A gripe:

I have some orphan AA miles and was looking to use 10K for a SYD-AKL award on QF. Rang Dallas and booked - no problems. Was advised that there was a USD 20 fee for this plus the usual airport taxes - all fine (should have come out about AUD100 all up). As I don't have a US billing address I was given a number in Australia to call to pay with my Australian credit card, the award was booked and on hold for 10 days - again no problems.

Get through to someone in Brisbane the next day, tell them the story, get told that I should have called them first rather than Dallas - ok I'm sorry, will do next time, can I pay and have my award ticketed please? Lots of clunking away on the system, then get told that I need to call the US to pay with my US credit card. Sorry mate, no I'm in Sydney, only have AU credit card, Dallas has sent me to you to pay. More clunking - then get told 'ok but you are going to have to pay a USD 60 fee for calling us plus the USD 20 fee for booking with Dallas'.

No thanks - the 'award' is now the same price as a paid flight - and I get the added perks of burning 10000 points and a couple of hours on STD/IDD phone calls.

<sorry for the gripe - but USD 80 to make a garden variety, one-way award booking on Qantas seems a little bit much to me>

Bradley