Qantas will raise many of its service fees next week, with prices for seat selection, excess baggage and Qantas Club membership all going up. Qantas will also start charging to select a seat in the front row of Economy Class on Boeing 737 services.
The price increases will all take effect from Thursday, 18 April 2024. Here’s what you need to know…
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Qantas seat selection fee increases
From 18 April 2024, Qantas is increasing the cost of extra legroom seats. Here are the old vs the new prices:
| Route | Extra legroom seat charge until 17/4/24 | Extra legroom seat charge from 18/4/24 |
|---|---|---|
| Short domestic Boeing 717 & E190 flights (e.g. Canberra-Brisbane) | $15 | $20 |
| Short domestic & Norfolk Island (e.g. Sydney-Brisbane) | $30 | $30 |
| International short-haul (e.g. Trans-Tasman) | $30 | $35 |
| Medium domestic (e.g. Melbourne-Cairns) | $40 | $45 |
| Long domestic (e.g. Sydney-Darwin) | $65 | $70 |
| Trans-continental (e.g. Brisbane-Perth) | $70 | $75 |
| Australia to Asia & Hawaii | $80 | $85 |
| International long-haul (e.g. Sydney-Los Angeles) | $180 | $195 |
Qantas will also start charging travel agents an extra $5 to select an extra legroom seat for a customer via GDS (Global Distribution System).
Qantas Frequent Flyer members can continue to choose a standard seat at no charge when booking directly through Qantas.
Any remaining extra legroom seats can still be selected for free after online check-in opens 24 hours before departure.
Change to row 4 seat selection on the Boeing 737-800
From the same date, Qantas will also start classifying seats in row 4 on its Boeing 737-800s as extra legroom seats. This means most people will need to pay extra to select a seat in row 4 when they become available around 80 hours before departure.
For now, Qantas will continue to block seats in row 4 until 80 hours prior to departure, with only Platinum One frequent flyers and Chairman’s Lounge members able to select these seats on domestic flights. On international flights, row 4 seating is only available in advance to Platinum One, Chairman’s Lounge and Platinum members.
Row four in Qantas’ Boeing 737-800 Economy Class is popular because, as well as being close to the front of the plane, the seats have more legroom.
Increases to excess baggage charges
From 18 April 2024, Qantas will increase its fee for checking in an extra piece of baggage at the airport on Australian domestic flights from $100 to $130.
The prepaid fee if you purchase an additional bag in advance will increase from $50 to $65. You can still prepay for excess baggage at the lower rate until 17 April.
The “heavy charge” for pieces weighing over 23kg, if you’re flying domestic Economy, remains at $50. Different baggage charges apply to international and Norfolk Island flights.
Qantas Club membership fee hike
As previously reported, Qantas Club will also substantially raise membership and renewal fees from the same date.
For example, the cost of a two-year renewal will increase from $980 to $1,169. A new one-year membership, including the joining fee, will become $828 instead of the current $699.
You can still access the current lower rates by joining or renewing your Qantas Club membership by 17 April 2024. If you’re already an existing Qantas Club member, you can renew in advance – even if your current membership is due to expire after 17 April.
Don’t forget that AFF Gold & Platinum members can also access a 20% discount on Qantas Club memberships and renewals!
