QF making 2 authorisations on CC

[Mr_Orange]

<Rant Mode>Arghhhhhhh, why oh why does Qantas sometimes make two authorisations on one's credit card. I know from previous experience that one will disappear unclaimed and the other will be the actual payment, but why are they using some Mickey Mouse payment system that charges twice. God, it seriously p*sses me off.</Rant Mode>

Thanks, I feel better.

Seriously though, Red Roo, can you chase this down, because I know I'm not the only person this has happened to and it has happened to me more than once.

 

[Pvcmenace]

It is an annoyance and the only company that seems to do it! I wonder if there is an interest component that benefits one of the parties bank or airline?

 

[Intra]

AirNZ did my CC over three times for the one booking.... With my small credit limit, I had to get the bank to release the funds ASAP....

 

[Pleb Status]

This has been an issue since at least June this year when making ASA bookings (which now have to be done through the call centre) on certain credit cards only (Bankwest is one of the affected banks). I have had endless discussions with the P1 apologies and excuses team trying to have the issue rectified (and they have obviously done $&@? all about it!).

It has got that bad that I have been assigned a specific supervisor at QF premium to talk to when I make ASA bookings. She knows the full story and will automatically send paperwork through to my bank to have the second authorisation voided (which takes about 24 hours).

 

[DontGetMeStarted]

Yep this has happened to me too on two recent MASA's drives me crazy and took almost 5 days for 2nd amount to drop off

 

[Sprucegoose]

Is there a reasonable justification for this?

 

[Pleb Status]

Is there a reasonable justification for this?

I have been advised it is a 'system error'. However, as if favours QF, they are in no hurry to do anything about it.

 

[Mr_Orange]

Is there a reasonable justification for this?

Is there ever a reasonable justification for being charged twice for the same thing?

 

[burrco]

Happened to me today, very frustrating. Every* other merchant in the country appears to understand how to process credit cards - but not Qantas.

(*Limited to those I have transacted with during a lifetime of spendaholism.)

 

[zqsn5678]

Last month I used my NZ Westpac credit card for the first time oversea in HK and Singapore, Westpac couldn't quiet explain why 90% of the charges during that trip were authorized twice with slight varied amount.

The second charges were all eventually dropped about 1-2 weeks after the initial purchase.

 

[Mr_Orange]

I've rung QF twice about this now. Once last night where the CSR told me that it was normal and it had happened to her on numerous occasions. I pointed out that it has never happened to me except with QF. She wasn't having it and refused to take it any further.

I HUACA, albeit this morning. This CSR initially said that there were 2 pax therefore 2 charges, but when I pointed out the fare cost and the addition of 2x$7 cc fee she went off and spoke to a senior. They are now refunding both charges, reissuing the ticket and charging me the correct amount.

She did say it is a problem that has been around since the introduction of ASAs and not specifically mASAs, since she said from about 2 years ago.

Red Roo, this really is a significant problem and could cause many people real problems with their line of credit when QF is tying up twice the amount they should. I wouldn't be surprised if it contravenes trading laws TBH, so it needs following up at the highest level and fixing.

 

[jedinite]

I too have had this happen with Qantas on two separate occasions. You call up and complain and they say don't worry the second one will disappear in a week.
Not good enough.
They didn't seem surprised at all - the conspiracy theorist in me thinks they do it deliberately or as it is in their favour they aren't looking into how to stop it happening

Similar thing happens with Holland America cruise lines - 3 trips in a row they charged each of our rooms with a nominal amount - e.g. $5-$10, claiming it was for mini bar expenses. They wait about 4-8 weeks before charging you, not upon check out!
We were all 100% certain we didn't use the mini bar , ever. And when you complain, they eventually refund. Now imagine the income if they did this every cruise for every cabin and got away with it most of the time - $5 X 1000 cabins X 40 cruises per year X 20 ships - $4,000,000