The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[elanshin]

Yes I need to get better at remembering to do this. I do sometimes, but not always. And I mean really, it’s just ridiculous. Is Qantas seriously suggesting they don’t know what flights I took? In this instance, it’s all over my FF activity statement, so of course they do. Maybe if the flight/points/SC were completely missing, but this is just an argument about how many points/SC I should receive.

It's not that their system doesn't know, but the training their staff has been given is get boarding pass. You probably need a switched on agent to realise what you're actually asking. Otherwise it's likely "points claim, get me boarding pass" by default.

 

[DejaBrew]

You probably need a switched on agent to realise what you're actually asking.

The irony is that this would surely have to be one of the main responsibilities of a customer service representative? i.e. understand the customer’s question/issue so you can provide the relevant service/support.

 

[elanshin]

The irony is that this would surely have to be one of the main responsibilities of a customer service representative? i.e. understand the customer’s question/issue so you can provide the relevant service/support.

Of course, but if that was actually the case of how QF support worked, we wouldn't need the WP benefit of being able to reach the Hobart team.

 

[DejaBrew]

Of course, but if that was actually the case of how QF support worked, we wouldn't need the WP benefit of being able to reach the Hobart team.

Sad, but true.

 

[tdimdad]

A dummie question about adding a stopover. I'd like to have a week in Singapore on the way back via LHR (i.e. catching QF2 ex-LHR). When I price the flights as a normal return trip, I get whatever the system gives. But the multi-city engine firstly gives a higher price (when I add a week between the LHR-SIN / SIN-SYD legs) and then refuses some date combinations (e.g. the one in the straight return trip).

--> What's the smart way to get the stopover added? Can I call QF and claim I can't book it online the way I like (multi-city refuses the date combo)? Or book online (a return trip) but then call within 24 hours to get the last leg changed to a different date? I'd be redeeming a GV and there the straight-up return flight would be the only feasible thing to try online.

I presume that if I book via QF call centre, they can take a Travel Pass as a part payment for the balance. Right?

 

[serfty]

--> What's the smart way to get the stopover added? Can I call QF and claim I can't book it online the way I like (multi-city refuses the date combo)? Or book online (a return trip) but then call within 24 hours to get the last leg changed to a different date? I'd be redeeming a GV and there the straight-up return flight would be the only feasible thing to try online.

That seems like it is pricing up as separate fares.

Some fares allow stopovers at no cost, some don't.

In reality, it often is best to employ a competent Travel Agent for such cases; they would know which fares can be used for such an itinerary and how to book them.

 

[SYD]

Some fares allow stopovers at no cost, some don't.

In reality, it list best you employ a competent Travel Agent for such cases; they would know which fares can be used for such an itinerary and how to book them.

Agree, although you can have fun with QF Multi-city search to find value in open jaw and stopover itineraries (sometimes cheaper than point2point return).

 

[dairyfloss]

Agree, although you can have fun with QF Multi-city search to find value in open jaw and stopover itineraries (sometimes cheaper than point2point return).

Yep - I managed to snag SYD-SIN-KUL-LGK and return, in J, during the DSC promo for just A$200 more than the SYD-SIN return ticket. The multi-city tool got me there. Great value exists; but it can be hard to find sometimes.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[AIRwin]

Yep - I managed to snag SYD-SIN-KUL-LGK and return, in J, during the DSC promo for just A$200 more than the SYD-SIN return ticket.

DSC on the SYD-SIN sector only though?

 

[dairyfloss]

DSC on the SYD-SIN sector only though?

Yes - DSC will only apply on the QF marketed and operated flights. The other segments were MH; which they would have wanted about $1,600 per pax for, in addition to the QF SYD-SIN-SYD ticket. To combine for such a small difference was quite surprising.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[tdimdad]

Yes - DSC will only apply on the QF marketed and operated flights. The other segments were MH; which they would have wanted about $1,600 per pax for, in addition to the QF SYD-SIN-SYD ticket. To combine for such a small difference was quite surprising.

How did you search for this? You would not have come up from thin air with a "hmmm, let me see what SYD-SIN-KUL-LON brings up?"

 

[SYD]

How did you search for this? You would not have come up from thin air with a "hmmm, let me see what SYD-SIN-KUL-LON brings up?"

Yes. Within the realms of possibility. Some routings will just be “Computer says no”. But if it’s possible, use price calendar to find best combos (make sure you use Flexible dates).

There’s actually a lot of options via SIN in and around Asia.

North America also. I booked SYD-YVR//YUL-ORD-LAX-SYD in J (all QF codes) for a couple of $100 more than the $5999 SYD-YVR return Sale fare a couple of months ago. East coast to west coast is about $1000 each way in J at the moment on AA and AS.

 

[dairyfloss]

How did you search for this? You would not have come up from thin air with a "hmmm, let me see what SYD-SIN-KUL-LON brings up?"

No - not quite, and just to clarify... LGK = Langkawi, MY, not London Gatwick (LGW)

I was already planning to visit Singapore & Malaysia on a family holiday later in the year, and had priced up the SYD<>SIN and SIN<>LGK return flights in business separately, as QF kept spitting out economy seating for the intra-Asia legs, including trying to put us on Jetstar Asia (3K). Knowing I wanted the stoppover in each direction, I later tried the multi-city option in business and after some playing about between Price and Flexibility (the two main options at the end of the itinerary builder), I managed to get the full itinerary priced in the right cabins and cabin fare classes (which is important, as MH flights only credit properly to QFF when they are in the right categories).

It's not that unusual for fares to destinations in a similar area to price around the same amount, even with a stoppover, but given QF's limited availability and high pricing for the direct SYD<>SIN flights at the time, and that the connecting airline was MH in a higher J fare bucket for them (Business 'D'), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could get all I needed directly from QF multi-city, and save about $4.5K across 3 pax in the process.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[SYD]

I was already planning to visit Singapore & Malaysia on a family holiday later in the year, and had priced up the SYD<>SIN and SIN<>LGK return flights in business separately, as QF kept spitting out economy seating for the intra-Asia legs, including trying to put us on Jetstar Asia (3K). Knowing I wanted the stoppover in each direction, I later tried the multi-city option in business and after some playing about between Price and Flexibility (the two main options at the end of the itinerary builder), I managed to get the full itinerary priced in the right cabins and cabin fare classes (which is important, as MH flights only credit properly to QFF when they are in the right categories).

It's not that unusual for fares to destinations in a similar area to price around the same amount, even with a stoppover, but given QF's limited availability and high pricing for the direct SYD<>SIN flights at the time, and that the connecting airline was MH in a higher J fare bucket for them (Business 'D'), I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could get all I needed directly from QF multi-city, and save about $4.5K across 3 pax in the process.

I found similar a few months ago SYD-BKK return in whY was $X but for about the same $X, I could book SYD-BKK//HKT-SIN (SQ)//SIN-SYD.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Hi there,

My wife and I want to christian our daughter in Greece, aiming Sept-23. The trip would be three weeks. Between my wife and I we have +400k points which might get some benefit e.g upgrade one leg.

We're exploring

• Sydney to Athens (Sept 1)
• Athens to Sydney (Sept 23).

Points balance: 440k

Questions
1. Reward flights don't appear to be available which I've understood to be rare. Do these come available due to cancellations? We've also understood we cannot upgrade on other Oneworld carriers, only on Qantas.

2, Based on your experiences, what would be the best way to maximise our Qantas points to visit Greece?

Thanks in advance
Michael

 

[MELso]

Hi there,

My wife and I want to christian our daughter in Greece, aiming Sept-23. The trip would be three weeks. Between my wife and I we have +400k points which might get some benefit e.g upgrade one leg.

We're exploring

• Sydney to Athens (Sept 1)
• Athens to Sydney (Sept 23).

Points balance: 440k

Questions
1. Reward flights don't appear to be available which I've understood to be rare. Do these come available due to cancellations? We've also understood we cannot upgrade on other Oneworld carriers, only on Qantas.

2, Based on your experiences, what would be the best way to maximise our Qantas points to visit Greece?

Thanks in advance
Michael

Flying to Athens you can use Scoot to fly one way SYD-SIN-ATH (or vv).

Having said that, availability to ATH this close to departure will be very tricky, particularly if you want to fly in premium cabins, although there seems to be availability for two to LHR in premium via DFW on 31/8 (so you may need an ESTA), returning in Y via LAX on 22/9 (or from CDG via LAX on 23/9). This runs to $327K points plus fees

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF @MelbourneBoy

1. Reward flights don't appear to be available which I've understood to be rare. Do these come available due to cancellations? We've also understood we cannot upgrade on other Oneworld carriers, only on Qantas.

In general, reward flights in Economy are said to be OK, although to premium destinations such as London and USA can be short supply. How and when Qantas releases reward seats I think is more irregular these days than historically. Sometimes they release a lot at one time, other times they seem to dry up completely. Release after a cancellation maybe taken back to general inventory.

Correct, you can only upgrade Qantas flights with Qantas points.

It is very 'risky to buy, say, an economy fare and then hope to upgrade with points, especially being a QFF Bronze (sorry)

Unless you get an Emirates redemption, you'll almost certainly have to fly via LHR, which would be expensive and time consuming. I haven't considered Chinese partner airlines of Qantas.

Suggestions:

* Look for Qantas reward flights to Rome or Singapore and fly onto Athens from there on a local carrier.

* Use your Qantas points for a hotel in Athens for part of the stay - for example here.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

For MelbourneBoy, your QFF status also comes into play.
The higher QFF status you hold, the more chances of getting premY/J seats, either points upgrade or rewards bookings.
You do say you have 440xx_ QFF points, but are these from cards more than flying with QFF?
On some sectors, the demand for seats in premium cabins can be quite high, and QFF knows this, so even with a large number of points, if your status is QFF SG, you have a better chance of getting prem cabin seats than those on lower status.
Get the one in the family of higher status to do the booking, if you have to phone them up, as you are more likely to get the QF HBA call centre, than if you are lower grade, when you will get the QFF overseas call center.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

Welcome to AFF @MelbourneBoy



In general, reward flights in Economy are said to be OK, although to premium destinations such as London and USA can be short supply. How and when Qantas releases reward seats I think is more irregular these days than historically. Sometimes they release a lot at one time, other times they seem to dry up completely. Release after a cancellation maybe taken back to general inventory.

Correct, you can only upgrade Qantas flights with Qantas points.

It is very 'risky to buy, say, an economy fare and then hope to upgrade with points, especially being a QFF Bronze (sorry)

Unless you get an Emirates redemption, you'll almost certainly have to fly via LHR, which would be expensive and time consuming. I haven't considered Chinese partner airlines of Qantas.

Suggestions:

* Look for Qantas reward flights to Rome or Singapore and fly onto Athens from there on a local carrier.

* Use your Qantas points for a hotel in Athens for part of the stay - for example here.

Thank you for your help

Yes it would appear our options are to fly to a hub e.g Singapore. KL, Hong Kong, etc. I'm also looking into the Rome suggestion - thank you for this.

Getting there is fine with points (reward seat options for economy, premium and business) however I cannot see any on the return leg via any of these options.

Would you have any recommendations? Perhaps there is another way to fly home using points / reward seats. I can only see two economy reward seats via HK to Syd on Mon 25 Sept.

 

[MelbourneBoy]

thank you for this.

recently dropped from Silver to bronze. Should I ask her to call QFF and maybe they could do something for us?I've heard so many good things about the Hobart contact centre but understand this is for platinum

For MelbourneBoy, your QFF status also comes into play.
The higher QFF status you hold, the more chances of getting premY/J seats, either points upgrade or rewards bookings.
You do say you have 440xx_ QFF points, but are these from cards more than flying with QFF?
On some sectors, the demand for seats in premium cabins can be quite high, and QFF knows this, so even with a large number of points, if your status is QFF SG, you have a better chance of getting prem cabin seats than those on lower status.
Get the one in the family of higher status to do the booking, if you have to phone them up, as you are more likely to get the QF HBA call centre, than if you are lower grade, when you will get the QFF overseas call center.

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