Qantas discounted bookings via BTI

Urgent Notice Regarding Qantas Bookings Through BTI

Note: All bookings received after close of business on 28th March will not be processed in time to take advantage of the old discount structure that expires on 31st March 2006.

A global email circulated in the University on 22nd March advised that the Qantas discounts available to all Australian universities was changing with effect from 1st April 2006. In particular, the current across the board (all fare classes) discount of 25% on Qantas fares ,and only available to Monash staff via our travel service provider (BTI Australia), would fall to lower levels depending on the fare class chosen.

The email advised that all bookings not ticketed by 31st March would need to be booked and ticketed (paid for) by that date or the new discount would be applied. The email also advised that staff who wanted to book and ticket prior to 31st March, for subsequent travel after that date, should do so as a matter of urgency and that all bookings should be made early to avoid a rush on the last days of March.

The response to this email and the effect on the eight BTI consultants servicing Monash has been overwhelming and all worked on Saturday 25th and Sunday 26th March to keep up with requests.

In order that all current bookings with Qantas can be ticketed and finalised by the 31st March, BTI have advised, and the Monash Travel Advisory Office has agreed, that all requests (for bookings and quotations) received after close of business on Tuesday 28th March will be received but BTI will not guarantee that these will be dealt with by the changeover date to the new fares structure .

Any backlog will be cleared in the ensuing week but priority will be given to those staff members that got their requests into BTI early.

BTI and the Travel Office apologise that the overwhelming response may disadvantage some staff but BTI consultants have to dedicate the last three working days to the task of ticketing those bookings already made.

In addition, where it is obvious that the request is for leisure travel activities, as distinct from business travel (usually because the request lists a number of accompanying family members) then BTI will refer these bookings to their Leisure Travel office so that they can concentrate on completing business based bookings.

If you have any queries about this ruling then please contact the Travel Advisory Office on x56075.

Harry Bracegirdle (Manager, Procurement Services)