Qantas and American Airlines hitting customers with last minute 'surprise fees' at check-in

http://www.ozpolitic.com/articles/qantas-american-airlines-last-minute-surprise-fees-check-in.html

Qantas and American Airlines are charging customers 'surprise fees' for baggage at check-in for codeshare flights that they later both deny responsibility for. Here is an example of how the scam works:

A customer purchases a ticket from Qantas for a two-leg flight. One of the legs is on American Airlines. It is a codeshare flight and the ticket is issued as a QF (Qantas) ticket. Prior to the flight, Qantas assures the customer that the Qantas baggage rules apply and that no extra fees will be charged.

At check-in, American Airlines refuse to carry the luggage unless an additional fee is paid. They claim (incorrectly) that the fee is being charged under Qantas rules, referring to the incorrect page on the Qantas website to justify the fee. The amount charged is also not in accordance with Qantas pricing. They insist that the fee is being charged on behalf of Qantas and that if the fee is incorrect the customer simply has to inform Qantas staff before they board the next flight to get a refund. This tactic in employed in 'high pressure' environments, for example when there is a long queue of people or the customer is dealing with children throwing a tantrum, so they choose the 'easier' option of paying the fee and chasing it up later.

No Qantas staff are present prior to boarding the next flight. On arrival in Australia the Qantas staff refuse to discuss the issue and refer the customer to Qantas' online 'customer care' portal. Qantas customer care staff then deny responsibility for the charge. Further complaints are referred to the 'Airline Customer Advocate'. This is an organisation that claims to be independent and is listed on various Australian government fair trading websites. However, it is funded by the airlines. They give the same answer.

Meanwhile American Airlines does not respond to any further complaints about the matter.

The fee, charged by an American company, in US dollars, inside the US, is not covered by Australian law. That is, despite Qantas' initial reassurance that no extra charges would be applied, Australian law allows them to pass the buck to their codeshare partner.

I'm just happy Qaint Arse have recently dumped Arabia as a stop-over to Europe.

I don't have to boycott them anymore.

I would not fly Qantas again if they were the only airline in the skies.

Absolutely shocking!

there seems to be no end to scams....report it to the Fair Trading people in your State..kick up a stink...when business refuse to answer you they deserve to be exposed.for the frauds they are..

Apparently this is not covered by Australian law. Qantas seems to know this and their 'customer care' staff are hostile and aggressive.

Quote:

Australian law allows them to pass the buck to their codeshare partner.

Incorrect...if the original deal...


Quote:

Qantas assures the customer that the Qantas baggage rules apply and that no extra fees will be charged.

....was done in Australia.


But, as I am well aware you are far more versed in Law than I Effendi, (you have said so often) I will defer to you.

As far as I'm aware, it's not compulsory to fly with Qantas.

If you don't like the fees, go elsewhere.

Next problem!

Perhaps if I was willing to hire a lawyer I could get the money back, but the CAT won't touch it.


greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 7:13pm:

As far as I'm aware, it's not compulsory to fly with Qantas. If you don't like the fees, go elsewhere. Next problem!

Not really an option if you have already paid for the ticket and they are holding your luggage to ransom.

freediver wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 7:16pm:

Perhaps if I was willing to hire a lawyer I could get the money back, but the CAT won't touch it. greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 7:13pm: As far as I'm aware, it's not compulsory to fly with Qantas. If you don't like the fees, go elsewhere. Next problem! Not really an option if you have already paid for the ticket and they are holding your luggage to ransom.

First world problem.

Get on with your life.

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 7:19pm:

freediver wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 7:16pm: Perhaps if I was willing to hire a lawyer I could get the money back, but the CAT won't touch it. greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 7:13pm: As far as I'm aware, it's not compulsory to fly with Qantas. If you don't like the fees, go elsewhere. Next problem! Not really an option if you have already paid for the ticket and they are holding your luggage to ransom. First world problem. Get on with your life.

You work at Qantas 'customer care' don't you?

freediver wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 7:21pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 7:19pm: freediver wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 7:16pm: Perhaps if I was willing to hire a lawyer I could get the money back, but the CAT won't touch it. greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 7:13pm: As far as I'm aware, it's not compulsory to fly with Qantas. If you don't like the fees, go elsewhere. Next problem! Not really an option if you have already paid for the ticket and they are holding your luggage to ransom. First world problem. Get on with your life. You work at Qantas 'customer care' don't you?

I don't think anyone "works" at Qantas customer care.

I never fly Qantas.
Emirates is my favourite.

Jasin wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:03pm:

I never fly Qantas. Emirates is my favourite.

I used to fly Singapore when I had yellow fever.

It goes without say, never ever fly Air India!!!! Yuck

http://m.timesofindia.com/india/indians-lack-of-toilet-hygiene-delays-long-haul-flights-bleeds-airlines/articleshow/57639785.cms


the incident has brought to fore the issue of rampant toilet abuse by passengers, especially Indians, a practice AI has been a victim of for years now.

.. Enjoy ....    Customer Complaints app.

Gordon wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:12pm:

It goes without say, never ever fly Air India!!!! Yuck http://m.timesofindia.com/india/indians-lack-of-toilet-hygiene-delays-long-haul-flights-bleeds-airlines/articleshow/57639785.cms the incident has brought to fore the issue of rampant toilet abuse by passengers, especially Indians, a practice AI has been a victim of for years now.

Indians.

I've read enough about their filthy toilet habits NEVER to darken the door of an Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi restaurant or Take-Away.

Traces of faecal matter is everywhere like it's been spray-painted wherever they live and work. In fact university tests have shown they walk around in a personal cloud of microscopic faecal matter as though it's an After-Shave lotion.


link

Be aware that every time you holiday in India you are entering ....  The Faecal Zone.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVSRm80WzZk

Lord Herbert wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:28pm:

Gordon wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 8:12pm: It goes without say, never ever fly Air India!!!! Yuck http://m.timesofindia.com/india/indians-lack-of-toilet-hygiene-delays-long-haul-flights-bleeds-airlines/articleshow/57639785.cms the incident has brought to fore the issue of rampant toilet abuse by passengers, especially Indians, a practice AI has been a victim of for years now. Indians. I've read enough about their filthy toilet habits NEVER to darken the door of an Indian/Pakistani/Bangladeshi restaurant or Take-Away. Traces of faecal matter is everywhere like it's been spray-painted wherever they live and work. In fact university tests have shown they walk around in a personal cloud of microscopic faecal matter as though it's an After-Shave lotion.

Eau de toilette?

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:31pm:

Eau de toilette?

India is Shìt Central. Their only real competition is in China.

Lord Herbert wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:35pm:

greggerypeccary wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 8:31pm: Eau de toilette? India is Shìt Central. Their only real competition is in China.

I lived in SE Asia for 5 years and never cooked. 3 meals a day and mostly street food. I got a couple of tummy upsets and one bad food poisoning.  I reckon you'd be lucky to do that well in Australia!

3 weeks in India and 5 years later I'm still having tummy issues.


After I saw an open toilet full of poop just meters from where street food is made I stopped eating fresh food and only ate from  packets.

They don't know how to separate food from shitttts.

Gordon wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:49pm:

They don't know how to separate food from shitttts.

Professional and recreational scatologists and faecesphiles head straight for India for their annual holidays like others head for Bali or Phuket.

Gordon wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 8:05pm:

Jasin wrote on Sep 3rd, 2017 at 8:03pm: I never fly Qantas. Emirates is my favourite. I used to fly Singapore when I had yellow fever.

What cured you of yellow fever? Being served dog by a Korean woman?

Lord Herbert wrote on Sep 3^rd, 2017 at 9:08pm:

[ faecesphiles

wonder if there are homosexual faecesphiles? if so, they must be muslim ...