Qantas missed flight policy — if held up getting to the airport

[virgintiger]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how Qantas generally handles it if you miss a flight because you’re held up getting to the airport (e.g. traffic, delays, etc.)?

I understand it’s technically considered a no-show, but wondering what happens in practice, particularly for domestic flights within Australia. If you arrive late, will Qantas usually try to put you on the next available service (even for a fee), or is the entire fare forfeited?

Appreciate any insights.

Thanks!

 

[muppet]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how Qantas generally handles it if you miss a flight because you’re held up getting to the airport (e.g. traffic, delays, etc.)?

I understand it’s technically considered a no-show, but wondering what happens in practice, particularly for domestic flights within Australia. If you arrive late, will Qantas usually try to put you on the next available service (even for a fee), or is the entire fare forfeited?

Appreciate any insights.

Thanks!

Yep. Presuming there’s availability I’ve found them good.

Couple of months ago in Syd was late arriving and the red e-deal flight was re-booked by the service desk with little drama.

 

[FlyingCasually]

Yep. Presuming there’s availability I’ve found them good.

Couple of months ago in Syd was late arriving and the red e-deal flight was re-booked by the service desk with little drama.

When you say little drama, what exactly do you mean? And late arriving because of your own fault or a missed connection?

Not OPs exact scenario as this all happened before departure.
My experience of this was when I was 2 minutes late for bag drop cut-off (my fault). Was given no alternative but to re-book on a later flight. Of course, the only tickets left available at such short notice were extortionate but what can you do. The fare I had paid initially was credited so at least that was something. I would say there was no 'drama' involved in the process and the desk was helpful, but because of the hefty cost, definitely not 'no dramas' (in the Aussie slang sense).

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The official policy, in the contract of carriage, is that they will give you a credit for the fare… provided you give them the details of why you were late and how it was ‘unforeseen’. All fees and charges apply.

In reality i’m not sure how this is that much different from a normal cancellation… even red e deals can be credited now? albeit with a hefty fee for use.

 

[muppet]

When you say little drama, what exactly do you mean? And late arriving because of your own fault or a missed connection?

Not OPs exact scenario as this all happened before departure.
My experience of this was when I was 2 minutes late for bag drop cut-off (my fault). Was given no alternative but to re-book on a later flight. Of course, the only tickets left available at such short notice were extortionate but what can you do. The fare I had paid initially was credited so at least that was something. I would say there was no 'drama' involved in the process and the desk was helpful, but because of the hefty cost, definitely not 'no dramas' (in the Aussie slang sense).

Plane had pushed back by the time we got to the gate. (No bags). Was our fault.

SYD-MEL so plenty of options. I was very polite.

No drama. No extra cost. Just moved.

 

[JustSlash]

Hi all,

Does anyone know how Qantas generally handles it if you miss a flight because you’re held up getting to the airport (e.g. traffic, delays, etc.)?

I understand it’s technically considered a no-show, but wondering what happens in practice, particularly for domestic flights within Australia. If you arrive late, will Qantas usually try to put you on the next available service (even for a fee), or is the entire fare forfeited?

Appreciate any insights.

Thanks!

I once missed a HBA → MEL flight by 5 minutes over Easter due to a rental car return delay at the airport. At Hobart, luggage drop off closes 1 hour before departure, and when we arrived 55 mins prior, there were no staff around. Tried kiosks, no luck. Eventually a Jetstar staff member got a Qantas rep, but it was too late to check in our bags, even though we already had boarding passes.

First time missing a flight, a bit of panic. Called Qantas reservations, explained the situation, being polite and admitted it was our fault, and asked for options. To my surprise, the agent rebooked us on the next flight (3 hours later) for free, no penalties. Really grateful, kudos to Qantas for the great service that day.

 

[Princess Fiona]

There is no official policy. You will see various replies on this thread based on individual circumstances, status and what happened on the day.
Some other airlines eg AA do have an unofficial but well known flat tire policy.
QF does not AFAIK and anything they do for you is at the discretion of the airline.

 

[VPS]

There is no official policy. You will see various replies on this thread based on individual circumstances, status and what happened on the day.
Some other airlines eg AA do have an unofficial but well known flat tire policy.
QF does not AFAIK and anything they do for you is at the discretion of the airline.

And presumably at the discretion of the person you are dealing with at the time

 

[MEL_Traveller]

There is no official policy. You will see various replies on this thread based on individual circumstances, status and what happened on the day.
Some other airlines eg AA do have an unofficial but well known flat tire policy.
QF does not AFAIK and anything they do for you is at the discretion of the airline.

Qantas does have an official policy as I mentioned above. It’s in the conditions of carriage:

7.4 Events Beyond Your Control​

If you have purchased a fare for travel on our services and:

(a) you are travelling on private travel and not on business; and

(b) you have been prevented from travelling by Events Beyond Your Control;- and

(c) all or part of the fare for your Ticket is non-refundable;

we will give you a credit for the non-refundable part of the fare for future travel on us provided that you:

(i) have a completely unused Ticket

(ii) have told us quickly about the Events Beyond Your Control, and

(iii) have given us satisfactory evidence of these Events Beyond Your Control.

The credit can be used for future travel with us within 12 months of the date of original Ticket. We may charge a reasonable service fee.

 

[markis10]

reasonable service fee.

One wonders what Qantas defines as reasonable given their behaviour in the past

 

[MEL_Traveller]

One wonders what Qantas defines as reasonable given their behaviour in the past

I was wondering that too… I don’t see much difference in this policy to normal cancellation of say a red e-deal? I suspect the fee would be the same $99 or $109 or whatever it is these days, and corresponding fee for international tickets.

 

[opusman]

(i) have a completely unused Ticket

Another reason to never book domestic trips as anything other than separate one-ways.