dvs7310

Had a very interesting conversation with a Privilege Club agent today. Asked for Rwandair availability from NBO-KGL and was immediately told that Rwandair isn't a redemption partner. I said 'are you sure, they're one of QR's closest non-OneWorld partners and QR has been actively trying to get them into OneWorld'... agent asks for a link (this is on chat), so I sent 3 including the booking page for partners, and 2 others about the partnership announcements which aren't exactly new. Agent says hold on, goes away for about 10 minutes... 'sorry after consulting with my supervisor, Rwandair is available for award bookings, do you want business or economy?'.

LOL, this is my first ever experience with Privilege Club, are all of the agents that uninformed of their own airline partners?

The good thing is that redemption availability is great since only 2 airlines in the world currently have access to it and even QR doesn't seem to know that fact.

fifty_two

welcome in the world where all money goes to advertising , all efforts to reducing costs by outsourcing CS operations to 3rd parties which will then hire workforce in cheaper countries but little goes to quality , in order to ensure proper service is delivered .

Its not just a QR problem by the way , i spoke with few people in charge of FFPs in other airlines and they said they were often amazed how some customers know more about the product they design than themselves, which by the way should make them feel ashamed in front of their bosses , not amazed

FlyingScientist

Enjoy your flight across Lake Victoria, I did that earlier this year...

dvs7310

Looking forward to it. QR Avios are a solid redemption on these shorter WB routes with cash prices, even for economy relatively high (business class extremely high for the distance flown) intra-Africa.

Not thrilled it's a Q400 but they've got some decent business seats up front so I've had far worse. My very first time in Africa was on ET to DAR. They changed that flight 3 times in the span of 24 hours. Initially it was a 767 stopping on the way at JRO, then changed to a 737 stopping on the way at ZNZ, then finally a Q400 direct to DAR... that was a VERY long Q400 flight and most checked luggage left in ADD to arrive the next day when they flew a jet again, must have been heavily weight restricted.

FlyingScientist

It's also some decent food offering, where 'snack' is quite some understatement. I have become a great fan of Rwandan beef...

Andre

Out of curiosity, does one need to pay carrier surcharges (YQ/YR) and/or a service fee on QPC Rwandair awards when booked by phone?

dvs7310

I didn't pay any service fee, but did it by online chat. I'd assume that would be the same as phone. My YQ was KES 440, no separate YR and taxes (TU) KES 7235. That works out close to US$50 total.

If I look at Matrix on the same route and business class, it has both YQ ($3) and YR ($20), plus the $50 TU (Kenya Passenger Airport Service Charge - International) fee, so apparently booking via QRPC you avoid the YR.

Andre

Thanks! Very helpful to know that these awards can also be booked via online chat.