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

[MEL_Traveller]

Update for anyone interested. We did ring and was told we'd need to physically present the card. No card = no ticket.
It all became too difficult and I gave up, so we've booked (paid J seats) via an alternative carrier who just needs us to present the CC used for the booking at time of check in.
So no revenue for QF this time.

this is also the discussion in another thread where I have asked qf to tell us why we need to go through this procedure ex Thailand and china (and other places as well).

so far, despite the request being around for six months (with repeated follow-ups), we haven't been given an answer.

 

[Isochronous]

Applies in HK too. It was easy enough for me to go into the Shanghai office and present the card since I was in town, but it got me thinking: if I lived in another Chinese city, why would I, actually how could I, fly Qantas to Australia even if I wanted to? I'd just be booking CX instead.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Applies in HK too. It was easy enough for me to go into the Shanghai office and present the card since I was in town, but it got me thinking: if I lived in another Chinese city, why would I, actually how could I, fly Qantas to Australia even if I wanted to? I'd just be booking CX instead.

does NOT apply in Hong Kong.

 

[straitman]

Applies in HK too. It was easy enough for me to go into the Shanghai office and present the card since I was in town, but it got me thinking: if I lived in another Chinese city, why would I, actually how could I, fly Qantas to Australia even if I wanted to? I'd just be booking CX instead.

As has been stated quite a few times here, you simply need to present your CC at checkin in HK. --- In fact last time I was there they did not even ask at checkin.

 

[nonpop]

As has been stated quite a few times here, you simply need to present your CC at checkin in HK. --- In fact last time I was there they did not even ask at checkin.

Yeap HKG I just flash the card.
For other airlines out of BKK or USM we also just flash the card.

 

[Isochronous]

Then why when I went to the booking screen for a JASA out of HK, it flashed the office details in Admiralty and said I needed to go in to verify?

 

[Happy Trails]

Then why when I went to the booking screen for a JASA out of HK, it flashed the office details in Admiralty and said I needed to go in to verify?

Or at check-in (my bolding):

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.
Hong Kong Qantas Office
1801, 18/F, Tower I, Admiralty Centre, 18 Harcourt Road, Admiralty, Hong Kong
Open hours: 08:45am-05:15pm, Mon to Fri
Phone: +852 2298 8111

 

[banger2]

Recently (April 2013) I was able to book a 1 way ticket on QF BKK-SYD on the phone with QF CS...they even waived the assist fee as the operator said I couldn't book it online...and even gave me a cheaper price than when I got a quote previously. I gave my CC over the phone, and no need to present CC in BKK. Previous inquiries with QF specifically from MNL said this wasn't possible, so I assumed BKK was the same, but I was able to book and fly without visiting the BKK office at anytime.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Recently (April 2013) I was able to book a 1 way ticket on QF BKK-SYD on the phone with QF CS...they even waived the assist fee as the operator said I couldn't book it online...and even gave me a cheaper price than when I got a quote previously. I gave my CC over the phone, and no need to present CC in BKK. Previous inquiries with QF specifically from MNL said this wasn't possible, so I assumed BKK was the same, but I was able to book and fly without visiting the BKK office at anytime.

thats all very good when it works out that way... the ability to book via the Australian call centre has always been there... but some agents didn't know how to do it, or would say it's not available. the platinum line could do it without a problem, the general line would be the ones that had 'never heard of it', or eventually, after insisting they speak to a supervisor will 'do it this time as a favour'.

as for waiving the fee... that's what we're fighting for here. it needs to be a general policy... not luck of the draw. I've only had it waived once... the rest of the time it was refused. the general line in particular reciting the annoying 'not everything can be booked on line sir and for those that can't there is a service fee'.

 

[Archphoto]

thats all very good when it works out that way... the ability to book via the Australian call centre has always been there... but some agents didn't know how to do it, or would say it's not available. the platinum line could do it without a problem, the general line would be the ones that had 'never heard of it', or eventually, after insisting they speak to a supervisor will 'do it this time as a favour'.

as for waiving the fee... that's what we're fighting for here. it needs to be a general policy... not luck of the draw. I've only had it waived once... the rest of the time it was refused. the general line in particular reciting the annoying 'not everything can be booked on line sir and for those that can't there is a service fee'.

The stupid thing is, you can book the flight online - it doesn't reject you at all, you just can't pay it online (even though Cybertrust asks you select your CC etc). So why, should you have to pay for something that is not your fault??!!:evil:

You are using the QF website to book the flight, you are even given your booking reference number, so why are you being expected to pay an "assist fee"? Because QF can't be a**** to fix the problem and would rather slug you for confirming CC details over the phone.

It's about time RedRoo actually did address this issue - I'm personally sick and tired of paying for the fee, when I have to change a flight. I only call because I have to, not because I can't be bothered using the internet to do it all!!!!

Customer Service - Qantas doesn't know the meaning of the word, no wonder people are choosing to fly with their competitors. . . . .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The stupid thing is, you can book the flight online - it doesn't reject you at all, you just can't pay it online (even though Cybertrust asks you select your CC etc). So why, should you have to pay for something that is not your fault??!!:evil:

You are using the QF website to book the flight, you are even given your booking reference number, so why are you being expected to pay an "assist fee"? Because QF can't be a**** to fix the problem and would rather slug you for confirming CC details over the phone.

It's about time RedRoo actually did address this issue - I'm personally sick and tired of paying for the fee, when I have to change a flight. I only call because I have to, not because I can't be bothered using the internet to do it all!!!!

Customer Service - Qantas doesn't know the meaning of the word, no wonder people are choosing to fly with their competitors. . . . .

that is exactly the point... qantas rolls out some argument that is is a regulatory requirement for the credit card to be sighted... but cannot answer why it is a law unique to qantas. even when I pushed and asked why jetstar doesn't require you to front up at the city office in bangkok I was told 'because jetstar doesn't issue tickets, they only issue you a receipt'.

red roo says they have passed on the issue to qf head office... and says they are working on it... but that still doesn't excuse the failure to implement an immediate solution which could be to waive all assistance fees for booking via the Australian call centre. nor does it excuse the lack of response as to why it is a regulatory requirement for qantas alone.

 

[timster]

... qantas rolls out some argument that is is a regulatory requirement for the credit card to be sighted... but cannot answer why it is a law unique to qantas.

Knowing how things operate in that part of the world, a 'unique' regulatory requirement on a foreign company is by no means inconceivable.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Knowing how things operate in that part of the world, a 'unique' regulatory requirement on a foreign company is by no means inconceivable.

yeah... no. there is no 'unique' regulatory issue that solely applies to qantas in china, Thailand and the Philippines (and I think one other place as well?)

the best answer I have so far is that the qf handling agent in those countries doesn't have on line merchant CC processing facilities. in the absence of any better official answer that seems a logical reason why qf demand an actual card.

something entirely within the control of qantas that we have to pay for.

 

[timster]

the best answer I have so far is that the qf handling agent in those countries doesn't have on line merchant CC processing facilities. in the absence of any better official answer that seems a logical reason why qf demand an actual card.

Yes ..indeed a more likely explanation ... Don't bother looking for conspiracies until incompetence has been ruled out.

 

[Archphoto]

yeah... no. there is no 'unique' regulatory issue that solely applies to qantas in china, Thailand and the Philippines (and I think one other place as well?)

the best answer I have so far is that the qf handling agent in those countries doesn't have on line merchant CC processing facilities. in the absence of any better official answer that seems a logical reason why qf demand an actual card.

something entirely within the control of qantas that we have to pay for.

Except that Cybertrust now pops up when you book online, along with any CCs you have used in the past - you only need to select which to charge, fill in the billing address and (for some crazy reason today!) the address you want your ticket sent to - in my case, I entered my BKK address. However, once it was all completed, the ticket delivery address was my AU address (pretty stupid!!!!), I got my booking reference number, but of course I still have to show up at the office in 2 business days to actually receive my ticket.

I simply don't buy the "regulatory" factor - I book all my CX flights through the TH site, and all I need to do is front up check-in and present my CC (if requested).

So, if they can't process CCs, why does Cybertrust appear when you book?? And why bother requesting all your CC details in the first place, if you have to appear in person? Might as well just let you book online, give you your reference number and not even bother with having to enter your CC details, seeing as it's an utter waste of time.

If indeed, your assumption is correct, can't they just have you pay at check-in? Would solve the issue fully (office is closed on weekends) and make things a hell of a lot smoother for everyone.

 

[timmitch]

im flying syd to bkk return and was wondering if i will have to front office in bkk to fly home? or if because i have return ticket starting in Aust it wont matter?

 

[mannej]

im flying syd to bkk return and was wondering if i will have to front office in bkk to fly home? or if because i have return ticket starting in Aust it wont matter?

You won't have to front the BKK office, as it is a condition of purchasing QF tickets from Thailand

 

[timmitch]

cheers thanks

 

[travelislife]

Surely as part of Qantas' 'Asia Strategy' they should sort this kind of stuff out. They should be making it as easy as possible for people to book with them and give them their money, just crazy stuff. Qantas' keep throwing out this 'regulatory' line which is absolute hogwash and when you ask why then can you book jetstar online from Thailand, a Qantas group airline, but not Qantas they just stutter or make some other hogwash up.

 

[nonpop]

Surely as part of Qantas' 'Asia Strategy' they should sort this kind of stuff out. They should be making it as easy as possible for people to book with them and give them their money, just crazy stuff.

Made me laugh ... "strategy".
Somehow I think its more of a pain in their backside. May be I'm just getting cynical in my old age.