Qantas changed NZ flight 'time' to different date

[ozallens]

We were booked on a Qantas flight leaving Sydney to Queenstown on 15 July which we obviously knew would be cancelled because of the travel bubble pause. We just received a text from Qantas saying the flight time had been changed which we thought was puzzling, but when we checked the booking, it is now showing that we are supposed to be travelling on 19 July. How can they arbitrarily change a flight for several days into the future? I gather this is when they expect the travel bubble to be lifted because its outside the 17 July lockdown, but why would they think we can still travel and on that date? Am I cynical in thinking that they've moved the date outside the lockdown period so that we won't be able to get a refund (only a credit)? Of course we can't call them - the phone lines are saying not to call if your flight isn't within the next 24hrs. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

 

[blackcat20]

Ours was changed so we were flying there and back the same day, with the syd-mel leg the day before the chc-syd leg

 

[Seat0B]

We were booked on a Qantas flight leaving Sydney to Queenstown on 15 July which we obviously knew would be cancelled because of the travel bubble pause. We just received a text from Qantas saying the flight time had been changed which we thought was puzzling, but when we checked the booking, it is now showing that we are supposed to be travelling on 19 July. How can they arbitrarily change a flight for several days into the future? I gather this is when they expect the travel bubble to be lifted because its outside the 17 July lockdown, but why would they think we can still travel and on that date? Am I cynical in thinking that they've moved the date outside the lockdown period so that we won't be able to get a refund (only a credit)? Of course we can't call them - the phone lines are saying not to call if your flight isn't within the next 24hrs. Does anyone know anything about this? Thanks!

This is a significant change to your original flights, initiated by Qantas, so you would be entitled to a full refund as you don’t have to accept a change of that magnitude. Call and insist on refund if that’s what you want.

Post automatically merged: Jul 9, 2021

And welcome to posting on AFF @ozallens. You’re in the right place to get good information.

 

[Seat0B]

I don’t think Qantas are trying to be sneaky with this - more likely they are trying to still get people off onto their trip to NZ at the earliest chance, but if it does not suit you will definitely be eligible for refund. As for “only call within 24 hrs of flying” I think most people ignore that a bit - you might leave it a couple of days before calling them. I take it you checked in Manage My Booking if there was an option for on-line cancellation for refund? If so and you take that up be sure it is for refund not credit, and screenshot and save everything relevant in case it comes down to arguing with them at a later date.

 

[henrus]

How can they arbitrarily change a flight for several days into the future?

I wouldn't worry about it. The 19th is the next "available" flight which the system (or someone) has automatically booked you onto. You're not required to accept it and given the original flight has been canceled you'd still be entitled to a refund.

Am I cynical in thinking that they've moved the date outside the lockdown period so that we won't be able to get a refund (only a credit)?

Again as above nothing suspicious about this and it's just them being helpful. If you've got social media (I've found facebook messenger works best) you can also just drop a line to them (that way you don't have to wait in a queue) and they should let you know of your options otherwise you can still call but be prepared for a long wait.

Something tells me the flight from SYD-ZQN on the 19th also won't go ahead. I've now got a booking from QLD to NZ that's been changed/pushed back 6 times. Half of those have been because of NZ delaying the border reopening and the other half me pushing back due to work. Luckily QLD opens for return green from tonight so all should be good however given the NZ govt has just announced that NSW -> NZ will go into hotel quarantine from Tuesday with flights into AKL/CHC only it should be expected there are more SYD-ZQN/WLG cancelations.

 

[Matt_01]

I take it you checked in Manage My Booking if there was an option for on-line cancellation for refund? If so and you take that up be sure it is for refund not credit, and screenshot and save everything relevant in case it comes down to arguing with them at a later date.

In normal time you normally get a notification that your flight has changed and QF only give you an option to accept. Also in MMB the QF systems are not smart enough to know this was an involuntary change and if you click cancel the system will more than likely process based on the original booking conditions. Unless booked into a fully refundable book class a call will be required. @ozallens I wouldn't worry about the don't call us we are busy message, unless you have status you will be in for a long wait at any time.

 

[Seat0B]

In normal time you normally get a notification that your flight has changed and QF only give you an option to accept. Also in MMB the QF systems are not smart enough to know this was an involuntary change and if you click cancel the system will more than likely process based on the original booking conditions. Unless booked into a fully refundable book class a call will be required. @ozallens I wouldn't worry about the don't call us we are busy message, unless you have status you will be in for a long wait at any time.

Yes, you’re right on the assumption it was not a fully refundable ticket - which I should have checked! Because I know in normal time I’ve made a lot of cancellations on-line for a refund. But they were refundable tickets.