I will tell you how. The programmer/s involved failed to assess the relationship between the various cabin classes, i.e. doing yield management based on remaining seats in each cabin rather than the whole aircraft. Thus, in my example above the 'F' cabin probably has more seats available than the 'J' cabin.
Sure. It probably means that there is at least one discounted F class seat available. And the points reflect the price that QANTAS would be prepared to sell it for.
If QANTAS is prepared to sell it for that price, then this is a good opportunity for a punter to get the seat.
Bug? or Feature? who knows. Maybe QANTAS intended it that way...
Bug? or Feature? who knows. Maybe QANTAS intended it that way...
Of course they did. Despite the disclaimer that any seat redemption costs are not related to fare they clearly are related. So, just as paid fares have some logic that seems odd on the surface, the same applies with any seat redemption costs.
Has someone checked the partner/classic redemption charts to see if any increases have been snuck through there?
Of course they did. Despite the disclaimer that any seat redemption costs are not related to fare they clearly are related. So, just as paid fares have some logic that seems odd on the surface, the same applies with any seat redemption costs.
However there are certain fare classes that aren't bookable by the general public over the net (or directly by phone). I suspect that with some of the very discounted tickets (e.g. 22k points for J class MEL-SYD) the point values reflect some booking class/fare that wouldn't otherwise be available. Not sure if QANTAS intended for those to be available.
However there are certain fare classes that aren't bookable by the general public over the net (or directly by phone). I suspect that with some of the very discounted tickets (e.g. 22k points for J class MEL-SYD) the point values reflect some booking class/fare that wouldn't otherwise be available. Not sure if QANTAS intended for those to be available.
Yeah I noticed the fine print that some sale fares cannot be booked with any seat. So any seat is really most seats (unlike NZ and DJ where any means any). Personally I can't see the logic of excluding the cheapest seats. Paid fares cost QF more than award seats (as status credits and points are given on paid but not on award).
I see a lot of heat in these discussions, and due to various committments I have not had (and will not have in the near future) a chance to look at everything or examine the new scheme for myself.
Howeverr, does anyone have an idea how this scheme compares to the three other main "anytime" schemes in the market place, those being:
- Virgin Blue velocity
- Air NZ (bearing in mind that filtered through Altitude 80 QF FF pts = $1 Air NZ Airpoitns, ie 1pt =1.25c
- Amex Travelkey rewards (not sure what the ratio is there).
On AirNZ I know that basically almost anytime you can get a return to US from Aus in J cabin for at most about 1.9 million altitude points (or equivalent of 960,000 QF FF pts ) - as if! Or in Y for equivalent of approx 160,000 QF FF pts.
Hmmm no anyseat option for awards ex-NZ, yet you can do ex-all sorts of other places including some cheap origins (although others also not included eg BKK).
So any seat means only where QF considers the fares high enough?
Did some checking for SYD-NRT in nov/dec (because it's a trip I often take) and at first it didn't look to bad, about 85000-95000 for anytime seats when usually it's 144000 return. Got through to the dollar slider thing and it shows 144000 + 400 odd (fuel fine's gone up $100 since my last trip) or 188000ish all in. Which was when it was obvious, those seats were just classic awards, the real anytime awards were 450-500,000 each way. ~1,000,000 points needed for SYD-NRT-SYD. Awesome.
I've been putting almost all my flights qantas way this year as I've pretty much only been doing domestic (using *class to boost sc) but once I make WP in a month or two I think everything will be back to AA and my amex points to singapore. Looks like I'll have a fair bit between Aus and NZ next year so I'll be enjoying the F lounge at SYD though.
Hmmm no anyseat option for awards ex-NZ, yet you can do ex-all sorts of other places including some cheap origins (although others also not included eg BKK).
So any seat means only where QF considers the fares high enough?
I notice on routes with particuarly cheap flights (such as SIN-PER) - where the fare levels are particuarly low (at the moment SG$260 return plus taxes) that the anyseat redemption minimum price is the same as the classic price - 25,000 points each way plus taxes (though you can redeem in Sale or Super Saver fare classes at least).
So I guess that's why Qantas says the points aren't related to a monetary value and not all sale fares will be available (and no miles earnt regardless if making a redemption). Definitely a poor option compared to the AMEX Travelkey offering if I'm going to redeem points for an anytime redemption!
Qantas considering partial float of FF program business
QANTAS SYDNEY, July 1 AAP - Qantas is considering a partial float of its Frequent Flyer program and expects to make a decision about the future ownership structure of the business in August.
Chief executive Geoff Dixon said the Qantas board will assess options for the program at its next meeting.
"Under active consideration for the future of the program is a partial initial public offering (IPO), potentially for completion in 2008," he said.
I just rang the QFF service center to voice my displeasure at the new Any-Seat point requirements even at 11 month's out in J/F it took me 20 min's just to get through.
I was polite but firm and uncompromising. The fella who took my call was pretty jagged, he said that the service center had been run ragged all afternoon dealing with peoples anger with the changes. He said that some of the female phone service staff had been reduced to tears.
He went on to say the negativity is much worse than the 2005 changes.
He also said that corporate was having a difficult afternoon as well and he was glad that he was no longer was a corporate account manager.
It left me with the impression that some big money accounts may move away from QF as a result.
This may play out well for SQ, especially in there premium seats.
I am not suprised by whats happened,
But the greed of QF in this just cannot be hidden or explained.
I will go as far as predicting
I've just checked as I'm thinking of going for a shopping spree before Xmas in Dec. 1,897,785 points minimum for anyseat without paying a cent. That's 5 times more than the old scheme. I was expecting maybe 3 times more. Guess I was silly.
As per usual with program 'enhancements' longhaul routes cost markedly more points.
QF31 SYD-LHR in A380 First Class Suite it costs 1.2million points with AnySeat. If you use the tool to use the minimum amount of points and most cash it costs 192,000 points & $10,500. This is insane! The ticket is only worth $12,500 which makes 192,000 points worth $2,000!
I'm SO lucky that my 192,000 point award was changed to A380 :P It really seems like a once in a lifetime ticket!
Are you sure it's for the suite? There is R class and then there is F class as far as I know and the suites are not available as award seats.
