Reconsider non-essential overseas travel - waiver of QF change fees?

[RSD]

With the new advice being for Australians to reconsider all non-essential overseas travel are Qantas likely to waive the fees to change a booking to something within Australia?

 

[Batterytraveller]

If I were Qantas and managing my call centre volumes I’d be holding off for a few days before announcing any more waivers or schedule changes. There’s no rush at this points.

I’m waiting on a general waiver to shift a Japan trip To October and will jump at the opportunity when it comes. I imagine I’m far from the only one.

 

[opusman]

I wouldn't expect Qantas to waive fees unless the advice changes to "Do Not Travel".

 

[Pushka]

The Smart Traveller Advice today is meaningless for waiver of cancellation fees unless the airlines are benevolent and also does not deliver the ability to claim on Insurance if covered. Its a total CYA exercise.

 

[opusman]

To be fair, Smart Traveller's remit is the safety and security of Australians overseas, not their possible financial losses due to airline cancellation penalties.

 

[justinbrett]

Usually at "Reconsider" level travel warnings, airlines offer free cancellations. I cancelled an AA ticket without issue not that long ago. But it's very much up to the airline to offer this, there's no legal right to this.

However - a blanket "Reconsider" level warning is unchartered waters. I would expect QF to offer free changes but not cancellation. They will probably cancel most flights anyway - you'll lose more money operating them at 20-30% loads.

 

[Batterytraveller]

US airlines have gone for general waivers, one single fee free change. I guess to preserve goodwill and forward bookings. Better to have people move their booking to October and keep the full fare than have a cancelation and (in many cases) a partial refund.

I can imagine a similar situation arising at Qantas.

 

[Pushka]

Usually at "Reconsider" level travel warnings, airlines offer free cancellations. I cancelled an AA ticket without issue not that long ago. But it's very much up to the airline to offer this, there's no legal right to this.

However - a blanket "Reconsider" level warning is unchartered waters. I would expect QF to offer free changes but not cancellation. They will probably cancel most flights anyway - you'll lose more money operating them at 20-30% loads.

They are offering fee free changes - but flight has to be taken by June 30, 2020. As if thats going to help much.

Post automatically merged: Mar 13, 2020

To be fair, Smart Traveller's remit is the safety and security of Australians overseas, not their possible financial losses due to airline cancellation penalties.

How does such a warning do that though?

 

[julez4870]

Hi All
Apologies for double-checking this as it's probably been covered many times. It's the first time I've booked a big trip for two people using points! Now I have to cancel it. Very disappointed as I'd managed to get either business or first the whole way.
We have an itinerary on one booking reference that covers flying on Qantas, Emirates and Qatar on various sectors for a trip to Italy via Hong Kong in May. I believe I can just cancel this all in my account, and expect to pay 6000 points each to cancel, and get back all the taxes etc. Am I correct in this?
Not a massive penalty for cancellation in comparison to some people I work with if correct.
Any advice is gratefully accepted, as it's impossible to talk to Qantas in any form.

 

[Pushka]

Hi All
Apologies for double-checking this as it's probably been covered many times. It's the first time I've booked a big trip for two people using points! Now I have to cancel it. Very disappointed as I'd managed to get either business or first the whole way.
We have an itinerary on one booking reference that covers flying on Qantas, Emirates and Qatar on various sectors for a trip to Italy via Hong Kong in May. I believe I can just cancel this all in my account, and expect to pay 6000 points each to cancel, and get back all the taxes etc. Am I correct in this?
Not a massive penalty for cancellation in comparison to some people I work with if correct.
Any advice is gratefully accepted, as it's impossible to talk to Qantas in any form.

Yes, just that 6000 penalty. I think its per person per booking. All cash is refunded but keep an eye out to make sure you receive all it it as you might have to chase it up.

 

[SeatBackForward]

They are offering fee free changes - but flight has to be taken by June 30, 2020. As if thats going to help much.

Post automatically merged: Mar 13, 2020

How does such a warning do that though?

But only if booked in March 2020 right? I have O/s travel next month that was booked back in October last year, there doesn't seem to be any policy for this situation that I can easily find.

 

[julez4870]

Yes, just that 6000 penalty. I think its per person per booking. All cash is refunded but keep an eye out to make sure you receive all it it as you might have to chase it up.

Thanks so much Pushka! I was worried, not having spent soooo many points before. Really appreciate the help.

 

[opusman]

How does such a warning do that though?

At the end of the day all they can do is advise, and they are advising to defer non-essential travel. Seems like fairly sensible advice. I think some people are in a bit of denial about the seriousness of the situation.

 

[Pushka]

At the end of the day all they can do is advise, and they are advising to defer non-essential travel. Seems like fairly sensible advice. I think some people are in a bit of denial about the seriousness of the situation.

Agree about that but if they want people who understand the risks and who want to cancel, then all they are doing with this warning is telling those people - tough luck, lose your money!

 

[Lynda2475]

But there is no timeframe in their warning, if it said defer non essitial trvael for the next X weeks (and then reviewed this timeframe weekly) it may be useful to people in claiming on insurance or seeking credits on non-refunsbale arrnagements made before the outbreak. But an indefiniate warning is not helpful.

If i was an airline / hote; / tour compnay id be unlilley to come to the party on a refund outside of policy due to this warning for something that is months away, as anything can chnage and no one has a crystal ball. It might only help with travel departing in the next few weeks.

 

[Pushka]

But only if booked in March 2020 right? I have O/s travel next month that was booked back in October last year, there doesn't seem to be any policy for this situation that I can easily find.

I think it is any travel now regardless of when it was booked. Up to a certain date for travel.

Booking changes and other options | Qantas

View information on what option you have for changing and cancelling your Qantas flight booking.

www.qantas.com

All other bookings
If you've booked your flights directly with us and no longer wish to travel, you can choose to change to a new date, or cancel your booking and use the value towards a future flight.
Check your fare conditions for change and cancellation information. These are available under the flight section at Manage Booking. Just enter your last name and booking reference.
Note: change and cancellation penalties may apply.
International travel restrictions
If you've booked your flights directly with us and are no longer able to travel based on travel restrictions for the countries in your itinerary, we'll assist you to make changes to your booking, removing any change or cancellation fees.

 

[opusman]

Agree about that but if they want people who understand the risks and who want to cancel, then all they are doing with this warning is telling those people - tough luck, lose your money!

At the end of the day that's the risk you run when booking non-refundable travel. Blame the airlines and their refund policies.

 

[Pushka]

At the end of the day that's the risk you run when booking non-refundable travel. Blame the airlines and their refund policies.

We booked Business class, and still have to pay a cancellation fee because it is International.

 

[amaroo]

How does such a warning do that though?

I've been to a few countries with that level of warning. Comes down to a personal decision... understand the desire to claim on TI, but the reality is people are still travelling around the globe.

Some people including a few on here couldn't give a rats about any gov alert or TI implications.

 

[Pushka]

I've been to a few countries with that level of warning. Comes down to a personal decision... understand the desire to claim on TI, but the reality is people are still travelling around the globe.

Some people including a few on here couldn't give a rats about any gov alert or TI implications.

Well, yes, maybe I've done that too.
But not when it was a health issue.

I must check the policy we have. Just our luck if we are excluded from any Insurance with this level of warning but which is not enough to be able to claim anything.