the Platinum Suite, indicating they wish to keep the normal F lounge for OW, bit like their Plats can access Lobster on book the cook, others cannot.

I was transitting through KLIA on MH flights last Sunday and again on Wednesday as QFF Platinum / OWE and was shown to the Platinum Suite both times without asking.

Having said that, Platinum Suite is seriously nothing to get excited about. The menu food seems to be pretty much the same as what's offered in the J lounge e.g. not very good quality or choices. The main difference seems to be that Platinum Suite puts it on a plate for you. The food in the very minimal buffet was all covered with glad wrap and very unappealing. Not exactly what you would expect from an F lounge.

I wasn't offered a drinks menu so I assumed there was no booze to be had. Eventually I worked out you can order booze and there looked to be an ok Champagne there. There were no other guests the first time and only one or two the second time - but this doesn't make it feel exclusive, it makes it feel deserted and strangely unwelcoming.

Visually the Platinum Suite looks pretty grim... it's true to the "Kuala Lumpur school of interior design" (that's not a compliment). The KLIA Cathay Pacific lounge is much nicer.

So if you'd like a free Sprite and a stale sandwich or perhaps some moderately-ok spaghetti bolognese then Platinum Suite is worth checking out. Personally I was much happier going to the Jalan Alor Malaysian street foot restaurant around the corner and eating AMAZING curry and fried rice... a better experience overall than MH's supposed flagship lounge!

Maybe MH should consider outsource the catering for their lounges to the local restaurants... it could only improve.

Strangely the MH Golden J lounge in the main building (not satellite) seemed a lot nicer than both the Platinum Suite and J lounges in the satellite building.

 

[richie9x]

I just spoke to QF about this. The agent put me on hold to investigate because he thought KUL was loaded as an award destination. He returned to say that due to "system limitations" KUL would never appear in the list and they do not have authority to waive the phone booking fee.

Wow.

That seems so strange. Even putting MH aside. You can now fly to KUL on QF codeshare on Emirates, also could go on Jetstar via Singapore. Surely they would let you book either of these online, but it seems not.

 

[oz_mark]

When you can offer flights to tiny obscure destinations half-way around the world, but not the major hub of a supposed partner, the limitation is most likely the lack of will.

The thing is, the Multi-city award booking system has KUL as an option (although it seems to like sending you on CX).

As far as I can tell, claims of a System Limitation are simply lies.

 

[kohdeb]

I want to know when I will be able to book a J classic award on MH ADL-KUL-BKK. Does anyone know if this is possible yet or if/when it will be?

 

[Danger]

I want to know when I will be able to book a J classic award on MH ADL-KUL-BKK. Does anyone know if this is possible yet or if/when it will be?

It's not possible and apparently won't be due to "system limitations". I've tried and got the info from a phone rep who added that they have no authority to waive the phone booking fee. Very poor form to not include the hub of a oneworld partner in your list of destinations.

 

[markis10]

Did you book directly through MH or through travel agent or part of another airlines booking?

Did they display your QFF status on the BP?

Yes, status is on the BP.

 

[markis10]

The domestic lounge at KLIA is quite nice with great views if your an av geek!

 

[cmon0005]

Yes, status is on the BP.

Cool! How was the checkin experience?

Do post back with your boarding and onboard recognition experience, I am interested to know!

 

[markis10]

Cool! How was the checkin experience?

Do post back with your boarding and onboard recognition experience, I am interested to know!

Checkin was interesting, went to the J area, mentioned I was going to Langkawi, next thing I am asked if I wanted window or aisle, they had worked out who I was by virtue of being the last to check in .

 

[markis10]

BSI 738 with priority boarding enforced.