Not a reply, just a little about my experience.
Hello, I am rather new to this type of thing, but I am in need of all of your knowledge regarding Qantas Points.
For the last 5 years, my husband and I have been saving up (and spending on our credit card) our Qantas points to take my Grandmother back to Poland, as she was taken from there as an orphan in 1934.
We finally saved up enough Qantas points to take her, and booked 2 x economy class fares for my husband and me, and a business class upgrade ticket for my grandmother.
We were assured by the Qantas Rep at the Airport where I paid for the tickets that her upgrade would be fine due to her medical conditions, as the flight was not busy in that class.
Our trip was a complete disaster. We left SYD destined for SIN, where we were to overnight, as my Grandmother has a number of major illnesses, and on Doctors advice we decided to try and break the trip up a little for her wellbeing.
Upon arriving in SIN, we found that my Grandmothers bag had been lost, after 2hrs messing around at the Qantas baggage claim, and filling in a form, we then were on our way to the hotel (without any explanation, or compensation for her to buy some new clothes).
My wife went to purchase some clothes for her, but having lost her bag made my grandmother very distressed (as I am sure you can all appreciate).
The next day we were on our way to Heathrow, upon checking in, we were informed that Business had been oversold, and my Gran would have to be in Economy with us. I protested politely, but got nowhere.
She has very bad osteoporosis (with 4 old fractures in her spine), plus a very bad heart condition (Pacemaker), and finally suffers with Thyroid cancer (not the best person to take traveling, I know, but this was to be her only chance to go back to her home country).
They said our economy seats would be fine for her - so we carried on with the journey. By the time we got into Heathrow, my Gran was in tears with pain, she had to be taken by wheelchair from the plane.
Instead of going to our hotel she ended up at St Johns hospital for 5 days, as she had sustained another bone injury - due to her long and cramped trip in the economy seat.
We ended up flying home after she came out of hospital, 1 week later as my Gran could not carry on with the trip (this time on Air NZ, courtesy of our Insurance Company, they did not have to do this, but did).
Once back in NZ, I complained to Qantas - they just said they were sorry.
I asked for a refund of the points that were not used. They said as it was a discount ticket, they would not refund them. Is this true?
If so, I think this is rude and disgusting service.
So, after all of that we are no further ahead - we lost a lot of money (Gatwick-Krakow Return business class fares, Prepaid Krakow accommodation, plus the unexpected costs in London), all because of the inconsiderate service that Qantas provided us.
My brother has offered us 60,000 Qantas points to take her there again later this year.
He said I could buy more from other members, so we can purchase a return business class fare for my Gran.
Is there anyone who wants to sell me there points for a fare price? Please let me know.
Thanks in advance,
Heidi
