Reward Booking cancelled?

[albatross710]

but if spouse or child was badly hurt in car accident or even worse 1 week prior to departure - bad luck to you Cruiser - we have your points and your $$$'s so go screw yourself - amazing!

The equivalent dollar cost of a commercial ticket would likely be recoverable under a travel insurance policy in this event.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I suggest one carefully check their PDS for this.

It's so easy to see why people get soooooooo confused and frequently taken to the cleaners. T&Cs can be really useful if you have the time to study them all and the mind power to register each and every idiocyncratic difference, but the reality for most of us mere mortals, is that companies use T&C confusion to their benefit.

Insurance has long been known about, but some of DJs ploys are being revealed here on AFF, but what about all those who don't know about AFF or don't have the time to avidly read? SC awards not in keeping with most other airlines, complete loss of payment on J award flight if cancelled (where J is almost universally a flexible and cancelable fare).......one could be forgiven for wondering if these (and others) are carefully calculated deviations from the norm, to achieve maximum revenue rather than simply a perceived reward for ones loyalty. Vigilance, sharing of experiences and an ample helping of sheer dumb luck seems to be our only defence.

 

[markis10]

While I am not agreeing with DJs policy, it's a more common practice than most would be aware, quite a few J and F redemption options with QF offer the same cancel and get nothing back terms, especially ex UK.

 

[Mh4k]

The equivalent dollar cost of a commercial ticket would likely be recoverable under a travel insurance policy in this event.

Most decent insurance policies will reimburse you the equivalent published cash value of the ticket. Do be careful though as some policies will only pay you the FF program's published equivalent cash value of the points. That could be the difference between getting, say, $4k for a missed/cancelled one-way J fare and getting ~$1,000 or less.

 

[simongr]

While I am not agreeing with DJs policy, it's a more common practice than most would be aware, quite a few J and F redemption options with QF offer the same cancel and get nothing back terms, especially ex UK.

Wow - those must be odd redemptions given the T&C only list the 5K points penalty. Any details?

 

[markis10]

Wow - those must be odd redemptions given the T&C only list the 5K points penalty. Any details?

Pretty much all the JASAs and FASAs that are listed as a saver fare for most parts of the world, for instance a JASA as a saver ex UK does not permit refunds or changes!

Bookings - Fare Types
Bookings - Fare Types

Dont forget there are also no refunds for Classic awards once travel has commenced in the case of Partner Awards and One World awards, so a similar situation there should something happen mid trip.

 

[simongr]

Interesting (I think the mid trip refunds is fair would not be dissimilar to normal tix). Essentially DJ/VA and QF are taking opposite approaches:

True awards

QF refundable
DJ/VA not refundable

Any seat

QF not refundable
DJ/VA dependent on fare basis of award chosen

 

[lovestotravel]

While I am not agreeing with DJs policy, it's a more common practice than most would be aware, quite a few J and F redemption options with QF offer the same cancel and get nothing back terms, especially ex UK.

We are not living in the UK :shock:

 

[markis10]

We are not living in the UK :shock:

Dont need to be, eg:

To South America
Bookings - Fare Types

to Europe
Bookings - Fare Types

Even across the ditch:
Bookings - Fare Types

The point being J or F does not mean you will get a refund regardless of it being an award or normal fare or a ASA, watch those savers, they can cost!

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Ok so to the next exciting chapter in this Reward Redemption saga with this self professed A grade / top of the line / class 1 international carrier.

I hold both Velocity Reawrds Platinum Amex and Virgin High Flyer Platinum Visa.

Call up AMEX and check if points redemption is covered by complimentary travel insurance with Plat AMEX.

Transferred through to Ace Insurance who are insurance provider - YES - redemption booking is covered in the event of subsequent cancellation if:

1. All points used in redemption booking were accrued / generated using said Velocity Plat Amex

2. All fees and charges were paid using said Velocity Plat Amex

I have made this booking MEL-LAX return in J using Velocity pts - 188,000 + $640 odd dollars - I just need to shore up position if in case things do go pear shape.

In all seriousness VA - should a loyal VA FF need to go to all this trouble wasting valuable time attempting to secure a position when most of your competitors provide an automatic pts refund scheme?

 

[albatross710]

1. All points used in redemption booking were accrued / generated using said Velocity Plat Amex

That would be hard to prove/disprove. I wonder if the onus is on the claimant to show how the pts were accrued. If you reasonably have a mix of flight pts, ccard pts and Optus phone points how would you know which ones were used for the flight?

Maybe you have to consider a third party insurer for this one?

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Maybe you have to consider a third party insurer for this one?

Ah yes that will be necessary - am still very unhappy - got another whack for VA if I can ever post pics again - lots of chest beating by VA last 12 mths but little substance in certain areas.