flight credit for less than amount?

[wendlle]

I may need to cancel some flights with Qantas that were sale fares.
I can get a flight credit, but I see in the terms you can ONLY use them for flights the same or for more than the credit.

Is this true?
The new flights I want for later in the year to a different destination are for less, but I'm happy to eat the cost and lose the money - can I really not book for less and lose the full value if I want to?

Original flights were around $2K new ones would be $1200

 

[muppet]

I may need to cancel some flights with Qantas that were sale fares.
I can get a flight credit, but I see in the terms you can ONLY use them for flights the same or for more than the credit.

Is this true?
The new flights I want for later in the year to a different destination are for less, but I'm happy to eat the cost and lose the money - can I really not book for less and lose the full value if I want to?

Original flights were around $2K new ones would be $1200

You won’t be able to buy those fares. When you go to use the credit, it will only show fares above the credit value excl. taxes. The $1,200 fares won’t even show up in my experience.

 

[AIRwin]

When are the original flights? Hang on in case there is an involuntary schedule change and you can then cancel for a full refund?

 

[wendlle]

When are the original flights? Hang on in case there is an involuntary schedule change and you can then cancel for a full refund?

SYD-LAX at the end of Feb

also wondering if I separate the tickets (there are two) then get a credit for each one individually would that work? I would then have two credits each worth $1K each ??

 

[muppet]

SYD-LAX at the end of Feb

also wondering if I separate the tickets (there are two) then get a credit for each one individually would that work? I would then have two credits each worth $1K each ??

Well it depends on the fare you bought but I doubt it will be possible to split a fare in half. You’d also end up paying multiple change fees.

 

[serfty]

You’d also end up paying multiple change fees.

Change fees are per PAX in any case.

 

[wendlle]

Well it depends on the fare you bought but I doubt it will be possible to split a fare in half. You’d also end up paying multiple change fees.

It’s possible as it’s an option when I click change/modify it also says “separate”
As they are 2 tickets for two people

 

[encryptededdy]

You can split it, but I'm pretty sure you can only use each flight credit for one person (maybe someone can correct me if I'm wrong). You won't generate any additional fees by splitting it first.

 

[muppet]

It’s possible as it’s an option when I click change/modify it also says “separate”
As they are 2 tickets for two people

Ah. It wasn’t clear that there were multiple pax, I thought you meant separating segments.

Well yep you can do that.

But now I’m really unclear. Is the new $1,200 fare for 2 pax or 1? Because if it’s for 2 then it equals $600 for 1 and you will have a $1,000 credit so the same problem.

 

[wendlle]

Ah yes same issue
The first was 2 pax for $2K
The next is for 4 pax for $1200

So they also have to be the same people?
I find this so confusing and unnecessary

 

[encryptededdy]

It makes a little more sense if you consider that a flight credit is actually just a ticket change where you get to decide on what you're changing to later.

In practice in the GDS it's just changing your ticket to a flight from Fictitious Point to Fictitious Point, and then when you redeem your flight credit it's another change. That's why you pay the change fee at the point of rebooking.

 

[wendlle]

Thankyou.
OK so weighing up my options. I checked the Fare Rules. I got economy tickets SALE fares.
here are the rules, below.
Am I to read that I will pay $1000 to cancel the two tickets and get the rest which will be another $1000 refunded as cash?? This could possibly be a better option - I know I'm out $1K but at least I can use the other $1K for the next flights, getting the voucher seems much more restrictive and I'm not planning on flying again before the time limit on the voucher would be up.
Or is this the fee for both the refund and or voucher?
I find this very confusing, and really appreciate everyone's knowledge here.

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

This fare may be used as credit towards the payment of any higher fare from the point of origin, provided the new fare rules are met. A reissue fee of AUD $225 per person applies. If the new fare is cancelled the original fare rules will apply.This credit must be used within 12 months of the original ticket date of issue.
If a passengers No Shows for their flight before rebooking/rerouting a fee of A$500 per person applies. Cancellation after No Show, ticket is non-refundable.

Any credit is the Australian dollar price.

Note: If this fare is booked as part of the Companion Sale, 2 or more adult fare passengers must be booked and travel together. Child discounts do not apply. If this fare is booked as part of the Companion Sale, the fare is non-refundable.
You may be entitled to a refund or alternative flight under the Australian Consumer Law or Conditions of Carriage.

 

[encryptededdy]

Thankyou.
OK so weighing up my options. I checked the Fare Rules. I got economy tickets SALE fares.
here are the rules, below.
Am I to read that I will pay $1000 to cancel the two tickets and get the rest which will be another $1000 refunded as cash?? This could possibly be a better option - I know I'm out $1K but at least I can use the other $1K for the next flights, getting the voucher seems much more restrictive and I'm not planning on flying again before the time limit on the voucher would be up.
Or is this the fee for both the refund and or voucher?

Assuming your flights were $1000 per person

Fee for credit is $225 pp, so you'll technically get a voucher for $1000 but will be charged a $225 fee when you use it. Therefore, the effective credit value is $775 pp

Fee for refund is $500pp, so you'll get a $500 refund per person.

 

[wendlle]

Assuming your flights were $1000 per person

Fee for credit is $225 pp, so you'll technically get a voucher for $1000 but will be charged a $225 fee when you use it. Therefore, the effective credit value is $775 pp

Fee for refund is $500pp, so you'll get a $500 refund per person.

Thank you this is so helpful. And one last question, is there a time limit on when I can cancel for either the refund or voucher?
Because I can just do what another poster suggested which is wait and see if they change the booking due to a schedule change and then get the refund that way without the fees.

 

[encryptededdy]

Thank you this is so helpful. And one last question, is there a time limit on when I can cancel for either the refund or voucher?
Because I can just do what another poster suggested which is wait and see if they change the booking due to a schedule change and then get the refund that way without the fees.

No, you should be ok to wait until last minute.

 

[wendlle]

No, you should be ok to wait until last minute.

Great thanks, they actually have changed it
But only by 5mins so I doubt I can get a refund for a 5 min change

 

[DejaBrew]

Great thanks, they actually have changed it
But only by 5mins so I doubt I can get a refund for a 5 min change

I doubt you’d be the first to successfully argue a no cost refund due to a forced change (of 5 mins)…

 

[wendlle]

I doubt you’d be the first to successfully argue a no cost refund due to a forced change (of 5 mins)…

Agree I don’t think it would be approved

 

[AIRwin]

Agree I don’t think it would be approved

No harm trying and HUACA until you get your way?

 

[DejaBrew]

Agree I don’t think it would be approved

I’m sure I’ve read that someone on AFF managed to successfully argue that their direct flight needed to be changed to a multi-city routing due to a 5 minute shift in departure time (and nothing at all to do with ** self-redacted due to consideration of potential breach of Fight Club rules **…)