QF looking to kill/limit Concorde awards?
#16
Original Poster
Moderator, Argentina and FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: MIA / EZE
Programs: Lord of Malbec & all Wines Argentine. AA EXP / Marriott Lifetime Gold / Hyatt Explorist / Hertz PC
Posts: 36,204
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Setjet:
Of course FlyerTalk is about distributing good news. But bringing up bad (and hopefully wrong!) rumors again and again doesn't really help anybody...
</font>
Of course FlyerTalk is about distributing good news. But bringing up bad (and hopefully wrong!) rumors again and again doesn't really help anybody...
</font>
Also, what is your definition of 'bad' rumours? Bad for who exactly..? The idea here is NOT to spread rumours of anykind, its to let people that are considering doing this Concorde thing to be aware of facts that may affect their chances of getting seats of the SST.
Im up to my ears with all this "hush hush" attitude about this Concorde thing...

------------------
Gaucho100K
#17




Join Date: Feb 2001
Programs: IHG Diamond, HH Gold, Marriott Silver
Posts: 4,345
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gaucho100K:
There seems to be a sense that QF and BA have noticed the increased demand of Concorde awards. Im wondering if anybody has some inside info. or has experienced any new/additional difficulties in booking these awards.</font>
There seems to be a sense that QF and BA have noticed the increased demand of Concorde awards. Im wondering if anybody has some inside info. or has experienced any new/additional difficulties in booking these awards.</font>
This type of post is really totally counter-productive. If there is some chance QF might react to the increase in Concorde awards negatively, then trying to stir up FTers to make even more Concorde redemptions helps how?
If Ansett were still around, I'd have been able to let my Qantas points get up to the Concorde level and still get my domestic trips for free. As there's no Ansett any more, I've been using up Qantas points locally. I just hope that a few years down the track, when I have built my Qantas points up again, the Concorde award is still available and wasn't destroyed by the April/May 2002 Flyertalk stampede.
#18




Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: New York City, United States.
Posts: 2,736
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
Big warning for anyone booking the Concorde, try and avoid a *STAY* in Britain unless you really need one. Britain regards a legal "stopover" as one that exceeds 24 hours. Concorde departs LHR for JFK at 10.30am. Taxes per person on these tickets were $A94.40 as we cunningly gave ourselves 23.15 hours sleep/party time at Sheraton Skyline at LHR, which we plan to book on priceline for $US50 or so a night both directions.
Had our 'stay' in Britain exceeded 24 hours the taxes were $A361.60 a person. So, by arranging a short transit and hotel sleep each direction we saved $A534.40 or about $US280 in taxes alone on the exact same flights! The point 'cost' using QF points to fly JFK-LHR is the same as JFK-LHR-to anywhere else close in Europe that BA flies, and thus cuts a huge sum off taxes. (And takes you somewhere more interesting than London to boot!)
No idea if taxes are higher on Concorde (?) and assume these costs apply on any legal 'stay' in GB, and strike me as outrageous.
</font>
Big warning for anyone booking the Concorde, try and avoid a *STAY* in Britain unless you really need one. Britain regards a legal "stopover" as one that exceeds 24 hours. Concorde departs LHR for JFK at 10.30am. Taxes per person on these tickets were $A94.40 as we cunningly gave ourselves 23.15 hours sleep/party time at Sheraton Skyline at LHR, which we plan to book on priceline for $US50 or so a night both directions.
Had our 'stay' in Britain exceeded 24 hours the taxes were $A361.60 a person. So, by arranging a short transit and hotel sleep each direction we saved $A534.40 or about $US280 in taxes alone on the exact same flights! The point 'cost' using QF points to fly JFK-LHR is the same as JFK-LHR-to anywhere else close in Europe that BA flies, and thus cuts a huge sum off taxes. (And takes you somewhere more interesting than London to boot!)
No idea if taxes are higher on Concorde (?) and assume these costs apply on any legal 'stay' in GB, and strike me as outrageous.

</font>
Said run was completed in about 30 hours. I stay 2 or 3 hours in the London Airport.
However, I paid the same tax that would be collected on a muti day stay.
I did not get any break on U.S./ U.K Taxes.
#19
Moderator: Hyatt Gold Passport & Star Alliance




Join Date: May 1998
Location: London, UK
Programs: UA-1K 3MM/HY- LT Globalist/BA-GGLfL
Posts: 12,759
The basis of a lot of taxes appears to have changed post-Sept 11th. For example in HKG if you arrive at 10.55pm and leave at 1am you pay the HKG departure tax whereas if you leave at 11.59pm you avoid it.
On my forthcoming *A RTW ticket, the taxes on a ticket cost of ZAR46580 were ZAR11734, nearly 25% of the base price which is high as most of them are same day back and forth flights. Apprently these each now attract the segment security fee - eventhough you use security only once!
On my forthcoming *A RTW ticket, the taxes on a ticket cost of ZAR46580 were ZAR11734, nearly 25% of the base price which is high as most of them are same day back and forth flights. Apprently these each now attract the segment security fee - eventhough you use security only once!
#20
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
Re tax, the QF girl worked it out both ways for me whilst on the phone. She was very definite, as I was writing it all down. I guess a dummy booking on an airline website will confirm this one way or the other? AMS-LHR-JFK-LHR-AMS.
Those here who are transitting LHR on the 55,555 Star Alliance points hunt on 5 carriers are mindful of this reality.
------------------
~ Glen ~
Those here who are transitting LHR on the 55,555 Star Alliance points hunt on 5 carriers are mindful of this reality.

------------------
~ Glen ~
#21
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
Also on UK taxes it has been posted here before that Biz and First pax pay much higher tax rate than coach on same carrier, same flight. No idea if that is correct, but nothing would surprise me these days. 
------------------
~ Glen ~

------------------
~ Glen ~
#22
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Sydney, Aus
Programs: QF WP, Starwood Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club, Amex Platinum
Posts: 2,880
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
Also on UK taxes it has been posted here before that Biz and First pax pay much higher tax rate than coach on same carrier, same flight. No idea if that is correct, but nothing would surprise me these days.
</font>
Also on UK taxes it has been posted here before that Biz and First pax pay much higher tax rate than coach on same carrier, same flight. No idea if that is correct, but nothing would surprise me these days.

</font>
#23
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Sunny SYDNEY!
Programs: UA Million Miler. (1.9M) Virgin Platinum. HH Diamond + SPG Gold
Posts: 32,351
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2"> Biz and First pax pay much higher tax rate than coach on same carrier, same flight.</font>

------------------
~ Glen ~
#24
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: Sydney, Aus
Programs: QF WP, Starwood Gold, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold, Avis President's Club, Amex Platinum
Posts: 2,880
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozstamps:
ozzie - with respect, I think you will find that the above is VERY correct. 
Biz and First pax pay much higher tax rate than coach on same carrier, same flight.</font>

#25
Original Member




Join Date: May 1998
Location: NY, NY, USA
Programs: AA EXP, BA Gold, UA*S, Marriott LT Titanium
Posts: 2,001
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ozzie:
It is correct that Bus / First pay more tax on a multiple class plane - I agree. BUT as Concorde is a single class plane, the lower level of tax applies. It wouldn't surprise me if the QF award peoiple have been getting this wrong as it is being booked as a First Class award.
</font>
It is correct that Bus / First pay more tax on a multiple class plane - I agree. BUT as Concorde is a single class plane, the lower level of tax applies. It wouldn't surprise me if the QF award peoiple have been getting this wrong as it is being booked as a First Class award.
</font>
Additionally, if the arriving flight is Concorde, with a stopover, onward in Club Europe, but the return is Club Europe, standard connection, onward in BA First, which tax level applies?
Ozstamps: Who did you speak with regarding the locking-in of the award for 12 months? My friends and I are looking to redeem for April/May 2003, but cannot commit to specific dates yet. If we choose dates, then need to change later, is QF saying they will still honor the tickets for 12 months from issue date?
[This message has been edited by RChavez (edited 05-15-2002).]
[This message has been edited by RChavez (edited 05-15-2002).]
#26
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: BA, AA, DL, KLM, UA
Posts: 37,489
Here is something that might have an impact on award inventory:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum15/HTML/001927.html
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum15/HTML/001927.html
#27
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Delta, US Airways
Posts: 177
"Additional Benefits :
Pre seating allowed (subject to pre-seating limit not being reached at time of booking)
Lounge access is permitted"
Wow, I buy a return ticket for the Concorde and they actually let me into the Concorde Lounge??? British Airways is insane...they even assign seats now upon booking! How generous, especially considered that it is only a cheap 5000$ ticket!!!
Pre seating allowed (subject to pre-seating limit not being reached at time of booking)
Lounge access is permitted"
Wow, I buy a return ticket for the Concorde and they actually let me into the Concorde Lounge??? British Airways is insane...they even assign seats now upon booking! How generous, especially considered that it is only a cheap 5000$ ticket!!!
#28
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: BA, AA, DL, KLM, UA
Posts: 37,489
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Setjet:
"Additional Benefits :
Pre seating allowed (subject to pre-seating limit not being reached at time of booking)
Lounge access is permitted"
Wow, I buy a return ticket for the Concorde and they actually let me into the Concorde Lounge??? British Airways is insane...they even assign seats now upon booking! How generous, especially considered that it is only a cheap 5000$ ticket!!!
</font>
"Additional Benefits :
Pre seating allowed (subject to pre-seating limit not being reached at time of booking)
Lounge access is permitted"
Wow, I buy a return ticket for the Concorde and they actually let me into the Concorde Lounge??? British Airways is insane...they even assign seats now upon booking! How generous, especially considered that it is only a cheap 5000$ ticket!!!
</font>
#29
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Munich, Germany
Programs: Delta, US Airways
Posts: 177
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Setjet, as you see in the post the pre-seating and lounge remarks are extra information belonging to the fareclass, it's just some extra information. As you know there are plenty of fares that have all kinds of restrictions, this information just points out that it's a regular ticket without any lack in service, the price is a lot lower than the regular price.</font>
Setjet, as you see in the post the pre-seating and lounge remarks are extra information belonging to the fareclass, it's just some extra information. As you know there are plenty of fares that have all kinds of restrictions, this information just points out that it's a regular ticket without any lack in service, the price is a lot lower than the regular price.</font>
Or did you ever hear about a special First Class sale where you can actually sit in First, but you get Economy food, no refill, you have to pay for the headset and they encourage you to bring your own food because they might run out of choices?
By the way, seat assignment is also standard with C and F tickets.
I am just wondering why BA has to point out pretty standard things!
#30
FlyerTalk Evangelist




Join Date: Sep 2000
Programs: BA, AA, DL, KLM, UA
Posts: 37,489
I get your point but comparing miles and lounge access with inflight service doesn't make sense.
Fact of the matter is that there are plenty of fares that don't allow miles to be earned so mentioning this is common sense in a note clearly aimed at TA's, I know about the concorde lounge but a non regular traveler will not.
Fact of the matter is that there are plenty of fares that don't allow miles to be earned so mentioning this is common sense in a note clearly aimed at TA's, I know about the concorde lounge but a non regular traveler will not.

