I remembered a few days ago that I had a $500 QF gift voucher that was given to me and was about to expire. This initiated a process of discovery for me regarding the redemption restrictions that left me wondering at the logic behind some of the rules. This was not a flight credit voucher but a gift voucher that had been purchased.
I had no immediate plans to fly QF but SWMBO was planning a trip so my first approach was to put it towards her trip. The conditions on the voucher state that the name can be changed when redeemed, but calling customer service I was told definitely not.
The next option was for me to book a trip I had been considering that included stops in YYZ and YVR. This was not possible as it was considered multicity which is not permitted with the voucher redemption, and neither city was a 'North American" gateway for stopover purposes.
Trying to be creative, I explored various trip option including a higher cost ticket with me offsetting some of the cost with points & pay - but this was not permitted. The CS agent checked with her manager and again it was not permitted. Nor was applying the voucher to cover fees and taxes on any FF award, despite the conditions on the voucher stating;
"Redeemable for one-way or return Qantas domestic or international flights departing Australia only, including fees, taxes and carrier charges."
As time was running out and it was all proving to be too difficult, I decided to book a return fare to DFW on sale and then on a separate ticket(s) sort out the best option on connections. It was then that found that I could not book the same sale price as was available if not using using the voucher redemption. I logged in a couple of times to check, but for the same flights / same dates the voucher redemption option was $1706 vs $1397 otherwise.
Pressed for time I booked it anyway and redeemed the voucher - but in hindsight question my judgement! :shock: The return flight is booked as Saver rather than Sale so I might get lucky in the upgrade lottery! I have since found much more cost effective (and convenient) solutions on competitors but that is my error!
My expectation was that the voucher could be used as tender towards any of the booking options available, including point & pays, FF awards, multicity, etc. i.e. go through the regular process, click pay, enter the voucher #, and then pay the balance o/s. Obviously I was wrong!
Finally I do note that that the terms and conditions on the website re voucher use are different than the terms shown on the voucher that I have.
cheers,
Al
I had no immediate plans to fly QF but SWMBO was planning a trip so my first approach was to put it towards her trip. The conditions on the voucher state that the name can be changed when redeemed, but calling customer service I was told definitely not.
The next option was for me to book a trip I had been considering that included stops in YYZ and YVR. This was not possible as it was considered multicity which is not permitted with the voucher redemption, and neither city was a 'North American" gateway for stopover purposes.
Trying to be creative, I explored various trip option including a higher cost ticket with me offsetting some of the cost with points & pay - but this was not permitted. The CS agent checked with her manager and again it was not permitted. Nor was applying the voucher to cover fees and taxes on any FF award, despite the conditions on the voucher stating;
"Redeemable for one-way or return Qantas domestic or international flights departing Australia only, including fees, taxes and carrier charges."
As time was running out and it was all proving to be too difficult, I decided to book a return fare to DFW on sale and then on a separate ticket(s) sort out the best option on connections. It was then that found that I could not book the same sale price as was available if not using using the voucher redemption. I logged in a couple of times to check, but for the same flights / same dates the voucher redemption option was $1706 vs $1397 otherwise.
Pressed for time I booked it anyway and redeemed the voucher - but in hindsight question my judgement! :shock: The return flight is booked as Saver rather than Sale so I might get lucky in the upgrade lottery! I have since found much more cost effective (and convenient) solutions on competitors but that is my error!
My expectation was that the voucher could be used as tender towards any of the booking options available, including point & pays, FF awards, multicity, etc. i.e. go through the regular process, click pay, enter the voucher #, and then pay the balance o/s. Obviously I was wrong!
Finally I do note that that the terms and conditions on the website re voucher use are different than the terms shown on the voucher that I have.
cheers,
Al