Qantas increasingly enforcing 'two-factor' account verification

Last night I had a flight out of Auckland cancelled and was offered changes as usual. But I couldn't accept the changes because I was asked to verify myself via text message - something I never set. I never got that text message then realising my phone plan couldn't accept Australian calls in New Zealand. So I tried to enter my details but the website said they were wrong and locked my account. I had no choice but to call to sort out the issue - thankfully I only waited 5 minutes despite the call centre saying 3 hours, I hang up then rang again. The agent was able to accept my flight (although he couldn't unlock my account) told me in the last couple of weeks Qantas were increasingly enforcing two factor verification. Has anyone else had similar problems, particularly when outside Australia?

It is a big hassle if you are travelling and switch SIM cards. I am getting it almost on a daily basis here in the US but haven’t changed my SIM, but my wife who is staying longer has has to register her new SIM to get almost anything done.

Funnily enough, I was just going through the same thing about 3 minutes ago. I switched between my wife’s and my account and when I came back to mine it wanted a SMS confirmation. With my phone elsewhere, I selected the ‘verify another way’ option.

I use the “verify another way “ option when OS, better than the hassle of inserting the Australian SIM and charged for roaming. It’s an airline, many FF members could be OS when accessing their account so a text is not the best option. I contacted the call centre and asked why they don’t send an email to the registered address as some banks/CCs do to verify but was told that was not an option. I now have a pic of my Qantas card on my phone so I can find when I joined. We all like security but it needs to be user friendly.

I'm all for a bit of 2FA, but would prefer if they could build the rotating code into their app (like RSA SecurID). It works without needing a mobile or internet connection.

If you're a business/executive traveller and head o/s on a phone plan that doesn't have basic international roaming/data/text options then the fault lays pretty much with you. Qantas has communicated with members a few times re implementing 2FA.

Also in my experience, although there are four 2FA fields to answer, I saw that only three were needed for a successful login. So in my case, DOB, mother's maiden name and post code was all I needed.

“Given how much effort Qantas has made to increase the utility value of the card I'm not sure why you wouldn't carry it.”

It seems the utility of the card is the date of joining!!!! Seriously though I find the card is more useful than finding an app on a phone which is the cause of endless holdups at boarding (and my wallet is full of cards) Sometimes the bar card to be scanned from a phone won’t fit under a scanner (and I could go on!!!!). It is not as foolproof as some suggest.

Modern day problem, I am afraid.

This is the first I have heard of Qantas 2FA. Ups to NSunners for the info. Downs to Qantas for no info.