Questions about cancelling a QFF award booking

[Dr Ralph]

I needed to leave on a particular date on a SYD - LAX flight and the only thing available was on Cathay. Spent 278,000 points on a 2 x J class bookings, which unfortunately are via HKG, for a total of nearly 35 hrs travelling + $377.14 (AUD) in taxes.

If in a few weeks/months time if something better comes up - like on QFF direct and it costs less points I'd like to cancel the Cathay options.

The questions I have are these:

1) Should I book the QFF flights before cancelling the Cathay flights? Is there any reason that would be given for not accepting my request to cancel the original flights? I assume I cancel via the Qantas portal?

2) Am I correct in assuming that there will be a 5,000 point penalty per ticket (IE 10,000 in total) for cancelling the Cathay points?

3) How long does it take to receive the cancelled flight refund of points?

4) What happens with the $377.14 in taxes if the Cathay flight is cancelled? I assume it is refunded, but exactly how? To my credit card? Do I need to organise this with Qantas or does it happen automatically? And what happens if I have cancelled the credit card I used to pay the taxes by the time the refund is due?

Thanks for any assistance with these questions.

 

[BettyB]

I don't know the answers to most of these questions, but for your last question I would think that it was refunded to your original credit card.

 

[Limewood]

I don't know the answers to most of these questions, but for your last question I would think that it was refunded to your original credit card.

From memory its 5000 points lost per pax, points balance is returned to your account but can take weeks, funds usually promptly.

 

[cjd600]

If the QF flights come up, I'd call and try and 'change' rather than cancel.
3500 pts pp
Recalc of points and taxes.....85k points back pp, less 3500 change fee....and heaps more QF fuel fine to cough up

 

[I love to travel]

If the QF flights come up, I'd call and try and 'change' rather than cancel.
3500 pts pp
Recalc of points and taxes.....85k points back pp, less 3500 change fee....and heaps more QF fuel fine to cough up

The fines will add up to over $1000 so think about whether you really want that change. CX have best value out there for QF redemptions

 

[Dr Ralph]

The fines will add up to over $1000 so think about whether you really want that change. CX have best value out there for QF redemptions

What do you mean by 'fines'?

Wouldn't I get the Cathay taxes refunded and just have to pay the QF taxes instead?

Taxes for Cathay are $188.57 per person

Taxes for QF are $249.65 per person

 

[I love to travel]

What do you mean by 'fines'?

Wouldn't I get the Cathay taxes refunded and just have to pay the QF taxes instead?

Sorry to confuse you fines is AFF slang for QF taxes. And yes Cathay gets refunded in about 2 weeks on average and you pay QF

 

[Dr Ralph]

Sorry to confuse you fines is AFF slang for QF taxes. And yes Cathay gets refunded in about 2 weeks on average and you pay QF

That's what I assumed you meant, so not sure how 'The fines will add up to over $1000' is possible. Have I missed something?

Based on what I can see for flights in June next year its a total of $499.30 for two people to QF. Given Cathay is a total of $377.14 that's a different of $122.16.

Based on points. I've spent 278,000 with Cathay. Qantas flights for the same class would be 192,000. That's a different of 86,000 that I'd be better off.

 

[cjd600]

Your points maths is sound.
Not sure if your $$$ though.....wildly inaccurate unfortunately.
You'll be looking at about $1600 for 2 pax return to USA in J

 

[Dr Ralph]

Your points maths is sound.
Not sure if your $$$ though.....wildly inaccurate unfortunately.
You'll be looking at about $1600 for 2 pax return to USA in J

Not return. One way only for 2 people.

Confirming as per Qantas website SYD to LAX taxes for April 2017 are $499.30

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: title"]Card Payment *[/TD]
[TD="class: selected, align: right"]$499.30 (AUD)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[junbugging]

Not return. One way only for 2 people.

Confirming as per Qantas website SYD to LAX taxes for April 2017 are $499.30

[TABLE="width: 100%"]
[TR]
[TD="class: title"]Card Payment *[/TD]
[TD="class: selected, align: right"]$499.30 (AUD)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

That's the Y taxes.

J or F is $464.65 a head.

AA J is $106.37 a head.

 

[Dr Ralph]

That's the Y taxes.

J or F is $464.65 a head.

AA J is $106.37 a head.

I thought the taxes were the same for each class?

 

[cjd600]

I thought the taxes were the same for each class?

No, QF recently, under some fanfare enhanced the 'fuel surcharge' (and some points award costs), on Economy only.
Premium cabins retain the oil boom surcharges.

As junbugging points out, AA surcharges are minimal, and they often release J in week of departure.... (QF unlikely now for April, school holiday time)

 

[Dr Ralph]

No, QF recently, under some fanfare enhanced the 'fuel surcharge' (and some points award costs), on Economy only.
Premium cabins retain the oil boom surcharges.

As junbugging points out, AA surcharges are minimal, and they often release J in week of departure.... (QF unlikely now for April, school holiday time)

Thanks for that. I had no idea.

Looks like being 'stuck' with Cathay may not be so bad after all.

 

[cjd600]

$500+ still in your pocket, buys a few hot dogs

 

[junbugging]

I recently booked SYD-AKL-NAN-LAX all in J on EK and FJ for 96,000 points + $136.65. 18.5 hours travel time, too.

I'd also take SYD-AKL and then AKL-LAX on AA after an overnight stay for 96,000 points + $175.15 as a relatively stress-free option.

 

[cjd600]

I recently booked SYD-AKL-NAN-LAX all in J on EK and FJ for 96,000 points + $136.65. 18.5 hours travel time, too.

I'd also take SYD-AKL and then AKL-LAX on AA after an overnight stay for 96,000 points + $175.15 as a relatively stress-free option.

Hhmmm....FJ...

 

[junbugging]

Hhmmm....FJ...

Not sure what you're implying, but the A330 is decent enough in J.

 

[cjd600]

Not sure what you're implying, but the A330 is decent enough in J.

If forking out J points, I would not be directing them to FJ.
Each to his own, I'm sure it is indeed decent enough

 

[Dr Ralph]

I recently booked SYD-AKL-NAN-LAX all in J on EK and FJ for 96,000 points + $136.65. 18.5 hours travel time, too.

I'd also take SYD-AKL and then AKL-LAX on AA after an overnight stay for 96,000 points + $175.15 as a relatively stress-free option.

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm yet to book my return trip from the USA. So good to have options.