Adding a return award flight to a one way booking

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renatts

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Hey everyone,

Apologies if this has already been asked, but I searched for every keyword I could think of and came up with nothing recent.

I’m going to be booking a couple of J awards to Europe next year as soon as they’re released, but because I don’t want to miss out I was just going to book BNE - Northern Europe as soon as I see it.

My question is, can I then add a return award flight when that becomes available by calling Qantas?

If I book two one way awards the taxes/fees are outrageous and almost double that of a return award.
I saw an old thread stating that the taxes/fees are there same regardless, but that definitely isn’t the case anymore. When booking a return trip to the USA this year I found the difference to be AUD$1700 ($850pp) more if booking two one way award flights as opposed to the return itinerary. Luckily I was about to borrow the points for the return trip instead of waiting for the next transfer.

Thanks for your help!
 
Yes, say you want to make a change. Then give them the additional return flight details.
 
Yes, say you want to make a change. Then give them the additional return flight details.

Then when they try to charge a change fee, ask it to be waived because you're not able to make the change online ;)
 
Then when they try to charge a change fee, ask it to be waived because you're not able to make the change online ;)

The change fee is always applicable. The service fee is the one you can attempt to get out of.
 
There should be no phone service fee for a J award change - just the 5000 points per passenger change fee.
 
i had the same scenario booking first class MEL-LAX added the return flight 4 weeks later and had to pay a change fee of 5000. No way of getting out of this unless you are happy to pay in US$ and different PNR
 
The change fee is always applicable. The service fee is the one you can attempt to get out of.
Service fee not applicable to J awards regardless. (Although some QF call centre staff do need gentle reminding)
Change fee....agree, good luck with dodging that one!
 
OK here is an update of what happened today after online chat with QF support. Basically I am able to add the return leg plus 5000 points for the change fee. I was quoted initially with another 8000 points per head for a service fee, but upon knowing the flight is a business class, the agent said that 8k points is waived.
 
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OK here is an update of what happened today after online chat with QF support. Basically I am able to add the return leg plus 5000 points for the change fee. I was quoted initially with another 8000 points per head for a service fee, but upon knowing the flight is a business class, the agent said that 8k points is waived.
FWIW, what happened to you is the norm, not the exception.
 
FWIW, what happened to you is the norm, not the exception.
Yes, I have the same thought always, until the agent started to tell me there is no way the 8000 points service fee can be waived. But after a few mins, he told me it will be waived because of its business class booking.

Is there a reason why you want to make it one booking?
Yes, my original post is Tax & other charges with QF award flight on EK vs CX from DXB, which later on I found this post as one of the options...
 
Is there a reason why you want to make it one booking?
You *will find* the surcharges for a return (e.g. AUS-USA) are much more palatable than the sum of 2 one ways, when originating in AUS.
I too have swallowed the 5k points pp change fee to add the return leg to my original booking,to save the $$$

Edit *may find*.....
 
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Thanks everyone for all this info. I have a similar situation where I am looking to make a J reward booking BNE - EDI return for July/August next year. Outbound legs are becoming available and I want to book as soon they appear as they go quickly. I will then look to add the return leg when it becomes available. I know I will cop the 5,000 point "fine" but assume by doing it this way i will be charged the carrier fees applicable to Australia as if I originally booked a return fare. Is this correct? A return reward booking incurs fees of approx $1,400 but if I make two separate bookings ie. BNE-EDI then EDI-BNE fees are around $1,900. Thanks again.
 
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