[NM]

Originally Posted by Anna

The problem I have had in the past with trying to buy internet flight tickets from a foreign site is that the site will only accept credit cards where the billing address is in the country of the site. I think this is how the airlines try to prevent 'cross border selling'. Has anyone had success in booking Qantas tickets from a foreign site on an Australian credit card?

I think it has more to do with avoiding credit card fraud than cross-border selling.

I know several people who do this regularly, but have not experience myself. All my flights are either purchased through an Australian travel agency or direct from QF web site.

[serfty]

You are correct about ex SIN fares.

Last April before May the changes, I booked an Award 50,000 QFF point return trip to SIN (MEL-PER-SIN-MEL) for mid January. (BTW, that's a hard time of year for Awards and cheap fares).

Last Month mrs serfty decided she wished to come along too. Well, the best fare I could find in OZ for the same flights as I was already booked on was ~AUD1800. Six months out, awards seemed an impossibility; I could get to PER ok, just not to SIN or back to MEL . I could not seriously consider reticketing my own travel as it would cost 5000 + 10000 for new flights + extra Fuel levey costs (If any were indeed available).

Last week, I found a T1 (PS/SG/WP award class) on the PER-SIN flight and while doing some checking entered the QF Singapore site and checked for one way fare costs SIN-MEL on the flight I am booked on (QF10). Lo & Behold there was one for SGD583 (inc. Taxes etc.).

This is ~AUD468, so with that plus 30,000 points & $142 later, mrs serfty is booked MEL-PER-SIN and SIN-MEL.

The charge come thru on my Amex yesterday so all is sweet. 8)

[AlwaysUpThere]

Originally Posted by NM

I think it has more to do with avoiding credit card fraud than cross-border selling.

Internet fraud can generally be detected by airlines before the fraudster actually travels, so less risk than say, buying a Bose sound system, watches or jewelery.

I still believe entering your address into the site is the "cross-border" issue...

[serfty]

Originally Posted by Anna

... Has anyone had success in booking Qantas tickets from a foreign site on an Australian credit card?

Yep!

As Mmy previous post; last week ex SIN Qantas Web Site. Also, on at least 5 occasions using the NZ Qantas Web Site (one way & return (nesting) ).

[clifford]

Originally Posted by NM

I think it has more to do with avoiding credit card fraud than cross-border selling.

I know several people who do this regularly, but have not experience myself. All my flights are either purchased through an Australian travel agency or direct from QF web site.

It may be an issue with some airlines, but many are just happy to take your money.

For example, this year, I have made several bookings with the overseas webites of SQ, UA, U2, Ryanair, Tiger Airways, Air Asia, etc, etc. However, I note that Air NZ is one of those that insists on a local credit card (a good way to lose business, but that's Air NZ).

Also, Zuji will allow you to book flights in foreign currency ex overseas ports (I've just purchased a BOM-LHR-NCE return ticket on BM from Zuji).

Might be worth a look.

Originally Posted by Anna

The problem I have had in the past with trying to buy internet flight tickets from a foreign site is that the site will only accept credit cards where the billing address is in the country of the site. I think this is how the airlines try to prevent 'cross border selling'. Has anyone had success in booking Qantas tickets from a foreign site on an Australian credit card?

Australian credit card fraud screening is shocking and far behind the rest of the world. Just make up a SG address for your card. You might have a problem if your card is signed up to verified by visa but otherwise 9 times out of 10 will pass seemlessly through their system. Most decent online companies (not australian merchant facilities) use <Cant say> technology that will grab your ip, machine details and a few other vital pieces of infomation and process your transaction depending on the risk determined by this data.

Technically it is de-frauding the company by doing this, and borderline illegal...very grey area in australian law apparently ... but if you do get busted for trying this all they will do is deny the ticket to you.

Some tickets also have a condition that you must be a SG citizen in order to get the fair....no idea if they can check or enforce this..

[Kiwi Flyer]

Originally Posted by clifford

However, I note that Air NZ is one of those that insists on a local credit card (a good way to lose business, but that's Air NZ).

It says it needs NZ credit card but apparently does not check. Many reports on FT of foreigners using Air NZ's NZ website (and saving decent $$ over the overseas websites).