Newbie has searched and search, but still has a few Q's...

[Febs]

Whoops, typo in the subject...

Hi guys,

I've searched around and whittled my huge list of questions down to a pretty small one...but I still have a few remaining.

1) I've noticed a lot of talk about upgrades, and I'm not sure if I understand it all. Does it work like this?
- You can apply for an uprgade, using your FF points, and you might be successful. If you are, they take the points, but if you're not...you keep the points?
- You can also be upgraded for free at the time of departure (depending on availability), with preferences going (in order) to Chairman/Platinum/Gold/Silver etc...

Is that about right?

2) Are "Award Flights" QFF-ONLY flights? ie: ONLY for those who are using FF points? When I click on "Award flights", I only see a very limited selection...but when I view a regular flight, it seems I'm able to use my QFF points for it...?

3) Has anyone had trouble with hotel stays not being credited to their QFF account? I've stayed in several hotels in the last few months (all of which have been QFF partners - Hyatt, Novotel, Stamford, Crown Promenade etc...) and only the Hyatt stay has been credited. I've chased the others up, who have assured me they have sent the request through to Qantas...but the points never show up. I'm not all that fussed, but the Stamford stay should bring in a fair few points! (They had 3 points per dollar when I stayed there).

4) Probably a silly question, but do you receive status credits and/or points for taking a flight that you've paid for with QFF points?

Thanks guys. As I said, the list was much bigger before. I only found this site last night and I'm already loving it. I've only been a QFF since Feb06 but I'll be hitting Gold on Friday, so I love reading about all this stuff.

Cheers,
- Febs.

PS: Probably an even sillier question than 4)...but a mate of mine was saying Qantas give massive incentives/presents to their top FFs (ie: top 5)...and that the top flyer gets a new Statesman every year. Sounded like a big urban legend to me, but is there any truth to it?

 

[Mal]

Hope I can answer some of your questions.

1). Pretty much correct. You can apply for upgrades on certain fares with Qantas (Note that the cheapest fares are non-upgradeable) and if you get the upgrade Qantas deducts points from your account. No upgrade means no points deducted. The mechanisms for upgrades are different for both domestic and international flights. Probably best you read through the following Qantas webpage: Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Flight Upgrades

1)b) Free upgrades sometimes happen but are rare. Never count on them happening as they don't happen because there are free seats in Business, but because Qantas requires your seat for some reason.
Yes Qantas tends to go through their pecking order (CL / Plat / Gold / Silver etc). Keep in mind that due to OneWorld agreements, Qantas could upgrade eg a British Airways Gold Frequent Flyer above a Qantas Gold Frequent flyer (BA Gold is equivalent to Qantas Plat). Also, upgrades can happen to other people - eg to move a single person so that they can seat a family together.

2) Award flights are for a lot of different airlines - not just Qantas. More information is at Frequent Flyer - Using Points - Award Flights - About Award Flights . Some flights can only be booked through the FF service centre (at a fine of 2500 points).


3) Hotel partners tend to be shocking with crediting points. Maybe fax/send a copy of your invoice to Qantas directly and ask that the points be credited (See also Answer )

4) Nope, no status credits/FF points for award flights. (Frequent Flyer - About the Program - Terms & Conditions ) See point 9.4.1


5) Could be true. They certainly look after their top frequent flyers at times. I think the top flyer in the Qantas FF program would get no use out of any car due to their body being virtually permanently planted on airline seats.

Congrats in advance for the Gold FF. It's handy to have especially if flying overseas.

 

[kyle]

Re hotels and points, I was in NZ a few months back, none of the stays got credited, not even the car hire!

So I waited 3 months before sending off the receipts to Qantas. The points were credited within 3 days. Amazing!

 

[Febs]

Thanks Mal, much appreciated!

Good to know about the upgrades. It's not something I'd expect (I'm used to cattle class), but it'd be nice if it happened one day. I might have some trips coming up in the next 12 months that'll help me get to Platinum quicker too...so that should help.

Heh, previously I was wondering if I'd have enough for return to LAX next year (holiday with my girlfriend), but I've just done the sums and it looks like
I might even have enough points for both of us! (Or one of us business..hahaha...kidding ). $370ish in taxes versus $3,500ish for the regular fares...not bad!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Febs]

Re hotels and points, I was in NZ a few months back, none of the stays got credited, not even the car hire!

So I waited 3 months before sending off the receipts to Qantas. The points were credited within 3 days. Amazing!

That is pretty good!
I figured it would come to that...but I've been lazy.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[oz_mark]

3) Has anyone had trouble with hotel stays not being credited to their QFF account? I've stayed in several hotels in the last few months (all of which have been QFF partners - Hyatt, Novotel, Stamford, Crown Promenade etc...) and only the Hyatt stay has been credited. I've chased the others up, who have assured me they have sent the request through to Qantas...but the points never show up. I'm not all that fussed, but the Stamford stay should bring in a fair few points! (They had 3 points per dollar when I stayed there).

In my experience, hotel stays generally do not post without some sort of follow up. Of the hotels you mention, points from Novotel, Stamford and Crown Promenade have never posted to my account without intervention.

 

[Yada Yada]

This thread prompted me to chase up points for a hotel stay last month.

I've just emailed the statement through to QFF and phoned to advise so they could put a note on my file. The guy on the phone said "remember that hotel stays can only be claimed within 6 months of the stay". I didn't know that - I guess it is in the T's & C's.

 

[SeatBackForward]

Hotel points, or bonus points through purchases can sometimes take upto 3 months to appear on your QF statements.

 

[serfty]

... I guess it is in the T's & C's.

Certainly is; it's been that way at least since I joined QP in 1994.

Back then I used to keep a file of all my hotel stays and send QFF a monthly fax listing all my missing points for stays for which points had not been creditied for two months or more ... about 80% of all stays needed to be claimed like this even though I ensured my FF number was in the accomodation booking.

Little issue these days as HHonors are very efficient (generally) and my other stays are normally on Accor Adv+ Hot deals which don't accrue QFF points anyway.

 

[Febs]

All sorted now, thanks guys.

Points for my Hyatt stay were credited within a few weeks (they were transferred from my Passport account). The Hotel Grand Chancellor credited mine within 3 days (3 points per $1), and Qantas credited the points for my Stamford stay (also 3 points per $1) less than 24 hours after I faxed them through the statement.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Thudd]

On a related note, if you buy a ticket then upgrade it, do you (a) get points based on the original ticket; (b) get points based on the upgrade; or (c) get no points at all? I suspect it would be (a) but I don't know for sure.

 

[oz_mark]

On a related note, if you buy a ticket then upgrade it, do you (a) get points based on the original ticket; (b) get points based on the upgrade; or (c) get no points at all? I suspect it would be (a) but I don't know for sure.

If you upgrade using points, the answer is a.

 

[NM]

Note that if crediting the upgraded flight to another FF program, you can sometimes get the points/miles for the upgraded class. For example, if you upgrade a QF flight using QF FF points and credit the flight to AA, then you will receive the AA miles for the upgraded class.

 

[Febs]

If you upgrade using points, the answer is a.

What if you get an on-departure upgrade?
Actually on that note, is it possible to get an on-departure upgrade through the self-serve terminals, for a domestic flight?

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

What if you get an on-departure upgrade?

Same answer.

Actually on that note, is it possible to get an on-departure upgrade through the self-serve terminals, for a domestic flight?

No, ODUs are only able to be requested at the service desk inside the Qantas Club lounge.

 

[Febs]

No, ODUs are only able to be requested at the service desk inside the Qantas Club lounge.

I see, thanks.
So do you get your boarding pass (from the self-serve terminal), then go to the QP and request an ODU?

I'm curious, because if you have luggage to check, you can't get through to the QP without checking it in, can you?

Also, what about ODU's on international flights - do you just ask for them at the counter when checking in?

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[NM]

I see, thanks.
So do you get your boarding pass (from the self-serve terminal), then go to the QP and request an ODU?

Or you can just go straight to the Qantas Club lounge and check-in at the service desk and ask for the ODU at the same time. If you have checked luggage, then you must check-in before security then go to the Qantas Club service desk to request ODU.

I'm curious, because if you have luggage to check, you can't get through to the QP without checking it in, can you?

With checked luggage, you must check-in either at the check-in counter or using a QuickCheck kiosk and fast bag drop. Then go through security and to Qantas Club service desk to request ODU.

Also, what about ODU's on international flights - do you just ask for them at the counter when checking in?

ODUs are only available for domestic flights. The only way to upgrade an international flight is to waitlist. You can join the waitlist by selecting the option on the FF web site or by phoning the FF service centre.

 

[Febs]

ODUs are only available for domestic flights. The only way to upgrade an international flight is to waitlist. You can join the waitlist by selecting the option on the FF web site or by phoning the FF service centre.

Geez I'm glad I spoke to you! I was planning on turning up to the airport early for my HK flight and crossing my fingers for an upgrade.

Just to confirm - this waitlist is different to an award upgrade, right?

With the waitlist, is it a case of "first in best dressed", within each status level? ie: Would there be any benefit in calling up now for a flight I'm taking in a month? Would that put me ahead of other Gold FF's requesting upgrades?

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[JohnK]

Just to confirm - this waitlist is different to an award upgrade, right?

When requesting an international upgrade using points then you go on a waitlist.

With the waitlist, is it a case of "first in best dressed", within each status level? ie: Would there be any benefit in calling up now for a flight I'm taking in a month? Would that put me ahead of other Gold FF's requesting upgrades?

Yes you would be in front of other Golds FF'ers who request for an upgrade at a later time.

 

[NM]

Geez I'm glad I spoke to you! I was planning on turning up to the airport early for my HK flight and crossing my fingers for an upgrade.

Just to confirm - this waitlist is different to an award upgrade, right?

All upgrades you request (confirmed domestic, ODU domestic and waitlisted international) are all upgrade awards and all cost you FF points (or upgrade credits if you have any left over). ODUs are not free upgrades.

The only "free" upgrades come when the airline has a need for your seat and decides the best way to free up your seat for someone else is to give you an "operational" upgrade (op-up). Don't count on that happening - its rare. And don't bother asking at the airport as the answer will be no.

With the waitlist, is it a case of "first in best dressed", within each status level? ie: Would there be any benefit in calling up now for a flight I'm taking in a month? Would that put me ahead of other Gold FF's requesting upgrades?

Waitlisted upgrades are processes the day before the flight and the waitlist is services based on FF status followed by date/time of entry onto the waitlist. So all Plat members are ahead of all Gold members who are ahead of all Silver members etc.

The waitlist priority is based on the FF status of the account from which the points will be taken, so if you have a family member who is Platinum, you can always ask them to request the upgrade for you using their points, and if its successful then you can transfer the points to them using the family transfer facility.