Qantas change fee to increase on 30 July 2025

[servicerequired]

No, it's same price or more. Fare price can't be lower. The actual fare class makes no difference.

Hmmm are you certain? Unfortunately I am often with the grey button and being stung via the call centre …

 

[TheInsider]

Hmmm are you certain? Unfortunately I am often with the grey button and being stung via the call centre …

The fare rules state that.

 

[CaptJCool]

I’m pretty certain that QF tell you it’s change fee plus fare difference but that there is only a fare difference charged if there are no cheap seats available on the flight to which you plan to switch.

In that case The system will show you +$0

Sometimes it’s cheaper to cancel it completely and make a new booking as they will refund the entire taxes & charges in full even if this means the residual is less than $99.

 

[Bolt]

Thanks CaptJCool, I was about to ask about the refund of taxes scenario. For those that don't know, it's mandatory to refund any taxes collected when they aren't used towards taxes. Taxes for domestic QANTAS flights start at $18 and typically go as high as $69 for DRW-CBR. Some can be particularly high, up to $84 for flights to LDH, or $118 for flights to NLK.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Given it's almost impossible to make even basic flight changes via QF's IT, I suppose that's a fair point: it costs them money to force people to call in and painfully talk their reps how to do something we can't do ourselves, so I suppose we're on the hook for that cost.

Add to that the fact that sometimes not even the agent can make the change you want and so your only option is to cancel. Case in point: I originally booked SFO > SYD (connecting in LAX) on AS/QF in economy and then saw business award availability open up on AA. Called into QF and agent could see the flights and tried rebooking. They wanted something like 60,000 points more than the stated classic award amount (which I didn't have in points). They suggested I simply hang up, cancel out the flights and book the new award flights that way. Then call into QFF to get them to credit me the 1,000 points per passenger since it wasn't a cancellation but a change.

The new CEO says that QF is "changing for the better" ! I think she meant "changing the fees because it is better for QF" to charge more to move my bundle of rights from one aspiration but not guaranteed fight to another aspirational but not guaranteed flight.

In fairness to Qantas, they are offering a Premium Change Experience. Premium in the sense that you pay a premium for it!

Changes due to QF cancelling or materially changing time of flight will still be free. It's only change of mind changes.

I suppose the question is what is a material change? Would a 5 minute delay be enough to trigger a complimentary rebooking? In my case, that was the case on a revenue booking for ADL > SYD, allowing me to add in a connection at CBR for good measure so I could earn loyalty bonus for the year.

How much of that $20 increase will go to improving the skills of their call centres?

I'd rather that money be invested in expanding the Classic IT Awards on Qantas. That'll do way more to improve the passenger experience than having an agent accidentally drop your flights with a smile!

 

[Mattg]

This increase didn't end up happening last year, but the domestic change/cancellation fees will now increase from $99 to $110 on 30 July 2025.

https://www.qantas.com/agencyconnect/au/en/policies/ticket/guides-and-information/change-fee-information.html

 

[CaptJCool]

Yknow that’s way above the cost of acceptance.

I’m staggered that I do all the booking work and still get slammed that amount for a change of time (and perhaps date)

Yeah yeah I know that affects loadings etc but seriously ?

 

[Neil64]

Really a shame when you compare it to the States, where even the bottom-barrel low cost carriers have done away with them. Not surprising, of course.

The only things Qantas don’t appear to be increasing are service and quality.

 

[Beano]

Sorry, late entry to this thread so my question may have been answered.

If you change a flight in the lounge, does that attract a change fee and possibly fare difference fee?

I've had a bit of success in changing even a sale fare. (There's more to that story!) I am unaware of any costs as the booking was made through our corporate travel agent and the cost would be split across several projects so not easy to determine.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Sorry, late entry to this thread so my question may have been answered.

If you change a flight in the lounge, does that attract a change fee and possibly fare difference fee?

I've had a bit of success in changing even a sale fare. (There's more to that story!) I am unaware of any costs as the booking was made through our corporate travel agent and the cost would be split across several projects so not easy to determine.

Agent roulette, imo. If there’s been a delay or disruptions it tends to always be a yes, but otherwise, I find it’s pretty much 50/50.

 

[Beano]

Agent roulette, imo. If there’s been a delay or disruptions it tends to always be a yes, but otherwise, I find it’s pretty much 50/50.

Thanks. No delays or cancellations in my case. Recently this was in BNE. I asked at the front desk and was told no-way; not a changeable fare. Asked at the Business Lounge; not a problem. Supervisor has said to make changes when requested. Only once ever was I advised it would cost and I declined.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Thanks. No delays or cancellations in my case. Recently this was in BNE. I asked at the front desk and was told no-way; not a changeable fare. Asked at the Business Lounge; not a problem. Supervisor has said to make changes when requested. Only once ever was I advised it would cost and I declined.

Yes, I'd suspect being WP would also help your odds over, e.g., my SG and lower, but not a guarantee, of course, as it's not officially a published benefit.

 

[Beano]

Yes, I'd suspect being WP would also help your odds over, e.g., my SG and lower, but not a guarantee, of course, as it's not officially a published benefit.

Thanks, yes WP and LTG, but from what I was told it seems anyone accessing the Business lounge could be transferred. I will wait and see what happens when the bill arrives.

 

[SJF211]

Just noticed this. Did I miss the change fee for domestic going up?

 

[DejaBrew]

Just noticed this. Did I miss the change fee for domestic going?
View attachment 512991View attachment 512990

I read this to be that the Flex Economy fare can be cancelled to a flight credit at no cost, but cancelled for a refund at a cost of $121. If it's an Economy Red e-Deal fare, then there is no option to cancel for a refund, but you can cancel to a flight credit at a cost of $121.

Are you interpreting this some other way?

 

[SJF211]

sorry my post should say “change fee going up.” It went up to $110 last year and hadn’t heard about it going up again.

 

[oz_mark]

 

[CaptJCool]

This would appear to be a recent change
Like last night …

 

[Invisible Monkey]

These sort of fees anger me immensely. When they keep a portion or all of your money - depending on the type of fare - if you cancel for a refund. A change fee is bad enough when you cop that plus the fare difference relating to the changed flights but I do not understand how they can get away with banking some or all of your money when it comes to a refund.

I previously booked a non-work related Business class return seat to Sydney for later this month, the flight there was paid using a credit card, the flight back was a Classic Reward points booking costing 19,300 points. I was well aware I'd lose 6000 points if I had to cancel the booking, however, I specifically paid for business seats because I knew if I cancelled the flight, I'd get 100% of my money back.

My plans did change so I had to cancel the booking. I received the full amount for the paid for portion of the booking within seven days of the cancellation , however the points never turned up.

I gave it ten more days and then called Qantas this morning and after ten minutes of explaining the situation and waiting on hold, Qantas refunded the full points total of 19,300 within the hour. They haven't yet taken the 6000 points refund fee, even though the points activity says 6000 points where deducted.

Maybe it's a glitch in the app and my points balance will decrease by 6000 at some stage but I'm happy to wear the 6000 points loss if that does happen, I certainly wouldn't be happy to lose $121 under the same scenario if I'd booked flexi economy or the full amount if I'd booked the Red e-Deal!

 

[CaptJCool]

Imagine booking a $99 ticket

If the tic price is less than $160 then
$42 refund (approx)
Plus $121 “change fee”
Means you may as well forego the loss and make an entirely new booking

From what I can tell
One might be better off booking GVs or sale J fares 4+ months ahead with full refunds

1-3 months ahead J fare prices push up at 60, 45, 28, 14 & 7 days out
(On the March sale, I did book several $299 J tics ADEL - MEL
28 days out for Y (with another optional step at 11 days out eg ADL-Syd)

Can also throw in a domestic Points reward at some point too
Dem cheap JQ on a short flight
Or 25% CR discount sale on medium haul