Does Qantas refund points for booking class being downgraded?

[wxxnxs]

Hi,

I just received an email from Qantas this morning regarding my initial booking class (used by FF points) was being downgraded due the aircraft change from its partner airline. In the email it only offered to accept the change or cancel the booking, I accepted the change but for requesting a refund of the difference in FF points, it requested me to call 1300 659 116. I called up that number and got told to claim any points difference, I would have to wait until the flight is taken, and can only be done via the online claim form, is that the case?

 

[goldenhorn]

Yes. Submit the form after the flight. My partner was downgraded at the gate and I stayed in J. They refunded both our points for that sector after the trip, which was a nice surprise.

 

[jpp42]

Keep in mind there are circumstances whereby the points required for economy may not actually be less than business, which can be frustrating. For example if you are on a Oneworld Award (OWA) there might not actually be any points savings by having one leg downgraded to Y, if there are a lot of segments had you had already hit the cap.

Also if you used "points plus pay" they might apply their policy for downgrades of revenue flights, which compares whatever fare you booked (potentially a discount business fare) against the highest flex economy fare, which can often be more than discount business. In that case you get nothing at all.

 

[wxxnxs]

Keep in mind there are circumstances whereby the points required for economy may not actually be less than business, which can be frustrating. For example if you are on a Oneworld Award (OWA) there might not actually be any points savings by having one leg downgraded to Y, if there are a lot of segments had you had already hit the cap.

Also if you used "points plus pay" they might apply their policy for downgrades of revenue flights, which compares whatever fare you booked (potentially a discount business fare) against the highest flex economy fare, which can often be more than discount business. In that case you get nothing at all.

Thanks for the tip. My booking was classic rewards flight and the cabin changes from the first to the business, I doubt Qantas will charge me the same amount of points for both.

 

[PERLHR]

With the latest issues at DXB, our flight from SYD to CHC was cancelled 5 hours or so before departure. The flight was bought via Qantas, using FF points for business class.

QF at SYD, actively sought and provided us with same day flight, on QF metal, but in economy to CHC. We accepted graciously as the next few days looked bad at DXB. This was the right decision as the next flight on EK was also cancelled.

They said they would contact the points people to seek reimbursement of the "downgrade". The return flight remains active as requested, on EK metal in a week, back on the 380 and in business.

Would can I expect for the reimbursement conditions? Straight forward or complicated? Economy class was around 18000 points at the time of booking and Business class was 45000 per sector.

 

[muppet]

With the latest issues at DXB, our flight from SYD to CHC was cancelled 5 hours or so before departure. The flight was bought via Qantas, using FF points for business class.

QF at SYD, actively sought and provided us with same day flight, on QF metal, but in economy to CHC. We accepted graciously as the next few days looked bad at DXB. This was the right decision as the next flight on EK was also cancelled.

They said they would contact the points people to seek reimbursement of the "downgrade". The return flight remains active as requested, on EK metal in a week, back on the 380 and in business.

Would can I expect for the reimbursement conditions? Straight forward or complicated? Economy class was around 18000 points at the time of booking and Business class was 45000 per sector.

Won’t be easy. Also EK taxes/carrier charges for business class are obscene so make sure you get those refunded.

EDIT: just checked and business carrier surcharges are only $20 more than economy, must be cheaper due to being fifth-freedom