The Qantas Newbie Questions Thread

[Mwenenzi]

Hi everyone.
I'm relatively new to flying and I'm looking at signing up for QFF and looking at the name section they state:

Don’t pay the Qantas joining fee. There will be links to join for free or free when signing up for a credit card etc

Joining via Woolworths everyday rewards is the easiest.
And https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/avoid-qantas-frequent-flyer-join-fee/
(new link)

 

[RooFlyer]

Welcome to AFF, @PKMT

Ways to join QFF for free:

How to join Qantas Frequent Flyer for free in 2024

EDIT: I see they don't include Woolworths. That's probably the way to go, per @Mwenenzi

 

[PKMT]

Joining via Woolworths everyday rewards is the easiest.
And https://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/qantas-business-rewards-free-join/

That was my goal in the sort of long run. I got an everyday rewards card(And a flybys for Velocity) for that reason.

Just put your first name. In my experience, that is the most accepted version for when you are doing international booking on other airlines. Qantas, continues to have middle initial on many early accounts (like mine) but that has not caused any confusion to date for me, but it is not what is commonly requested on other booking systems. Stick with your first name "John"

It does seem from my research trying to figure it all out a middle name on a plane ticket or in a frequent flyer program doesn't really matter these days but there does seem to be the odd case on where it does.

I think what has been throwing me is different terminology being used and everyone doing a slightly different thing.

To use Qantas as an example. When I mucking around looking at tickets it has first, middle and last names in the passenger box yet the FF only has first and last.

The whole process of flying is very much foreign but it's better late then never to get started.

 

[GrahamBRI]

It does seem from my research trying to figure it all out a middle name on a plane ticket or in a frequent flyer program doesn't really matter these days but there does seem to be the odd case on where it does.

The airlines always tend to overcome these specific issues, but the mildly annoying thing for me is when you book using your FF number and the system populates with your FF details (which are locked), then you are asked for your passport details in APIS (Advance Passenger Information), which are more specific. If the two don't match you will be flagged. Main issue I experience is inability to do international online check-in. Not critical, but my recommendation is just use first name.

 

[PKMT]

The airlines always tend to overcome these specific issues, but the mildly annoying thing for me is when you book using your FF number and the system populates with your FF details (which are locked), then you are asked for your passport details in APIS (Advance Passenger Information), which are more specific. If the two don't match you will be flagged. Main issue I experience is inability to do international online check-in. Not critical, but my recommendation is just use first name.

You would think there would be a standard way of doing things.

In that case of the APIS not matching the FF I assume the process is to just go to the check in counter and it gets sorted that way?

 

[tdimdad]

In that case of the APIS not matching the FF I assume the process is to just go to the check in counter and it gets sorted that way?

Exactly. This is all too familiar to the check-in counter agents and if there are any differences, they'll fix it in a flash to match what it needs to be in each corresponding system.

Just recently, I had bought a ticket through another airline and they hadn't passed my FF number to Qantas. The agent in Sydney was looking at my booking for a minute and then spotted the missing data point. The fix took 10 seconds and she was printing the boarding passes...

 

[elanshin]

Exactly. This is all too familiar to the check-in counter agents and if there are any differences, they'll fix it in a flash to match what it needs to be in each corresponding system.

Just recently, I had bought a ticket through another airline and they hadn't passed my FF number to Qantas. The agent in Sydney was looking at my booking for a minute and then spotted the missing data point. The fix took 10 seconds and she was printing the boarding passes...

I assume they fixed my friends details at check in for DoB but apparently QF still provided a birthday package for him midflight yesterday despite his birthday being in June.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Next thing to consider.
What is your aim status.
QFF points do expire every 18 months, so you need very regular activity.
EDR is good but also consider occasionally BP me, Everyday Market, Red Surveys etc.
There is also the step counter too.
QFF PS is easy to get, SG needs very regular travels.
And on it goes to WP/P1.
Points is one thing but you also need to build up your status, flying or PC or Qantas BR, ie points club or business rewards if you have an ABN.

 

[GrahamBRI]

Exactly. This is all too familiar to the check-in counter agents and if there are any differences, they'll fix it in a flash to match what it needs to be in each corresponding system.

Yes agree, always fixed in a flash….. but you do have to wait in line to get to the check-in counter…… if you are like me who will only travel with hand luggage (domestic or international), that is one line I like to avoid and go straight to the lounge. I also don’t like the idea that my seat, carefully picked months before, is sitting un-checked in, with everyone in front of me in the line, trying to get a seat re-allocation….. but this nervousness has always been unfounded and I have always got my allocated seat.

 

[elanshin]

Are the Jetstar Asia /JP Flights counted to the QF flight sectors needed for status?

Assuming you booked a GK status earnings flight in Japan, does that count to a sector?

 

[eminere]

I assume they fixed my friends details at check in for DoB but apparently QF still provided a birthday package for him midflight yesterday despite his birthday being in June.

A birthday package? I'd take that as a win.

 

[eminere]

Are the Jetstar Asia /JP Flights counted to the QF flight sectors needed for status?

Assuming you booked a GK status earnings flight in Japan, does that count to a sector?

Yes, if you have purchased a Starter Plus, Starter Max or Business Max fare.

 

[Youfah Mizzum]

Although this thread title is for Qantas newbies, I'm not. But I do have a newbie question as I've never done this before.

So I am booked Y to HND later in Feb using QFF points (me and Mrs Mizzum). Last year I submitted an upgrade request. That is sitting there until I receive notification if it was successful/unsuccessful. I'll probs only know 24 hours or less out from departure time.

Also in my booking is an option for Bid Now. I am just wondering if it's worth putting in a Bid Now with my upgrade request still pending?
Keen for a Japan flight in J but when I booked, reward seats weren't available so ran with Y.

Status = bronze

 

[dairyfloss]

Although this thread title is for Qantas newbies, I'm not. But I do have a newbie question as I've never done this before.

So I am booked Y to HND later in Feb using QFF points (me and Mrs Mizzum). Last year I submitted an upgrade request. That is sitting there until I receive notification if it was successful/unsuccessful. I'll probs only know 24 hours or less out from departure time.

Also in my booking is an option for Bid Now. I am just wondering if it's worth putting in a Bid Now with my upgrade request still pending?
Keen for a Japan flight in J but when I booked, reward seats weren't available so ran with Y.

Status = bronze

Classic Rewards are processed before Bid Now upgrades are considered, and so if you are going to get an upgrade, you'd get it via the request you already have in place. Bid Now is probably only useful for those who are light on points or prefer to save them for something else, and want to use a cash component. Leave it as it is.

Cheers,
Matt.

 

[bussyboy]

It's counter intuitive to me, but Bid Now upgrades have less priority than your upgrade request using points

 

[elanshin]

It's counter intuitive to me, but Bid Now upgrades have less priority than your upgrade request using points

May change in the future, but probably because QF wants to dangle the QFF points carrot for people. This helps them use up outstanding points as well as let people get some good usage out of the points.

In the long run it likely makes more money than a one off paid upgrade as stories of points upgrade success spreads and more people buy into QFF points.

 

[Youfah Mizzum]

Thanks @dairyfloss and @bussyboy .
Exactly the answer I was after.

 

[DejaBrew]

I assume they fixed my friends details at check in for DoB but apparently QF still provided a birthday package for him midflight yesterday despite his birthday being in June.

What comprises the "birthday package"?

 

[elanshin]

What comprises the "birthday package"?

My partner on QF120 got while travelling in J (real birthday) - Remy roo chocolate, J amenities kit, keychain and a happy birthday card with an old plane as a picture on the front. Oh and she got bacon with her breakfast as well that the other J meal didn't get.




My friend travelling QF291 in Y (Finair) for his fake birthday got - remy roo chocolate, cheesecaeke, keyring card, and QF Hat.

 

[DejaBrew]

My partner on QF120 got while travelling in J (real birthday) - Remy roo chocolate, J amenities kit, keychain and a happy birthday card with an old plane as a picture on the front. Oh and she got bacon with her breakfast as well that the other J meal didn't get. View attachment 369539

View attachment 369538


My friend travelling QF291 in Y (Finair) for his fake birthday got - remy roo chocolate, cheesecaeke, keyring card, and QF Hat. View attachment 369536

I must try this out sometime...