Qantas has removed the deadline for customers who still hold unredeemed COVID flight credits to request a refund.
Qantas announced in June 2023 that it was making it easier for customers holding credits from flights cancelled due to COVID-19 to request a refund. But until yesterday, these credits were due to expire on 31 December 2023.
Following pressure from parts of the media and heightened scrutiny from the ACCC, which also announced yesterday it will take Qantas to court for selling tickets on cancelled flights, Qantas has removed the expiry date on these credits.
Qantas classifies “COVID credits” as those issued on or before 31 September 2021. Flight credits issued after 1 October 2021 are subject to different rules, such as a 12-month expiry and a requirement to redeem the credit for a new flight costing either the same or more than the original ticket price.
Qantas also changed its policy yesterday so that travel agents will no longer lose their commission if they assist their clients to convert COVID credits into refunds.
The Qantas Group still holds around $570 million worth of COVID credits belonging to Qantas and Jetstar customers.
How to redeem Qantas COVID credits
Qantas customers with COVID credits still have until 31 December 2023 to redeem these for flights. You can book Qantas flights for travel up to 353 days in advance.
Qantas will also offer double points again on flights booked using COVID credits from 4 September 2023 until the end of this year.
The airline says that COVID credits can’t be redeemed for flights after the end of this year “due to system limitations”. But anyone with a COVID credit can now convert it into a cash refund at any point in the future. This may include some Qantas customers who weren’t previously able to get a refund.
See here for more details on how to get a refund: Qantas Says COVID Credits Are Refundable
The Qantas website also has instructions on how to use your credit to book a flight.
Jetstar COVID credits also won’t expire
Not all flight credits issued for Jetstar flights cancelled due to COVID-19 will be eligible for a refund. But Jetstar has said that its COVID credits will remain redeemable for flights indefinitely.
