rules around flight credits - must use in 3 months? Must keep origin & destination?

[astrosly]

I booked an international flight recently but want to change it. Couldn't change online so had to call. I expected to pay $200 change fee + difference in fare (which is $0 according to the fare on QF's website) but have been quoted $950 to change it.

When I queried this, after much time on hold I was advised that they can't see the fare I see on the website on their system and that I have to pay almost $1K to change, cancel for $400 or get a credit.

I asked about the credit: $200 to change and must be a higher fare. OK. Then I was told that I must call them within 3 months to book a flight.
Me: What?!
QF: Yes, that is the rules.
Me: Ummm, can't see that in the displayed fare rules, can you please point out where that is?
QF: Oh these aren't on the website, but that is the case.

After some more discussion the guy went off for a while and came back and said I had to book in 12 months. OK.
Me: can I use the credits from AU to anywhere (since the rules state only from point of origin)?
QF: No, you can only use them between the original origin and destination.
Me: But it doesn't say I must keep the destination in the rules, just the origin.
QF: Whatever, thems the rules. That is the current rule for your ticket.

Does this sound right to you? A credit voucher can only give you a credit for the SAME FLIGHT later on? I'm surprised that I can't change the original route for a credit voucher.

By the way I bought this flight with a gift voucher but the fellow said it didn't make a difference but I suspect it added more complexity.

I also have a question about the expiry of the credit - I was told by the fellow I had to fly within 12 months of the original ticket, but I was of the impression that I only had to book within 12 months. What has your experience been with credit vouchers in this respect?

 

[NZflygirl]

Re: rules around flight credits - must use in 3 months? Must keep origin & destinatio

I have a flight in credit currently. I was told I have 12 months but I think thats to book, I don't need to fly it within 12 months. Origin I thought had to stay the same, but not destination.
Just try another agent if you're not hearing the answers you want.

Mine isn't a voucher.

 

[astrosly]

Re: rules around flight credits - must use in 3 months? Must keep origin & destinatio

Thanks for the info NZflygirl. I decided to cancel and get a credit and it reverted to the original voucher expiry date which is in Dec 2016, none of the dates that the agent said it would! This was the second agent I spoke to about changing the flight, it is annoying that I can get such bad information and then feel I may have to call up a third time to get the useful info.

I did a few tests of what I can book with the voucher and no, I got to choose various origins & destinations for the voucher so the agent was utterly wrong to tell me so. It appears it has the restrictions of the original gift voucher with the added restriction of base fare value built in. Funnily enough I can't book the change I wanted as the fare is 50c less.