Classic Award Booking Cancellation Fees & Refund Processing Time

[Airbumps]

Hi All,

I know during COVID Qantas had ridiculously long refund times, but I'm curious to know what peoples experiences are more recently.

I cancelled two classic awards operated by AY about two weeks ago. One of them still shows on MMB (although isn't accessible) whilst the other has disappeared. I have not received an email about either cancellation and the points and credit card charges have not been refunded.

Before I waste time on the phone getting lies from Qantas, looking to see what peoples recent experience might be?

Cheers

 

[bam71]

in my experience around 5 days for the points to be reccredited, and about an extra week for the taxes. Have cancelled 2 redemption bookings over the last 6 weeks and these were the time frames I experienced.

 

[Pushka]

I cancelled one last Monday and points back Thursday. Money not yet returned. The time varies according to country I was told, ie a different queue. if charged in AUD then it was taking much longer than if Pounds. The last one was Athens to UK so might be faster than an Aus one.

 

[aikman]

Refunds for flights departing Australia takes a few days.

Refunds for flights departing outside of Australia takes months. I have a one way flight departing Bangkok that I've been waiting 3 months for and counting. I called them to follow up last month and all they said was that it was in the queue, and this was coming from a Hobart call centre agent.

 

[Airbumps]

Thanks for the replies guys - much appreciated.

Refunds for flights departing Australia takes a few days.

Refunds for flights departing outside of Australia takes months. I have a one way flight departing Bangkok that I've been waiting 3 months for and counting. I called them to follow up last month and all they said was that it was in the queue, and this was coming from a Hobart call centre agent.

My flights are departing HEL and NYC so I'm guessing I shouldn't expect anything to happen fast. Did the call center explain why they end up in a different que? Seems odd.

Cheers

 

[aikman]

Did the call center explain why they end up in a different que?

Not this time but from previous calls I gathered that the relevant overseas Qantas office has to process the refund. We can only guess what the workloads are like in each office or how motivated the staff there are.

 

[Airbumps]

Not this time but from previous calls I gathered that the relevant overseas Qantas office has to process the refund. We can only guess what the workloads are like in each office or how motivated the staff there are.

Thanks mate.

Has anybody had an positive experiences in calling Qantas to try and hurry it up or is that just a waste of time? It would be nice to get the points back at least to be able to rebook other flights.

I see below that their policy states refunds must be completed within four weeks between Agents and Qantas, but I dont see anything about Qantas's own refund time

 

[Princess Fiona]

Changed a Classic Award from LAX-MEL-SYD to LAX-SYD.
Taxes refund was processed same day.

 

[encryptededdy]

It would be nice to get the points back at least to be able to rebook other flights.

I find if you call the Frequent Flyer Service Centre (not reservations), they can usually arrange for your points to be refunded instantly.

 

[serfty]

I cancelled a classic award to Oz-USA return on the afternoon of Thursday 8th.

"An update on your refund request" email regarding Points refund received on Friday and the points had indeed been refunded.

Another "An update on your refund request" email regarding the cancellation was received Saturday and the reversal of the funds to CC showed up today (Tuesday) but dated Saturday.

 

[Thetravelbyte]

I had to cancel an AA operated classic award flight on the phone today from DFW - OKC because Qantas had cancelled and rebooked my Australia to US flight which meant I wouldn't be able to make the AA flight at all. Because it was Qantas' fault, I asked if I could have a full refund of points rather than pay the 6000 points cancellation penalty fee per person which they dutifully said they would do over the phone.

After dropping the phone call, the AA operated classic award flight has completely disappeared from my bookings/Qantas app and I haven't received any email about it either. Is this normal/do I just play a waiting game now?

 

[Doctore1003]

What is the current wait time for refunds of points / taxes for a cancelled Qantas-operated classic reward booking? I’ve been waiting about three weeks.

Meanwhile, I cancelled a QF partner airline booking last week and QF processed the refund within a couple of days.

 

[Pushka]

What is the current wait time for refunds of points / taxes for a cancelled Qantas-operated classic reward booking? I’ve been waiting about three weeks.

Meanwhile, I cancelled a QF partner airline booking last week and QF processed the refund within a couple of days.

Jetstar for me, still waiting after a week.

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

What is the current wait time for refunds of points / taxes for a cancelled Qantas-operated classic reward booking? I’ve been waiting about three weeks.

Meanwhile, I cancelled a QF partner airline booking last week and QF processed the refund within a couple of days.

I've been told by the contact centre it's a maximum of 4 weeks

Having said that, I suspect there is a huge amount of variability as usual. I got my points instantly refunded via the contact centre (since I needed to book another ticket). Nothing yet on my CC re: taxes 6 days later (though I don't expect it sadly with qantas)

 

[Bluewave]

I've been told by the contact centre it's a maximum of 4 weeks

Having said that, I suspect there is a huge amount of variability as usual. I got my points instantly refunded via the contact centre (since I needed to book another ticket). Nothing yet on my CC re: taxes 6 days later (though I don't expect it sadly with qantas)

I'm wondering about the same thing. I cancelled a Classic Reward flight and FFpts refund came through the next day. I also cancelled a Qantas Hotels booking, and funds returned 2 days later (no refund of $50 gift voucher, unfortunately). I'm now just waiting for the CR flight taxes/fees to be refunded, but I guess I won't hold my breath!

 

[ShrinkWrapped]

I just refunded a CR last week

points back 24 hours later
cash back onto credit card in 5 days

 

[Bluewave]

Update: I received my fees refund back on the credit card within a week of cancelling the Reward booking. Yay!

 

[DrGear]

After the debacle I’ve been through I’m expecting about 100k points or so back but still have yet to receive the a few days later. Given how badly they messed up last time, I’m not gonna try to get anyone at the contact center to touch it lest they completely ruin it again.

I was told it may take a few weeks but I cancelled a hotel booking a few days ago and the points reappeared within 5 minutes.

 

[Maki]

Hi everyone,

has anyone cancelled their award booking with QF recently? How long did you wait for the refund to be processed?
I've just cancelled a one way ticket and wanted to book something else immediately but the points are not yet in the account. It totally slipped from my mind that the whole booking might go through QF refund process. I understand the cash portion might take longer, but the points?
Speaking to he agents that I could reach, I was advised that it might take up to 2 weeks to process the refund, the same information is available on the website. But is that to be trusted? Two weeks is cutting it fine for me, so is there a way to expedite it other than calling the QF call centre?
Thanks.

Cheers, Mark

 

[kpro]

Cancelled one online early this month when the mass release of classic rewards dropped.

Points credited back almost instantly, and the money was refunded to my card within a day or two.