The totally off-topic thread

[robd]

Given the poor earn rate of the average QF flight when crediting to AA, its going to take the average australian just as long to earn enough points for an award and the availability issue isnt going to change. Yes the taxes will be lower but now they have to deal with AAs complex routing rules.

The guy they were speaking to was American and he referenced cc sign on bonuses et al, so I guess they'll find out the realities of it all for an Aussie.

 

[anat0l]

Given the poor earn rate of the average QF flight when crediting to AA, its going to take the average australian just as long to earn enough points for an award and the availability issue isnt going to change. Yes the taxes will be lower but now they have to deal with AAs complex routing rules.

Probably works out maybe a bit in AA's favour.

Don't forget with the new points earning system from QF, you can't just rake in huge stacks of points for travelling long distances like you used to. AA miles are still calculated based on distances. This also affects, e.g. coast to coast earn quite a bit.

AA also can give you status based on segments as well as BIS miles and EQPs.

AA's rules may sound complex, but there is a degree of freedom against the simplistic QF redemption capability. That said, except for coast to coast, AA will blow for Australian domestic redemptions, which anyone who stays as a Bronze will likely only be able to realistically save for (assuming no credit cards).

In the end, it depends on travel patterns and travel goals. I could say that on TV but it wouldn't make for great TV for sure.

 

[cove]

We have done ok with AA miles as a family. Citi US AA credit cards are a favourite of ours. Getting set with US credit cards can be a slow process.

 

[PLANT]

So council reviewing and told me no need for consultation.... Concerning sign.

 

[blackcat20]

AAdvantage phone desk USA still can't handle Australian credit cards without tricks. Wish they would bring that part of US into their system.

Will have to resort to calling AA Australia...

We've been calling the Aussie number and no dramas. Waiving the phone fee etc.

Channel 7 Sunrise just had a segment on pointy end flying using FF points. The cat's out of the bag on crediting QF points to AA and using them through AA redemptions. Kochie has also picked up on the huge difference in taxes paid between QF & AA redemptions. So surprised were Kochie and Sam with this revelation, they're doing another segment on it tomorrow.

Now I know how friends feel when we tell them how we used credit cards to get points to fly J/F... that look of amazement.

 

[anat0l]

We have done ok with AA miles as a family. Citi US AA credit cards are a favourite of ours. Getting set with US credit cards can be a slow process.

Getting credit cards in the USA is also likely beyond the scope of several average Australians. Many will find it difficult enough to obtain credit in Australia, let alone to exploit whatever limited churning there is available.

 

[PLANT]

Super company admit fault, had to phone again at 1630 hrs to be told fixed fault and will show in account today.
Even though complaints department should have complaint about compensation.... This did not occur. So now told a complaint will be lodged about wanting compensation and could take 90 days for response!
No remorse from contract person. Basically we stuffed up, you identified it, it took us 8 days to fix our stuff up, ATO may interested in you now, why would we even need to pay compensation..... Just keep paying your fee for service you minow!!!!!

 

[SeatBackForward]

I've ordered a new monitor from Dell, paid on the 15th June and have received the following notices for delivery dates:

Notice Date, Delivery Date
17-Jun, 22-Jun
20-Jun, 3-Jul
2-Jul , 6-Jul
4-Jul, 8-Jul
8-Jul , 24-Jul
23-Jul, 27-Jul

Their customer care started by apologising, unable to explain why they have clearly misleading delivery dates when placing an order. "Part shortages" was their excuse - it seems it only became a shortage AFTER they had my money. Now they are just simply ignoring me altogether. This is my third attempt at ordering something form Dell, and each time has been a similar experience, where I've cancelled the first two after having delivery dates delayed by over four weeks each time, I'm tempted to cancel this one too, just as it ships, just to annoy them.

The worst part is, their "customer care" makes absolutely no effort to try to care for their customers...

 

[cove]

You feel small when dealing with the big guys Plant.
Write a letter so a senior person gets to see what they did was wrong. Letters are read by higher ups if you keep it short and not too sweet as they really messed you around and you could have been hit with a 93% charge.

 

[amaroo]

We have had the fridge ice/water running trouble free for nearly 10 years. I really like them. Especially for the kids as they drink much more water as a result of it being chilled and easy to pour.

15 years for us, great fridge right to the end. The new one is a massive winner - who knew bubbles could create such joy ;-)

 

[Flashback]

We have done ok with AA miles as a family. Citi US AA credit cards are a favourite of ours. Getting set with US credit cards can be a slow process.

Don't forget you can get an AA card in the UK too, for good measure! I was lucky that when I got mine it came with a 35k sign up bonus (£5k to trigger).

 

[Julesmac]

My parents' Frigidaire fridge is still chugging along after 48 years. Probably costs a bucket to run but it's been my brother's beer fridge for about 30 years. Oh how I wish they were still being made, I bet (hope) they'd give you a brand new fridge in sheer happiness that the engine's still going. Like the donk on a Holden I suppose.

 

[serfty]

Daughter is using a 370 + 360 Westinghouse fridge-freezer upright combo i purchased in 1986 ... the fridge has had thermostats replaced 3 time and the freezer a new door seal about 15 years ago.

She is six years younger than the combo. ...

 

[Cossie]

We cleaned out Mum's house at the end of last year when her house was sold, her old Amana refrigerator was still running, although it certainly wasn't a quiet fridge!

I can remember her buying it in the very early seventies.

 

[TheRealTMA]

For anyone looking for a home or small business NAS, we've just bought a couple of these to replace ageing hardware. Nice unit at a good price. Add a couple of WD 'red' drives and you have a nice local network storage device and media server. Also has inbuilt BitTorrent client for those inclined. Buffalo LS220DE-AP 2-Bay Linkstation NAS | Centre Com : Best PC Hardware Prices!

 

[robd]

Did someone recently mention about which stores in London you can buy Vegemite? Jnr has just messaged me about getting some more and she's heading there today.

 

[Flashback]

Did someone recently mention about which stores in London you can buy Vegemite? Jnr has just messaged me about getting some more and she's heading there today.

The most common stores to find it in are Tesco, Asda or Waitrose. Should be £1.98 for the 220g jar.

 

[robd]

The most common stores to find it in are Tesco, Asda or Waitrose. Should be £1.98 for the 220g jar.

Perfect. Thanks.

 

[OATEK]

Did someone recently mention about which stores in London you can buy Vegemite? Jnr has just messaged me about getting some more and she's heading there today.

I think the Oz/NZ shop in Covent Garden has gone now (Maiden's Lane), but I usually managed to get it at larger Tescos, Sainsburys and the like.

 

[TheEmu]

AAdvantage phone desk USA still can't handle Australian credit cards without tricks. Wish they would bring that part of US into their system.

Will have to resort to calling AA Australia...

I've been pretty happy with the Aus. number of late (6 bookings this year).
Call AAdvantage desk to get CX flights, put the bookings on hold, call the Aus. number to pay in AUD.
Not really asking them to do anything hard, but it's working ok for me.