fare decrease after purchase - refund of difference?

[iskyfly]

LAX - PER Dec 23 - Jan 31
Econ
Booked August 3rd.

I checked the prices for the same booking today and noticed that the total price has decreased by $119.
$55 (outbound)
$64 (return)

Would QF refund the difference if requested?

Thanks!
Giles

 

[jamesatfish]

I've never been in this situation previously, though Qantas has refunded me fare differences when a booking change results in a lower fare than the original purchase.

Perhaps if you make a change to the booking (for instance a date change) and then change it back to your original dates you may be able to get the fare difference refunded.

Of course if you do this you may also be charged a fee to change your booking, which could cancel out any refund amount.

I don't believe that anything in the fare conditions provides for a refund if the base rate of your booking class changes after ticketing - in the same way that they can't ask for more money if the fare increased.

 

[Flashback]

LAX - PER Dec 23 - Jan 31
Econ
Booked August 3rd.

I checked the prices for the same booking today and noticed that the total price has decreased by $119.
$55 (outbound)
$64 (return)

Would QF refund the difference if requested?

Thanks!
Giles

Would you expect them to charge more if the fare goes up?

There's the answer to your question.

 

[Happy Trails]

SQ did run a promotion along these lines a while ago, in an effort to get people to book early.

 

[Will]

If you have booked in Y or H you can refund the tickets and then repurchase the same flights, at the lower price.

 

[BAM1748]

Giles, it's a $119.

On a trip to the states that's tiny teddy's.

Flashware has it right.

Matt

 

[iskyfly]

Would you expect them to charge more if the fare goes up?

There's the answer to your question.

Giles, it's a $119.

On a trip to the states that's tiny teddy's.

Flashware has it right.

Matt

$119 is a lot of fish n chips or fish bait or beer for this Perth born homesick Aussie.

As far as;

Would you expect them to charge more if the fare goes up?

There's the answer to your question.

There does seem to be a precedent for offering refunds / vouchers if fares decrease after purchase- Orbitz price assurance guarantee and several airlines in the States offer lowest fare guarantees (yes, with conditions).

Thanks to all for the replies!

Cheers,
Giles

 

[NM]

Check the fare terms and conditions that you purchased. Its likely that there is a cost to make changes. If there is now a cheaper fare its most likely that availability has opened up in a cheaper fare class, so any change of class is a change to the ticket and you will incur the change fees to which you agreed when purchasing the ticket. Its quite likely that the $119 difference will be consumed by the change fees for the fare you purchased.

As Flashware points out, would you expect to be charged more if the fare price goes up? And if you purchase a tin of baked beans from Woolworths last week for say $1.19 and tomorrow find it on sale for $0.99 would you expect Woolies to refund you 20c because the price changed?

 

[medhead]

There does seem to be a precedent for offering refunds / vouchers if fares decrease after purchase- Orbitz price assurance guarantee and several airlines in the States offer lowest fare guarantees (yes, with conditions).

I'm sorry but even with conditions I would be extremely unhappy if the airline charged me more because of increasing the price after I purchased.

 

[iskyfly]

I'm sorry but even with conditions I would be extremely unhappy if the airline charged me more because of increasing the price after I purchased.

As would I, but I am confused as to why you think that was implied in this thread:?:

 

[Aussie_flyer]

Unless you purchased a refundable no penalty ticket (expensive), then you are entitled to nothing. Welcome to the world of airfares!

 

[straitman]

As would I, but I am confused as to why you think that was implied in this thread:?:

I don't think there was any implication just the idea that these things normally operate in both directions.

 

[oz_mark]

There does seem to be a precedent for offering refunds / vouchers if fares decrease after purchase- Orbitz price assurance guarantee and several airlines in the States offer lowest fare guarantees (yes, with conditions).

There is a marketing precedent - and Orbitz may choose to do this for marketing purposes. The market here is somewhat less competitive, so there is no real need for companies to make such offers here.

It's why I generally stop looking at prices once I have purchased something!

 

[medhead]

As would I, but I am confused as to why you think that was implied in this thread:?:

There is no implication. A question is clearly asked and you reply was '(yes with conditions)'. Seems to be a pretty clear statement to me.

 

[Will]

Check the fare terms and conditions that you purchased. Its likely that there is a cost to make changes. If there is now a cheaper fare its most likely that availability has opened up in a cheaper fare class, so any change of class is a change to the ticket and you will incur the change fees to which you agreed when purchasing the ticket. Its quite likely that the $119 difference will be consumed by the change fees for the fare you purchased.

IIRC most fare conditions specify that changes must be into an equal or higher fare class; which would rule out applying the cancelled fare to a cheaper one. I'll look for the reference.

 

[Will]

This is an extract of the fare conditions for "flexi-saver" (B and K) bookings:

"Booking Changes

• Changes can be made online at qantas.com/yourbooking, otherwise call 13 13 13.
  • Exception: For changes to combined Qantas and Jetstar bookings, and to multi-city bookings call 13 13 13.
• For changes made over the phone, you must pay the service fee applicable as at the date of the change.
• Your original fare may be used as credit towards a new fare of equal or higher value, provided the new fare conditions are met.
• At the time of making the change you must pay:
  • the change fee applicable as at the date of the change
  • any fare difference between the fare for your new booking and the original fare.
    • Once your booking is made the current change fee and service fee can be viewed anytime at qantas.com/your booking.
• Your new booking must be for travel anywhere on the Qantas network within 12 months of the date that the original ticket was issued."

(Bolding mine)

Therefore you can't reissue the ticket and pocket a refund of any kind.

 

[iskyfly]

There is no implication. A question is clearly asked and you reply was '(yes with conditions)'. Seems to be a pretty clear statement to me.

I respectfully say that I think you have it wrong.

None-the-less, based on the helpful replies received my question has been answered and I learned as to why some airlines in the States offer low fare guarantees and why it is not offered in Australia (market conditions / competition).

Cheers all!
-Giles

 

[medhead]

I respectfully say that I think you have it wrong.

Cheers all!
-Giles

Rereading it I think I agree I was wrong

Still I had the impression that low price guarantee were about matching competitors prices not matching there own price if it drops. But I'm probably wrong about that as well.

 

[iskyfly]

Still I had the impression that low price guarantee were about matching competitors prices not matching there own price if it drops. But I'm probably wrong about that as well.

No, you are correct on that. More examples of airlines offering low price guarantees for their own fares;

Check for airline refunds | Yapta