Problem - How to "sight" a credit card in Bangkok QF office?

[Red Roo]

I have done some digging to try and clear up the reason behind this.

All of the reasons previously provided are in some way responsible for the need to present your CC at the local office.

The credit card needs to be sighted in some overseas markets for a range of reasons including fraud protection and the individual banking requirements of the merchant or bank, meaning in some markets the card is required to be scanned at the QF office for payment to be processed. Some other overseas markets also have Government restrictions around issuing tickets outside that country.

I will raise this with the regional offices and let them know of your frustration and if they are able to change any processes I am sure they will look into it.

This process can be avoided by phoning telephone sales and having the flight ticketed in AUD however this will attract a telephone booking fee.

Cheers,
Red Roo

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I have done some digging to try and clear up the reason behind this.

All of the reasons previously provided are in some way responsible for the need to present your CC at the local office.

The credit card needs to be sighted in some overseas markets for a range of reasons including fraud protection and the individual banking requirements of the merchant or bank, meaning in some markets the card is required to be scanned at the QF office for payment to be processed. Some other overseas markets also have Government restrictions around issuing tickets outside that country.

I will raise this with the regional offices and let them know of your frustration and if they are able to change any processes I am sure they will look into it.

This process can be avoided by phoning telephone sales and having the flight ticketed in AUD however this will attract a telephone booking fee.

Cheers,
Red Roo

Please explain also in your enquiries how it is possible for JQ to ticket without sight of the credit card and QF cannot?

Basically the issue (as explained to me by your offices overseas (and I know they are agents) is that QF simply does not have the merchant bank facilities. I wish agents in AU would not say it is due to government regulations.

That really bugs me that I have to pay (and have paid) many assisted booking fees after clearly being lied to by QF staff (saying it is govt regulation), and that JQ has no such problems (or CX/KA/RJ you name it). All of them can sell tickets either inside or outside without restriction.

Fraud protection? I don't buy that for frequent flyers (platinum and now gold in my case) ringing to redeem miles for an award. Where is the fraud when I provide a PIN and all other identification required?

If your regional offices can't change this requirement, why is QF entering in to contract arrangements for their agents without stipulating they must have online credit card facilities? Should you not also raise this with QF as well as the regional offices?

 

[ozmille]

I have done some digging to try and clear up the reason behind this.

All of the reasons previously provided are in some way responsible for the need to present your CC at the local office.

The credit card needs to be sighted in some overseas markets for a range of reasons including fraud protection and the individual banking requirements of the merchant or bank, meaning in some markets the card is required to be scanned at the QF office for payment to be processed. Some other overseas markets also have Government restrictions around issuing tickets outside that country.

I will raise this with the regional offices and let them know of your frustration and if they are able to change any processes I am sure they will look into it.

This process can be avoided by phoning telephone sales and having the flight ticketed in AUD however this will attract a telephone booking fee.

Cheers,
Red Roo

I tried that but the Oz call centre cancelled my ASA and booked it again as a classic award! Which I then had to cancel and book again as an ASA and then I just called the BKK office who held the booking till I was in BKK to sight the card.

 

[wandering_fred]

Red Roo

A modest proposal

For elite QF frequent flyers where the account is more than one year old, or for non elite QF frequent flyers where the account is more than 3 years old.

Permit the registration of a credit card (or cards) with any QF sales (office/desk) where the card is sighted.
Provided the frequent flyer whose account has been registered is included in the PNR, the credit card would be accepted for payment on ALL Qantas web sites.

Might actually be a benefit that FF account holders might actually used (and appreciate)

Happy wandering

Fred


AA (95% LTG) QF (25% LTS)

 

[docjames]

My inner cynic makes me think that QF dont want it to be easy (or everyone would buy tickets in markets where the prices are cheaper and thus reduce revenue).

 

[Happy Trails]

My inner cynic makes me think that QF dont want it to be easy (or everyone would buy tickets in markets where the prices are cheaper and thus reduce revenue).

But they're actually not that cheap out of BKK, particularly compared to other ports where the CC can be shown at check-in.

 

[WindowSeat]

Which ports are better than BKK that are easy to get to from Aus?

 

[gibspmuh]

My inner cynic makes me think that QF dont want it to be easy (or everyone would buy tickets in markets where the prices are cheaper and thus reduce revenue).

It certainly used to be the case for flights out of CGK that all fares could be booked using Expedia.com.au with no problems at all. Then a couple of years ago they stopped publishing anything below K class fares for sale outside of Indonesia, so all the cheap fares have to be booked either through Qantas or via an Indonesian travel agent (and of course for award tickets there's no option at all). So your inner cynic may well be on to something!

 

[Happy Trails]

Which ports are better than BKK that are easy to get to from Aus?

SIN & HKG spring to mind.

 

[yo yo ma]

I am off to HKG in Sept with the family and had booked flights one way. To eliminate the sighting of credit card problem on the return journey, we are travelling to SIN and coming home from there. SIN does not require the CC to be sighted.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I am off to HKG in Sept with the family and had booked flights one way. To eliminate the sighting of credit card problem on the return journey, we are travelling to SIN and coming home from there. SIN does not require the CC to be sighted.

HKG does not require sighting of the credit card to purchase a ticket. It only needs to be shown at check-in or at the transfer desk.

 

[yo yo ma]

HKG does not require sighting of the credit card to purchase a ticket. It only needs to be shown at check-in or at the transfer desk.

Yes, true - I looked up so many versions, I got them mixed up. I was happy to fly to SIN anyway and am making a side trip to Bali. I managed to get a JASA home that has been upgraded to F so all smiles here.


The slight differences in the offices are:

Shanghai - After you have completed your booking you will need to visit one of our offices below for credit card and signature verification. Your ticket will be issued once your credit card has been sighted.

Bangkok - After you have completed your booking you will need to visit our office below within two working days for credit card and signature verification. Your ticket will be issued once your credit card has been sighted.

Hong Kong - The Credit Card holder must verify the card used for this online booking at check-in or at the Hong Kong Qantas Office prior to departure. The cardholder does not need to be travelling.

 

[Alanslegal]

To eliminate the sighting of credit card problem on the return journey, we are travelling to SIN and coming home from there. SIN does not require the CC to be sighted.

And that is exactly the reason why I purchase a few ex-SIN and usually end up having to take a 3K flight into SIN.

It doesn't make sense that you can't book ex-BKK online (because of fraud or whatever excuses QF or their agents throw up) yet are able to do so via telephone.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

And that is exactly the reason why I purchase a few ex-SIN and usually end up having to take a 3K flight into SIN.

It doesn't make sense that you can't book ex-BKK online (because of fraud or whatever excuses QF or their agents throw up) yet are able to do so via telephone.

All to do with the merchant banking facilities! Otherwise as you say - you wouldn't be able to do it by phone!!

 

[Archphoto]

Red Roo - great that you are considering addressing the problem, it's good to know our concerns are being listened to.

Personally, the easiest way to solve the problem, is to simply require the card holder to show the card that was used upon check-in. I fly regularly here in Asia, and apart from J* Asia (who don't seem to care), all other airlines are happy to sight the card at check-in, with the caveat, when booking online, that the card must be presented then or you will be required to:

1. Pay for the flight again or,
2. Be refused boarding.

The BKK office is open regular office hours (08:30-17:00) and closed on weekends. This has caused me problems in the past, namely:

1. Out of the country and suddenly need to book a flight;
2. Original flight arrives late Friday night - office closed;
3. New flight departs Sunday - unable to confirm due to office closure.

On one occasion I was able to get my Producer to explain the situation and have the flight confirmed, but on the second it was denied and I ended up having to use another (more payment-flexible) carrier.

If CX, JAL and PG (to name a few) are happy to accept sighting upon check-in, why not QF and BA?

Food for thought - look forward to hearing the solution soon.

 

[JohnK]

Fraud protection? I don't buy that for frequent flyers (platinum and now gold in my case) ringing to redeem miles for an award. Where is the fraud when I provide a PIN and all other identification required?

It is for fraud protection. Some companies simply do not want to take the risk. It is not just Qantas and by the way Qantas uses a third party in Bangkok anyway.

I have been booking flights with a travel agent in Bangkok for a number of years and they still want a photo copy of credit card front and back and an authority form filled out.

And yes there are some companies that do not care about the risk....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It is for fraud protection. Some companies simply do not want to take the risk. It is not just Qantas and by the way Qantas uses a third party in Bangkok anyway.

I have been booking flights with a travel agent in Bangkok for a number of years and they still want a photo copy of credit card front and back and an authority form filled out.

And yes there are some companies that do not care about the risk....

Don't forget the part you quoted from me was very specific - and it related to frequent flyers, especially those with status, who have logged on to their account and provided a PIN. If the credit card is in the same name as the passenger's account, then it is hard to make an argument for fraud protection.

And in any event, if it was for fraud, then how is it possible to ring AU and issue the ticket there?

 

[m535607]

Hi All

RE EX Hong Kong - when buying or redeeming a one way QF ticket from HKG to Australia it states that the credit card used must be sighted at check in. From your experience does the ticket get issued on the day when I book it or only on the day when I check in at the airport?

 

[Happy Trails]

Hi All

RE EX Hong Kong - when buying or redeeming a one way QF ticket from HKG to Australia it states that the credit card used must be sighted at check in. From your experience does the ticket get issued on the day when I book it or only on the day when I check in at the airport?

I booked one recently and the ticket was issued almost immediately.
Be aware though that it's not possible to book on line less than 2 days ahead.

 

[ozmille]

PG are happy to accept sighting upon check-in, why not QF and BA?

Booked PG for BKK-USM-BKK for me +1 and BKK-USM-SIN for my parents. We traveled a couple of weeks ago and were never asked to show the credit card, just ticket and passport.