No more fully flexible fare!

[epsc]

I am a bit slow, but only discovered the other day that back in Feb/March, Qantas introduced the $88 fee for changing even the most flexible of fares. I got caught by this, having been unaware of its introduction. On checking the Ts and Cs it says that they do NOT charge that fee for 'fully flexible' tickets - but on checking, Qantas has also abolished the fully flexible fare. Accordingly, business travellers like me who book and sometimes need to cancel because things change get slugged an $88 fee. Once I finish up as a WP I'm off to greener (and less greedy) pastures.

 

[Ansett]

I thought that you were charged a fee only if you use phone service.

The $88.00 fee I also thought was if you wanted a cash refund and that if you accepted a credit to be used for QF travel there would be no charge. If you just want to make flight changes then again no charge unless you used phone services or if there is any difference in costs then the difference in cost becomes payable, but only if it is higher and if the change fare is lower no refund to be applied.


Fees for Consultant Assisted Bookings

The following fees apply to bookings and (where permitted) changes made through Qantas Telephone Sales, Qantas Travel Centres and Qantas airport locations. These fees do not apply to bookings and changes made online at qantas.com.

The fees for consultant assisted bookings apply in addition to any amounts payable under the applicable fare rules, which are summarised in the Fare Guide below.

Fees for making bookings: For bookings made through Qantas Telephone Sales, Airports and Qantas Travel outlets, a fee of A$35 per person applies. For Qantas Frequent Flyer bookings made through Qantas Telephone Sales, a per-person Reward Assistance Fee in either cash or points will apply.

Fees for making changes to bookings: For changes made to Economy bookings (where permitted under the applicable fare rules) through Qantas Telephone Sales, Airports or Qantas Travel outlets:

• where the original booking was made through Qantas Telephone Sales, a fee of A$10 per person applies;

• where the original booking was not made through Qantas Telephone Sales, a fee of A$40 per person applies.

The above fees do not apply for bookings made or changed online at qantas.com.

The table below is a guide only. Full fare rules can be accessed from the links and can be viewed during the booking process.



On a side note good to see they have updated the relevant pages of the T and C to reflect new booking choices and names LOL



[TABLE="width: 1"]
[TR]
[TH="class: heading"]Details[/TH]
[TH="class: fare55, bgcolor: #E0001B"]Red e-Deal[/TH]
[TH="class: fare4, bgcolor: #E68800"]Flexi Saver+[/TH]
[TH="class: fare5, bgcolor: #E5B701"]Fully Flexible+[/TH]
[TH="class: fare56 lastHeading, bgcolor: #A0001B"]Flex[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Maximum stay[/TH]
[TD="align: center"](12months)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"](12months)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"](12months)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"](12months)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TH]Stopovers permitted[/TH]
[TD="align: center"]Not applicable[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Not applicable[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Not applicable[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Not applicable[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Changes before the day of departure[/TH]
[TD="align: center"]Bookings made or changed on or before 02 December 2014: A$77* plus any fare difference
Bookings made and changed on or after 03 December 2014: A$88* plus any fare difference
(Conditions apply)
Combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings require consultant assistance[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Permitted prior to scheduled flight departure
(Conditions apply)
Combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings require consultant assistance[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TH]Changes on or after the day of departure[/TH]
[TD="align: center"]Loss of fare[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Permitted only prior to scheduled flight departure.
Combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings require consultant assistance[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Name Changes[/TH]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Bookings made or changed on or before 17 February 2015, permitted with $80 name change fee.~
Bookings made or changed on or after 18 February 2015, permitted with $88 name change fee. ~
Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)
Combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings or Name changes require consultant assistance[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Bookings made or changed on or before 17 February 2015, Any fare difference~
Bookings made or changed on or after 18 February 2015 in the new Flex fare family, permitted with $88 name change fee. ~
Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)
Combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings or Name changes require consultant assistance
Name changes require consultant assistance[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Permitted with $88 name change fee. ~
Any fare difference
(Conditions apply)
Combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings or Name changes require consultant assistance[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TH]Refundable[/TH]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"][/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Permitted with A$88 cancellation fee[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TH]Credit for cancellation before the day of departure[/TH]
[TD="align: center"]Keep value
When making a change, change fees apply as follows:
For bookings made or changed on or before 02 December 2014: A$77* plus any fare difference
For bookings made and changed on or after 03 December 2014: A$88* plus any fare difference
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Keep Value
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Keep Value
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Keep Value
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR="class: alt"]
[TH]Credit for cancellation on or after the day of departure[/TH]
[TD="align: center"]Loss of fare[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Loss of fare
[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Keep Value
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]Keep value if cancelled prior to scheduled flight departure.
No show - not permitted.
(Conditions apply)[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

 

[epsc]

Previously I could have the fare refunded to my credit card without any fee at all. I do not want a credit to my account - I have a small business, and do not want to carry the overheads of having money tied up in credit to Qantas. My beef is that there is now no such thing as a fully flexible fare, and this usurious fee has been introduced quite sneakily.

 

[Ansett]

For international flights it seems one still can on a Flex Fare


[TABLE="width: 617"]
[TR]
[TD="class: description"]Cancellations (including no show)[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]

• Before departure:
• Except where no show fee applies:
  • Full refund.
• After departure:
• Except where no show fee applies:
  • The refund will be the difference (if any) between the fare paid and the applicable fare for the journey travelled.
• Qantas & Jetstar Points Plus Pay - Flight: If this is a Qantas & Jetstar Points Plus Pay - Flight and the itinerary has been partially flown, then a proportion of the money and points originally used to obtain the reward will be refunded to the applicable Member. The proportion refunded will be the remaining ticket value as allocated by Qantas as a proportion of the original ticket value.
  • This fare may be used as credit towards the payment of any higher fare from the point of origin, provided the new fare conditions are met. If the new fare is cancelled the original fare cancellation conditions will apply. For tickets issued on/before 14 May 14, a no show fee of A$300 per person applies. For tickets issued on/after 15 May 14, a no show fee of A$500 per person applies.This credit must be used within 12 months of the original tickets date of issue.
  • Any refund or credit is the Australian dollar price.

[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]



Its all a Part of Simpler and Fairer LOL

 

[epsc]

That is cold comfort to the business traveller, who I had understood Qantas was trying to keep. We are the mainstay of Qantas, and I would not have thought the company wants to alienate the only people who actually pay full fare!!

 

[Ansett]

In Fairness its not just Qantas VA also charge for a refund all be it slightly cheaper at $80.00 versus QF $88.00.

 

[epsc]

Fairness has nothing to do with it. Business travellers need full flexibility, and have paid (through the nose) for it, the quid pro quo being that the advantage of that class of fare is being able to cancel without penalty. That has now been removed - with any discount in the price? I don't think so! I assume you are not running your own small business, Ansett.

 

[mannej]

No need for the dig at Ansett, he was just pointing out that both VA and QF charge the cancellation fee (hence your threat to move your business has a slight flaw to it).

 

[epsc]

I'm sorry, I think it is quite fair enough to point out that if one isn't actually in the position of paying full fare out of one's own pocket, then that person might not share the same perspective as those who are in that position. If anyone reading this thinks that it really isn't an issue, then that demonstrates a very real inability to see it from the other side.

 

[Ansett]

One should not assume as I do run my own small business and appreciate Cash flow and its importance. I was merely pointing out that whilst you and I may not like the charge VA also charge the same. Is it Right No not in my opinion. I would also like to point out that I have not dismissed nor disagreed with your disapproval of the charge.


Given that you are hell bent on having a go at all that post here I am going to unsubscribe from this thread.

OH and good luck finding a fully flex fare on any Australian Airlines that does no come with a refund charge.

 

[hutch]

@epsc not sure why you're having a go at Ansett. They were just giving you facts.

 

[yohy?!]

bummer - better vote with your feet then although if youre travelling enough surely you can handle a voucher?

 

[epsc]

Ansett was being overly sensitive - my point, which Ansett finally acknowledged, is that Qantas is treating those for whom it should have considerable regard very shabbily. This is in effect an imposition of an $88 insurance fee. This is, I had understood, a forum where consumers of services can air issues and grievances - to suggest that other airlines behave similarly is beside the point.

The point, Hutch, was the grasping conduct of Qantas. Other service providers offer refunds - I see no justification for Qantas behaving in this way, given the very high amounts that are charged for the now-deceased fully-flexible fares.

And BTW, Mannej, as to the 'slight flaw' to my argument - once I no longer need to fly as much and have used up my QFF points I won't be sharing my hard-earned with them. No flaw at all.

 

[Ansett]

Oh and its not only Australian Airlines.

Try BA on for size when booking a FULLY FLEX Fare from LHR to Glasgow where one would only get the taxes back.

[h=4]Fare conditions for your flight: Glasgow to Heathrow (London)[/h]

• Changes: Time/date changes permitted at any time before each flight departure for a change fee of £60 or an upgrade fee of £60 plus any difference in fare. Changes subject to availability. Fees apply per ticket
• Refunds : There are no refunds except for any government & airport taxes
• Service fees
  To cancel your booking:
  Changes to the date/time:
  £15.00 online or £30.00 by phone
  Free online or £30.00 by phone
  
• 
  

 

[medhead]

I'm sorry, I think it is quite fair enough to point out that if one isn't actually in the position of paying full fare out of one's own pocket, then that person might not share the same perspective as those who are in that position. If anyone reading this thinks that it really isn't an issue, then that demonstrates a very real inability to see it from the other side.

In fairness you did write fairness doesn't come into this, so I fail to see how it's fair for you to point out anything, since fairness doesn't come into this.

And BTW, Mannej, as to the 'slight flaw' to my argument - once I no longer need to fly as much and have used up my QFF points I won't be sharing my hard-earned with them. No flaw at all.

So which airline, that doesn't charge for a refund, will be getting your money?

 

[epsc]

Gosh, I hadn't reckoned on there being so many Qantas apologists out there! And so many who can't grasp the point. Signing off, go your hardest, chaps.

 

[hutch]

Ansett was being overly sensitive - my point, which Ansett finally acknowledged, is that Qantas is treating those for whom it should have considerable regard very shabbily. This is in effect an imposition of an $88 insurance fee. This is, I had understood, a forum where consumers of services can air issues and grievances - to suggest that other airlines behave similarly is beside the point.

The point, Hutch, was the grasping conduct of Qantas. Other service providers offer refunds - I see no justification for Qantas behaving in this way, given the very high amounts that are charged for the now-deceased fully-flexible fares.

And BTW, Mannej, as to the 'slight flaw' to my argument - once I no longer need to fly as much and have used up my QFF points I won't be sharing my hard-earned with them. No flaw at all.

You are welcome to air your grievances with Qantas or any airline... but comparisons between airlines are pretty fundamental in discussions about services & fees etc. Also, in your response you state "other service providers offer refunds"... so its okay to compare the service from other non-airline service providers, but its not okay to compare Qantas v Virgin fees?

 

[hutch]

If I am a Qantas apologist for thinking its reasonable to compare Virgin v Qantas fees, then so be it.

 

[yohy?!]

i imagine that type of refund condition is probably going to disappear altogether in future - there just isn't enough profit in the airline industry period as it is and this would be one almost irresistible way for airlines to improve their cash flow

 

[medhead]

Qantas apologists? What is so hard to understand about it being pointless to spit the dummy if there is no alternative?

it's a simple concept, you're going to switch airlines to get yourself in exactly the same predicament. You're still going to pay for a refund. Then will you spit the dummy and take you spending back to Qantas. With that logic, I can understand why you're shooting the messenger. Ironic that everyone else can't grasp the point.

Of course, if we look at the thread title it is worth pointing out that there is no fee to change flexi fares. But don't let the facts get in the way.