ticketing from overseas sites

[drwtsv]

I live in Indonesia and whenever I book a ticket that originates in Indonesia, either through the Qantas Australia or Qantas Indonesia websites, in both cases you need to front at the Qantas office in Jakarta or Bali within 2 days to have the credit card verified.

 

[JetLagged]

Have now flown ex SIN and LHR having booked tickets on the relevant QAN international site - all been fine - bookings linked up - and not once asked to see the CC with which I booked. Will definitely be doing it again - and again - and ...

 

[angusburns]

Re: ticketing from overseas sites + Qantas Walkabout Pass as a bonus?!...

Hi,

Long time lurker, first time poster.

Question: I had a look at the Qantas US website and noticed, not only are the seats cheaper, there is also the Qantas Walkabout Pass. They look like great prices to travel around Australia for destinations where only Qantas flies direct so prices are high, eg Lord Howe Island and Sydney-Broome.

Qantas Walkabout Pass "With a Walkabout Pass, you can customize your trip for much less than if you booked flights separately. ... include up to six flights within Australia."

For travel within the same zone from $70 per flight sector* For travel between zones from $140 per flight sector*
Could I, for example, fly to LAX on QFF points in early February 2011 for skiing, then book a return ticket to Australia late February 2011 from the US website, with the Walkabout Pass added, fly back to Australia and then fly around Australia at some stage(s) during the year and then use the return flight to LAX early next February to go skiing again?

I guess that the LAX-SYD-LAX is the real value but the domestic flights might also be a bit cheaper? Especially for some routes, eg I am paying almost A$1,000 for Sydney-Lord Howe Island at Easter 2011! and Sydney-Broome always seems to be expensive - currently A$411 on-way red-e deal.

Reminds me a bit like the old days when 30,000 QFF points could take you to multi-cities around Australia...

I cannot see any conditions that say that the Walkabout Pass is not available to Australian Passport holders or Australian residents...

"Terms and Conditions

+ Fares are quoted in USD based on per sector per person. Additional taxes and fees apply. A minimum of one and the maximum of six domestic flights within Australia are permitted and must be issued in conjunction with a round trip Qantas international booking between the US and Australia. Travel is in Economy on Qantas or partner airlines. No charge for date change but a local service fee may apply. Rerouting is $100 per transaction per person. A local service fee may apply. The cancellation penalty is based on the Qantas international ticket conditions. Child discounts do not apply. Infant discounts (under 2 years) not occupying a seat are permitted at 10% of the applicable adult fare. Seats are limited and may not be available on every flight or day.
Information is correct as at 26 August 2010 and subject to change without notice."



Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[JohnK]

Re: ticketing from overseas sites + Qantas Walkabout Pass as a bonus?!...

I cannot see any conditions that say that the Walkabout Pass is not available to Australian Passport holders or Australian residents...

Welcome to AFF.

I don't believe this will be an issue. The only condition to the walkabout pass should be a return airfare purchased ex-USA.

And in a way this is really no different to Australian residents purchasing round the world airfares beginning in another country/continent.

 

[Keith009]

No issues ticketing out of SIN or SFO here. I have never been asked to show my CC at SFO or made to do anything 'extraordinary.' In March I bought tickets out of SIN for my parents and sent them a letter stating they have the authority to use my CC just in case, but they were never asked anything.

 

[PEGUS]

Why is it if I book Qantas on their web site Darwin-Heathrow it is costed out at $3822.00 and they are using Jetstar as a code share flight to Singapore. If I book Jetstar to Singapore myself it costs me $700.49 AUD, then Qantas from Singapore to Heathrow for $1478.42 AUD (Booked on their Singapore web site) & converted back to AUD from Singapore Dollars. I find it hard to believe the price difference, it is extreme to say the least, my wife did this trip last year booked the same way & no problems. The only thing is the 20kg baggage limit & not 23kg from Darwin to Singapore & back ,we have planned this trip for Christmas this year.

 

[straitman]

Why is it if I book Qantas on their web site Darwin-Heathrow it is costed out at $3822.00 and they are using Jetstar as a code share flight to Singapore. If I book Jetstar to Singapore myself it costs me $700.49 AUD, then Qantas from Singapore to Heathrow for $1478.42 AUD (Booked on their Singapore web site) & converted back to AUD from Singapore Dollars. I find it hard to believe the price difference, it is extreme to say the least, my wife did this trip last year booked the same way & no problems. The only thing is the 20kg baggage limit & not 23kg from Darwin to Singapore & back ,we have planned this trip for Christmas this year.

PEGUS,

You will find this is just one of numerous variations of ticket pricing. Examples of this are everywhere.

The most accurate description of how airline ticketing works is actually in the thread 'A BIT OF HUMOUR' post #80. If you understand that logic then you understand airline ticketing.

 

[kpc]

China
After you have completed your booking you will need to visit one of our offices below for credit card and signature verification. Your ticket will be issued once your credit card has been sighted.

Beijing Qantas Office
Unit 7-8, 10/F West Tower, Twin Towers, B-12 Jianguomenwai Dajie, Chaoyang District
Open hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri
Phone: +86 10 6567 9006


Shanghai Qantas Office
Room 3202, 32F, K Wah Centre, 1010 Huai Hai Middle Road
Open hours: 9am-5pm Mon to Fri
Phone: +86 21 6145 0188

I want to book a oneway Pvg-Syd award on points (classic award) but the above message comes up re credit card and payment of the associated surcharges. If I ring up QF Premium in Sydney, can they book it for me (with the additional pts fees) to overcome the credit card issue? or can I just book it online myself (to avoid the phone booking fees) and then ring up QF in Sydney to sort out the credit card issue?

 

[JohnK]

It is best to ring QF as the answer may not be found on AFF.

For what it is worth the same sort of message appears for bookings from Manila, Philippines, and unless one goes to the Manila office or pays by bank transfer (i.e not credit card) there is no way to book it. QF staff cannot book it over the phone.

Bookings from Thailand are a little different in that you are supposedly able to fax, scan and email, credit card details to them so they can issue the ticket.

Bookings from China? Could be a bit of both.

Just remember Premium desk is only staffed busines hours Mon-Fri.

 

[V1213]

I want to book a oneway Pvg-Syd award on points (classic award) but the above message comes up re credit card and payment of the associated surcharges. If I ring up QF Premium in Sydney, can they book it for me (with the additional pts fees) to overcome the credit card issue? or can I just book it online myself (to avoid the phone booking fees) and then ring up QF in Sydney to sort out the credit card issue?

Did you get any resolution on this?
I'm looking at a classic award for PVG-HKG-PER but am faced with the same message.

When I called QF they indicated that they can book it over the phone (with applicable fees) and it should be okay... has anyone tested this in practice?

Apparently "due to strict credit card laws in China" if I were to book online I'd need to go to the office as advised - they can't sort it out over the phone. Add to this that I wouldn't be able to get into China to get to the office without a confirmed ticket out of the country so it would seem that online booking is only good for people already in the country.

 

[rechoboam]

Has anyone managed to do this and buy a one-way ticket from an overseas site for substantially less than a return ticket would cost? I don't do a big J trip with the family every year.

 

[spudseamus]

Yes, you can buy a ticket from an overseas Qantas site, though quite often you'll have to present the CC you paid with online, at the airport when you check-in, for security. So watch out for that.

so you are saying that I can purchase a Dublin to Melbourne ticket and use it Melbourne to Dublin?

 

[rechoboam]

so you are saying that I can purchase a Dublin to Melbourne ticket and use it Melbourne to Dublin?

U can buy dublin - melbourne - dublin but would have to leave from dublin. People often use points to buy a one-way ticket to Dublin or London or wherever. To keep going you need to fly back to dublin within a year. If you travel to the same place each year it works well, but in that case London might be a better hub allowing travel through Europe each year.

 

[spudseamus]

ahhh ok ---

 

[miclyn111]

Bought NRT-PER a few years ago, no issues.

The only one to be wary of that I know of is ex-BKK ; if unable to present the C/C used to book to their office in Thailand within a few days, the ticket will be cancelled. The message is very clear when booking for this one, however.

Does this also apply if I book via Etihad website- J BKK- MAN? Or are peeps only referring to Qantas only site?
Will I have to present c/c in BKK few days after booking from Aust. even if I pay in baht?

 

[Flashback]

Does this also apply if I book via Etihad website- J BKK- MAN? Or are peeps only referring to Qantas only site?
Will I have to present c/c in BKK few days after booking from Aust. even if I pay in baht?

I'd suggest either reading through their T&C otherwise probably a nice quick 2 minute call will do the job.

 

[Keith009]

I note the requirement for presenting credit card used for verification if booking ex-HKG online with QF.

However is this need for CC verification waived if I booked an ex-HKG redemption over the phone with the Premium desk in Oz? I required manual assistance to book 2 F rewards as only 1 was available. The Premium desk advised that there is no such requirement if booked over the phone but I just thought that I'd seek a 2nd opinion here.

No biggie either way but the credit card in question is due to expire in June and I'd rather not have it lying around the house for a few months until the trip.

TIA.

 

[equus]

I note the requirement for presenting credit card used for verification if booking ex-HKG online with QF.

Booked 1 way HKG-SYD online before Christmas for the relos returning from a cruise - so different names on tickets to card. Got an email from QF HKG web support wanting CC details front and back faxed or emailed for verification - before ticket issue. Did this, and all was well - ticket issued. Not sure whether or not further verification will be required - but the card used has expired now, and the flights will not occur until March. Will be at HKG when check in occurs, and have the replacement (same card number, just different expiry date), so not worried either way.

 

[openseat]

Booking via the Etihad site is no problem for a BKK originating ticket. All that is required to check-in is the credit card you used for the booking, at least that is what I was asked for in January when I checked in at the transit desk. There is a very nice office in William Street where you can go in and ask, nicely of course, the lady there for your preferred seating. The Etihad site doesn't manage that very well, at least in my experience.

 

[miclyn111]

Thanks openseat for your info/ reply here.
Does anyone know if this is the same for Qatar- BKK- MAN ? They are now pricing cheaper than Etihad.