Help regarding grossly inflated airfare now on special

[drcam]

Dear friends,

My parents (who are physically very well and in their mid-70s) just booked two J return tickets on Qantas/LAN (I don't know exact details) from SYD-SCL for their once-in-a-lifetime Antarctica cruise this Xmas (travelling mid-December to mid-January). They booked on the Qantas website and paid $14k return, each.

Now a couple of days later Qantas decides to go on special and sell this for HALF the price on the dates that they have booked.

What do you think are the best options?

Could they cancel, take a credit voucher and use half of it on a new fare and save the rest for later? As they tend to go on several overseas vacations a year, this would potentially be a viable option.

Opinions greatly appreciated.

Many thanks,
Cam

 

[AIRwin]

Depending on the fare type for their tickets, it may be worthwhile even with the applicable cancellation fees and reissue fees:

https://www.qantas.com/au/en/book-a-trip/flights/fare-types/fare-guide-information.html/australia/south-america.html

 

[drcam]

But what is the time taken to get a cash refund with Qantas less cancellation fees?

When they booked a J fare with Qatar airlines just before the pandemic, it took them 18 months (and about five written letters) to get their refund.

 

[encryptededdy]

In my experience if it's cancellable online, then the refund comes through in under 2 weeks 90% of the time. The other 10% of the time is when their IT throws a fit and you have to chase the refund up.

 

[Mattg]

Agree that they should cancel for a refund (minus the cancellation fees) and book a new ticket at the new prices. They'll still save thousands after paying the cancellation fees.

 

[drcam]

Agree that they should cancel for a refund (minus the cancellation fees) and book a new ticket at the new prices. They'll still save thousands after paying the cancellation fees.

How is Mongolia?

 

[ChrisMars]

I would love to hear a trip report on Mongolia on an AFF on air podcast

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I would suggest *not* getting a credit voucher. Never know what’s going to happen, better to have the cash!

 

[AIRwin]

Never know what’s going to happen, better to have the cash!

Sounds ominous?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Sounds ominous?

lol, no. Just sometimes plans can change, and having money tied up in a voucher can be problematic!

 

[encryptededdy]

Can you even redeem a credit voucher for a flight of lower cost (and keep the remainder)? I didn't think you could...

 

[fletty]

IIRC that was only allowed for specific COVID credits. I believe the general rule is equal amount or higher, and you can split the passengers into separate PNRs/vouchers

 

[MEL_Traveller]

IIRC that was only allowed for specific COVID credits. I believe the general rule is equal amount or higher, and you can split the passengers into separate PNRs/vouchers

If that is the case, all the more reason not to get a credit voucher!

 

[Princess Fiona]

How is Mongolia?

Wrong Matt
It’s @Matt_01 that’s there just now

 

[drcam]

I thought MattG is there. Matt_01 came from Mongolia earlier.

Anyway, back to the topic, my parents cancelled their airfare, with cancellation fees of $300 each off a total fare of $29750. They didn't have the balance on their credit card so I lent them the amount of the new fare of only $6998 each. Net of fees, a saving of over $15k. There was a minor date change - they are staying a few more days in Santiago at the start as I suggested at their age jet lag takes a bit longer to dissipate.

Thank you all for your advice, it yielded enough for their 2025 trip to Turkey and Morocco!!!

 

[drcam]

I love the name Cynicor. Manipulating points, extracting value from fares and dealing with airlines has always required a delicate mix of arrogance, cynicism and sarcasm.

 

[Matt_01]

I thought MattG is there. Matt_01 came from Mongolia earlier.

@Princess Fiona drcam is correct, I had flown into HKG from Mongolia last week and at dinner I heard @Mattg talking about Mongolia so I joined the conversation. Mattg will be either be on route or now there.

 

[Mattg]

@Princess Fiona drcam is correct, I had flown into HKG from Mongolia last week and at dinner I heard @Mattg talking about Mongolia so I joined the conversation. Mattg will be either be on route or now there.

I'm heading there tomorrow