Article: Qantas & Virgin End Fee-Free Changes, Credits

[AFF Editor]

Qantas & Virgin End Fee-Free Changes, Credits is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Qantas & Virgin End Fee-Free Changes, Credits

Qantas and Virgin Australia will both stop offering additional flexibility to customers with domestic flight bookings at the end of this week, winding

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

 

[jakeseven7]

Unsurprising and completely understandable.

Cue the whining

 

[Flying Uke]

Understandable but should only apply to new bookings. I have made some bookings where there is a reasonable chance that I will need to change dates. I did this knowing I could change for free. It is not good to change conditions on a booking after it is made.

 

[VA777]

VA, Jetstar and Rex obviously haven't seen the massive number of COVID cases in Australia at the moment, we have some of the highest case loads per head of population around the globe at the moment.

 

[Happy Dude]

Provided they don't change/cancel flights then there shouldn't be a problem.

 

[Scr77]

This should be extended until the airlines stop cancelling and moving flights on us! Yes, if they cancel, we can move flight without cost. But if you have flights on different bookings or airlines, you get a raw deal.

I have flights on QF and VA that have been zeroed for July and September. They still haven’t been cancelled and although I will be able to change fee free, the next flights may not now be suitable (And I won’t be able to change fee free)

 

[N860CR]

VA, Jetstar and Rex obviously haven't seen the massive number of COVID cases in Australia at the moment, we have some of the highest case loads per head of population around the globe at the moment.

So?

 

[AVV]

Qantas & Virgin End Fee-Free Changes, Credits is an article written by AFF editorial staff:

Qantas & Virgin End Fee-Free Changes, Credits

Qantas and Virgin Australia will both stop offering additional flexibility to customers with domestic flight bookings at the end of this week, winding

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

You can leave a comment or discuss this topic below.

I think it only fair. Many took advantage. Fares are so low now stop wanting everything for nothing.

 

[glasszon]

I had a quick look and it seems like you are stuck with the change/cancellation fee if you cannot fly due to having Covid. While I am fine with removing the fee free changes, but an exception should be allowed for people with Covid to avoid people boarding the plane despite knowing they are positive.

 

[N860CR]

I had a quick look and it seems like you are stuck with the change/cancellation fee if you cannot fly due to having Covid. While I am fine with removing the fee free changes, but an exception should be allowed for people with Covid to avoid people boarding the plane despite knowing they are positive.

I’ll play devils advocate…. Isn’t that what travel insurance is for? I don’t recall ever being able to call an airline and say “I have a cold so you need to cancel my flight with no fees” before.

 

[AVV]

Understandable but should only apply to new bookings. I have made some bookings where there is a reasonable chance that I will need to change dates. I did this knowing I could change for free. It is not good to change conditions on a booking after it is made.

I think you will find that bookings made under the conditions prior to change would be possible

 

[muppet]

I’ll play devils advocate…. Isn’t that what travel insurance is for? I don’t recall ever being able to call an airline and say “I have a cold so you need to cancel my flight with no fees” before.

True but I also don’t recall many people dying from the cold before.

I also never had to quarantine at home for 7 days after getting the cold on a flight.

I think safe to say, the rules around the rona are different to other illnesses.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The question is why? If I understand correctly just about all the major US carriers have permanently dropped change fees?

Why the need for aussie airlines to revert?

‘that’s the way it’s always been’ isn’t really a good reason.

 

[Danger]

AI had a quick look and it seems like you are stuck with the change/cancellation fee if you cannot fly due to having Covid. While I am fine with removing the fee free changes, but an exception should be allowed for people with Covid to avoid people boarding the plane despite knowing they are positive.

I don't agree. I'm with N860CR.

I’ll play devils advocate…. Isn’t that what travel insurance is for? I don’t recall ever being able to call an airline and say “I have a cold so you need to cancel my flight with no fees” before.

Also, why should the airline foot the bill for my illness? Unless the airline caused my illness, I don't see why the airline should pay the price. Get insurance. If you can't get insurance, don't book.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I don’t see why airlines would want people who are actively infectious with covid to fly? Is that providing a safe workplace? What are the impacts on their staff if they then catch covid?

 

[N860CR]

I don’t see why airlines would want people who are actively infectious with covid to fly? Is that providing a safe workplace? What are the impacts on their staff if they then catch covid?

The same as if they catch any virus at work. If anything, probably less at the moment given the mask mandate that you’re so fond of. Again, needs to be treated like any other mild virus. Airline crew are susceptible to upper respiratory viruses and have additional leave to support this.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The same as if they catch any virus at work. If anything, probably less at the moment given the mask mandate that you’re so fond of. Again, needs to be treated like any other mild virus. Airline crew are susceptible to upper respiratory viruses and have additional leave to support this.

Same principle for any illness. Why would the airline want you to fly? Hopefully we’re past the days when people come in to work when they’re sick.

US airlines don’t have change fees. Don’t see why they’re necessary.

 

[Happy Dude]

I think it only fair. Many took advantage. Fares are so low now stop wanting everything for nothing.

Speaking only of those genuinely affected by COVID restrictions, wanting airlines and their public cash stuffed pockets to assist passengers caught short through no fault of their own is hardly wanting everything for nothing.

People may be less enthusiastic to travel without at least that safety net, or they'll just fly with COVID. Same will go for theater or concert tickets too I guess.

 

[NSun]

Fee-free changes were never going to last forever. But it is strange that they keep the exemption for positive COVID cases yet you have to call - the call centres are strained enough as it is.

 

[aus_flyer]

Interesting... If you look at the fare rules for Qantas domestic fares (e.g. in Expert Flyer) it appears the Fly Flex rules actually apply until 30 June.