Qantas FF booking system is SSSOOO BAD!

[MrSpokeyTokey]

Hi,

I feel so RIPPED OFF by Qantas!!

I haven't used QF to book an award flight for a while now, because I've switched over to SQ.
Now I remember why.
The QF booking system is SO hopeless!

I went into the QF system and searched for a SYD-IAD award flight. The only seat available was "First class".
No problem. So I transferred the necessary amount of points into my QF account.
It was only when I proceeded with the booking, that I'm told the SYD-LAX leg is "Economy" and the LAX-IAD leg is "First Class".

WTF?

If I had known that the whole thing was not going to be First Class, I wouldn't have transferred and wasted my points on QF.

Seriously, how any one could use QF for an award flight is beyond me.
Surely they could design a better booking system!
I sincerely feel sorry for those who have no option but to opt-in to the Qantas Frequent Flyer program.

Compared to SQ, QF is bloody useless!

Thanks for letting me vent.

MrSpokeyTokey

 

[cove]

Yes I have seen this happen.
To avoid this happening I book single legs in First with QF.
Did you know that WTF is the ASX code for a travel company that I dumped.The double meaning is quite interesting for them.
I am a dual user with both SQ and QF to avoid getting stuck anywhere.
You vented well in your post!

 

[ChrisCunard]

That would be very frustrating, however if you booked a Classic Award there are two indications of the booked class being Y for the QF leg and F for the AA leg:

If you feel ripped off you should cancel the booking, the fee is only 5,000 points, meaning you'll have the majority of your points back to do other flights with.

 

[Austman]

Agree with ChrisCunard

I just tried MEL-JFK, first class, and I was told of the lower class sectors at Step 4. And also told that I didn't 't have enough points.

So I guess your problem is that you get availability at Step 3 before you are told about lower class sectors in Step 4?

But you are told Step 4, even if you don't have enough points...

But I do see your issue. Many people might stop at Step 3 (where you are told of the points requirement) until they had enough points.

 

[dajop]

Compared to SQ, QF is bloody useless!

Grass isn't always greener on the otherside. If we're talking only about online booking engines - not merits of the programs or other such matters - the SQ booking engine for award flights has it's own set of (different) problems. On the upside, QF will allow you to book partner flights online. Try doing the same thing with SQ - you have to call.

 

[MrSpokeyTokey]

Agree with ChrisCunard

I just tried MEL-JFK, first class, and I was told of the lower class sectors at Step 4. And also told that I didn't 't have enough points.

So I guess your problem is that you get availability at Step 3 before you are told about lower class sectors in Step 4?

But you are told Step 4, even if you don't have enough points...

But I do see your issue. Many people might stop at Step 3 (where you are told of the points requirement) until they had enough points.

You are correct Austman.
My mistake was that I did not go to step 4.
I got to step 3 and saw how many points I needed.
I then transferred the required amount points before I proceeded to step 4.

It was only at step 4 that I realised it's not First class all the way.

I didn't proceed with the booking, but I've 'wasted' my points as they're stuck in the Qantas FF program.
They could have been better spent on other FF programs such as SQ.

This is one lesson I won't be forgetting any time soon.

Mr SpokeyTokey

 

[MelUser]

What about checking on Expert Flyer to see if the correct fare bucket is there - that is what I would do before transferring.

Also, I thought Qantas required monthly transfers so there shouldn't be any points sitting in a credit card account waiting for transfer to Qantas.

 

[medhead]

Also, I thought Qantas required monthly transfers so there shouldn't be any points sitting in a credit card account waiting for transfer to Qantas.

It depends on the card. Amex platinum charge card allows transfers to various FF programs including qantas, for example.

 

[MrSpokeyTokey]

It depends on the card. Amex platinum charge card allows transfers to various FF programs including qantas, for example.

Yes, same goes for the Amex Centurion card.

You can transfer any amount of points at any time to QFF (just like the good ol' days). Hehe.