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

[Mr H]

So according to Change fee waiver for Qantas International and Domestic bookings, if I have 2 QF reward bookings with China Airlines to Taipei in April, I will be able to change the booking dates without the 5000 point penalty?

That is my reading of it. But they haven't yet said they will waive cancellation fees. But of course, they will have to cancel the flights anyway. I wish this weren't death by a thousand cuts.

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

That is my reading of it. But they haven't yet said they will waive cancellation fees. But of course, they will have to cancel the flights anyway. I wish this weren't death by a thousand cuts.

From memory changing a reward booking only incurs the 5000 point penalty per passenger per booking so this waiver policy sounds like I should be exempted with no additional fees imposed.
At least that's how I understand it.

 

[dylarr]

Saw this poll on the Red Planet Portal. No wonder Qantas are dragging their feet offering reasonable waivers etc. 72% of respondents are either Satisfied or Very Satisfied with the Qantas response to COVID-19.

The only thing I can assume is most of these respondents don't have bookings with Qantas in the next couple of months or haven't tried to contact Qantas over the last few weeks!

 

[aenova]

Where was you off to - and now trying to change to?

We were off to Portugal, Spain and (south of) France. It was a family trip with up to 12 ppl at times. When I did get through to QF at 3 and 3/4 hr mark (12.45 am) my hand set died and I cried
Called again 06:00 Sunday morning on a better phone. The call back system was operating and they were on the phone to me at 07:15.
I had to pay the cancellation fee for the cash tickets (CBR SYD HKG return). The QF restrictions for a voucher were ridiculous: I had to travel by April 28 2020 (12 months from purchase date perhaps?), only valid for international, (apparently there were places I could fly to overseas, regardless of government advice) and a change penalty would still be applied when I decided where to go. So I took the cash. The points penalty was waived on both the FF point bookings (EK to HKG to LIS and CX BRU to HKG), which I consider a bonus and sort of ‘break even’ across the transaction.
BTW I am a first poster but long time stalker. Previously had some status, so I know what I am missing. Now just languishing with lifetime silver by association. Enjoy reading about how to use points wisely, am married to an aviation employee and love to plan (and do) travel.

 

[bPeteb]

We're at watch and wait with our travel. Cairns in just under four weeks for Easter then Perth May Day weekend. Both cash/credit card trips. DSC trips too that would have got me to exactly 1200. Just 70SCs short, so near and yet so far.

Our trip to South Africa a different beast. One a revenue business sale fare, one reward. Booked last August so not much chance of getting a voucher and flying anywhere between now and August... I think we'll wait and see what QF decides, or what decision is made for them. Most likely have to take the $600 hit at some point. The Intrepid trip was $1 deposit so nothing there to worry about.

We just want to keep my very elderly folks (and me) safe so we'll do what we have to do.

 

[aggie57]

Well, I just cancelled two bookings in April/May - one LAX-MEL return and one MEL-SYD return. Followed the process shown on the Qantas website, no voucher option offered just the standard statements about terms of the cancellation. I took screen prints of everything and will give them 24hrs to process before contacting them. The bookings are still showing on my QFF profile on the website.

 

[squid01]

I had a Oneworld Classic Flight Award booked, due to depart tomorrow to LAX on AA. They just cancelled that route but I believe our flight would have been the last plane out from Aus until mid May for AA.

It has been an emotionally draining few days watching this unfold and deciding if we should carry on or cancel. This was not a short holiday, but an 8 month trip to USA (briefly), mexico, central/South America (overland), quick Few week stops in italy (lol in October) and then Asia on the way home.
Ended up cancelling last night, 30 hours before departure. Did not get charged any cancellation fees/points and got full refund of points and taxes paid.

Earlier in the day we had decided to still go and brought forward a flight to Mexico City from LA so we could get there before mexico closes off that border. but then after dinner we heard about AA and a couple of other border restrictions coming into play in South America and decided to pull the pin. They changed the flight and said we would get charged the 5k points fee per person even when I pressed them. Those points however have not yet been deducted from my balance.

Absutely shattering considering we have quit our jobs and rented out our apartment and packed up our lives to do this trip. Will just have to monitor it all and see if we can go later in the year etc.

 

[tizey]

Rebooked my dads return onto QF10 LHR-MEL via webchat this morning. Took 3 hrs to get through, but no change fee, no service fee - just the extra points needed to complete the itinerary. Agent today much better than yesterday - yesterday I was met with restriction 'this cant be done as he's flown 1 segment already'... today they can.

I figure thats his best bet home as he doesnt have to transit anywhere once he's in London.

 

[Max Samuels]

Trying to cancel a QF domestic flight booked using points..... the "cancel" option isn't available online - it says to "call the airline". Been on hold for 2 hours...... I understand that it is busy Qantas, but your own info says "please cancel online and don't call the airline", yet the cancel button is "ghosted" out. So I am wondering, if I cannot cancel it, and just no-show, will they honor their promise to me and refund points and not penalise me?

 

[tizey]

Trying to cancel a QF domestic flight booked using points..... the "cancel" option isn't available online - it says to "call the airline". Been on hold for 2 hours...... I understand that it is busy Qantas, but your own info says "please cancel online and don't call the airline", yet the cancel button is "ghosted" out. So I am wondering, if I cannot cancel it, and just no-show, will they honor their promise to me and refund points and not penalise me?

When is the travel? If you've got a bit more time... I'd hold off. They are being smashed currently (estimated 5hr wait when I called at 6am this morning), and took 2hrs on the webchat to get someone.

 

[Max Samuels]

Trying to cancel a QF domestic flight booked using points..... the "cancel" option isn't available online - it says to "call the airline". Been on hold for 2 hours...... I understand that it is busy Qantas, but your own info says "please cancel online and don't call the airline", yet the cancel button is "ghosted" out. So I am wondering, if I cannot cancel it, and just no-show, will they honor their promise to me and refund points and not penalise me?

Finally got through..... so it looks like the work experience kids at QF have outdone themselves.... the credit voucher only applies to revenue bookings - which means you get a voucher that you can use within 12 months - which is totally fine. Award bookings, however, still attract the 6000 points per person cancel fee, BUT, they will let you make one free change - so that is totally useless to me. It means that i have to pick a new date by March 31 and won't be able to change that again without penalty..... #sadface

 

[Max Samuels]

From memory changing a reward booking only incurs the 5000 point penalty per passenger per booking so this waiver policy sounds like I should be exempted with no additional fees imposed.
At least that's how I understand it.

Nah - they still want to charge the penalty :-(

 

[tizey]

Nah - they still want to charge the penalty :-(

They tried that with me (5000 change fee plus 7700 service fee) and I asked nicely as I couldn't do it myself online. Waived.

 

[Monya Meow Meow]

Nah - they still want to charge the penalty :-(

Seems to be conflicting, I see some have been successful in getting their penalties waived.

 

[calmelb]

The only thing I can assume is most of these respondents don't have bookings with Qantas in the next couple of months or haven't tried to contact Qantas over the last few weeks!

More so they have status and so only have to wait a short time (WP/ P1) to get through to QF. Not good for the vast majority, but QF just ignores those who don't bring the $$$$

 

[Pushka]

Well, I just cancelled two bookings in April/May - one LAX-MEL return and one MEL-SYD return. Followed the process shown on the Qantas website, no voucher option offered just the standard statements about terms of the cancellation. I took screen prints of everything and will give them 24hrs to process before contacting them. The bookings are still showing on my QFF profile on the website.

This is exactly what happened to me when I cancelled and others on Qantas FB are saying the same. There is no voucher option! And just now I've received the cancellation refund email. Call them now. Sadly.

 

[MarcB]

Just remember, anyone who is cancelling and can demonstrate it is because of coronavirus related travel restrictions (self-isolation doesn't count) is entitled to a refund. It's a separate waiver policy to the one announced yesterday for all domestic and international flights.

See here:

Commercial Policy for Qantas Passengers Impacted by Coronavirus Related Travel Restrictions

Commercial Policy for Qantas Passengers Impacted by Coronavirus Related Travel Restrictions

www.qantas.com

 

[Noah Count]

Nah - they still want to charge the penalty :-(

We cancelled a reward flight last week and the points cancellation fees were waived.

 

[Max Samuels]

Seems to be conflicting, I see some have been successful in getting their penalties waived.

Definitely conflicting. Which is not really a surprise for such a terrible airline. I should have bothered to record the call so I could transcribe the exact words... but I think I was barely conscious after such a long wait.

best airline ever

 

[ivanhoe]

We cancelled a reward flight last week and the points cancellation fees were waived.

Hi Matt_01

Did you cancel online or did you call and have the fees waived by the agent?