New QFF benefits for booking with Qantas directly

[dylarr]

Just noticed an update from mid December that was posted on the QFF news page outlining some new benefits for Qantas Frequent Flyer members booking direct with Qantas:

New benefits when you book via qantas.com​

Unlock more benefits from your Qantas Frequent Flyer membership when you book via qantas.com. Effective 14 December 2021, you’ll enjoy complimentary standard seat selection when you book any Qantas-operated Australian domestic or international flight departing Australia via qantas.com. Plus, cancel for any reason online, within 24 hours of making your booking, and we’ll waive the cancellation fee.

Cancel for any reason

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/manage-booking/cancel-for-any-reason.html

This new policy allows Qantas Frequent Flyer members the ability to cancel a booking made directly with Qantas for any reason within 24 hours of making the booking. You'll receive a refund back to your original purchase method.

A few key caveats: covers travel where flights operate within or from Australia only, flights can't be within 30 days of departure, must be booked direct Qantas (not via agency), booking can't be made using a Flight Credit and some other exclusions. Any ancillaries (bags, seats, etc) will also be refunded. The link above has all the details.

This operates alongside the Same Day No Mistake policy and either can be used depending on the circumstances. However reading the 'Cancel for any reason' fine print, any bookings that have been reissued are ineligible, so I'm assuming that using Same Day No Mistake to make a correction could make the booking ineligible for 'Cancel for any reason'.

Complimentary standard seat selection

This one only really benefits Bronze Frequent Flyers travelling internationally on Sale fares. However now if you book through Qantas directly, as long as you're a Qantas Frequent Flyer member at any level including Bronze, you won't need to pay for standard seat selection.

If you book a Qantas flight direct and do happen to pay for standard seat selection because you aren't a QFF member, you can obtain a refund on the seat selection fees by joining the Qantas Frequent Flyer program and submitting a refund request within 72 hours.

Details here:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/travel-info/seat-selection.html

Seat selection conditions, exit row | Qantas AU

Find out rules for seat selections, including additional conditions that apply to purchasing exit row seats.

www.qantas.com

 

[Flyerpassion]

Interesting.... QANTAS TARGETS DIRECT BOOKINGS WITH ADDITIONAL BENEFITS​

Frequent flyers offered free seat selection and additional flexibility.​

Qantas has today outlined a range of new benefits for members of its frequent flyer program when they book directly through the airline's website. Effective immediately all Qantas Frequent Flyers may cancel their flights without charge within 24 hours of making their booking if it's 30 days prior to departure, and they also now receive complimentary standard seat selection on all Qantas operated international bookings originating from Australia. The carrier noted this was a saving of up to $90 per person on a return flight, with the option previously only available to Bronze members if they booked more expensive fares. QF is also highlighting that those who book direct will incur no booking fees and receive a Price Promise, meaning the carrier will match prices if customers find an identical Qantas flight for a lower price on the same day.​

 

[Daver6]

So they've just enhanced one of the benefits of being PS.

Call my a cynic, but the cancellation policy is once again just another way to hang on to your money for 8-12 weeks. Can you imagine how many people will get caught out with this. They''ll just go back thinking they can cancel only to find it takes months to get their money back.

 

[dylarr]

Call my a cynic, but the cancellation policy is once again just another way to hang on to your money for 8-12 weeks. Can you imagine how many people will get caught out with this. They''ll just go back thinking they can cancel only to find it takes months to get their money back.

I mean... it's better than no refund at all which was the situation before this policy was introduced.