No more QF chauffeur drive to LAX and DFW

[Sequel]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

So am I reading this right, status is too easy to get and is crowding the lounges etc, (hence the "reason" for many of the changes over the last few years), yet by offering it as a compensation option, QF only value it the same as 10,000 points, or equivalent to a single entry to the BNE F (cough) lounge??

 

[SQ421]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

The CSA who I spoke with was very clear that it was not a negotiation and that it was take it or leave it.

I did raise the issue that I would be out of pocket ~200$ with the withdrawal of the CD on my BNE >>GC transfer. The response: "there are a number of transport options available to you..."

And what Qantas fails to realize is there are a number of Airline options available to pax too....

 

[medhead]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

And what Qantas fails to realize is there are a number of Airline options available to pax too....

I'm reminded of life of Brian. "Well what Jesus blatantly fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem." Sorry.

 

[Stoopidsteve]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

I'm reminded of life of Brian. "Well what Jesus blatantly fails to appreciate is that it's the meek who are the problem." Sorry.

"That Alan Joyce, he's not the Saviour (of QFi). He's a very naughty boy"

 

[penegal]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

I have finally caught up with this thread. I got the call yesterday, when I was sleeping :evil::evil::evil:

Unfortunately. I didn't have the drowsy discernment which serfty displayed in requesting a call back.

My CD bookings have been unilaterally cancelled and I was offered 10k points as a bonus / compensation / etc, to be credited sometime in the next 21 days. The operator seemed quite agitated and "in a hurry". She hung up on me as I was grumbling and trying to comprehend what she had said. I was half asleep for most of the call having just been woken by the call. To be honest I am surprised the operator didn't pick up on this and pro-actively offer a call back at another time. That was just rude. She certainly didn't explain my options or deal with my concerns adequately.

Red Roo - I would like a call back!

---

I share the sentiment of many on this thread.

In my case this wasn't a blue sky "eligible for transfers" thing, I actually had confirmed bookings. Similar to cjd600, my air travel doesn't occur in isolation, and other arrangements were structured based on an assumed chauffeur drive transfers. As such I will be replacing my cancelled transfers with an equivalent standard of transport at my own cost. Will QANTAS reimburse me for these transfers? and the associated time taken to research and book the different options?


I agree with trippin_the_rift that 10k points is not really adequate compensation for 4 transfers. If QANTAS wish to start offering chauffeur drive transfers for 2.5k points each I would be very interested in that service! In fact, that is such a great deal, I might use it for all manner of flights (even on other airlines).



Red Roo - The cancelling of my existing bookings is yet another frustrating interaction with QANTAS this year. I tend to roll with the punches, but QANTAS (especially QFi) has really been pushing my patience of late.

I know I regularly joke about never being upgraded, but can you please give me what I paid for at least once this year?

 

[SQ421]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

I just wrote to VA suggesting they should

a) offer Chauffeur Drive for all fare buckets in Business across the pacific
b) offer a sharp pricing to anyone who cancels a post 1 July QF booking across the pacific and brings their travel to VA

 

[RooFlyer]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

The CSA who I spoke with was very clear that it was not a negotiation and that it was take it or leave it.

I did raise the issue that I would be out of pocket ~200$ with the withdrawal of the CD on my BNE >>GC transfer. The response: "there are a number of transport options available to you..."

But the CSA is, of course, completely correct. You have transport options such as Cathay Pacific, United Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand to name but a few.

Take the hint! Do what Qantas wants you to do. Fly with some-one else! Join the club.

 

[OBie]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Brisbane does have an F lounge, about the only bonus is the waiter service for coffee and the champers.

Markis10, thanks for the correction ... most interesting that Customer Service didn't think there was. But, having said that, and QF having to provide parity with EK, they'd need to have the facility to offer, eh!

Re others' comments about 'style, tone and level' from the Customer Service reps, my contact was apologetic and eager to be of assistance, obviously within the bounds of her (limited) authority, so no complaint with her.

Veeerrrry Interesting ...

 

[markis10]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Markis10, thanks for the correction ... most interesting that Customer Service didn't think there was. But, having said that, and QF having to provide parity with EK, they'd need to have the facility to offer, eh!

Veeerrrry Interesting ...

The Qantas F lounge has been in existence since the QP opened, nothing much to do with EK, I used it 12 years ago, don't think it's changed.

 

[medhead]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

"That Alan Joyce, he's not the Saviour (of QFi). He's a very naughty boy"

It could be something like:
"Well what the customer blatantly fails to appreciate is that it's the other airlines who are the problem"

 

[serfty]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

The Qantas F lounge has been in existence since the QP opened, nothing much to do with EK, I used it 12 years ago, don't think it's changed.

I used it often the late 90's - at one stage regularly for the evening domestic tag of the old Port Morsby-xBNE-MEL route.

 

[SQ421]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

I just wrote to VA suggesting they should

a) offer Chauffeur Drive for all fare buckets in Business across the pacific
b) offer a sharp pricing to anyone who cancels a post 1 July QF booking across the pacific and brings their travel to VA

Much to my surprise I heard back from someone fairly high up in the VA hierarchy (with two others copied in). Email below. And if I may say, that is a more engaging reply I have ever received form Qantas!

Good Afternoon SQ421,

xx_ passed on your email to John to me for review. We are currently re-looking at our proposition around Chauffeur Transfer Services, and I have provided your suggestions to the team. Thanks for taking the time to email us, as all suggestions help us improve the journey for our guests. I will keep you across progress. If you have any further suggestions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards
nnnnn

 

[EuroFlyer]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Has everyone received a call? I had a transfer booked in for a j trip to NYC (to mel airport) for September but not had a call yet. Checked my booking and it's been cancelled there.

 

[penegal]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Has everyone received a call? I had a transfer booked in for a j trip to NYC (to mel airport) for September but not had a call yet. Checked my booking and it's been cancelled there.

I suspect it may take some time to get through the very small number of bookings.

Because the uptake was so poor, there must have been so few bookings, and therefore a truly minuscule number of people to telephone...

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Has everyone received a call? I had a transfer booked in for a j trip to NYC (to mel airport) for September but not had a call yet. Checked my booking and it's been cancelled there.

I have booking MEL-LAX early Sep but have received no call at all. Cruiserette who is 2nd pax on booking did receive call prior to any mention of comp of any sort - no contact since.

 

[Kangol]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

Has everyone received a call? I had a transfer booked in for a j trip to NYC (to mel airport) for September but not had a call yet. Checked my booking and it's been cancelled there.

My booking for July still says "booked" when you click the down arrow under "More flight info" but there is no picture panel for the CD offering like it used to have ("Customise your journey" IIRC).

No call either...

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Re: No more QF chauffer drive to LAX and DFW

I suspect it may take some time to get through the very small number of bookings.

Because the uptake was so poor, there must have been so few bookings, and therefore a truly minuscule number of people to telephone...

i was thinking about that...

with (let's say) 250 staff working M-F (based on the numbers stated in the call centre closures), if they each made just 2 calls a day, and it's been 16 working days since the announcement... that is at least 8000 bookings they have had to cancel.

one wonders exactly how much the overheads were for this 'low uptake' service.

 

[JMFK]

So for those of us who had the option of CD for forward bookings - but had yet to confirm them online due to said bookings being a few months away - should we bother to call Qantas in regards to compensation.

I was a big big fan of CD on the LAX flights and am very disappointed that they're no longer available.

 

[Sequel]

So for those of us who had the option of CD for forward bookings - but had yet to confirm them online due to said bookings being a few months away - should we bother to call Qantas in regards to compensation.

Most definitely! Dont let them get away with it. Just because you hadn't confirmed a time, you bought a ticket with conditions and they have changed those conditions. You are right to request some compensation as the change will cost you money/may have caused you not to buy the ticket if the new conditions were in place at the time of booking.

 

[JMFK]

Rightio, I will call.

You'd think they would call all customers who were eligible to advise them of the cancellation, not just those with confirmed CD bookings.

I wouldn't of known about this had I not been an AFF member...I'm sure Qantas has many customers who would also be unaware of the recent changes?