Why bother with Qantas?

8 replies

Ricardo

SQ

Member since 23 Oct 2015

Total posts 48

Booked a paid flight on Qantas from Sydney to LA return. A few weeks out, I see that our return seat allocation has gone from 3A & 4A to 8K & 12K, without notice or notification. For about a week, the flight still showed as an A380.

Of course it is simply impossible, even as a unimportant platinum FF, to contact qantas. There are no seats available on qantas in F anytime that month. I also noticed that the A380 is being replaced by the B787 on 2 out of every 3 flights to LA.

It makes me wonder, and I have written to the ACCC, is it misleading and deceptive conduct to advertise and accept payment for a service that you have no reasonable expectation of honouring?

Even better, the booking shows that we will only get the D class status credits … for a PAID first class ticket.

I moved our $10k per month domestic budget to VA a number of months ago, and we all love it. I choose the qantas flights for “convenience” HAH!! What an idiot I was, Qantas isn’t convenient for anything.

No wonder you can’t book first class on Singapore Airlines to anywhere! Anyone with a modicum of self-respect no longer uses Queue And Nasty, Try Another Service.

quantumreality

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 16 Jan 2018

Total posts 61

Sorry to hear your experience, but as an 'unimportant' Platinum, I have been able to reach Qantas call centre with very very short wait (honestly!!!) the last 4-5 times I have called them. So I sometimes wonder what is all the drama regarding Qantas long call centre waiting times by higher-tier frequent flyers .....

Last edited by quantumreality at Oct 02, 09.57 AM.
Last edited by quantumreality at Oct 02, 09.57 AM.
Last editedby quantumreality at Oct 02, 2022, 09:58 AM.

GregXL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 May 2014

Total posts 320

I think you are saying that Qantas have advised of a change of booking due to aircraft change from A380 to 787. It seems there is an avoidance of informing of the change of aircraft type in these cases - I recently had an A330 business booking changed to a 737 with no clear information of the change of aircraft. It is still J, but everyone knows the seat is not comparable. Have to go online to see the aircraft type. In your case moving from rows 3&4 to rows 8&12 means you are no longer in F, which maybe you know as you have mentioned D class. I would be more concerned about the refund that is due than the status points. I also wouldn't want to be in row 12 on a 787 because you are directly adjacent to a bassinet position in premium economy. When calling airlines I never choose an option for changing an existing booking. Always making a new booking, though I haven't tried either with Qantas for a while (also flying Virgin domestically more). Suggest you try calling off peak, like late evening.

Ricardo

SQ

Member since 23 Oct 2015

Total posts 48

Update - Qantas flights canceled and now booked with Emirates (sadly no Singapore availability)

At least I know I’ll get what I’m paying for

XWu

Member since 09 May 2020

Total posts 196

Originally Posted by Ricardo

Update - Qantas flights canceled and now booked with Emirates (sadly no Singapore availability)

At least I know I’ll get what I’m paying for

did you book it directly with emirates or did QF book it for you?

If the former, then it reflects the true state of qf service nowadays for an unimportant P QFF. Can’t fulfill flight, cancel at very last moment and don’t rebook with suitable alternatives and the pax have to wear the late booking premium cost with the other airlines?

I sure some travel insurance covers these kind of extra costs

GregXL

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 26 May 2014

Total posts 320

Emirates SYD - LAX, that is a lot of flying and I would guess cost to get F instead of J! By the way I just called Qantas and requested a change to a different flight so I once again have an A330 for SYD - PER instead of the 737. The call was answered immediately and the request was addressed without any objection or suggestion of change fees. I am gold status which used to get lower call priority than platinum.

Concorde1990

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 13 Nov 2018

Total posts 22

Hi Ricardo,

I was also thinking this a few months ago. And up popped UA's status match. I applied, was accepted and I have since flown more than 10 sectors with UA and it's partners...

No better than Qantas. From Australia staff basically threw my tray onto my tray table on the flight to SFO. I had to ask for EVERYTHING... amenities, PJs, mattress topper... USA domestic: no better. No personal acknowledgment, no lounge access. I was in J (USA First 🤣 [I note that this is a theme for domestic USA travel]). And the return to Australia felt... anticlimactic? lacklustre? Not sure what it was but I didn't feel like that on my last EK flight or QF international flight either.

And VA?... I really love their flight crews, hate their arrogant ground crews and lounge staff, and ALWAYS seem to be on a delayed flight... (seriously, every VA flight I've been on since Jan22 has been delayed)

One thing I can tell you: staff shortages have affected everyone, all over the world. Some are using it as an extended excuse for poor service and reduced product. As a very lowly QFF-P and UA-PP, my loyalty and patience is wearing thin.

So... Why bother with Qantas?

Well, once upon a time their domestic flight schedules were number one. Although they are cutting flights left, right and centre... I hope this trend will be reversed. If not, it'll be another nail in the Qantas coffin.

International flight connections with other airlines used to be easy too. But Oneworld is seemingly smaller and smaller now...

Sydneysiders may well love the Sydney-centric airline... but I don't! SYD is a b*%#^ to transfer at. It also has a curfew that has bit me in the but more than once a year.

... still trying to figure out why I should bother with Qantas...

It's majority Australian owned,

Some staff are Australian and pay Australian Taxes...

Um...

Really, it's because the rest are no better...

Clancy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 31 Jan 2016

Total posts 77

In general not too many options flying from 'home'...actually there are none that can potentially do what I 'hope' to do in a few weeks time...12 sectors, 4 airlines, all booked with cash and points on-line through Qantas in J.

So what has happened since booking tix I hear you ask? Well, QF1 and QF2 are running a little rough (ok really average and rough) , BA flight has been cancelled and re-ticketed to a few hours earlier, no real issue, and another flight is now 10 min later on another airline - no issue, but there is still time for significant issues.

I have built a little flexibility into my travel agenda which I hope I don't really need to use...

Clancy

Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer

Member since 31 Jan 2016

Total posts 77

An update...

All flights departed and arrived roughly on time or slightly ahead of time etc...since only used carry-on luggage there were no issues there either.

Flights booked on-line through QF using points for BA and AF (inc HOP), excellent, no issues.

When transiting at CDG with AF leave plenty of time between 2G to 2E took about 90 minutes including bus, walking and using the express lane through passport control...

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