The pointless pathetic penny pinching that pushes away customers thread

[Robbi]

Of course we can all post. Just saying that posting the same opinion multiple times suggests badgering to make me change my opinion. As I said I've answered your basic question a number of times in thread. I would suggest that's a starting point before you continue badgering me. Otherwise, I still find a response of "thems the rules" to be unimaginative.

So both of you keep reiterating your positions. You are both firm in your convictions.

This whole thread is actually full of posts reiterating contrasting positions...I

 

[Pushka]

Depends on your point of view. I've flown my fair share with QF and have never had an issue with being stuck on the ground on a non-flex ticket. The days/weeks where I think my schedule will be fluid I purchase a flexi ticket - simple stuff.

Most problems can be sorted with one's own wallet!

But isnt the issue that their direct competitor is much more flexible than Qantas is in situations where a premium traveller makes a request?

Unfortunately we cannot predict when appointments are going to be cancelled. People aren't very good at predicting when they might be sick. Or a Minister calls them to an urgent meeting because some serious issue has arisen. Not simple at all. Depends on the nature of your business I guess.

 

[amaroo]

But isnt the issue that their direct competitor is much more flexible than Qantas is in situations where a premium traveller makes a request?

I guess QF would love to match VA in many things......corporate structure, foreign ownership, IR, etc

 

[JohnK]

On the 11th trip your last appointment gets cancelled and you arrive very early and can see there's an earlier flight. You ask if you can be rebooked. You may not even have luggage. But you are told no just because that's the fare you booked, not because the flight is full because they don't even check.

Some check-in staff flatly refuse to check if they can put you on earlier flight. Others check and make the decision based on the loads of the requested flight.

Customer service is not a strong point of some Qantas staff. I think we all know that.

Virgin at least checks and on the times flown Virgin, the request is granted.

Virgin is not Qantas. They are not perfect.

For Qantas I think it is good to have the ability to flow forwad at times when it is not initiated by the airline but remain as an unplublished benefit. If every single request was granted then people will start gaming the system.

By the way as a lowly Virgin Gold I have been refused the request of an earlier flight. And not just because the flight was full.

 

[medhead]

no - but assuming QF pays the same or similar price to others, particularly in a competitive environment overseas.

i can't seem to find it but it there anywhere in the annual report that would state the total cost spend on food?

It did say usd7.3 for a domestic meal on china airlines. If we use that as a guide and factor in the vastly higher staff costs that qantas is always telling us about. :?:

Annual report is an excellent idea. I'll have a look if I ever get a chance. (This is a statement about the person who arrange to meet at 9:30 and is nowhere to be seen!)

 

[opusman]

What happened to the self-check kiosks offering an earlier flight if available? I haven't used one for ages now but the last time I did it offered to move me to an earlier flight, and I'm pretty sure I wasn't on a flexible ticket.

 

[AnonymousCoward]

Well, according to others in this trip this offer should be stopped immediately.

If that is your experience then it's time that Q looked at their staff training.

No one is saying that (well, if you know who is, please post a link). Otherwise, stop putting words in other people's mouths.

QF can ask if you want an earlier flight, and as a pax you are entitled to say "no".
As a pax, you can ask for an earlier flight, and QF is entitled to say "no" if the type of ticket you bought doesn't entitle you to change.

And everyone should say "no" in a polite way. I think that's a more correct summary.

 

[TheInsider]

For the people who say that the Qantas staff don't check the ticket availability, well its a simple click of a mouse or a few keys on the keyboard and it tells the agent straight away if their ticket is flexible.
If you have a flexible ticket and the same fare class or lower is available (within the flexible conditions) it will offer an earlier flight option to the check in agent, as it does on the kiosk. So if you have a 'B' ticket and 'v' is available it will offer the agents and kiosk an earlier flight if avail.
When a 'flow forward' situation is in place, the agent has to force the transfer over to another flight and if they have the available permissions to do that.
When flow forwards are in place the kiosks will automatically offer an earlier flight if available to anyone on any ticket.
From what some staff say, it's just easier to transfer anyone because they can't be bothered arguing with the people in front of them, irrespective of frequent flyer tier or ticket fare.

 

[Pushka]

No one is saying that (well, if you know who is, please post a link). Otherwise, stop putting words in other people's mouths.

I'm not going back through the thread but comments alluding to the fact that they'd be pi$$ed off if someone on a cheap flight was moved to an earlier flight, and they, on a more flexible fare, missed out on changing their flight, might just fill that criteria!

 

[hdfb]

I have flown forward on QF fair few times, I think I am 7 from 7. All times I was travelling on discount red e-deals and definitely even at least once I was on a Classic Award. I usually do this at CBR and I always ask the QF attendant stands amongst the self checkin kiosks as they will take you to their check in computer in the middle of the self check in area and look there. I usually see the same gentleman and he will tell me my fare bucket is restricted and not flexible, "but let me have a look anyway", and ta-daa I am put on the flight I requested.

One time I arrived at Melbourne airport 90 minutes before my flight but noticed there was a flight leaving for Canberra in 15 minutes and had just commenced boarding. I checked in at the desks and asked if I could be put on the flight leaving in 15 minutes, they said the flight was full. So I then went through the security screening area and then went to the the QF customer service desk inside the terminal where Gates 1-10 are and asked the people there if I could be put on the flight now departing in 10 minutes as I personally felt there was no way it was actually 100% full. And BAM they printed a boarding pass for me straightaway and encouraged me to walk swiftly to Gate 10 for imminent departure. Was very happy with this outcome. Turns out the aircraft was 95% full.

I feel as if I've been lucky with QF, I think being SG helps a lot as well as travelling with carry on only. I think it is also imperative to ask the right person as I think different QF employees have different controls and access... happy to be corrected on this point, just a hypothesis based on my experiences.

 

[UP4014]

Back on the original point; if AJ tells his troops to save $3.75 per passenger, that's a saving of $35,317,500 per year, or 10% of his estimated loss number. Based on pax numbers of 9.418M

If they can save $32 per passenger that's the $300,000,000.

Because the numbers are so big, you only need a small % saving per head to do it. Which begs the question why is there such a panic.

Matt

 

[rotor]

On both my international flights last week (QF7+QF108), the Y amenity kit (toothbrush+eye-shades) was not provided. I had to ask, and they gave me one from Y+.

 

[dairyfloss]

Forgot to add the shrinking beer glass sizes.

Seems to be an effect of the Accor thing... The Qantas Singapore Lounge was serving up draught pint after glorious draught pint of your lounge lager of choice, until Accor came along... and then it dropped down to something resembling the little 'sevens' my grandad used to get at the local RSL with his counter lunch.

 

[medhead]

Seems to be an effect of the Accor thing... The Qantas Singapore Lounge was serving up draught pint after glorious draught pint of your lounge lager of choice, until Accor came along... and then it dropped down to something resembling the little 'sevens' my grandad used to get at the local RSL with his counter lunch.

The SYD j lounge has 2 sizes of glass. The old ones are 425 ml. The new, small ones are about 390ml, the size isn't actually marked on the glass but the ADL lounge glasses are 390ml. Staff told me they were instructed to only use the smaller glasses for draught beer.

I hope the 35ml per serve is going to save them $100s of millions.

 

[roncritch]

The SYD j lounge has 2 sizes of glass. The old ones are 425 ml. The new, small ones are about 390ml, the size isn't actually marked on the glass but the ADL lounge glasses are 390ml. Staff told me they were instructed to only use the smaller glasses for draught beer.

I hope the 35ml per serve is going to save them $100s of millions.

Hmm but I think Accor will pocket the saving, not Qantas.

 

[mannej]

What is 390mls as a beer glass measurement in Australia?

 

[UP4014]

What is 390mls as a beer glass measurement in Australia?

Un-Australian.....:mrgreen:

 

[Robbi]

What is 390mls as a beer glass measurement in Australia?

13 oz!!

 

[Happy Trails]

So, the more beer we drink the more they save?
I'm prepared to do my bit.

 

[mannej]

13 oz!!

Granted, but I can't seem to find a name for it. It's not as if it's a weird size like they have in SA. I mean where else is 425 mls a pint?!;-)