Misleading representations by Singapore Airlines about the availability of frequent flyer points to consumers who travelled on its economy class from January 1998 has led to the airline providing court-enforceable undertakings to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
The undertakings follow negotiations between the ACCC and Singapore Airlines. The investigation followed a number of consumer complaints.
From October 1997 through to December 1997 Singapore Airlines made representations to a variety of consumers and travel agents across Australia that persons would, or would be likely to, obtain Global Rewards points if they travelled as economy class passengers with Singapore Airlines after 1 January 1998.
However, under the terms and conditions of Global Rewards, members who travelled economy on Singapore Airlines before 28 September 1998 could not earn frequent flyer points.
The ACCC believes Singapore Airlines engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct in breach of section 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
"The availability or otherwise of frequent flyer points, particularly for international flights, is an important consideration for many consumers when choosing between competitive air travel services," ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "Consumers who travelled in the period and relied upon Singapore Airline's representations will now receive the frequent flyer points".
Singapore Airlines will publish corrective advertising in the next three issues of Travelling Life Rewards Magazine which is distributed to Global Rewards members. The airline will offer any member who flew economy, or discount economy, class in the relevant period and who relied on the representation the appropriate number of frequent flyer points.
Singapore Airlines has also agreed to implement a trade practices compliance program having regard to the Australian Standard for Compliance Programs AS 3806 - 1998.
In accepting the undertaking, the ACCC noted Singapore Airlines cooperation in resolving the matter.
The undertakings follow negotiations between the ACCC and Singapore Airlines. The investigation followed a number of consumer complaints.
From October 1997 through to December 1997 Singapore Airlines made representations to a variety of consumers and travel agents across Australia that persons would, or would be likely to, obtain Global Rewards points if they travelled as economy class passengers with Singapore Airlines after 1 January 1998.
However, under the terms and conditions of Global Rewards, members who travelled economy on Singapore Airlines before 28 September 1998 could not earn frequent flyer points.
The ACCC believes Singapore Airlines engaged in misleading or deceptive conduct in breach of section 52 of the Trade Practices Act 1974.
"The availability or otherwise of frequent flyer points, particularly for international flights, is an important consideration for many consumers when choosing between competitive air travel services," ACCC Chairman, Professor Allan Fels, said today. "Consumers who travelled in the period and relied upon Singapore Airline's representations will now receive the frequent flyer points".
Singapore Airlines will publish corrective advertising in the next three issues of Travelling Life Rewards Magazine which is distributed to Global Rewards members. The airline will offer any member who flew economy, or discount economy, class in the relevant period and who relied on the representation the appropriate number of frequent flyer points.
Singapore Airlines has also agreed to implement a trade practices compliance program having regard to the Australian Standard for Compliance Programs AS 3806 - 1998.
In accepting the undertaking, the ACCC noted Singapore Airlines cooperation in resolving the matter.