Flight Change fees

[miggidy]

Just a question about a flight change if anybody can lend some wisdom.

Have a flight booked for two adults and a child MEL-LAX-JFK (return) on a business sale fare for xmas with my daughter. Called Qantas to cancel the flight over for my daughter. I was informed the change fee would be $400 and and extra $2k+ to cancel the outgoing flight for my daughter only.

I didn't think this sounded right but the lady on the phone told me she would have to split the booking, cancel her flight and then re-book the return flight at current rates ($8k one-way).

To make things more fun they changed the times of the flights which means more change fees and fare difference to change dates!

Doesn't seem right on $20k+ booking, does this sound right?

 

[moa999]

Converting a return to a one-way, particularly off a sale fare is always going to be expensive.
If they have changed the time of your flight, they should be willing to do some +/-24 hrs for free

IS it possible for your daughter's mother to use the existing outbound ticket (even if dates need to be changed)

 

[miggidy]

Yeah they wouldn't let me make any changes at all without $400 change fee per person.

Might try and call back tomorrow as the person said they couldn't even quote me exact price to change the fare. Maybe she wasn't too interested.

Mother can't use flight on the way over as they are going a different route.

Appreciate the help!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It could be right - if the business sale fare is no longer available, it will be repriced at the full business rate. If there have been flight time changes by QF, you might be able to get away with a free re-routing, or if the flights aren't suitable at the new times, a free cancellation.

 

[clazman]

If the flights are in the sales price window, it should be just the change fee, if not you have to pay the difference in fares. Either way ring back today might get lucky

 

[miggidy]

Very disappointed in the treatment here from Qantas as a long time, loyal customer.

Flight changes have caused issues for our plans and they refuse to make changes without fees. Have been on the phone for over an hour to get a refund on these flights. Nothing but resistance and excuses. Staff member doesn't have authority to help and won't let me speak to somebody who does.

Now our Christmas plans are a mess and I'm seriously tempted to take my personal and business spend elsewhere.

Such a shame after the amazing RTW we just had with great FAs and CSMs for our honeymoon. No consistency....

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Very disappointed in the treatment here from Qantas as a long time, loyal customer.

Flight changes have caused issues for our plans and they refuse to make changes without fees. Have been on the phone for over an hour to get a refund on these flights. Nothing but resistance and excuses. Staff member doesn't have authority to help and won't let me speak to somebody who does.

Now our Christmas plans are a mess and I'm seriously tempted to take my personal and business spend elsewhere.

Such a shame after the amazing RTW we just had with great FAs and CSMs for our honeymoon. No consistency....

Perhaps you could outline the exact nature of the time changes so we can help advise what action you can take? Ordinarily, an 'insignificant' schedule change isn't going to leave you much wriggle room... an hour here or there is unlikely to get you a refund. But knowing the exact changes, and the consequential effects (for example, did you book a separate ticket leaving at least three hours after the arrival of the QF flight, etc etc), and we might be able to piece together a cause of action for you.

 

[miggidy]

The issue is the schedule change means my daughters flight into MEL is too late for J check in for MEL-LAX. So they are going to leave on a flight from QLD.

They were happy to change our flight to a day earlier to accommodate but changing daughters flight to return only will cost and extra $2k. So they offered to refund my daughters fare, doesn't help us getting her back from JFK though. I asked for a full refund for all of us and this has been refused.

I'm sorry but this simply isn't good enough.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The issue is the schedule change means my daughters flight into MEL is too late for J check in for MEL-LAX. So they are going to leave on a flight from QLD.

They were happy to change our flight to a day earlier to accommodate but changing daughters flight to return only will cost and extra $2k. So they offered to refund my daughters fare, doesn't help us getting her back from JFK though. I asked for a full refund for all of us and this has been refused.

I'm sorry but this simply isn't good enough.

From the information you have provided, it sounds like QF is within their terms and conditions. Sale fares are particularly restrictive, with a price to match.

Refunding your daughter's fare should be ok though or not? That frees you up to purchase an appropriate one way ticket, which can be found comparatively reasonably if you are willing to take lesser known carriers.

 

[miggidy]

A refund would work fine, I was offered this and then the supervisor said I would have to pay a $600 fee.

Problem is my daughter is 6 so we would all need to change our travel plans.

I'm sure they are within their rights, but surely some flexibility can be afforded or even a simple bit of common sense?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

A refund would work fine, I was offered this and then the supervisor said I would have to pay a $600 fee.

Problem is my daughter is 6 so we would all need to change our travel plans.

I'm sure they are within their rights, but surely some flexibility can be afforded or even a simple bit of common sense?

That is somewhat important information

The issue is the sale fare. If you had purchased another type of business fare, you would have had the flexibility you now require. Unfair? I can see you point of view, but 'unfair' by QF? Probably not given the changes you want to make. Otherwise everyone would purchase the cheapest fares they could, and expect changes at any time until departure without penalty.

 

[miggidy]

Yeah I'm not disagreeing with you

oh well....

 

[miggidy]

Still being refused a refund even though Qantas changed the flight times.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Still being refused a refund even though Qantas changed the flight times.

you would ordinarily be permitted a refund only in the event there was a material change to your contract... a few minutes here or there (or an hour or so for an international long haul) is unlikely to be considered 'material'... but it will depend on the circumstances obviously.

with your daughter's ticket, no doubt there was a slightly earlier flight BNE-MEL which would have allowed check in in time for the LAX flight, or alternatively you accepted carriage out of BNE. I know I'm not being very helpful

 

[medhead]

So your daughter is flying down to MEL to meet you there? Are they flying down on Qantas? If so, is the connecting outside the minimum connection time, meaning can they check in in Brisbane all the way to the USA?

Otherwise, why no just change to an earlier flight from Brisbane to Mel? The domestic leg is on the same booking, Qantas should do that for free.

 

[miggidy]

Finally spoke to somebody reasonable and I'm glad to say it has been all sorted out!

Appreciate all the helpful comments!