[vegemite]

I tried to book the sector perth singapore return for 2 people using my ff points. On the way out the plane will land in darwin for 90 minutes.

The ff system said that it would cost 100,000 points for 2 people because the plane will land in darwin. I travelled this route before and it should only cost 30,000 points/person. Now they try to charge another 20,000 points/person because of 90 minutes in darwin!!!

Maybe I should forward this to ACCC because this is a rip-off big time.

Any comments or suggestions how to overcome this is highly appreciated.

Thanks

[NM]

The direct flights PER-SIN are QF71, QF77 and QF 15. These are direct, non-stop international flights.

Since you suggest you are stopping in Darwin for 90 mins, I can only assume you are not booked on any of the above flights, but instead on a combination of QF792 (a comestic non-stop PER-DRW flight) and either AO7881 (operated by Australian Airlines and only on Thirsdays) or QF81 (on Monday, Wednesday or Friday).

Either way, you are on a combination of two flights, which according to the published rules for FF redemptions requires an award according to the total of the mileage flown on each ticketed sector. So for PER-DRW-SIN, you have 3719 miles, compared with the QF15, QF71 or QF77 non-stop PEFR-SIN being 2421 miles each way. Now 2700 miles is the threshold for the zone 3 redemption requiring 50,000 points for each seat. Flying via DRW adds significantly to the distance flown and hence requires more points for the redemption.

To get the 30,000 point redemtion you must book on the direct flight (QF15, 71 or 77). This is exactly per the published terms and conditions of the Qantas FF program.

There is no point in complaining to the ACCC about this. You are redeeming an award flight of 3719 miles each way, and that costs 50,000 points according to the published rules of the program.

[Mr Smith]

after may 25th the return flight Per-Sin will be 50000 points, absolute rip off! the difference is about 400 miles but when it comes to redemption it's 16000 points from may 25.

[KLUBS]

Wait until after May then see how bad it is with the changes it will double the requirement for each direct flight. If QF wanted to make people use points, they only needed to release more seats, stop double points promotions, allow promos in Business and First Class when buying a ticket allow a points using partner to fly at same time (I have yet to sit in BClass with all seats used) - yes i do prefer BClass as I need the legroom!