Qantas has blocked online account

[MEL_Traveller]

I'm sure qantas says the points are their property, or something similar. But in reality, the member has earned them, and they 'belong' to the member (Qantas can't take them unless in a manner specified under the terms and conditions). If the courts can divide up FF points as part of a separation settlement, one would have to argue that they 'belong' to someone (not Qantas).

edited: I actually can't find anywhere QF says the points don't belong to the member. which might add more weight to this being a breach rater than anything else.

 

[The man with no name]

so you have, actually, commited fraud.

This is completely false. Nothing criminal has been committed in the situation described, breaching terms and conditions, sure. But even Qantas has been known to breach it's own T's & C's.

In addition, there are multiple alternative reasons the account maybe locked, such as it being hacked.

 

[33kft]

Is this the entire extent of interaction between the accounts and have you or your friend interacted with any other QFF accounts? It only takes one trip of the wire from QFFs side to lock everyone associated out of their accounts and demand proof of relationship.

Also in terms of wanting open license to do what you want, QFF is just the wrong currency to do so despite the recurring discussion on what limits are enforced. Implied/perceived ownership doesn't matter when the program can be shut down tomorrow - courts could split Ansett Golden Wings points one day and the program could be bankrupt the next. It doesn't offer hard currency legitimacy to the program and ultimately if someone wants more than is offered in terms of redemption or transfer capability, the answer isn't bringing a legal challenge to an airline to force redemption offers they don't intend to provide, the answer is to go elsewhere.

 

[L1925]

Should have called qantas and asked why there was no “mistress” option in the drop down menu lol

I’m sure they could manually book it and not discriminate against you? Is a mistress also considered to be family?

I’ll try it tomorrow on a booking

 

[albatross710]

Well the OP triggered my 'fraud' alarm. Who accumulates enough points for redeeming flights and then only redeems for colleagues and then only logs into the account once and then doesn't know how to contact Qantas.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Well the OP triggered my 'fraud' alarm. Who accumulates enough points for redeeming flights and then only redeems for colleagues and then only logs into the account once and then doesn't know how to contact Qantas.

My reading is that the OP has been able to make contact with Qantas, just it took them 8 calls to finally be old what the issue was, and now there is no timeline to get the issue resolved.

 

[RichardMEL]

This is completely false. Nothing criminal has been committed in the situation described, breaching terms and conditions, sure. But even Qantas has been known to breach it's own T's & C's.

In addition, there are multiple alternative reasons the account maybe locked, such as it being hacked.

I will conceede your point regarding the definition of "fraud" in a technical sense, but it IS lying - suggesting a relationship that is not true. Again, as you say, it's a breach of the QF T&C and as such if this is the issue they are investigating the OP has no leg to stand on per those rules (no matter what any of us may hink of them)

Whatever one wants to call it, I am sure QF's concerns are more about the potential resale of points, or in this casee, being paid for the award ticket being redeemed for someone not related - and I don't know how one would prove this wasn't the case.

Again let me state that personally I feel this whole family member thing is rubbish and other airlines are far more sensible about it - if they are *my* points then why can't I redeem them for whoever the heck I want? Anyway don't misuderstand my comments above to reflect my view on the T&C of the program which have always perplexed me.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Didn’t it have something to do with fringe benefits tax? If a company was to redeem points for an employee for example, it might attract FBT. By limiting it to family, this was avoided. At least I thought that was the original reason behind it.

 

[RichardMEL]

Didn’t it have something to do with fringe benefits tax? If a company was to redeem points for an employee for example, it might attract FBT. By limiting it to family, this was avoided. At least I thought that was the original reason behind it.

hmm yes that does ring a bell for me too now that you mention it.

Annoying if one is self funded and so FBT doesn't apply one way or the other, but if this is the reason I can understand it more I guess.


by the way while I'm hogging another post I thought I'd add a general comment that in the situation the OP has described/admitted to - while it is fine as an idea to gift a friend, co-worker (or mistress lol) an award in principle, the act of deliberately selecting them as "Sister" when redeeming is a willful act to my way of thinking. There's no way anyone can seriously argue they made an error or did not understand. This friend whatever is not their sister. Simple as that.

 

[banana boy]

How about if the recipient of the ticket identifies as the OP's sister?

 

[Vic]

I can't understand why you'd select sister. Why not one of the in-law, step or cousin relationships? Those are vastly more remote to a person than sister.

 

[RichardMEL]

I can't understand why you'd select sister. Why not one of the in-law, step or cousin relationships? Those are vastly more remote to a person than sister.

indeed. This thought had crossed my mind too.

 

[calmelb]

I can't understand why you'd select sister. Why not one of the in-law, step or cousin relationships? Those are vastly more remote to a person than sister.

I have even seen it mentioned on here that call centre staff have corrected people when they have said "Friend" to instead put "Cousin". Though I imagine if you only did the occasional booking for a friend but mainly yourself I can't imagine they would flag it massively.

Also side question, what FF programs that have an Australian presence allow for redeeming for friends?

 

[RichardMEL]

Also side question, what FF programs that have an Australian presence allow for redeeming for friends?

UA and AA for two.

 

[BD1959]

Oh! That bit’s easy... it’s ‘family’ as defined by Qantas

Given the political proclivities of Qantas, I'm amazed that there's not a plethora of non-gender, non-hierarchical, non-misogynistic relationships defined as allowable ...

Regards,

BD

 

[Vic]

Given the political proclivities of Qantas, I'm amazed that there's not a plethora of non-gender, non-hierarchical, non-misogynistic relationships defined as allowable ...

Regards,

BD

All such options would be covered by Defacto and domestic partner. where not already covered by other options. For example a sister who identifies as male can be classified as a brother.

The OP could've selected defacto, that'd be the safe option. Pretty hard for Qantas (as opposed to the cops or ATO) to prove otherwise. Domestic partner, yep they come and clean my house every week, helping to maintain our domestic partnership...

Interesting to note cousin is not an option, but is now first cousin. So my cousins children can't get a flight from me. Not sure why mother in law is included - is there anyone who'd buy the mother in law a flight?

 

[dajop]

UA and AA for two.

Lifemiles and Alaska also allow you to redeem for anyone. Krisflyer do , but whoever you redeem for must be a nominee and you are only allowed 5 nominees at any point in timend are pretty restrictive on frequency of changes to list of nominees (only can delete/replace 6 months after adding a nominee).

 

[Happy Trails]

Not sure why mother in law is included - is there anyone who'd buy the mother in law a flight?

One way ticket?

 

[Pushka]

All such options would be covered by Defacto and domestic partner. where not already covered by other options. For example a sister who identifies as male can be classified as a brother.

The OP could've selected defacto, that'd be the safe option. Pretty hard for Qantas (as opposed to the cops or ATO) to prove otherwise. Domestic partner, yep they come and clean my house every week, helping to maintain our domestic partnership...

Interesting to note cousin is not an option, but is now first cousin. So my cousins children can't get a flight from me. Not sure why mother in law is included - is there anyone who'd buy the mother in law a flight?

Why are mother in laws so despised? I’ve sorted several award flights for my DIL so I think I deserve some respect.

 

[get me outta here]

It's just an infantile sexist response that never seems to include fathers in law.

Why are mother in laws so despised? I’ve sorted several award flights for my DIL so I think I deserve some respect.