Qantas Award Charges Outrageous

[MEL_Traveller]

Shouldn't this be covered under the ACCC inclusive pricing laws, to have advertised points prices including all taxes?

M

Some airlines do this, but they can only give a guide, and the guide can be fairly meaningless - one airline for example quotes award tickets from the USA to Europe as coming with additional taxes fees and charges of between USD14 and USD600. That's not necessarily helpful.

There are potentially hundreds of different combinations of airports and carriers for a oneworld redemption between Australia and Europe. The final price is calculated once the airline knows your exact route. QF could indicate a 'minimum' fuel surcharge though.

 

[Kremmen]

Whinging never actually achieved ANYTHING, doesn't actually make anyone feel any better and in this case we all have alternatives. So why not use them instead of whinging?.

Random whinging, yes. The ACCC seems to only take interest in matters which are subject to significant public complaints. The QF surcharges clearly have only one purpose: To devalue points surreptitiously and obfuscate pricing. I believe every single person affected should complain to the ACCC until they finally act.

Other than that, the best thing to do is constructively discuss how to maximise value to users. The only time I ever redeem QF points is for short, expensive routes (e.g. intra-Western Australia), while awaiting a good opportunity to use them

 

[SOPOOR]

I disagree with both these posts.
- You aren't 'forced' to do anything. It is a free market. Pick another programme if you don't like it.
- You don't 'have' to book a year ahead. Just like commercial seats for sale award seats are a product of limited supply (there are only so many seats on the plane), just because someone 'buys' that product before you doesn't warrant a whinge.
- You absolutely have choice. It was your choice to take out Qantas cards. No justification for a whinge.

of course its a free market,
I have lot of points at the moment which isnt applicable for the majority, but for those who are deciding to choose which program to use may find this thread useful,

I have voted with my feet and stopped accumulating QFF points, and now onto amex, as I see far more value for amex/veloicty/kris programs

 

[rock86]

of course its a free market,
I have lot of points at the moment which isnt applicable for the majority, but for those who are deciding to choose which program to use may find this thread useful,

I have voted with my feet and stopped accumulating QFF points, and now onto amex, as I see far more value for amex/veloicty/kris programs

The issue for a lot of people in Australia though who don't have great deal of spend per year and don't do a lot of work travel is that it's much harder for them to accumulate significant points in another program. QFF strength is it's accessibility to points for all Australians, but that means it's also one of it's downfalls when trying to redeem your points for flights.

I'm only a novice but I've found for me the accessibility far outways the issue of award availability and taxes, as I remain flexible and try taking alternate routes to minimize taxes. Without the ease of earning QFF points from a myriad of sources there's no way I'd be able to travel long haul in premium cabins.

 

[nickfromeastryde]

I guess I don't worry about these charges as much as some others here, rather I appreciate it has given me the option to fly J and F long haul which, without being able to accrue QFF points through the many different sources within Aust would most likely have never happened. Being able to accrue the points so easily is why I haven't tried to go anywhere else even though I realise it isn't the best scheme out there.

Doesn't mean I don't try to get better, my first OWE was 27K miles with 10 flights and cost 1550pp, one I have just booked is 34.5K miles and 13 flights and only 750pp (no Qantas or BA this time around). Throw in a couple of J-F upgrades and a couple of long haul J return redemptions and I really can't believe how much I have gotten out of the program in just 6 years

I read this forum a lot, I'm not a regular flier and much still goes way over my head but in saying that have managed without too much difficulty to find the flights I wanted. The fees really are a small component of the trips Mrs Nick and myself have enjoyed over the last few years. I just wonder if some of the contributors here should maybe spend a bit of time reflecting on how much they too have benefited along the way rather than continually focussing on the negatives

 

[SOPOOR]

The issue for a lot of people in Australia though who don't have great deal of spend per year and don't do a lot of work travel is that it's much harder for them to accumulate significant points in another program. QFF strength is it's accessibility to points for all Australians, but that means it's also one of it's downfalls when trying to redeem your points for flights.

I'm only a novice but I've found for me the accessibility far outways the issue of award availability and taxes, as I remain flexible and try taking alternate routes to minimize taxes. Without the ease of earning QFF points from a myriad of sources there's no way I'd be able to travel long haul in premium cabins.

what do you mean by this?

as in easier to accumulate points or easier to use them compared to say velocity or other programs?

 

[rock86]

what do you mean by this?

as in easier to accumulate points or easier to use them compared to say velocity or other programs?

Easier to accumulate. It probably has more partners in the country then the rest of the other progarms combined, it's also much easier to get full bonus QF branded cards from financial institutions, where Velocity only has a few and the other programs you take a big hit on conversion (apart from AMEX).

So for the average joe I believe QFF is easier to accrue points.

 

[SOPOOR]

Easier to accumulate. It probably has more partners in the country then the rest of the other progarms combined, it's also much easier to get full bonus QF branded cards from financial institutions, where Velocity only has a few and the other programs you take a big hit on conversion (apart from AMEX).

So for the average joe I believe QFF is easier to accrue points.

i think to accumulate points, its probably easier to do velocity, but qantas seems to have more partnered credit cards

 

[Limewood]

We go via HKG to USA or Europe to escape the ridiculous award seat fares charged like $1800 for 2 in J by Qantas and have nice stopover each way, CX in J x 2 HKG/JFK/HKG is only $300 in award fees, plus can fly direct into a plethora of cities like ORD, VYR, JFK, BOS etc. and miss LAX, also J award seats are easy to find. OK we need flights to HKG return but they than can be had cheaply if one takes up an offer, even in Y and some are upgradable.

 

[cove]

I usually just do J redemptions for the family on domestic runs as the charges are more modest and there is better availability.

 

[Limewood]

We do the opposite as we normally have 300/800K QF points in toe, even if they did lower these outrageous fees, still go from ASIA due to J x 2 award seat availability, next to nothing fees and direct in most cases to USA/Europe ports with our now non QF status.

To go out of an OZ port long haul and pay these fees is not on. If Qantas was doing it tough one could understand it somewhat, but they are not and should at least halve what is charged currently IMO.

 

[bmam]

We go via HKG to USA or Europe to escape the ridiculous award seat fares charged like $1800 for 2 in J by Qantas and have nice stopover each way, CX in J x 2 HKG/JFK/HKG is only $300 in award fees, plus can fly direct into a plethora of cities like ORD, VYR, JFK, BOS etc. and miss LAX, also J award seats are easy to find. OK we need flights to HKG return but they than can be had cheaply if one takes up an offer, even in Y and some are upgradable.

So Limewood, just to clarify please. Are you saying you will usually purchase tickets, perhaps with QF to HKG and then you are using CX points via an Amex card from HKG?

 

[mannej]

So Limewood, just to clarify please. Are you saying you will usually purchase tickets, perhaps with QF to HKG and then you are using CX points via an Amex card from HKG?

Or Limewood is able to use QFF points to book the CX flights

 

[Limewood]

Yes buy ticket to HKG yet sometimes use points, then points from there onwards. Other times use AS (Alaskan Airlines) miles (points) from OZ/HKG, a J from CNS direct return around is around $5+K on CX, I pay a under $2K award return with AS miles. Been doing this for years and AS currently has up to 40% extra miles gratis. I just refuse to pay big $ in QF award fees.

This article on the subject here is not before its time.
Come on Qantas give a "fare" go!.

 

[Lukabs]

Just read the article about carrier charges on Classic Rewards booing amounting to more than the cost of a standard flight. I will admit that I used to redeem points for flights until my brother pointed out that a more efficient use of my points was to pay for the flight and upgrade.

 

[RooFlyer]

Just read the article about carrier charges on Classic Rewards booing amounting to more than the cost of a standard flight. I will admit that I used to redeem points for flights until my brother pointed out that a more efficient use of my points was to pay for the flight and upgrade.

I assume you mean upgrade from whY to J there. For domestic, yes, but for international, where they don't confirm until close to the flight date (and you may not get the upgrade) its risky (because you've bought an up-gradable fare, more expensive than the basic ones).

For international, I think getting a J reward seat is a good use of points - it still costs with Qantas taxes, but still decent value.

 

[Haplo]

I think people also overlook the fact that Classic Reward flight is semi-flexible (i.e. 5k points to change, 6.5k points to cancel) so you shouldn't compare that to a sale fare ($225 to change or cancel).

It is probably closer to a flexi fare than a saver fare.

 

[Basalt]

I think it's entirely reasonable to suggest the excessive QF reward surcharges are excessive and disingenuous to the spirit of a FF reward program. The excess charges unquestionably devalue FF points and with QF's notorious lack of international reward availability, it does make a mockery of the QF program to a degree. I'm starting to question whether we jump ship to another FF program for international travel.

I can't see QF reducing them in a hurry though as the FF spinoff division is, as I understand it, the most profitable and sells points like they're giving them away, and while QF needs to work hard to keep the flying division in the black they'll keep charging excessive surcharges. Personally I think we should all complain to the ACCC and agitate for similar surcharge bans that places like HK have.

Bottom line, earning points costs real money and QF advertises (heavily on it's site and via email) that one can redeem points for flights so they damn well should make reward flights available and for the points (only) that they essentially advertise one can do.

 

[SOPOOR]

I think it's entirely reasonable to suggest the excessive QF reward surcharges are excessive and disingenuous to the spirit of a FF reward program. The excess charges unquestionably devalue FF points and with QF's notorious lack of international reward availability, it does make a mockery of the QF program to a degree. I'm starting to question whether we jump ship to another FF program for international travel.

I can't see QF reducing them in a hurry though as the FF spinoff division is, as I understand it, the most profitable and sells points like they're giving them away, and while QF needs to work hard to keep the flying division in the black they'll keep charging excessive surcharges. Personally I think we should all complain to the ACCC and agitate for similar surcharge bans that places like HK have.

Bottom line, earning points costs real money and QF advertises (heavily on it's site and via email) that one can redeem points for flights so they damn well should make reward flights available and for the points (only) that they essentially advertise one can do.

I know some people are just reading this thread and thinking all the posters are just whigners, which is probably true to a certain extent,

I do agree with the spirit of FF reward program,

for me, I think rewards program are rewards for your loyalty and years of patronage, which they have made huge profits from

to charge for example $1000 in taxes + 150k points for a $1200 identical flight that can be purchased at the same time and date, to me is borderline false advertising,
sure the airline will justify by saying its a government tax , or a fuel surcharge or an excise.

Personally, like a coffee loyalty card , I want and feel good t hat my 10th coffee is for free,
I would be unhappy on principal if I have 9x cafe lattes takeaway with 2 sugars, and my 10th free bie, they gave me a espresso shot for free, but charged me extra for the milk, sugar, and takeaway container

 

[davidj]

Personally, like a coffee loyalty card , I want and feel good t hat my 10th coffee is for free,
I would be unhappy on principal if I have 9x cafe lattes takeaway with 2 sugars, and my 10th free bie, they gave me a espresso shot for free, but charged me extra for the milk, sugar, and takeaway container

And had you never had this loyalty card, you would never receive your free 'express shot' and paid full price for the 10th coffee.

It's a win for you. A small cost reduction is better than nothing.