Don't we the passengers need to start taking more of a firm stand with all airlines and these so-called alliances to give us more for our buck?

Don't we the passengers need to start taking more of a firm stand with all airlines and these so-called alliances to give us more for our buck? The rules and regulations have got out of hand and we get less and pay more. Enough now.

Good rant. Shame it lacks any real information to allow readers to understand what the specific issue is. In terms of bang for your buck, air travel is pretty cheap (particulary domestic business in comparison to past years) and internationally, there are more airlines flying here with reasonable fares than ever before.

Plus, they tend to get your from A to B safely = that's probably the best thing they can deliver.

Here's one. BTW sorry for the delay in replying have been busy with work and travel. I buy 4 or 5 round the world tickets every year. Its on QF stock - fly into the USA on QF go through to NYC, then need to fly LAX-MIA, i am not allowed to get a QF flight number even if the flight has one. That ridiculous. It adds to the struggle of maintaining eg: plat1 status and thats not fair. I am going to Oslo on same tix on BA, I cant get the QF flight no between London and Oslo (yes its one of the few that still has a QF flight no) because i am going into London from Paris (also on BA). Thats just the start.

Air travel now has never been this inexpensive or safe than ever before. You can either stay loyal to one airline/group, learn the ins and outs of the FF program and reap FF benefits which may have a tangible monetary or other benefit - to you... or just practice a BFOD (best fare of the day) policy which will save you money and give you some interesting experiences. 

I dont chase the best fare scenario because i am doing RTW's every year about 5 times a year and the RTW's and Global Explorer fares are getting more and more twisted.

crosscourt,

It's all a game. They've devised rules to keep us locked in like a maze. It's up to us to exploit the loopholes and make the rules work for us. Part of the fun is finding ways to circumvent these rules!

Exactly, we have to exploit the loopholes for ourselves. Airlines, Aliiances and Frequent Flyer Programs are businesses, we pay for a service and they owe us nothing in extra in return. We are just the customers. I've never understood this self righteous attitude that airlines somehow 'owe' us something extra.

Im not asking for anything free, i accept the cost aspect, if i didnt i need to do somehting else but there are way too many rules and regulatiosn with these fares. On my next o/s trip in 3 weeks there are 5 flights with QF code share flight nos and I cant get a single QF flgt no., not one out of the 10 sectors.

Im not asking for anything free, i accept the cost aspect, if i didnt i need to do somehting else but there are way too many rules and regulatiosn with these fares. On my next o/s trip in 3 weeks there are 5 flights with QF code share flight nos and I cant get a single QF flgt no., not one out of the 10 sectors.

Sorry, I'm not following you crosscourt. A Qantas code share = a flight with a QF flight number. What's the issue?

th issue is you cant get to use the QF flight number, you are not allowed to, you have to use the AA or BA  flight number.

 ... and it cuts your access to build points for Plat 1 status because to get that you have to have 3600 points in total of which 2700 MUST be on QF flight numbers and its getting toughjer and tough to get the QF flight numbers.

What sectors were you wanting to fly? Sounds like you are doing transatlantic flights. Obviously QF is not going to code share on every possible OW flight out there. Perhaps if you find yourself on those sectors most of the time then it's time to consider switching to BA or AA's programme?

Thats true but we are the paying customer and they give no leeway.

I have been flying international  and domestic  for 35yrs and air travel has never been cheaper I remember when it cost  $650 to fly 1 way Melb to Perth in economy  30 yrs ago .I honestly feel value for money has never been better .when was the last time you saw an airline post billion dollar profit's.