Anyone cancelled Qantas tickets to rebook sale fares?

[KristianG]

Hi AFF,
as the title suggests, the recent Qantas North America sale is making me consider cancelling the tickets I got last month to re-book with this new sale. I spent 6.4k for two adults and one infant to JFK and back. Now a similar trip (to Newark) on the same dates would cost 3.8k, but I would have to pay 2k to cancel (500 dollars per person each way) so it seems not worth it. Anyone ever tried this? Any other options?

Thanks and cheers,

 

[Ade]

Hi AFF,
as the title suggests, the recent Qantas North America sale is making me consider cancelling the tickets I got last month to re-book with this new sale. I spent 6.4k for two adults and one infant to JFK and back. Now a similar trip (to Newark) on the same dates would cost 3.8k, but I would have to pay 2k to cancel (500 dollars per person each way) so it seems not worth it. Anyone ever tried this? Any other options?

Thanks and cheers,

Hmm .. depends how big that $600 net savings is, in the grand scheme of things. I, for one, personally, wouldn't cancel and rebook - simply because I don't have the time and want to put the effort of staying on the phone with someone, should things go south. If you can do it with someone on the phone, then it sounds ok. but then again that depends on who you get to talk to.

So, I wouldn't. but YMMV

 

[ChrisMars]

I though it's per person only, and not each way. Is your current trip on a single ticket? I guess you have the fare rule in front of you, while I rely on vague memories.... Just posting in case.

 

[KristianG]

I though it's per person only, and not each way. Is your current trip on a single ticket? I guess you have the fare rule in front of you, while I rely on vague memories.... Just posting in case.

It does say per person per booking but I assumed it means each way. Never done this so I better call them to make sure. If that's the case it would mean 1600 dollars in savings so I might give it a try.

 

[tdimdad]

Oh, please don't call QF call centre for this. You are almost guaranteed to get false advice from them...

If you can paste the fare rules (or your fare class, at least, e.g. Economy Saver), there are plenty to good people here who decipher the cancellation rules for you in an instant.

 

[KristianG]

Oh, please don't call QF call centre for this. You are almost guaranteed to get false advice from them...

If you can paste the fare rules (or your fare class, at least, e.g. Economy Saver), there are plenty to good people here who decipher the cancellation rules for you in an instant.

Oh okay, that's good to know. The fare class is Economy Sale and the fare rules state:

Cancellation (including no show)
Before and after departure:

• Cancellation fee of AUD $500 per person applies (no charge for infant paying 10% of the fare)
• Cancellation after no show ticket is non refundable

Not sure if that means 1000 dollars (two adults) or 2000 dollars (two adults, each way)

 

[equus]

That would be per person, not per segment. So $500 per person, total $1,000, so you could be saving $1,600.

However, you would want to be very sure you had the sale tickets before you cancelled. The problem there, is that buying new tickets on the same flights will see you booked twice - which airlines don't like. They tend to go and cancel one of them for you. If they cancel your new cheaper sale fare, then you are in a bit of a pickle - not to mention paying for the new fare and being out of pocket whilst waiting (and potentially waiting and waiting) for a refund.

Whilst there are potential savings to be had, it is not without risks.

 

[Seat0B]

That would be per person, not per segment. So $500 per person, total $1,000, so you could be saving $1,600.

However, you would want to be very sure you had the sale tickets before you cancelled. The problem there, is that buying new tickets on the same flights will see you booked twice - which airlines don't like. They tend to go and cancel one of them for you. If they cancel your new cheaper sale fare, then you are in a bit of a pickle - not to mention paying for the new fare and being out of pocket whilst waiting (and potentially waiting and waiting) for a refund.

Whilst there are potential savings to be had, it is not without risks.

I agree with this. But if you had flexibility to change your dates by a day on each flight leg, then that would alleviate the issue.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

That would be per person, not per segment. So $500 per person, total $1,000, so you could be saving $1,600.

However, you would want to be very sure you had the sale tickets before you cancelled. The problem there, is that buying new tickets on the same flights will see you booked twice - which airlines don't like. They tend to go and cancel one of them for you. If they cancel your new cheaper sale fare, then you are in a bit of a pickle - not to mention paying for the new fare and being out of pocket whilst waiting (and potentially waiting and waiting) for a refund.

Whilst there are potential savings to be had, it is not without risks.

This is a real issue… but won’t be instant. You’d be able to book the new flights and cancel the old ones and it shouldn’t lead to an auto-cancel if done in reasonable proximity