Qantas Booking Cancellation Policy Change

[amorphous]

Qantas have a really cheap first class fare SYD to LHR. I almost booked it but backed out because my reading of the fine print is that only fully flexible first and business class bookings are entitled to cancelled and refunded. With all other first and business booking types, your fare, less cancellation fees are held as a credit to be used within 12 months on a booking of equal or higher value from the same point origin. If my reading is correct, this is beastly and I have not found anything as unreasonable amongst other carriers servicing our market. If I am wrong, let me know because I still have a few hours to complete the booking and get double status credits.

 

[serfty]

That's pretty normal for Airfares on most airlines, even pre COVID.

When would the travel be? Qantas have a waiver of cancellation fees for travel until the end of the year.

 

[amorphous]

I disagree when you look at premium cabins. I've been buying business, and sometimes first, fares since 2005, some with Qantas. Every booking in that time had cancellation refunds after paying a cancellation fee. Non refundability in premium cabins is very much a post covid and Qantas thing. In one of my careers I specialised in disaster and contingency planning and this sort of thing obsesses me. My policy has always been to have a bookings that are cancellable and refundable, less stipulated cancellation fees. The situation has changed. If I have to cancel our family's planned return flight SYD LHR in first class later this year, I do not wish to deposit 20k with qantas and have them pocket the money if I cannot make a booking within their restrictive conditions within 12 months.

 

[serfty]

@amorphous Yes, you are correct in relation to international fares. Domestic fares have had this non refundability for years.

 

[lilkid28]

Curious how much is cheap for Qantas first class?

 

[Mwenenzi]

Curious how much is cheap for Qantas first class?

More than on QR or EK?

 

[amorphous]

It is true I have not ever paid for a premium cabin domestically, other than via classic award flights. My experience is strictly international.

I love the qantas experience. As an aussie I think they are the best. The SYD LHR fare was brilliant.

Pre covid, I did not see any premium cabin fare without cancellation and refund options. In fact I have to congratulate qantas for how they handled refunds at the beginning of the pandemic. While our three refunds took the better part of a year, they did not charge cancellation fees to which they were entitled in the fine print.

I have now looked at many other options for SYD LHR and I can tell you that there are just a few premium fares that are not cancellable/refundable. Where this condition applies you are prominently alerted to the fact. It did take some sleuthing to reveal qantas' policy.

 

[TheInsider]

It did take some sleuthing to reveal qantas' policy.

All here, very easy to find: https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/fare-types.html

 

[amorphous]

True, but the fact that the fare is not refundable should have been made crystal clear during the booking process. Pre covid, mention of a cancellation fee implied refundability. It is not safe to assume that now. I think the use of the word sleuthing is appropriate.

In my ongoing search for seats to london, every airline has given me a full coverage of change and cancellation conditions during the booking process. Qantas used to do that. Qantas still allow cancellation of bookings in premium cabins for a fee but the plan for them to hold on to your money, allow you to spend it only within highly restrictive conditions or pocket the money after 12 months was not clear during the booking process.

 

[encryptededdy]

Is this regarding e.g. First Sale fares to Europe?


If this is non-refundable then I would be very surprised. My reading of this is;

Before Departure:
- Cancel for full refund with $600 fee
- Cancel for flight credit for $400 fee (but this is currently waived by the "Fly Flexible" policy)

Is this not true? Am I mis-reading this?

With all other first and business booking types, your fare, less cancellation fees are held as a credit to be used within 12 months on a booking of equal or higher value from the same point origin.

Yeah, this is not my reading of the criteria. Maybe someone can correct me but it looks like all of these are refundable with a fee, or a lower fee if used as credit towards a different fare.

 

[TheInsider]

True, but the fact that the fare is not refundable should have been made crystal clear during the booking process. Pre covid, mention of a cancellation fee implied refundability. It is not safe to assume that now. I think the use of the word sleuthing is appropriate.

But it is made crystal clear under the fare rules and cancellations.

 

[Melburnian1]

But it is made crystal clear under the fare rules and cancellations.

International J fares on most airlines have always included provision for a refund (less a cancellation fee, which may be minimal), so any change is a major departure from what one would expect.

 

[encryptededdy]

But it is made crystal clear under the fare rules and cancellations.

I'm very curious what fare class and conditions you're looking at here? I've looked through all AU to UK fare classes in J and F and from what I can tell they're all refundable less a cancellation fee?

 

[williamsf1]

I think the OP is confused with regards to refunds... I have access to some old fare sheets from 2016, and even back then, First / Business sale/ saver fares allowed a refund, however with a fee. Back then it was an AUD800 fee for a refund or AUD200 to change.

If they were to buy this current sale fare, and they wanted to refund/ cancel on a voluntary basis it is a $600 fee. ( and the rest of the money refunded)

If they wanted to change - they would be covered under the normal " fly flex" if before 31dec22

 

[aus_flyer]

How much?

 

[Guvner]

They might want to spend some of those fees on a competent proof reader...

 

[RichardMEL]

OK I have looked at the cheapest fare for SYD-LHR for Jul 01
the ATEU so called "Qantas/Emirates Australia to UK/Europe Business and First Cabin Special Tactical Fare" (sounds like some sort of operation conducted by an Eastern European power...)

anyway this is basically the sale fare under the current promo has a base fare of $10379 AUD.

and it specifically says:

CANCELLATIONS

ANY TIME
CHARGE AUD 600.00 FOR CANCEL/REFUND.

ANY TIME
TICKET IS NON-REFUNDABLE IN CASE OF NO-SHOW.

ie it IS refundable (as others say) bar the charge OR a no show.

 

[bam71]

I think we need a screenshot…..

 

[TheInsider]

I'm very curious what fare class and conditions you're looking at here? I've looked through all AU to UK fare classes in J and F and from what I can tell they're all refundable less a cancellation fee?

Yes?
They were saying that the rules should be made 'crystal clear', and they are. They clearly show it can be cancelled minus a fee.

 

[RichardMEL]

This special sale fare (ends today) books into A (since it's only going to be A or F anyway) and as above is refundable bar $600 cxl fee. The only non-ref part is for no show (which makes sense). This seems fairly standard for discounted premium cabin fares tbh. I've seen this sort of thing over the years. I'm honestly not too sure what the fuss is about