Hi Matt
@AFF Editor
I was the "travel arranger" for 5 family members for a Qantas flight during Covid that I booked through a Travel Agent. When we cancelled the flight during Covid we received Qantas flight credit and were advised we had to contact the Travel Agent to use the credits. The problem with the flight credit was that it wasn't for the total amount of $1,695 that
I paid, but it was broken up into 5 individual flight credits that could only be used by each of the passengers.
So when I saw this announcement of Qantas suggesting credits could be refunded, I again got in contact with my Travel Agent. Understandably the Travel Agent didn't know any of the details or really want to get involved, knowing just how hard it would be to get any sense at all from Qantas. But my agent did. She said that she spent 3 hours on the phone to Qantas. This is what she advised me on 27/6/23:
"Following up on the phone conversation yesterday - I have been in touch with Qantas (over 3hr on hold to speak to them) to be informed that tickets purchased through a travel agent can't be checked for their possibility of a refund until the end of this week at the earliest. They are directing all travel agents to wait until they have updated their agent / trade portal with the necessary program to check the tickets purchased through us and cannot assist us over the phone (despite their public website stating otherwise). Sadly, it seems they didn't think it wise to have this ready for travel agents before yesterday's announcement. I have put a reminder on my calendar for Friday, and if the system is not yet working, again on Monday - to triple check the tickets. I ask for your patience during this week while Qantas gets their act together.
I will be in touch once I have a re-confirmed credit / refund option for you."
Who knows what this "agent/trade portal" thing is???? But that's the info my Agent was apparently able to get.
Has anyone had a similar answer?