Flight Credit versus Cash Refund

[Kefci2000]

Apologies if there is a thread on this already, although a quick search didn’t show.

I have a return MEL-BNE Red-E booking this week that I need to cancel, cost me circa $400

Options are $400 flight credit ($110 change fee) or $76 cash refund.

At first glance the credit appears the best option, does the $110 get paid when rebooking or upfront?

The other issue is only 8 months to use the credit.

Any thoughts or suggestions welcome.

Thanks Pete

 

[SJF211]

You’ll be issued a credit for the full value paid, then when you go to use it to book you’ll be charged the change fee. So you’ll receive a $400 credit but really it’s only worth $290 if that makes sense. I’d personally be taking the credit but as you say the credit does expire so it’s come down to whether you’ll be travelling again soon enough to use it.

 

[Kefci2000]

Thanks appreciate quick response

 

[Aeryn]

Noting you only need to book the new flight within 8 months, you dont have to fly within the next 8 months.

 

[Kefci2000]

Noting you only need to book the new flight within 8 months, you dont have to fly within the next 8 months.

New terms and conditions say book and fly

 

[transpactraveller]

Is it still the case that if you take a flight credit you can only use it for more the same or more expensive fare categories, for example if you refunded a Saver/Flex fare to a flight credit you can't use it on a Sale?

 

[Aeryn]

Is it still the case that if you take a flight credit you can only use it for more the same or more expensive fare categories, for example if you refunded a Saver/Flex fare to a flight credit you can't use it on a Sale?

No

 

[Invisible Monkey]

Is it still the case that if you take a flight credit you can only use it for more the same or more expensive fare categories, for example if you refunded a Saver/Flex fare to a flight credit you can't use it on a Sale?

They changed it Oct 2024 as part of their charm offensive. It can be used across multiple and lower priced bookings. I've done this myself and confirm this to be true.

 

[transpactraveller]

Thanks that's great to hear it's been fixed. I wasn't sure if it was a bug or a feature, but I remember the website wouldn't show some of the cheaper sale fares when using a Flight Credit and I had to call to get them to manually book it for me, with varying success depending on the agent.

 

[DejaBrew]

I wasn't sure if it was a bug or a feature, but I remember the website wouldn't show some of the cheaper sale fares when using a Flight Credit and I had to call to get them to manually book it for me, with varying success depending on the agent.

Definitely still the case, but I've never had an issue getting the lower price booked via the call centre. Admittedly easier with some agents than with others.