Involuntary Downgrade QF Classic Plus Reward

[Abbaskip]

I've just had a flight downgraded from a Premium Economy to Economy. It was booked as a Classic Plus Reward, so we paid a premium (in points) for the higher cabin. Does anyone know how these refunds are calculated?

Also, I feel the Qantas policy of the customer having to:
1) Wait for the flight (when the downgrade is already confirmed)
2) Request the refund themselves, not just get it automatically

Is very sketchy at best. Surely it's a push on Australian consumer laws if they've already confirmed the lower cabin to not immediately offer the refund, and the customer needing to chase it manually is extremely poor customer service.

Has anyone ever had luck with getting the refund earlier, I would like to use the points for my next booking

 

[burneracc]

afaik its the following;

> Customers who are involuntarily downgraded on Qantas international and Australian domestic operated and marketed flights are eligible for 75% of the value of the ticketed coupon to be refunded.

and there's some discussion and an article here:

Thread 'Article: Qantas Will Improve Reward Flight Downgrade Compensation'

Nov 6, 2025

Qantas has been working behind the scenes on its policies & procedures relating to involuntary downgrades.

Qantas customers on commercial airfares are now entitled to a refund of 75% of the fare paid. This policy does not yet apply to Classic Reward bookings, but AFF understands that this will change soon. And given the terrible experiences many AFF members have reported over the years, it's not before time.

You can read the details here:

About Time: Qantas Will Improve Reward Flight Downgrade Compensation

Qantas' current policy for compensating passengers downgraded on Classic Reward bookings is unreasonably poor. The airline finally doing something to fix this.

www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au

• AFF Editor
• Replies: 38
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 

 

[Quickstatus]

Customers who are involuntarily downgraded on Qantas international and Australian domestic operated and marketed flights are eligible for 75% of the value of the ticketed coupon to be refunded.

The 75% refund refers only to paid tickets and not reward tickets.
Reward tickets revaluations are just the difference between the points required for PE and Y.

 

[justinbrett]

The 75% down-valuation refers only to paid tickets and not reward tickets.

I'm fairly certain CR+ gets treated as revenue. It's effectively converted to cash when you redeem.

 

[Abbaskip]

The 75% down-valuation refers only to paid tickets and not reward tickets.

Reward tickets revaluations are just the difference between the points required for PE and Y.

My issue with this is paying Classic Plus premium, and the economy regular classic reward was available at the time. Not sure how they compare when it's classic plus?

 

[Dmac59]

My experience is documented via below link @Abbaskip

Compensation for Rewards bookings is the points difference between the Booked cabin and the travelled cabin.
The points refund did not materialise and a prolonged negotiation ensued.

Thread 'U Classic Reward - Downgraded with 24 hours notice'

Jul 13, 2025

I want to share my disappointment with QF after receiving a downgrade SMS and Email 24 hours before our flight.
On 24 August 2024 I booked two Business Classic Reward seats QF702 MEL-CNS for travel on 14 July 2025 (tomorrow) and selected Seats 3D/F. Our selected seats were still showing in the Q App this morning.

At 7:15 am this morning I receive a Cabin Change Notification email - We’re sorry to let you know due to operational requirements we've exceeded capacity in the Business class cabin on your flight QF702 to Cairns departing on 14 July 2025.

I know it is industry practice to...

• Dmac59
• Replies: 76
• Forum: Qantas | Frequent Flyer

• 

 

[elanshin]

Just out of curiosity, which Int'l route lost PE? (BNE-LAX?) One other option you could try and request is a reroute if applicable.

 

[Quickstatus]

I'm fairly certain CR+ gets treated as revenue. It's effectively converted to cash when you redeem.

Ive heard there is a cash to point ratio applied to calculate a CR+ ticket at the time of booking which is recorded somwhere. though I have never been able to ascertain this.

Not sure how they compare when it's classic plus?

Unfortunately they cant. Basically the mechanism is you get some refund because you got downgraded.